Tuesday, April 9, 2024

News Crystal Serenity Returns To Service, Heralding A New Era Of Cruising

crystal serenity cruise

The space is bright white and offers natural lighting and incredible views. To the right is a salon, where guests can get hair, nail and grooming treatments. Formal Evening attire is only required on sailings of more than seven nights when more formal cocktail attire is suggested for specific occasions. These include cocktail dresses or elegant evening suits or skirts with blouses for women and suits or tuxedos with evening shoes for men.

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Crystal Serenity Is Back and Better Than Ever - TravelPulse

Crystal Serenity Is Back and Better Than Ever.

Posted: Mon, 19 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

As Crystal becomes more ingrained in the A&K family, “we will bring to Crystal what A&K does best, which is the excursions,” Levis said. Starting in 2025, the cruise line intends to roll out packages that let travelers leave the ship for a few days, knock out a once-in-a-lifetime tour, and then hop back on board. 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.

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Intro cabins are all found on Deck 7; these are the smallest rooms and have large picture windows. You’ll also find several suites, ranging from the Aquamarine Suite all the way to the over-the-top penthouse suite. Rooms on Crystal Serenity are a bit of an anomaly because of the ship’s approach to the refurbishment. Some cabins were updated in 2018, some in 2023 and others not for a number of years. Regardless of whether they were updated, all cabins are well-appointed and well-thought out.

Forward observation deck

10 Things to Love About Crystal Serenity – Splash Magazines - Splash Magazines

10 Things to Love About Crystal Serenity – Splash Magazines.

Posted: Mon, 18 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The fitness center is massive and fully equipped—I spent many hours there trying to deflect the inevitable pounds I amassed at the nine restaurants. There are a host of complimentary classes and tests on offer, and you can also book sessions with the personal trainer. With its location on the top deck, the relaxation room has a calming view directly over the water, while treatment rooms offer a range of high-tech and indulgent treatments like Biotec 2.0 facials, a gold and caviar body polish, and IV therapies. Every cabin, regardless of category or size, comes with a personal butler standing by to help with any arrangements, reservations, and laundry, and to deliver a delectable array of canapés in-suite every evening before dinner. Yes, a glass of bubbles served just after check-in, and a chilled bottle was waiting in the suite.

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Crystal executives say they still are figuring out what to do with the space, and it could become something different over time. One proposal called for it to become a cooking classroom, though executives said that would be hard to do properly in the space. One Crystal executive mentioned to me there was talk of using the space for an onboard distillery. Crystal Serenity used to have a modest casino area just outside the main theater on Deck 6. Theatergoers would spill out of the theater into the casino on their way to the ship's other entertainment venues on the opposite side of the deck, with some lingering for a game or two. On Deck 7, not far above the waterline, the promenade also is wide and blissfully uncluttered.

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Each of these suites, notably, has a separate sitting room and bedroom, a walk-in closet and a large bathroom, as well as a 107-square-foot balcony. Originally built for 1,080 passengers, Crystal Serenity is now configured to hold just 740 passengers — even as the size of its public areas (lounges, bars, restaurants, etc.) hasn't changed. That means its "space ratio" — a fancy cruise world term that refers to the amount of space on the ship per passenger — is at an almost unprecedented level for a cruise vessel. Specifically, it's at 93, far above the 60 to 75 that is typical for luxury ships. Crystal Serenity is one of those cruise ships that draws loyalists who will sail again and again, even if the ship isn’t the newest or shiniest on the market. A lot of it comes down to the crew, which have a way of making their passengers feel right at home the moment they step onboard.

But for Crystal Cruises, that halt was particularly damning, with Genting Hong Kong, the line’s parent company, filing for bankruptcy and liquidation in 2022, moves partially triggered by the cessation of cruising. Crystal Serenity (along with sister ship Crystal Symphony) found herself dead in the water–literally–until Abercrombie & Kent, in partnership with previous Silversea’s Chairman and Owner Manfredi Lefebvre, threw the ship a cash-infused lifeline. I spotted caviar on a few of the menus on board, but there’s also an in-room caviar service with a range of Kolikof offerings.

crystal serenity cruise

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. The 132-night/133-day itinerary visits a total of 82x ports/destinations (including 45x islands) in 32x countries and features 19x Caribbean and 6x Canaries destinations, as well as 11x overnights in large port cities and two Transatlantic Crossings. On January 14, 2004, the ship started its first "Around The World Voyage", leaving roundtrip from the USA (Los Angeles).

This venue, formerly known as Prego but re-imagined with chic, minimalist décor and renamed for Crystal owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, has a completely new menu. Don’t miss the melanzana (an eggplant confit with smoked tomato sauce), tortello di stracotto di manzo (tortello pasta filled with braised beef, fig vincotto, and gorgonzola) and agnello (lamb with sweet onion, balsamic vinegar, and sea asparagus). Crystal has always had a reputation for offering some of the best dining at sea and its culinary program is now even more impressive. The majority of accommodations on Crystal Serenity are suites, which offer added space, more luxurious bathrooms, walk-in closets and exclusive amenities such as welcome Champagne, afternoon canapés and free pressing.

It also left intact the beautiful teak deck pool deck and teak panorama deck (on Deck 7), though both spots were refinished and now look and smell new. The pool has the same footprint, but it was completely relined, and work was done to refresh the area around it, which looks inviting and new. Specializing in ocean, river, ultra-luxury, small ship and expedition cruises. Today, the feeling aboard the 68,870 grt Crystal Serenity is almost surreal—as though the pandemic and the liquidation never even happened.

I was extremely impressed with my dynamic biotech resurfacing facial and noticed the effects of the healing LED blue-light mask, which dissolves dead skin, for a full week after the treatment. 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. Crystal Serenity's cabins and suites offer both U.S.-style 110V outlets and European-style 220V outlets and USB ports at built-in cabin desks. You'll also find both types of outlets and USB ports above the nightstands on both sides of cabin beds.

This is the one spot we wished received more attention during the renovation. In comparison with relaxation areas we’ve seen on other cruise ships, this one felt fairly basic, lacking amenities like a water station. When A&K Travel Group came to the rescue and purchasedCrystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, both of which re-entered service insummer 2023, advisors and guests were elated. But what few foresaw was thatA&K, which invested a fortune in renovations, would elevate the vessels toa new level of luxury – which is something I can attest to, at least in thecase of Serenity. With three prior Crystal cruises under my belt, I sailed on aseven-night Crystal Serenity itinerary from Miamito San Juan late last year. Serenity received a thorough revamp before its much-anticipated return to the seas courtesy Swedish design practice Tillberg Design and architectural firm GEM.

Its dark wood and leather-lined walls, heavy red-upholstered barrel chairs and turned-down lights create the air of a speakeasy. You feel like you want to order a whiskey drink here, and indeed, it's home to both a special Manhattan menu and a Negroni menu. It also serves as the ship's piano bar, with a pianist playing most nights. 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.

Cruise lines no longer enforce most COVID-19 protocols and Crystal does not require guests to be vaccinated—unless a specific country on the itinerary requires it. Passengers are required to take part in a scheduled emergency drill on embarkation day that involves watching a video in their cabin detailing lifejacket and evacuation procedures before heading in-person to their designated muster station at a specific time. The ship’s 3,000-square-foot Fitness Center is open 24/7 and features panoramic views as guests utilize an extensive line-up of Technogym® exercise equipment as well as a weight room and aerobics studio. There’s a full-time Fitness Director and a Wellness Program featuring yoga, mat Pilates, and spin classes. For pre-dinner cocktails as the sun is setting, it’s hard to beat Palm Court, an expansive lounge with elegant champagne-and-celadon-hued décor, 270-degree panoramic ocean views and real palm trees.

The redesigned suites are chic and spacious and have plenty of nooks for pictures, and the ocean views from all directions on the ship make for countless dreamy backdrops. I spied a few influencers aboard my sailing and let’s just say they had a blast shooting glamorous pictures in the Hollywood Theater, Palm Court, poolside hot tub, and numerous bars. Everyone loves a comeback story, and Crystal’s is a revival that has everyone abuzz. After the beloved brand fell on rough times and stopped sailing in 2022, loyal followers and crew thought they had no choice but to move on. Flash forward a year later, and travel industry heavyweight Abercrombie & Kent acquired the brand, breathing new life into Crystal and bringing it back to life with a $150 million splash. Both longtime travelers and crew have returned in astonishing numbers, and familiar touches and service abound—but with a fresh look.

On selected evenings before and after dinner, this entertainment lounge features dancing, production spot shows, cabaret performances and other themed events. Additionally, on select nights, Stardust will open the doors for Supper Club for up to 116 guests to enjoy an evening show where they can dine and dance at the same time. Globally inspired cuisine, and casual dining, Tastes offers tapas-style cuisine inspired by regional itinerary. The venue encourages a "family-style" experience for guests to enjoy on their own or with newfound friends. If you like dancing, The Gentleman Host Program provides a dance partner for single female passengers, so you will never feel left out. Enjoy pre-dinner dancing in the Starlite Club and watch a spectacular Broadway-like production at the magnificent Hollywood Theatre.

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