My husband surprised me with a week cruise on Crystal. I only had a couple weeks notice that we were going, and usually I prefer to plan more in advance but Crystal had everything so well in hand and well organized that this wasn't a problem at all.
I really don't know what to say in this review except to say that I adored this ship, mainly for the staff's attentiveness and the fellow passengers' civility. The ship never seemed crowded, there was never an issue finding a seat to have lunch at and there was absolutely no lining up like sheep, waiting, for anything.
Check-in was smooth and despite a fairly significant line, fairly painless. I know others go on and on about the fact that the staff learns you name with in the first day and this is true but what impressed me more is that every single staff person seemed genuinely happy to be there.