Cruise Travel....

SHIP OF THE MONTH:
CRYSTAL SERENITY
Serene Sailing in Every Sense

Our dictionary defines the word serene as “marked by or suggestive of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude.” That definitely defines the entire Crystal Serenity experience.

From the spacious and luxurious accommodations to delectable dining and an incredible amount of space and amenities for each passenger, Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity is simply one of the most peaceful ships in existence. Building on the success of fleetmates Crystal Symphony and the well-loved Crystal Harmony (now sailing with Crystal’s Japanese parent company, NYK), this serene ship is a feast for all of the senses (unless you happen to like lots of noise, which this ship definitely lacks).

The Crystal Serenity entered service in mid-2003 with one of the highest space ratios of any luxury ship and a guest to crew ratio of just 1.65 to 1. In fact, more than 80 percent of the ship’s service staff are “best-of-the-best” from Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, along with 100 percent of management. The amount of space per passenger and number of seriously service-oriented and experienced crew (Crystal has less than 10 percent turnover) can only begin to explain the serene sense guests quickly achieve once aboard.

It all starts with some of the best accommodations afloat. The ship features staterooms on five decks, with an incredible 85 percent of all accommodations featuring balconies. Stateroom sizes start at a spacious 226 square feet and rise up to 1,345 square feet in the four Crystal Penthouses. Expanding on the successful Crystal Symphony, the majority of cabins are the popular Outside Deluxe Staterooms with Verandah (and Penthouse accommodations on the new ship were increased by 50 percent).

Once inside, the amenities found in all staterooms are among the finest afloat. Even the minimum category cabins feature separate sitting areas with love seats, coffee tables, and desks or vanities. All guestrooms have queen-size or twin beds (convertible to king) and feature high-quality linens. The closets are large, and the bathrooms are also spacious. There’s also complimentary round-the-clock in-stateroom dining that surely gives a new meaning to the words “room service”.

The even more luxurious experience in the Penthouse categories provides lucky occupants with an array of additional amenities and services. Highlights include full sofas; welcome champagne and a bar stocked with an initial complimentary wine and liquor setup; and personal butler service.  The lucky guests in the 32 Crystal Penthouse Suites enjoy a separate living room and dining area, even larger verandahs furnished with teak deck furniture and master baths with a full-size Jacuzzi tub with an ocean view. Along with all of the above, the four Crystal Penthouses also include large flat-screen televisions in living room, bedroom, and bathroom, as well as a guest bathroom, a pantry, a private workout area with treadmill, and a small library.

The public spaces are equally as luxurious, spacious, and serene. It sometimes seems like you encounter more crew members than fellow passengers in the stairwells, hallways, and even the public spaces. With similar tones to the staterooms, lots of wood, stainless steel, and low-key lighting continue the subdued setting.

The two-story Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove atrium area set the tone of elegance, with a soothing stained glass and sculpture fountain (or frequent pianist) providing background music to passengers passing through or resting on comfortable chairs and couches. Lobby facilities are located on the lower level, as is the quiet Crystal Cove lounge. The Bistro, on the upper level, is an expansion of the successful one aboard the Crystal Symphony; here guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and tea drinks. Nearby, the Avenue of the Stars shopping arcade has three shops offering upscale clothing, jewelry, and specialty items. One shop, Captain’s Choice, sells the colorful Guy Buffet-designed dinnerware featured in several dining venues.

The lounges are numerous and varied. The Stardust Club is a pleasant choice for dancing and cabaret (many Crystal passengers love to dance and traditional “Ambassador Hosts” are abundant). Deck six also features the dark wood-paneled Avenue Saloon cocktail and piano bar, as well as the equally woody Connoisseur Club, an intimate cigar lounge next door. Up on deck 12 forward, the Palm Court/Sunset Bar is a preferred spacious setting for afternoon tea or pre-dinner drinks and more dancing (and, yes, real palm trees).

The Galaxy Lounge is the ship’s popular main entertainment venue, with typical shows including Broadway-style productions, comedy sets, and the Repertory Theatre at Sea. In addition, the throwback (and equally popular) Hollywood Theatre features frequent recently released films (with popcorn). The mid-size Caesar’s Palace at Sea casino probably has more bright lights and noise than the rest of the ship combined, but it is still typically subdued--more like Monte Carlo than Las Vegas. A small bar allows passengers to stay and play.

Several public spaces aboard provide venues for the Crystal Visions Enrichment Program(R), which includes popular speakers, the Computer University@Sea(R), and the Creative Learning Institute. Frequent speakers may include celebrated authors, high-level ambassadors and foreign diplomats, noted business and financial leaders, and guest chefs and renowned wine connoisseurs.

The Computer University@Sea center has a large lab for complimentary classroom instruction (from Photoshop to digital video), as well as an equally large area for 24-hour Internet access. As is typical with Crystal service and staffing, trained assistance is typically available to help from 7am all the way to 11pm.

First introduced on Crystal Serenity in 2003 and expanded fleetwide in 2004, the Creative Learning Institute is a partnership between Crystal Cruises and carefully selected quality alliances that brings experts in their respective fields onboard to share their knowledge through a series of interactive classes like keyboard lessons by Yamaha, language immersion with Berlitz, and wellness seminars from The Cleveland Clinic and Tai Chi Cultural Center. Many of these programs are held in The Studio, the ship’s spacious learning center.

The Library offers more than 2,000 books for check-out, as well as a large selection of DVDs, videos, and books-on-tape. Several listening stations feature state-of-the-art sound systems with headphones. Unlike many libraries afloat, this one is staffed more often than not. The large and popular Bridge Lounge hosts frequent bridge tournaments and other group offerings. There’s also a permanent Art Gallery, with a wide variety of styles for viewing and possible purchase (most cruises also feature an art lecturer).

Even though they’re rarely used, the Crystal Serenity does include the smallish Fantasia children’s center and Waves teen center, as well as the late-night Pulse Disco. As is typical with the line, Crystal officials aren’t bothered by the generally low usage--they just see it as yet another way to ensure that every passenger is pleased with the ship.

Located aft up on deck 13 (near the paddle tennis courts), the quiet Crystal Spa & Salon was designed with Feng Shui principles. Innovative body treatments that focus on the five primordial elements within the body--water, earth, fire, wood, and metal--feature therapies from ten Eastern cultures. (Appointments don’t seem nearly as hard to come by as with many Steiner-run spas on other ships.) The facility also includes a full-service hair salon and a lightly-used--but well-equipped--fitness center, with an array of equipment and complimentary classes to work off any pounds gained from great dining. Walkers adore the traditional full-circle teakwood promenade (with requisite shuffleboard courts) on deck seven.

The gourmet cuisine onboard Crystal Serenity continues the theme of ever so serene service, style, and choice. Dining is certainly one of the highlights onboard, with a wide variety of settings and dining experiences available throughout the day.

The grand Crystal Dining Room is as subdued as the rest of the ship, with crystal lamps and lots of wood. The center dome has a ceiling with an effect similar to that of the Paris Opera House and features a travel-themed painting in a Chagall style that’s actually a 90-foot-long linear canvas. All three meals are generally served here daily, with dinner (two seatings) featuring international cuisine and regionally inspired dishes based on the itinerary. An evening menu is never repeated--even on a World Cruise lasting more than 100 days!

The wine list (230+ choices) is one of the finest afloat, with more than 20,000 bottles typically onboard. Crystal also offers it’s own proprietary label, with “C Wines” now featuring six appellations. Those who really enjoy gourmet wine (and food) should ask about The Vintage Room experience, which features a tasting menu created to complement rare vintages and wine regions of the world (for four to 14 people, with a cost of more than $100 per person).

From the service to the food, the main restaurant is excellent, but choice abounds aboard. The Crystal Serenity offers three specialty dining experiences: Prego, Silk Road, and The Sushi Bar. Prego and Silk Road are by reservation (make them early in the cruise), while the eight-seat Sushi Bar (actually located in Silk Road) is walk-in only. Unlike many lines, specialty dining is complimentary aboard Crystal--but there is a suggested $6 service charge per guest and it’s well worth it (most pleased patrons end up tipping more)!

Prego dishes up Italian ambiance and cuisine, with a seasonally-changing “Valentino at Prego” menu offering signature dishes and wines that are served at Piero Selvaggio’s revered Los Angeles and Las Vegas restaurants, Valentino. The experience in this narrow restaurant overlooking the Promenade on the starboard side is exquisite and not to be missed.

Portside, Silk Road features the eclectic cuisine of famed master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa. The subdued Asian atmosphere is complemented by fine china designed by the chef himself. Silk Road presents more than two dozen of Nobu’s signature appetizers, soups, salads, entrees (don’t miss the Black Cod with Miso), and desserts, while The Sushi Bar (also designed by Nobu) offers the chef’s redefined sushi and sashimi creations blending classic Japanese offerings with distinct Peruvian and European influences. You can easily sample the sushi and sashimi when dining at Silk Road by including highlights from The Sushi Bar as appetizers.

The Crystal dining experience certainly doesn’t stop with the main dining room and the specialty restaurants. Up on deck 12, hungry passengers find a range of options throughout the day that is surely some of the best casual alternative dining afloat.

It starts with the Lido Cafe, which typically features elaborate buffet breakfasts and often-themed lunches. This may be the only spot on the ship that is less than serene and that’s only during the busiest periods when the noise and crowds can be somewhat noticeable. Savvy sailors know this is easily solved by taking your tray (or directing the ever-present steward to take your tray) less than 50 feet to the airy, well-lit, and typically quiet Neptune Pool area.

This area around the Neptune Pool is also the location for even more dining options. The unique Trident Bar & Grill features a popular Late-Risers Breakfast (typically 10am to 11:30am), as well as all-day poolside fare like burgers, gourmet pizzas, and wrap sandwiches. On select evenings, the Trident Grill even serves casual dinners. Nearby, Scoops features ice cream served in freshly-made waffle cones, fudge brownies, cookies, and more.

Also in the Neptune Pool area, Crystal veterans (and there are many loyal repeat passengers on most sailings) love the taste of Tastes. This unique open kitchen aft of the Trident Bar & Grill takes casual evening dining (from a menu) to the next level, with starters like Barbecued Duck Quesadilla and main courses like Grilled Black Angus Filet Steak. Port days often lead to Tastes offering an equally creative late lunch option for those returning to the ship mid-afternoon.

The aforementioned Palm Court complements traditional daily tea with themed specialty teas (for the Mozart Tea, the staff dresses in velvets and brocades). The Bistro also features more croissants and breakfast pastries and an elaborate afternoon buffet of pates, meats, cheeses, and desserts.

Among the Crystal Serenity dining highlights not to be missed are the themed buffet luncheons served on select sea days. These can include Nuevo Latino, Cuisines of the Sun (Mediterranean), and American Classic. If Sunday happens to be at sea, there’s a massive champagne brunch in the Crystal Dining Room that rivals any ship afloat.

Finally, the dining front is completed back in the ship’s spacious staterooms. Here, complimentary 24-hour in-stateroom dining includes full menus for all three meals, as well as menus from the Crystal Dining Room (during lunch and dinner hours)--served course-by-course, if desired. As mentioned, Penthouse level guests can also enjoy cuisine from the specialty restaurants served en suite during dinner hours.

This combination of serene accommodations, public space, service, and dining makes the Crystal Serenity one of the finest cruise experiences afloat.

The Crystal Serenity sails the world during the sailing season, with a popular World Cruise exceeding 100 days typically starting the calendar year (available in segments) and many varied cruises in Europe and the Caribbean throughout the rest of the year.