At an all-day meeting yesterday, and then our internet is down at home, so I couldn't get onto this forum at all yesterday. Argh!

This is all great information, and very helpful. Maurice I'll email you for the reviews, would love to read them.

I guess I just wanted find out if there's going to be a noticeable difference in the experience if I choose Crystal. Celebrity, with whom we've cruised in the past, and Princess have some interesting itineraries and of course can be much less expensive than the 6-star lines, but I just don't think I'm going to want to go back to the things I disliked the most about cruising -- lines, cattle-call feel, decent but not great food, nickel-&-diming, etc. There are certain things that I am really looking forward to on my upcoming RSSC cruise, that to me make the difference between a nice vacation and one that is exceptional. And I just feel like I'm at a point in my life where I don't want okay vacations, I want something special and memorable. We are not in the income stratosphere where we can pick & choose regardless of price, but we can, with some luck and enough research and discount-shopping, afford a luxe experience.

It does sound as if Crystal would be a viable option for us if the situation is right, and it helps to be armed with the knowledge of the pros and cons. Thanks everyone!