I am presently sailing on Serenity and find food and service are quite good. Dress is much more casual than in the past and in our 10 day trip there is one formal night. Dress was all over the board. Men in tuxedos, suits, jackets and slacks with no tie. Women in long gowns, cocktail dresses, slacks and tops. There are many options for food but you can special 24 hours in advance. For example today we had Steak Tartare for lunch. We have been on several tours and thought they ran quite well. As stated earlier there is a Crystal rep on each tour. There are hop a bus tours in most of the New England ports that are alternatives. We have really enjoyed the guest lecturers. While dining can be by reservation or assigned at dinner you can eat wherever you wish and with whomever you wish at breakfast and lunch. There are also alternatives such as Tastes or Lido.