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But the amount of storage space put into the rooms seems modest, given their size. That's no longer the case, thanks to the overhaul of the cabin decks mentioned above. The two decks were completely gutted, with smaller cabins replaced by suites that are twice as large. I'll go into more detail on this below in the cabins section, but the result is a game-changing transformation for Crystal Serenity's accommodations that give it some of the best luxury cabins in the business. All passenger cabins were upgraded with new 42-inch smart TVs with interactive panels (infotainment system).
What It’s Like to Sail the Crystal Serenity, the Newly Resurrected Luxury Cruise Ship - Robb Report
What It’s Like to Sail the Crystal Serenity, the Newly Resurrected Luxury Cruise Ship.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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Ask any Crystal veteran what keeps them returning to the line and, sure, you’ll hear about the luxurious ships and the superb dining, but most often you’ll hear about the staff. Reflections, Crystal’s daily program, is filled with events, on sea days and otherwise. Daytime options might include lectures by prominent speakers on world affairs, health seminars, computer instruction or simply what to anticipate at the ports we’ll visit.
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This main pool deck was completely redone during the overhaul of the ship in 2023, with its classic teak flooring resanded, and its pool refurbished with new mosaic tile work. When you're up top on Crystal Serenity, as at so many other areas of the ship, you'll feel like you're on an all-new vessel. For the late-night crowd, there's a small nightclub with a semi-circular bar tucked back behind the Stardust Club. Called Pulse, it doesn't get going until around midnight, assuming anyone on board is still up for it.
Crystal Penthouse Suite
Like Umi Uma, Osteria d'Ovidio only can be visited once per cruise for free for sailings of 11 days or fewer. After that, there's a $50 per person charge to dine there on a space-available basis. If you want additional reservations at Umi Uma, you can sign up for another turn, on a space-available basis, for $50 per person.
Crystal Cruises cancels voyage and reroutes ships due to Red Sea risks
Crystal Serenity can accommodate 740 guests but this voyage was half full, which at times had me feeling like I had parts of the ship to myself—a true treat. In fact, children grow up on this ship, coming on the holiday cruise every year, and making lifelong friends — as I learned from my friend Tate. Personally, though, I would come on Crystal with a spouse, longterm travel partner, grown-up family members, close friends, or even solo. The pool deck — in close proximity to the gelato bar – on deck 12 feels like a relaxed, exclusive Mediterranean beach club. One deck up, there’s a fitness center with Technogym equipment and workout classes, plus pickle ball and paddle tennis courts close by. The spa has a gorgeous, light-wood sauna with a picture window — perhaps my favorite place to watch the world go by — and an extensive treatment menu.
Crew gratuities (for stateroom attendants, butlers, restaurant and bar personnel, etc.) are included in all Crystal cruise fares. Crystal is also known for its enrichment program, which brings aboard guest lecturers—everyone from sports stars and TV personalities to political figures and scientists—to speak about topics ranging from modern culture to space exploration. Crystal Cove, located in the heart of the ship within its central atrium, is another popular gathering spot. Guests who prefer to sit in groups can settle into an array of comfortable chairs and sofas as pre- and post-dinner entertainment keeps the vibe convivial. Guests enjoy one complimentary reservation at both Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio on sailings up to 11 days (two reservations on sailings of 12-to-22 days and three on sailings of 23 days or more) and can book additional reservations at both restaurants for $50 per person.
The people who work on Crystal Serenity love the brand and its guests, and it shows in the pride they take in doing their jobs and taking care of their guests. In addition, on cruises of seven nights or more, there will be at least one optional ship-wide formal night where women are expected to turn out in cocktail dresses, gowns, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses. For men, the formal night dress guideline is a suit or tuxedo, with a tie being optional.
The old Penthouses, as well as all oceanview and balcony cabins, were redesigned/enlarged and fully refurbished, while their categories were renamed. ADA-certified/wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 8. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. Buffet style dining wrapped in floor to ceiling windows and a chic open air dining area.
Crystal designated preferred supplier to Ensemble Travel Agencies
During the summer and holiday seasons, you can expect to see families – and some multigenerational groups with kids. At the base of Crystal Serenity's two-deck-high atrium, Crystal Cove is the ultimate social hub for the ship, the place you go when you want to meet all the new friends you're making on board for a pre-dinner cocktail or a nightcap afterward. Open from late morning until the wee hours, it offers live music for much of the day, starting as early as lunchtime and continuing through midnight. The entertainment is low-key enough that you can maintain a conversation with your companions. Rounding out the ship's accommodations are 46 smaller cabins for two with balconies that measure 269 square feet. There are also 42 cabins for two without balconies that measure 215 square feet.
That company ceased to exist when its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, collapsed in early 2022 and was liquidated. Crystal Serenity is the new flagship for Crystal, a luxury cruise brand that is at the same time all-new and decades old. Segment Grand Voyage prices (double occupancy) started at USD 2700 pp, with promo offers inclusive of USD 1000 pp (Book Now Savings), 2,5% (Crystal Society savings), 2% (New-to-Crystal savings), 5% (B2B/Back-to-Back cruise savings). However, on January 19, 2022, the voyage was canceled (all passengers disembarked in Aruba) after the GHK-owned MV Werften filed for insolvency/bankruptcy protection. Next table shows the originally planned 116-day "World Voyage 2022" as call ports and times.
Selections can be delivered during dinner hours from the menu of the formal restaurants. On June 22nd was announced that both vessels are now owned by A&K Travel Group Ltd - a joint venture of Abercrombie & Kent Ltd (owned by Geoffrey Kent) and Heritage Group Monaco (Lefebvre family-owned private equity specializing in luxury travel, VIP tourism, medical technologies). Following extensive drydock refurbishments, both ships restart operations in 2023 for the relaunched Cristal Cruises brand, which was fully acquired by A&K. For the ships' management, A&K contracted the Monaco-based V.Ships Leisure Ltd (part of V.Group Holdings Ltd). Sail onboard our newly refurbished ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony and travel on cruises that have been designed for deep destination discovery. The 2023-refitted/redesigned Crystal Cruises Serenity ship now has two new cabin categories - "Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite" and "Single Guest Room with Ocean View" (bookable without single supplements).
Your clients would be hard pressed to find better service onany other ship. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, Crystal Cruiseshas served as a hallmark of sorts for luxury cruising, garnering a dedicatedfollowing among travel advisors and their clients. So, when the line – nowknown as Crystal – ceased operations in 2022 due to the liquidation of itsparent company, Genting Hong Kong, its devotees were devastated. Often cruise lines offer special rates that cannot be displayed to the general public.
Finally, Crystal Serenity has a special 14-seat dining room called the Vintage Room that guests can book for exclusive private dinners that combine an elegant set menu of five to seven dishes with wine pairings for each course. Seven-course meals in the room, including wines, are presented over about three hours in the room and cost $300 per person. Notably, Lefebvre d'Ovidio already has a series of restaurants on ships named after him, but not on Crystal or Silversea ships. Lefebvre d'Ovidio's friend Torstein Hagen, chairman of upscale cruise line Viking, has named the high-end Italian eateries on all of Viking's ocean ships Manfredi's in honor of him. The somewhat smaller but still spacious Aquamarine Verandah Suites make up another 28% of the ship's accommodations (106 suites). Measuring 409 square feet, including balcony space, these suites lack the separate sitting rooms found in Sapphire Verandah Suites but still are impressively large.
Serenity received a thorough revamp before its much-anticipated return to the seas courtesy Swedish design practice Tillberg Design and architectural firm GEM. The first order of business was reducing the room count in favor of adding more space to each of the suites—each of which has ocean views, and many of which come with private verandas. The design is contemporary and sleek, but given the number of brand loyalists, a select number of Sapphire Suites retain Crystal’s classic wood-paneled aesthetic. In the suites, linens come from the Italian brand Jesurum 1870—a favorite aboard mega-yachts and in royal palaces—and toiletries are by luxe Sicilian brand Ortigia. Crystal enlisted leading cruise ship architectural firm, GEM, to guide the redesign of select guestrooms and suites. Accommodations feature neutral tones and high-end fixtures, complemented by subtle hues of pastel colors that resonate with the color of the ocean.
Serenity's first World Voyage started on January 14, 2004 (106-day itinerary from LA to NYC). In June 2022, both Crystal Cruises' ocean ships (Serenity and Symphony) were auctioned in The Bahamas. Both vessels (being under arrest in Freeport Bahamas since February 5th) were sold via a sealed tender auction, with bids submitted to The Bahamas' Supreme Court and a 10% deposit. Crystal Serenity started a Preview Voyage on July 21st (2023) out of Trieste (Italy).
With décor that combines traditional and contemporary elements—for a look that’s more elegant than cutting-edge— Crystal Serenity is a ship designed to appeal to upscale, mature travelers who enjoy fine dining and cultural exploration. Under the aegis of A&K Travel Group, Crystal (“Cruises” has been dropped from its brand name) currently operates Crystal Serenity along with sister ship, 606-guest Crystal Symphony, relaunched in September 2023. Although both ships offer most of the same amenities, Crystal Serenity, at 68,870 gross tons, is slightly larger and has 13 decks vs. Crystal Symphony’s 12.
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