This is the Title

nowhere special, i always wanted to go there
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This is the Title

Post: # 1278Post iamheisenberg »

I hope you don't mind, drib, if I continue my life's work, shaming that other cruise message board, right here on drib critic.

I will wait until tomorrow to start re-posting.

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Re: This is The Title

Post: # 1279Post drib »

drib critic is about as good a place to hide in plain sight as any. Knock yourself out, Heisenberg.

I like your fierce new avatar!

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Re: This is The Title

Post: # 1280Post iamheisenberg »

Thanks.

I've gone commando!

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August 17th, 2016, 09:55 AM

Post: # 1281Post iamheisenberg »

This was posted with the title "The Great Old Crystal Cruises" and the user name was MalcomY. Before it was removed, I was wondering if that was a real name or a play on the name Malcom X.
MalcomY wrote:There was a time, not that long ago, when Crystal Cruises was a great company.

It was a great company, because employee morale was high. Both in the office, and on the ships, employees were generally very happy and spoke highly of their employer and its management. They worked hard because they believed that the company was investing in them.

It was a great company, because it had a culture which promoted from within, and retained great talent. Turnover was low. Tenure was long. Crystal enjoyed the experience of many life-long shipboard employees, and in the office, as of late last year, Crystal had at least 11 Vice Presidents who had been with the company for a dozen or more years.

This group of talented, dedicated leaders, in turn earned their employees’, commitment, respect, and hard work, and thereby led the company to win an unprecedented consecutive number of “best” awards by both Conde Nast Traveler, and Travel & Leisure.

Those guests fortunate enough to travel aboard Crystal could see firsthand the external manifestation of internal greatness, and they voted accordingly.

Crystal was indeed a great company.

But all of that changed once Crystal was acquired last year.

No sooner had the ink dried on the acquisition in May of 2016, than Crystal gave up on some of the core elements which had made the company great.

Employees immediately lost the privilege of working from home. And though that was a blow to many struggling employees, the true injury came by way of insult, when the president explained that the reason for the change was that employees could not be trusted if they were not being monitored. In that instant, the atmosphere of the company changed forever.

This was announced at the first of what have now become legendary town hall meetings – legendary for numerous reasons, not the least of which was the persistent comparison which Edie drew between her own challenges in this job (written sarcastically) and the plight of those earning 10% of her salary. These comparisons, and indeed the entirety of the meetings – might have been comical had they not been so condescending and mean-spirited in their delivery. Since the meetings were video-recorded, employees joked of watching them with their spouses at night, with a bowl of popcorn, for their sheer shock and entertainment value.

Immediately thereafter, a flurry of new senior management announcements were made. The company was about to grow rapidly, and so obviously additional staff was needed.

But rather than promoting a single one of the long-time, dedicated leaders who had made such impressive contributions to Crystal’s greatness, Edie decided to hire entirely from without – a new team which saw little value in the practices and culture that had garnered Crystal its unprecedented awards, and made it the great company that it was.

This shift was so rapid and so evident, that not a month passed before an astute industry veteran and author wrote an article, calling the new hiring surge “Friends of Edie.” Little did he know that employees would soon adopt this title in derision – calling Crystal Cruises the “Friend of Edie Corporation” – or “F.O.E. Corp” for short.


That was the beginning of the end, and now the end is behind us. The new management has transformed everything about Crystal; the new company unrecognizable to those of us who had loved the old one for so long.

And so it was not surprising that earlier this year, within a period of just a few months, 8 Vice Presidents left the company.



Given the vast monies that Genting has begun to pour into Crystal Cruises, amazing new products will undoubtedly be created. But Crystal Cruises will never again be the great company that it was, because it abandoned the people who made it great, and the principles and culture they fostered.

Time will confirm this prediction, but I believe that the results of the recent Travel & Leisure awards are a clear indicator of things to come.

After 20 consecutive wins, Crystal Cruises was beaten this year by newcomer Viking Cruises in the “Best Large Ocean Cruise Line” category. Not only did Viking beat Crystal, but it did so by a colossal margin of 4.26 points. Compare that to the margin of just 0.60 by which Crystal beat Regent, and a margin of 3.59 by which 2nd place Crystal beat 6th place Oceania, and you begin to appreciate the true magnitude of the defeat.


I miss the great old Crystal Cruises.

97.98
This was shortly after a poster name Adrestia (Goddess of Retribution) posted something similar. I wish I had kept that post - it was probably the impetus to start saving soon-to-be-deleted posts in the test forum.

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August 25th, 2016, 07:11 PM

Post: # 1282Post iamheisenberg »

This is a tough one to copy because that other message board does not quote quotes anymore.

For posterity:
Bodogbodog wrote:I notice on todays blog Keith1010 reports that with supervision of the Fitness Center he taught today's (Indoor Cycling Class) class

I think that raises some interesting issues and challenges for Crystal:
  • are Crystal HQ management aware of this situation?
  • what are the legal liabilities of both Crystal and the guest crew member should an issue arise? - do each hold adequate insurance cover for such a situation
  • how do guests who pay for a professional crew member feel about an amateur guest crew member leading an event? I note that reportedly "Keith received good feedback from those in the class including his music selection" - what were guests likely to do - tell him it was rubbish? - unlikely I suspect. It will be interesting to see if any voice their concerns privately...
  • when is it acceptable for a luxury line such as Crystal to allow guests to become crew and lead scheduled sessions?
  • does the guest crew member get a share of the gratuities
What do others think?

I would be concerned if it happened on my cruise - think about it - we could have guest/crew preparing meals (they may well be qualified chefs - it wouldn't matter to me) or perhaps guest/crew providing entertainment sessions (I'm sure some are qualified entertainers)

I think this crosses the line in terms of guests becoming crew and undertaking activities that paid crew are engaged for - it's a lot different than people at knitting showing others how do perform a particular stitch...
Suite Travels wrote:Wow, that seriously could be an issue. The crew member is responsible not only for the class but the safety of everyone in the gym. I am sure the instructor is well qualified to teach a spin class and other gym activities. Yes, this is a liability if something happens because of instruction by a guest as Crystal will not be covered under this umbrella. I am sure the Crystal instructor is well qualified and protected by Crystal's insurance policy and the instructor also has a contract to adhere to as well.

I did not know this was going on.
candbgirl wrote:I have no idea why you and a very few others continue to attack every post Keith makes. In case you missed it, Keith is a Certified Cycling a Instructor and does teach some classes near his home. Crystal has been in business a very longtime. I'm quite sure they know what they are doing. And to suggest Keith would take a portion of the tip pool is just mean and over the top insulting. I'd like to suggest that you stop torturing yourself by reading Keith's posts. They seem to upset you and a few others so much and life is just too short to get caught up in something you really don't enjoy and have no interest it in.
iamheisenberg wrote:Who?

I thought Keith1010 had a financial relationship with Crystal - maybe monitoring these boards as an information specialist, something like that.

And I don't see the word "tip" mentioned here other than your post. (However, I have only read just a little bit of the current NWP blogs.)

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Re: This is The Title

Post: # 1283Post drib »

iamheisenberg wrote: Thu Apr 27, 2017 12:59 pmI've gone commando!
In today's idiom, I don't think that means what you think it means!

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August 25th, 2016, 09:03 PM

Post: # 1284Post iamheisenberg »

Not too short:
iamheisenberg wrote:Well, someone has to dine with Keith1010!

But it also makes perfect sense that he would dine with senior staff because, whether he is an employee or not, he certainly knows the crew very well.

The reason I thought that perhaps he is an employee is because he has about 90,000 posts here. And they are mostly very thoughtful posts. This post will take me about ten minutes, start to finish - including reading and editing - and it is not nearly as thoughtful (nor as useful) as the average Keith1010 post.

So extending out his post count to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to years, I calculate that Keith1010 has spent two solid years of non-stop posting on Cruise Critic. If that is true, and he is not an employee, either of Crystal or Cruise Critic, then credit where credit is due. He has certainly earned all the tips that anyone might want to give him!

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August 30th, 2016, 06:32 PM

Post: # 1285Post iamheisenberg »

This was funny. It probably will not be purged, though. I had saved it too late because it originally said something about a "hoagie" too.
Keith1010 wrote:Thank you for your post.

Here I am sailing on a most underbeleiveaole voyage and sailing with so many people who are having a tremendous time.

What I have come to realize is that there are about 10 people who keep posting over and over and over who have become critical of Crystal.

I have spoken with many people on not only this voyage but the last voyage who just have told me that they are just not going to post anymore. They just can't put up with the negativity.

And they represent about 60 people.

I am sure I will be flamed about this.

My view is very simple.

If you think you can find a cruise line that you like better than Crystal go for it.

Try it.

I also know some people who "tried it" and then they returned to Crystal.

Live is not perfect.

No one is perfect but you would never know with some of the posts.

Live is short.

Just enjoy.

Nowadays it seem popular to just criticize and criticize and criticize.

And then to make fun of people who are positive.

OK. Singing off and by the way having a terrific time on Serenity.

I would say this cruise ranks as our top two cruises ever.

Yes most cruise lines are not like they were in the old days.

What is? Hotels? Phone Companies? Etc.

But if you think really hard there are several things that are better today than years past.

In the end figure out what you like and enjoy it.

And my advice is focus on what you like. Whey focus so much on what you don't like unless that is what charges your batteries.

My batteries charge with those things I like. I truly believe that most people think the way I do. It's just that many are bashful to say this.

Keith

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September 16th, 2016, 10:56 AM

Post: # 1286Post iamheisenberg »

Howdy, indoet93. Is this an exercise in how to spam in Indonesian?


Endangered:
In 2003, someone famous prematurely used the expression "Mission Accomplished" and ever since it's mostly used only in a sarcastic way. So, I know that wasn't the intent here, but still ...

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October 4th, 2016, 09:46 AM

Post: # 1287Post iamheisenberg »

This.
iamheisenberg wrote:Perhaps Regent should follow Crystal's lead and book a Swingers cruise!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2397171

Have fun with that.

On Regent, this would work better on their new ship because then it can be marketed as the Sexplorer!

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October 8th, 2016, 08:21 AM

Post: # 1288Post iamheisenberg »

glsebs wrote:What refurbishment can I expect for a cruise on the Symphony immediately after being in dry dock?
Carpet, upholstery, bedding etc.?
iamheisenberg wrote:Undoubtedly, new playrooms.

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October 28th, 2016, 01:26 PM

Post: # 1289Post iamheisenberg »

Endangered.
Bodogbodog wrote:I think a lot of people missed the big news from this announcement - Crystal Air took the opportunity to reveal the complimentary inflight pyjamas that will be provided to Crystal Air Cruise guests so here they are...



For those not joining the inaugural they're available for purchase at a very reasonable price (compared to the Air Cruise price anyway) @ http://www.cafepress.co.uk/fotkipus.2013101139#
And so far ...
May B wrote:I love it; but I don't wear grey, and I don't care for how it looks on pink.

I'll wait for the next version, possibly on white or black or baby blue.

Thx for posting, Terry.

And note that they are only $24.99 on the US site.

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October 28th, 2016, 01:36 PM

Post: # 1290Post iamheisenberg »

Bodogbodog wrote:You're a machine (almost literally!)

Glad you liked the attire from our mutual associate - it's what all the fashionable folk will soon be wearing onboard Crystal, I've got mine already

Image

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April 18th, 2017, 08:25 PM

Post: # 1291Post iamheisenberg »

Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night.
Suite Travels wrote:Well in a few months Symphony will have open dining and a casual restaurant in addition to the fabulous Silk Road and Prego. More suites will be in place which will lower the passenger capacity. Next year the Serenity will be going through the changes. Crystal ships never look worn.
iamheisenberg wrote:Are you the same orange-shirted gentleman who wrote this?
Suite Travels wrote:For right now Crystal is still stagnant even with these small changes. Our last cruise recently was wonderful but did I see a wow factor...No. it was just a normal good Crystal cruise that I have experienced for 26 years. Many things on Crystal technically are dinosaurs in passenger amenities.
...

We still love the crew and service but it seems like every dry dock they are just putting lipstick on a aging pig.
Suite Travels wrote:Yes, I still stand by what I said. We are remodeling our home but it is still lipstick on a pig and it will look great I hope when we are finished. The same goes for dry docks most ships look great but they will age.
iamheisenberg wrote:Charming. Ten times more charming than Arnold on Green Acres, you know what I'm saying?

Do you know, is the Symphony remodel before or after the swingers cruise?
Travelcat2 wrote:You make great points! Unfortunately, some people can't see the forest for the trees.

To get back on point, it would be helpful if more than one poster had cruised both lines recently and could give information to the TS.

P.S. Island Cruiser, it is sad that you see things so negatively. The reality is beautiful and long lasting.
iamheisenberg wrote:Points? I made no points. I posted three times and asked four questions. I made no points until just now.

If I was going to make a point, it would be that if you're going to pay for a special relationship, you should always leave the cash on the dresser.
Island Cruiser wrote:TC2, I'm one of the few people on the boards, if any others, who knows you directly and personally. You have dined at my table and I at yours. Your driveway is 50 miles from mine. You will now run off to Laura and complain about my personal attack and this post will be deleted. But the emperor has no clothes.

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April 20th, 2017, 08:34 AM

Post: # 1292Post iamheisenberg »

iamheisenberg wrote:Oh fudge, some excellent points made. Have a great trip!

There was an old* critic, whose home was porcine.
Yet on the grand ships of Regent, he wouldn't be seen.

He cruised often on Crystal, with no reservation.
Soon he'll sail Seabourn Collision, with no hesitation.

Why does he post in this forum? The answer unknown.
About ships he's sailed not, so much shade has he thrown.

Why does he post in this forum? Are his messages cryptic?
And would he step foot on Explorer? No! No! There's not enough lipstick.


* Not HAL old, just not a spring chicken anymore.
[iamheisenberg wrote:Wow! The changes to Crystal Symphony are quite extensive!

Perhaps the ship should be rechristened and a new godmother chosen, who is well-known, beloved and appropriate for the occasion.

Image

If playfulness be the food of love, game on.

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April 25th, 2017, 11:23 AM

Post: # 1293Post iamheisenberg »

Suite Travels wrote:With this load of Crystal cruisers could they use the 777LR in SAN-LAX-SAN...no because because SAN does not have the runways for the 777. SAN has short takeoff and landings.
drib wrote:So I know this was not a serious argument, but for the record, British Air flies a 777 into San Diego. I flew it first in July 2011, and several more times since then, including just a few weeks ago.
Suite Travels wrote:You probably are right but I would guess they are load controlled and figuring in weight and balance so the flights may go out not full but restricted.
iamheisenberg wrote:Probably?

Suite Travels wrote:This is the answer I received.

Any large aircarft can land at San Diego it really depends on the load of the aircraft. Most widebodies except for maybe the 310 and 767/200 or 300 cant go out of SD with a full load.

This was also confirmed to me by one of my former pilot colleagues who is a Captain at AA.

I know I did not dream this up as I have flown in and out of SAN many times and flights would go out with empty seats because of weight restrictions.

Also SAN has a curfew on takeoffs and landings at night.
Note that Suite Travels is the only one who ever raised the issues of restrictions. drib's post said only that Suite Travels was wrong when he wrote "could they use the 777LR in SAN-LAX-SAN...no because because SAN does not have the runways for the 777." And Suite Travels raised the issue only after he was called out, although who knows what issues were going on inside his head.
iamheisenberg wrote:Would it have been so hard to simply post "You are right."?

The history of douchebaggery is not limited to this forum, nor to other forums, nor to executive tweets, nor to the world in general. And one of its most insidious characteristics is the inability to admit to an error, and then shut up.
Shockingly, then he did it again ... answering his own question as a substitute for admitting an error.
Suite Travels wrote:I was somewhat right those wide bodies are weight restricted. Read again what I wrote in my last post. They will go out with empty seats because of weight restrictions.

Oh and thanks calling me or referring to me as a douchbag and telling me to shut up. Real class.
Miles
And he spelled "douchebag" wrong!
cruisr wrote:MIles, I love your posts and as a 2.2 MM flyer I appreciate your insights. Pay no attention to rude posters. Since they are on a charter I don't think you will be running into them.
Yikes! Do charter guest have cooties? Well, these charter guests might.
May B wrote:Thx for posting the video clip. San Diego is certainly unique in the surroundings of its airport. I was surprised recently to hear that it isn't the most dreaded airport for pilots in the US. Aspen is #1, evidently, and a few smaller ones also finished ahead of San Diego in the pilots' poll.
iamheisenberg wrote:You are right! :)
I love you, May B!

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April 20th, 2017, 08:17 AM

Post: # 1294Post iamheisenberg »

I feel badly about this because Andy Geller seems so sincere.

Nah.
iamheisenberg wrote:Andy,

Mrs Heisenberg and I are booked on Symphony, on a charter, that sails in June 2018, so after the transformation.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2409374

Did the Chairman, CEO, President or Elrod, happen to address this situation?

I know! I should check with the charter company, and I have, but they do not seem to know what's going on either. It's a ticklish situation, and the three-way between the charter company, Crystal cruises, and me, has left me unfulfilled.

Thank you for you consideration.
Andy Geller wrote:Hello Mr & Mrs Heisenberg,

As your sailing is several months after Symphony's Drydock, there shouldn't be any reason for you to be concerned about your June 2018 voyage.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me via the email in my signature. Thank You !
I think he missed the point. What if our cabin no longer existed after the drydock?
iamheisenberg wrote:Thank you for your thoughtful response!

It does appear that our cabin was not impacted by the renovation. It is interesting though that the Sebreeze Deck, as shown on the charter site, is the only deck nearly sold out. In fact, all the Penthouse Suites, highlighted by a shade of gray, are booked. Also interesting that you can easily see all available cabins - notated by a check mark. This is very helpful and something that Crystal should consider for their website.

Very swinky!
Swinky, according to the charter site, is a combination of Swinger and Kinky.
BWIVince wrote:The huge difference between a charter site and a reservation system is the need for competitive confidentiality that doesn't exist with charters.
iamheisenberg wrote:BWIVince does not believe in Santy Claus!

Has no one learned the lesson from Miracle on 34th Street? When you help the customer, you are helping yourself as well.

The charter site does a terrible job of it, by the way. But even that poorly written page was a great comfort in assuring that I have chosen the best cabin for my mother and me.
BWIVince wrote:I'm not saying it wouldn't be helpful -- I'm just explaining the limitation that makes that possible on the charter site. I completely agree that would be nice to have for the consumer.

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This is The Title

Post: # 1302Post drib »

iamheisenberg wrote:If I was going to make a point, it would be that if you're going to pay for a special relationship, you should always leave the cash on the dresser.
This was my favorite!
iamheisenberg wrote:The charter site does a terrible job of it, by the way. But even that poorly written page was a great comfort in assuring that I have chosen the best cabin for my mother and me.
Very subtle. I wonder if anyone else caught that. (Of course, I'm assuming that you being on the swinger's cruise is all part of the scam.)
iamheisenberg wrote: Thu Apr 27, 2017 1:42 pmI love you, May B!
Me too.

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Re: This is The Title

Post: # 1303Post iamheisenberg »

I received this email from that other message board:
CC Help Michell wrote:Dear iamheisenberg,

You have received an infraction at That Other Message Board Forums.

Reason: Harassment of our Members is Not Allowed - Post Removed
-------
Harassment of our Members is Not Allowed - Post Removed
-------

This infraction is worth 1 point(s) and may result in restricted access until it expires. Serious infractions will never expire.
And then it had the quote from my history lesson, and then it ended with this:
CC Help Michell wrote:All the best,
That Other Message Board Forums
So I am confused. Are they angry at me or not? If I got only one point for the history of douchebaggery, how many points did Suite Travels get for calling himself a douchebag? And how many points do we need to get some other board branded stuff?

The irony is that I like Suite Travels. He is sometimes a bore, but he is not boring. I also suspect that it was not Suite Travels who had my posts removed. It was probably one of his defenders.

I also suspect that it was Keith1010 that finked on my posts is the test forum. He posted there the day before they were removed.

I greatly enjoy Suite Travels exchanges with Travelcat2. I should have saved more of of them. They are surely harassing each other. How many points did they get? They are essentially calling each other douchebag. Is it even acceptable usage to say that of a female? I've never seen that, although it could simply be that most all douchebags are men.

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Re: This is The Title

Post: # 1304Post drib »

I received a warning once, for posting a link to Roll Call. And I continued to post links anyway, but with less flair. The post for which I was warned had a lengthy tutorial about how to use Roll Call. I received no points for it, although I always assumed that I was on double-secret probation.

I've exchanged several emails (not PMs) with that other message board, about Roll Call and about Dribnuts. Generally, I think their employees get the joke and probably chuckle about our transgressions. But they still have to do their jobs.

You are right! Most douchebags are men.

It sounds as if you are planning something, maybe leaving that other message board in a blaze of glory?

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