Crystal Serenity Art Glass
In the world of cruising, luxury and intimacy go hand in hand. Conventional wisdom dictates that the smaller the ship, the more exclusive the experience. So when Crystal Cruises launched as a luxury brand with a ship that carried more than 900 passengers, many industry insiders were skeptical
But Crystal delivered on the promise – in spades – and today, Crystal cruises are among the best money can buy. And loyal passengers think their service is absolutely tops.
When Crystal Serenity debuted in 2003, she was more than a third larger than Crystal Symphony, but carried only 15% more passengers. Consequently, she’s a spacious, refined ship with twice as many Penthouse Suites as her predecessor.
Crystal Serenity is unique in her ability to provide passengers with big-ship amenities and small-ship attention to detail.
Dining aboard Crystal Serenity.
Unlike most luxury cruise lines, Crystal still offers only assigned seating in the tasteful, wood-paneled dining room. Since most itineraries offer a few leisurely sea days, and most fellow passengers are seasoned travelers, you’ll probably enjoy dining here. And the food and service are much better than on most cruise ships.
But the real stars of the show are the alternative restaurants – Silk Road and Prego. The former is guided by culinary legend Nobu Matsuhisa. Signature dishes from Nobu, including his miso-glazed black cod, are featured. And inside Silk Road, there’s an eight-seat sushi bar that seats guests on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prego is overseen by Piero Selvaggio, who owns Valentino, the most critically acclaimed Italian restaurant in Southern California. The Northern Italian cuisine here is some of the finest at sea. And the dining room is lovely.
An additional fine-dining option is The Vintage Room, where groups of ten or more can enjoy a private seven-course dinner with wine pairings. On the topic of wine, Crystal Serenity has more than 230 labels in their 20,000-bottle cellar. The cruise line also offers several food and wine cruises each year.
There’s no extra charge to dine at Silk Road or Prego, but reservations are required. They’re often available on formal nights when most passengers dine in the main dining room. Note that wines and alcoholic beverages are not included as they are on many other luxury cruise lines.
Accommodations aboard Crystal Serenity.
At 226 square feet, the most basic cabins are roomier than on some other cruise ships. But you’ll likely be happier if you upgrade to a stateroom with a balcony – 85% of the cabins have them.
With Butler Service, room service from the specialty restaurants, and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs, the staterooms on the Penthouse deck are worth the splurge. Cabins are 403 square feet and have a sleeping area separated from the living area with a curtain. The 491-square feet Penthouse Suites have a separate bedroom.
The four Crystal penthouses are 1,345 square feet and have a separate master bedroom and an astonishing array of thoughtful touches including Riedel stemware, personalized stationery, and a fully stocked bar.
Facilities aboard Crystal Serenity.
Crystal Serenity
Spa lovers will be ecstatic over the 8,200-square-foot spa and salon. Passengers can enjoy everything from weightlessness in the dry-float bed suite to the Zen rock garden. With sweeping views of the ocean, and a serene Feng Shui design, it’s a beautiful place to unwind or be pampered.
There are two swimming pools, two paddle tennis courts, and two walking programs to help guests stay fit. Golfers can keep up their long and short game with driving nets and a putting green. The fitness center has all the latest cardio and resistance machines, and walkers can do a circuit on the Promenade Deck.
Crystal’s enrichment program is truly a cut above and on sea days, passengers can take part in a wide range of seminars and hands-on classes. Whether you want to learn how to speak foreign language, play the piano, or match wine and food, you’ll find their programs interesting and informative.
Although onboard entertainment may pale compared to what’s offers on 3,000+ passenger ships, Serenity offers more than any other luxury cruise ship. The Galaxy Lounge presents professional Broadway-style shows. There live music for dancing in the Stardust Club. And recent movies are screened in the Hollywood Theater. Luxe, a South Beach kind of club, is a popular venue for younger passengers.
Travelers who want excellent food, attentive service, and a true luxury experience should look closely at Crystal Serenity.
Crystal Serenity Art Glass Image Flickr: lotopspin
Crystal Serenity Image Flickr: Trondheim Havn