Hmmm -- all good points. I need to take a close look at the prices and add in the estimated tips, and see if it really is a good deal. If it's not significantly less expensive, then I would prefer to be on smaller ships.

Regarding the alcohol issue, that brings up a question - anyone know if Crystal has one of those absurb "alcohol-smuggling" policies? I couldn't find anything on their website. It's not like I'm an alky -- I rarely drink anything more than a good bottle of wine with dinner, and maybe the occasional martini or single-malt scotch before or after. So I would probably be happy bringing some of my favorite wine with me, and maybe buying a couple of bottles on board. But not if I'm going to get strip-searched, treated like a criminal and have my stash confiscated!
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The thing is, I just know I'm going to be so spoiled after I go on my first RSSC cruise, that nothing less will feel special to me, y'know? On the other hand, if I can get that 6-star experience at a lower cost, I could possibly do it more often.