First look: Crystal Endeavor, the stylish new expedition cruise ship from luxury line Crystal Cruises

cruise crystal cruises

Wildlife experts from ORCA traveled on Crystal Symphony in Alaska in 2019 to train Crystal's Navigation Bridge crew in the protocol for collecting scientific data about the behavior of animals and treated passengers to hours of whale watching. In June 2023 Crystal announced the Aurora Spa - the new onboard wellness concept through the company's collaboration with TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden) and partnerships with the premium cosmetic brands ELEMIS and KERASTASE. On both ships, the Spa facilities were completely redesigned, modernized and expanded with new treatments and services. Crystal also renewed its 2019-signed partnership with OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd (2018-founded, Bahamas-based company) for staffing and managing the fleet's shipboard wellness (spa and fitness) facilities and services. There are eight ADA rooms on Crystal Serenity — some aquamarine veranda suites and some aquamarine ocean-view suites. Crystal guests can enjoy one complimentary meal at both Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio on sailings up to 11 days, two on cruises up to 22 days and three on sailings of 23 days or more.

Crystal Serenity

Crystal sets 2026 world cruise to 27 countries on luxury ship: See the itinerary - Business Insider

Crystal sets 2026 world cruise to 27 countries on luxury ship: See the itinerary.

Posted: Thu, 07 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

GHK also owned Genting Cruise Lines grouping two Asian subsidiaries (Dream Cruises, and Star Cruises). Whether it's a cold ice cream at Scoops or late-night bites courtesy of Crystal's round-the-clock room service, going hungry aboard Crystal Symphony just isn't an option. As for the entertainment, while I didn’t stray much from Pete’s piano in the Avenue Saloon, there are standup comedy and musical theater shows at the Stardust Club, Galaxy Lounge, and the Hollywood Theater. Crystal Cove bar is a great spot to catch live music (classical, jazz, piano, and even the occasional rock moment). Our onboard fitness facilities offer invigorating workouts using state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, while our beautiful Aurōra spa will leave you relaxed and renewed with a comprehensive range of revitalizing treatments.

Where does Crystal Symphony sail to?

Adjacent to it, the former VIP gaming salon has been turned into the Jade Nightclub -- a hopping, intimate late-night bar that doesn't even open until 10 p.m. I also grew very attached to the buffet at Marketplace — it is truly next-level, with a carving station, a great salad bar, some excellent Indian food (who knew you could find phenomenal butter chicken on an Italian-owned ship?), and fresh seafood. I had terrific moules-frites one afternoon, with Rotterdam-sourced mussels in a delicate, garlicky cream sauce, seated outside in the sun, with a beautiful view of Cannes. Linda, like most Crystal die-hards, still accidentally calls the Italian restaurant, Osteria D’Ovidio, by its old name, but says the space, overhauled by Tillberg of Sweden, feels completely different.

cruise crystal cruises

Crystal Symphony Deck Plan Includes Thoughtful Changes

At the end of 2015, Crystal AirCruises announced planned purchase of two more aircraft - Airbus ACJ319 (corporate jet with removable extra fuel tanks) and Bombardier Global Express XRS (Canada-manufactured ultra-long-range business jet). Airbus ACJ319 jet's capacity is 30 guests and features 16 lay-flat seats. Specialty coffees and teas were served complimentary by the Vienna Austria-based company Julius Meinl. Other changes to the Crystal Symphony deck plan during the 2023 refit include the conversion of Crystal's former Italian specialty restaurant, Prego, into Osteria d'Ovidio, a new specialty dining venue that better reflects authentic tastes from various regions of Italy. The restaurant also sports a crisp new décor style and color palette, along with extensive views of the ocean. In addition, Crystal’s enrichment program presents an array of onboard lectures by guest speakers, who in the past have included actors, sports stars, political figures, scientists, entrepreneurs and even astronauts.

They will be two 650-guest ocean vessels and two 220-guest Polar-Class-6-rated expedition ships. Until now, Crystal has been known for traditional luxury cruise ships that include two ocean-going vessels that carry 980 and 848 passengers, respectively, and five small river ships based in Europe. The sheer amount of space means you’ll find quiet areas to tuck yourself away or more boisterous spots when you feel like being social. In July 2015, Genting announced its expansion plan to build new ships for its river cruise line (brand).

Are children allowed on Crystal Cruise ships?

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. Preview the new Crystal experience and just announced voyages at crystalcruises.com. In mid-April 2021, Symphony ship's entire 2021 program in Europe-Mediterranean (June 6 through December 21) was canceled and replaced with 10-night "Luxury Caribbean Escapes" (roundtrips from St Johns Antigua/Aug 5 through Dec 23).

Do Crystal Cruises include excursions in the price?

Crystal Symphony - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler

Crystal Symphony - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler.

Posted: Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:16:37 GMT [source]

Crew gratuities (for stateroom attendants, butlers, restaurant, and bar personnel, etc.) are included in all Crystal cruise fares. Equally superb is Osteria d’Ovidio, Crystal’s new fine-dining restaurant (it replaces Prego) offering a menu of Italian specialties in a chicly reimagined setting. Standout dishes include Tortello Pasta Filled with Braised Beef, Figs Vincotto and Gorgonzola Cheese, and Salt Baked Sea Bass with Tarragon Sauce and Swiss Chard.

I’m certain even with the new ships, Manfredi Lefebvre and Cristina Levis will make sure the new ships retain that family feeling. The problem with putting helicopters on expedition ships is that the space needed for a helicopter landing pad and related hangars eats up a huge amount of deck-top space. That leaves less room for deck-top features such as outdoor pools, lounge areas, restaurants and bars. Crystal's award-winning ships provide the ultimate in luxury cruises and their crew welcome guests with gracious hospitality and unsurpassed service. The Crystal Experience is designed to provide an indulgent home away from home as the world is explored. The "Luxury Bahamas Escapes" itineraries included the call ports Harbour Island, Great Exuma Island (Georgetown), San Salvador Island and Long Island.

Crystal Symphony Review

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. It is with great excitement and pleasure that we introduce our new Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel. Sailing on Crystal Symphony, Vicki not only brings her unique brand of comedy to our ships but also a wealth of experience and vibrant energy. TPG's Gene Sloan is reporting live this week from Crystal Endeavor as it sails on one of its first voyages, a circumnavigation of Iceland.

Guests come along and the classes become a real social gathering spot onboard, which of course leads to friendships being made. Crystal Endeavor also offers an almost hidden, close-to-the-waterline outdoor observation area at its very tip that may be one of the ship's great secrets. Home to its own hot tub as well as lounge chairs and other seating, it is the perfect vantage point to view the passing scenery. The former, which can seat up to 100 passengers at a time, is within a glass-enclosed, multiuse space at the back of the ship called the Solarium that also features a small indoor pool and hot tub.

Yes, the newly refurbished cabins more modern and have the amenities today’s traveler expects, but there isn’t a bad stateroom on the ship. The first sailings will be a Mediterranean cruise of Crystal Serenity on July 31 from Marseille and Crystal Symphony, scheduled to depart September 1 from Athens. On shore, a seamless experience with unparalleled levels of service continues with Abercrombie & Kent’s ground arrangements. A&K is well known for their ability to open doors closed to most, with exclusive access, the world’s leading guides and meticulous organization.

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. Crystal Cruises' Perfect Choice Dining invites guests to reserve a table in the dining room whenever they prefer to dine.

All affected bookings received full monetary refunds including on prepurchased through Crystal Cruises packages and services. With rebooking, all fully paid reservations received 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) of the fare paid, plus a full monetary refund of prepaid port charges, Gov taxes-fees, any flight and hotel packages (if prebooked through Crystal Cruises). All FCCs are valid on any Crystal cruise (Ocean, Yacht, Expedition, River) with departure through December 31, 2023. Due to the COVID pandemic, Crystal suspended its ocean fleet's passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through July 2021. The top-luxury aircraft features lay-flat seats (reclining to 73,5 inches / 1,87 m) positioned in clusters of 2, 2 aisles, dining lounge (with 4 dining tables), 24-seat bar lounge (with stone veneers, color-changing LED lighting), 2 galleys (kitchens). The airplane operates on 14-, 21- and 28-day "fly-cruise" itineraries.

An important aspect of Crystal's award-winning reputation focuses on their onboard enrichment programs. Days at sea can be spent attending insightful lectures given by well known authors, world leaders and other personalities that will provide guests with an in-depth view of the places that will be explored. Complimentary courses are offered including language lessons with Berlitz, music lessons with Yamaha, and wine tasting with the Society of Wine Educators.

I feel I’ve been welcomed into this very select club, and I’m so thankful. As a Cruise Director, you are responsible for the ship’s entertainment and activities, and you’re always “switched on.” I want to make sure that any guest who is sailing on one of our ships has a lot of choices when it comes to activities. Even though the majority of guests may get off in port, there will always be some remaining on board and therefore, it’s up to me as Cruise Director to offer plenty of alternative options if that’s the case. Crystal Endeavor is a luxurious vessel, for sure (more on that in a moment). But as is typical for expedition ships, it's also a tough vessel, with a big, reinforced bow that will let it bump through ice in polar regions and extra tanks for fuel and food.

Beyond the free reservations, guests can also book additional dinners at either restaurant for a charge of $50 per person. For the ultimate in luxury, choose the Crystal Penthouse with Verandah. You’ll find a separate living and dining area featuring a custom entertainment center.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mama's Fish House: Is it the Best Restaurant on Maui?

12 Headstone Design Ideas

Incredible Toya Wright Wedding Shoes 2023