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Name: Barbara Harvey
Email: barbharvey@rmi.net
Age: 52
Occupation: Secretary
NumberOfCruises: 12
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Crystal-Harmony
SailingDate: 3/12/97
Itinerary: Acapulco/Ft. Lauderdale
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 98
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 100
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 98
WheelchairAccess: 100
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 98
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 100
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 25 Apr 1997
Time: 01:00:11
Remote Name: 166.93.31.102
Remote User:
Comments
This is a review of a recent Panama Canal cruise on the Crystal Harmony (March2-12, 1997)
from Acapulco to Ft.
Lauderdale. This was a wonderful trip - my first on the Crystal Line, but hopefully not my
last. My cruise partner and
I are both in our early 50s and have taken numerous previous cruises, and we both agree
that this is our favorite
shipboard experience by far - and we were in the cheap seats!! In a nutshell- beautiful
and elegant ship, superlative
yet unobtrusive service - very graciously given, excellent and elegant cuisine, and a good
variety of on-board
entertainment. And that?s the truth!!
Embarkation was excellent ...an absolute breeze. We live in the Denver area and flew to LA
on 3/1. Crystal had us
stay at the Westin Hotel near the airport. Everything at the hotel was first rate, and we
actually did our cruise check in
there. We left for Acapulco the next morning and arrived there about 3:30. It was a short
bus ride from the airport to
the ship, and everyone was welcomed with champagne or orange juice as we boarded.
Our inside cabin (Deck 5) was VERY spacious and the color choices made it seem very light
and airy in spite of
being inside. There was more than ample closet and drawer space, queen bed (or twins), a
couch (which actually
made into a third bed), and an incredibly lovely bathroom. Seriousl...?marble counters,
lovely deep tub (the line is
owned by a Japanese company!), lots of thick white towels, and wonderful Neutrogena soaps,
shampoos, and lotion.
We took a few minutes to explore the ship and have a quick bite at the hamburger bar near
the pool, made some
restaurant reservations (more later), then stopped by the excursion desk to get
information about going to see
Acapulco?s famous cliff divers. It turned out we would be able to see them at a sunset
show, so off we went. This
was fun - we sat outside at La Quebrada, the hotel right at the cliffs. I remembered
seeing the divers on television
when I was just a kid, so it was fun to see it in person. We got back to the ship in time
for dinner and the ship sailed
at 11 p.m.
One reason we chose this trip was because it was nearly all days at sea, something we?ve
always wanted to
experience. We were not disappointed. While there was not the myriad of games and
activities as on some of the
other lines we?ve sailed, we were never lacking for things to do. There were many first
rate movies in the theater,
numerous interesting lecturers, a bountiful library, lovely public rooms, two pools and
spa/hot tubs. The pool areas
were very nice and incredibly well maintained, as was the case with everything on this
ship.
Our ports of call were Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel.
That was it! We had
pre-registered through our travel agent for the shore excursion in Guatemala to Tikal
...the famous Mayan ruins. This
was expensive ($398 per person) but we figured we would never again have the opportunity.
It was truly an
adventure; it took about 2 ˝ hours to get there (via a small plane and bus) and involved
walking through the jungle for
about 3 hours to view the ruins. It was not necessarily difficult terrain, but one did
need to be in relatively good
physical shape to do it. It was well worth the time, effort, and money. We saw interesting
wildlife (including a howler
monkey), and I climbed the Temple of the Masks. I cannot believe that they let you do
this...it was fabulous. I think it
is 145 feet tall, although you do not climb all the way to the top. But, you have an
incredible view and an enormous
sense of accomplishment! The Mayan culture was fascinating to learn about, and we had an
excellent guide. My only
disappointment was that I did not get to shop at all in Guatemala, and they seemed to have
some lovely things there.
The only other excursion I went on was the Atlantis submarine at Grand Cayman. I have
always wanted to do this but
am somewhat claustrophobic. I decided it was now or never ? and am glad I went. It was $87
- not cheap. I don?t
think it was terribly overpriced -- every passenger has a viewing window in front of them
and we saw all kinds of
fascinating stuff. In Cozumel, we chose to do a bit of shopping and went to their museum.
This turned out to be a very
interesting stop ... I think it was about $3 each to go in. It is a relatively small
museum, but had some great artifacts.
Of course, the Panama Canal was fascinating. It took 9 hours to go completely through.
It?s definitely a 'guy thing' but
I did enjoy it, too. A highlight was passing a US Navy submarine (which was being escorted
by some gun boats) that
was headed in the opposite direction. Pretty cool!
The food on the Crystal Harmony is the best I have ever had on land or sea! The dining
room is quite nice -it is
located on Deck 5 (just above the water) and has big windows for viewing while you?re
dining. This was so pleasant!
One day at lunch we actually saw about 20 dolphins frolicking in the water. It was great!
But, I digress..sorry. The
linens, china, silver, and crystal on the tables are lovely. They have several different
types of china that they use and it
was all quite elegant. I can truthfully say that I did not have one meal that was not
great (and I can truthfully say that I
did not miss a meal!!). The ship also has two 'alternative' restaurants that are also
terrific --Kyoto (obviously
Japanese and absolutely lovely) and Prego (Italian and also lovely). You should make
reservations for these
immediately upon boarding as there is very high demand for them. They are on Deck 11, aft.
You need to go in
person to make the reservations. We had dinner at each restaurant and it was great. For
some reason, the night we
dined at Prego there was a great deal of engine vibration which was disconcerting, but we
managed to enjoy our
dinner in spite of it!
Afternoon tea is served in the Palm Court, a beautiful room on Deck 11. Truly
lovely...complete with a singing waiter
on this voyage! It was great fun each day. They had three special teas: Viennese - where
in addition to tea they had
fabulous coffees to choose from; English Colonial (somehow I missed this one); and
American (I think at this one they
had several varieties of flavored ice teas). There is also a lovely spot called The
Bistro...an espresso bar of sorts.
They have coffee and tea all day, along with fruit and cheese, tea sandwiches, cookies,
etc. You can also order
capuccino and café latte, etc. This is open until just before dinner each evening. On
Lido deck, there is also a
hamburger bar and an ice cream bar.
Breakfast and lunch are open seating, and there are lots of tables for two by the windows.
I really liked this, not that I
don?t enjoy dining with others, but I just liked this a lot. Of course, there was
breakfast and lunch on the Lido Deck,
which was also great. A wonderful variety of food and some terrific outside seating as
well as that inside.
Entertainment was very good. I thought the production shows (every other night on this
trip) were extremely well
done. The costuming was incredible and the performers were energetic and very talented.
Production shows included:
Broadway show tunes; an evening with Cole Porter; country; fifties; and sort of a music
from around the world. Other
shows featured a good variety of entertainment; everyone seemed to enjoy the shows and the
various lounge
entertainers.
Guest lecturers on this cruise included: a cigar expert, wine expert, guest chef Jacque
Pepin of PBS fame, a
syndicated radio personality, an opera instructor, and a former ambassador. There were
lots of cigar "aficionados" on
board who seemed to be having a grand time. There were also several art auctions during
the cruise. Definitely
something for everyone!
Something of note: one day, they had an "open house" where you could visit a
cabin in each category. My chance to
see a penthouse!! It was really quite interesting to see how very little difference there
was between the different
categories...well, except for the penthouse!
The on-board shops were quite pricey, but it was fun to look. They did have 15 percent off
the first day, and that was
the only day. They did have some reduced merchandise and a few special items. I did buy a
"Bistro" cup and plate so
I can sit in my kitchen and have my morning coffee and toast and dream that I?m sitting in
the Bistro!!
Our only concern (I had too great a time to call it a complaint!!) was constant noise from
the ceiling in our room. We
joked that it sounded like a flock of seagulls was trapped in there. Later in the cruise
it sounded a bit like some sort of
marching unit (and not a very precise one, I might add!). I never got around to making it
known to the staff so it must
not have been all that bad. I am certain they would have responded promptly.
Anyway, it was a grand trip and I can?t wait to go again! Write to me if you want more
details!
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