It is no secret that two of Crystal Cruises’ ships have been due for a redesign. We have been waiting for the finer details with baited breath, and now, the day has finally arrived!
Crystal has announced complete details about its redesign of the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity luxury cruise ships. Already the most awarded luxury vessels in the world, the multi-million-pound transformation will see the ships reimagined to new peaks of luxury.
So, what can we expect to see?
New penthouses and penthouse suites
Crystal is set to enlarge its current penthouses, offering passengers even more space to relax.
Crystal Symphony will be fitted with two brand new categories of accommodation: 12 Seabreeze Penthouse Suites with Verandah, and 28 Seabreeze Penthouses with Verandah. On-board Crystal Serenity, 36 additional penthouses and two additional penthouse suites will occupy the current Penthouse Deck 10.
All new penthouses will include the luxury cruise line’s indulgent in-room butler service, as well as in-room speciality dining. Penthouse guests will also receive unlimited complimentary dining in the ships’ restaurants: an enhanced all-inclusive luxury cruise experience that is sure to make passengers want for absolutely nothing.
Significantly, these penthouse redesigns will effectively reduce the ships’ guest capacities while increasing the per-guest space ratio, offering travellers an even more intimate experience.
Reinvigorated dining options
The Crystal cruise line is famous for its world-class cuisine. Symphony and Serenity’s restaurants will be transformed into inspiring modern venues that will exude elegance, matched only by their Michelin-level cuisine.
The existing Crystal Dining Room will become Waterside, reflecting the chic décor and sophisticated ambience of the main dining room on-board Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart. Additional tables for two and four guests offer more options for intimate dining in the expansive space, while a new open seating concept eliminates Crystals’ previous format of assigned seating and reservations. Evening dining will now involve open seating between 6pm and 9:30pm.
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity’s Lido Café will also receive a makeover. Marketplace by day and Churrascaria by night, the venue will feature an open kitchen concept, serving buffet-style breakfast and lunch options and stylish evening cuisine respectively. Churrascaria will also treat guests to a welcome cocktail, and serve Brazilian-inspired tapas, ceviche, salads, grilled seafood and succulent meats.
But Crystal isn’t just refreshing its existing restaurants. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will feature Silk, a new on-board restaurant offering modern Chinese-inspired cuisine, including self-service breakfast and lunch options incorporating dumplings, Chinois salad and noodles.
Speaking of Asian dining, both ships will also see The Sushi Bar rebranded as Umi Uma, reflecting the Japanese word for Crystal’s eponymous seahorses. Made famous by master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the authentic venues will still serve cuisine inspired by this most gifted of cooks, retaining their moniker as the only Nobu restaurants at sea.
All speciality dining reservations for Umi Uma will be complimentary for penthouse guests.
Advances in technology
Upon completion of Crystal Symphony’s dry dock in November 2017, guests will receive complimentary Wi-Fi throughout any Crystal voyage on-board all Crystal vessels. The luxury cruise line will also launch a new guest portal, branded Crystal Connect. It will help passengers to access not only the internet, but a host of shipboard information, including:
- Daily menus from each restaurant.
- Daily Reflections.
- Day and evening activities.
- Crystal Adventures shore excursions.
- Daily port maps.
A number of international newspapers will also be available for digital viewing, as well as hit movies, Crystal lectures and more.
In every room throughout the ship (including public areas), ultra-thin, 42-inch, interactive flat-panel TVs will enable guests to conveniently access their on-board folios, view the Crystal Spa & Salon, Connoisseur Wine Selection and restaurant menus. They will be able to make on-board reservations, reserve shore excursions and even order room service.
Crystal Cruises’ acclaimed Computer University@Sea classrooms will also undergo a makeover, further enhancing the technological experience and guest enrichment.
Public spaces, reimagined
The public spaces on-board Crystal cruise ships are a key part of the passenger experience, offering places to relax and socialise. The luxury cruise line aims to enhance this experience yet further.
Crystal Serenity’s Palm Court lounge will be completely redesigned to feature more intimate seating, while Crystal Symphony’s Starlite Club will be refitted to boast panoramic sea views: the perfect setting for dancing and cocktails.
Dates for your diary
Crystal Symphony’s redesign is set to take place between 19th September and 21st October 2017, while Crystal Serenity will be transformed between 14th October and 10th November 2018.
The reimagining of these spectacular vessels is sure to make the Crystal cruise line even more synonymous with luxury cruises, increasing its presence in our seas.
If you can’t wait until Symphony and Serenity have been refitted to experience a voyage with Crystal Cruises, call our Cruise Concierge on 0207 980 2845. Dedicated to helping you plan your cruise made in heaven, they are on hand to offer a truly personalised booking experience.