We have taken three cruises on Crystal and I guess that makes me the expert here.. lol
Why have we taken them? because they had cruises where we wanted to go at that moment.
My first thought LeeAnne, with your first post why they are not on my best cruise list is exactly what Ngaire said. They are in that mode of here is your table and here are your friends for breakfast lunch and dinner for 7 10 14 or whatever days and here is your seating time ! YECH!
Unless of course you make reservations at the alternative restaurants ( which if I recall also charge a fee, something like 15 or 20 p/p plus tip )to us was okay to be able to dine on our time not a preplanned time).
The Japaneese restaurant as Chip mentioned was the most wonderful sushi we have ever had at sea, but that was really the only way to dine alone. That and the Italian restaurant which was fabulous food, again, reservations and extra cost.
Now don't get me wrong, it's not that table mates aren't great-even have had fun with the ships selection of new friends but you can't dine with new or old friends or others as you wish. Not like true lux trip. They say 6 star.. but that is all in the eyes of beholder. I mean who said that anyways wink? Crystal exec?
I don't mind paying for wine or drinks or even the special restaurant ( if not included in the fare).. that to me isn't important. When you look at it, if it is included as they say for drinks, say on Radisson, you still have to pay for your drinkies during the day and even pre dinner
unless you order in restaurant ( winkie winkie kids)so if have to order beers or drinks and pay won't kill us wink it's my vacation and if I can't spend induldge well, wouldn't go.. but that is us..
As far as clothes:
They do have the same as Radisson & some other ships with that formal night drill, night time rules
( gosh I hate this rule thing ).
And during the day it is no more formal or dressey as any other ship we have ever been on. Now referred to by all the ships as country club casual. Crystal holds about 950 people so the passenger thing is not terrible and infact never bothered us ( who absolutely adore the very small ships holding 600or less..)we never waited in lines.
Balcony cabin was cookie cutter with all the other ships.. maybe Radisson bathroom a bit bigger-I think it is larger than mostships as a matter of fact you can actually turn around wink
You know in all honesty you have to first decide where you want to go.. then see which ship goes there..which one you can afford, weigh the differences and then decide. I happen to love formal dressing can do it every night.. my husband on the other hand feels that to schlepp a tux around the world is the most insane thing on earth ( unless we are going to a wedding) ..
so we go on ships where we can dine when we like, with whom we like and wear what we like with no written agenda..