India, Africa and Asia.

[drron]

I walked back along the other side of the road and there is a cultural Precinct.




And a massive tree.




The entrance to the soccer ground.

 

[drron]

A little after 5pm we went to the rooftop bar and had a couple of drinks. There were literally hundreds of kites circling.

 

[drron]

The menu was small sharing plates. I forgot to take an pictures but did get the menu.











I did try a few of the craft gins. They were OK but not outstanding.


But people come for the views.




Not all are wonderful.

 

[drron]

The major reason people come is for the sunset. Unfortunately there was a bit too much cloud.

 

[craven morehead]

After diner I took some pictures from the restaurant balcony on the first floor.
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Next morning and I took pictures of the buffet.
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Do they offer Red Bull at breakfast?

 

[drron]

They do have it so if you ask they should serve it..

 

[drron]

Well now ensconced in Bangkok and aught up with our sleep deficit so time to get this TR finished.
Sunday was our last day in Mumbai however our plans were completely derailed by the Mumbai marathon. First they had a set up not far from our window giving updates as well as loudly playing music and ads. This began not long after 5am.
Second was that all roads around our hotel were closed until midday. Though we couldn’t get a taxi until 1230. This also affected those who left the ship this morning. So our intention of boarding at around midday was thwarted. By the time we arrived we were allotted to group 9 for boarding out of 13 groups.
I had intended o get rid of all my INRs paying the hotel bill but asked how much will a taxi to the port cost. Was told that today possibly 1000 INR. Seems we got the honest taxi driver in Mumbai as it only cost 500 INR. So now have 550 INR left.
The Marathonfrom our room.






My last Mumbai breakfast.




First impressions are mixed. Checking in was not as good as our Silversea experience. We though that may be Mumbai’s fault. Immigration on departure was as bad as on arrival. But it was that our problem with Indian Immigration was due to Crystal not issuing an Indian Electronic landing card to us on arrival..

Second we were in the presence of a very entitled Crystal cruiser who kept trying to push in front of us and bypassing some of the steps required to board. I admit to a little pleasure when we were onboard before him.
But on boarding we were impressed with the public areas and staff noticing our champagne needed to be refilled.

There are 3 other areas where Crystal is not up to Silversea standards. The first is the number of stairs you have to manage. And I don't mean stairs between decks. A couple between lifts and bar on Deck 5. The number of sets on Deck 7. There are 2 ramps on deck 7 but today roped off with a sign this ramp only for passengers with disabilities. How ridiculous. I have some mobility problems and sometimes stairs are an issue.


Embarkation muster. Doing it on deck you can't hear clearly and the fellow demonstrating the life jacket couldn't be seen by us. On SS the demonstration is done inside which is much better.

 

[drron]

Aboard the Symphony for our first Crystal Cruise. We are Silversea deserters having passed 500 nights there. Though our favourite staff member from Silversea is on this cruise. The irreplaceable Vicki Van Tassel the Cruise Director. This will be our ninth cruise with her. On Silversea she was allowed to do her own show - singing,dancing but mostly comedy. I even appeared in her show as a straight man in theatrical parlance. Told to sit next to the officers in the front row. Coming to the end of the show the officer said to me you are needed at Reception now. I stood up and Miss Vicki thundered Sit down Drron you are going nowhere. I sat down with much laughter from the audience. I actually felt great.

Our suite. A 2023 design I believe. On first walking in the carpet grabs your attention. Looks like someone has had a bad accident. Maybe a case of “Delhi” belly. The rest is excellent. More than enough storage area for us. We travel with 1 checked bag and a carry on each. If not going cruising we don’t have the checked bag.
The photos.














The shower having a seat was just perfect for me.



Some views from our Saphire suite.









When we reached our suite I noticed 5 dredges operating off our bow. hopefully we were not stuck. One was operating very close to us.




One had a name that neither I nor Major bloodnok would approve.


The cruise port is close to the naval base.

 

[drron]

Views continued.
They are building a new cruise terminal. looks about one third finished.






















And the offending stairs on deck 7.


Asked the head concierge if the barrier on the deck 7 ramp would remain. He said it would as people in the cabins had complained of people using the ramp looking in the windows. He said he would ask the vice Captain and just a voice call now saying that the ramp barrier would be removed for this cruise.
For dinner we have been having a pre dinner drink in The Avenue and then going to their main restaurant Waterside. First pictures whilst sitting in the bar.




You can keep an eye on the dinner queue.


There is a rush when they open at 6.30. Every one wants a window seat. I don't see the point as when at sea on 2 of the 3 nights all you see is a black void. but some pictures of the restaurant.