Betty, I enjoyed your review. From what I have heard, the main differences between the two lines are that the staterooms on RSSC are far nicer and there is open dining with no charge for wine or gratuities. Crystal (I've heard) is better for the food, lecturers, entertainment, and the shops. There are certain things we like -- the Repertory Company at Sea, the specialty restaurants, the Asian buffet, tea time, and the Bistro. Both cruise lines are known for their excellent service. You are right in that the open seating with still the two distinct dining times is unusual on Crystal. Did you meet our favorite maitre d' Remi?

I know Nancy reads this board and I'm sure she will appreciate your comments. Betty, there is a mini cruise thread on the Crystal cc board. Please post your comments there (called "First short Crystal cruise"). I think the Crystal posters would enjoy reading them.

We leave on a 9-all sea day cruise on the Symphony on April 25th. Lecturers and entertainment galore! It is a Big Band cruise and we'll dance our way from Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon to the music on the Tommy Dorsey band. We've already booked through September 2006 (Egypt in May and the golf-themed cruise through British Isles in September) but we still hope to squeeze a Radisson cruise in there. We are doing a golf-themed cruise to Spain, Portugal, Casablanca, and the Canary Islands in October 2005.

Crystal is doing a year long Share the Experience promotion. The sponsor (past passenger) and the new passenger both get additional on board credit (usually starts with one's third cruise) and the past passenger gets a discount on a future cruise (in addition to the Crystal Society and on board booking discounts). If anyone decides to try Crystal, either post a note to me here or on the cc Crystal board and I'll try to match you up. We have special STEX threads for matches. Judith