ChicLuxuryCruises recently had a Questions and Answers session with Tim Rinkoski, our District Sales Manager for Crystal Cruises. Crystal Cruises is a luxury cruise line that operates two cruise ships, the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity. They have been rated the "Worlds Best Cruise Line" an unprecedented 17-years in a row.
Crystal Cruises Q & A
Q: How long have you been at Crystal Cruises?
I have been fortunate to be with Crystal Cruises over 16 years! I have been in the cruise industry for over 28 years, starting with a mass-market product, then with a premium market product, then with Crystal Cruises on the luxury cruise side of the market.
Q: Why should someone choose a Crystal Cruise over a different luxury cruise line?
The ships really become your home as you travel the world and the ability after you travel to different cities, to come home to this environment makes this type of travel so enjoyable. The crew is so gracious whether you are having coffee, a light snack or dinner, or just sitting by the pool. The onboard lecturer program cannot be matched. And, the ship has all the modern day conveniences any modern hotel offers throughout the world, let alone any other cruise ship!
Q: What do you think about the new "all-inclusive" Crystal Cruises?
The convenience of having everything "taken care of" while you travel adds to the enjoyment of travel. Now with the addition of not worrying about "tipping" and who is "picking up the tab" will allow the guest to travel in comfort whether with friends, family or when they meet someone onboard.
Q: ChicLuxuryCruises thinks that the atmosphere on any Crystal Cruise is more "family cruise friendly" than the other luxury cruise lines. Why do you think that is?
Crystal Cruises has gained a reputation for the best place for families to travel together, whether it is a single family with children or a multi-generational family with numerous children, we offer space for the family to be entertained, or to be educated, or to have privacy. During the summer months or especially over the holidays, having families onboard has changed the dynamics of family travel, because of the great value we offer to the guests who want the best accommodations, but also want a comfortable environment for their family.
Q: Being named the "World’s Best Cruise Line" 17-years in a row is amazing. How does Crystal Cruises do it year after year?
Our two ships, the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity make it all happen! The crew and the ship work together to make the guest the most important aspect in the program. Because of the atmosphere onboard, the guest feels welcome and the guests then get the best value for their vacation dollars.
Follow up Question:
Q: So, they never give your excellent office staff credit?
The guest usually does not talk with our LA staff. Usually it is all with the ship to make the guest happy!*
Q: How does it feel to know that Crystal Cruises is the trend setter on enrichment opportunities, offering more than any other cruise line.
We know when people travel, it is not just the price that makes them go to different destinations. What the traveler experiences or learns is becoming the main ingredient to travel. The educational component we put together onboard combined with the best service level and accommodations make the total travel experience perfect. The guest lecturers, or the hands-on activities are important to meeting the guests expectations.
Q: While we know that both Crystal Cruise ships are great, which one do you prefer, the Crystal Serenity or the Crystal Symphony?
Whichever is the next ship I am on! Both ships offer a very similar experience onboard, so you do not miss something the other ship might have and no one says the Crystal Serenity is better than the Crystal Symphony or vice versa.
Q: Does Crystal Cruises have any plans for a new cruise ship in the next few years?
The plans are in place, we are just waiting for the right time to start construction.
Q: It has been forwarded that the new Oceania Marina is aimed at your clients. How do you respond to that?
As I understand, the ship itself is very nice, but please note, at the same size as our Crystal Serenity, it carries an additional 300 passengers! A 30% increase with approximately the same crew size on Crystal Serenity.
Q: What is your favorite itinerary/region and why?
European and Asia sailings cruises, because the culture difference between ports of call is really amazing, but so easy to see when you are on a ship going to them.
Q: Any personal information to share with our readers?
The opportunity to see the world has always been my goal, the ability to do it by ship has added a different perspective to each country I have gone to. I am approaching 100 countries, (out of 350) so have a few more to go to!
* Crystal Cruises shows us with almost every phone call we make to them, that they are a well oiled luxury cruise supplier. Whether speaking with reservations just to find out the size of the dance floors on Crystal Symphony, or to work with the staff in other departments, it all happens. It helps make Crystal Cruises one of our favorite products.
High customer satisfaction and a high repeat customer rate, unsurpassed enrichment (see Crystal theme cruises) make a luxury Crystal Cruise almost sell itself.
Be sure to check with ChicLuxuryCruises for all the Crystal Cruise news. You can also see a list of current.
If you have any question for Crystal Cruises, please use the following form to contact us:
