Crystal Cruises offers an intriguing, yet fabulous, luxury cruise experience. With two ships that carry fewer than 1,080 passengers each, but are larger than other ships in the luxury market, Crystal has nonetheless carved out an enviable niche, offering all the amenities and activities associated with larger vessels, yet still managing to provide exemplary service, superb cuisine and total freedom of choice - garnering numerous awards along the way.
Crystal is owned by NYK of Japan, based in Los Angeles and the fleet comprises two ships; the 51,044-ton, 940 passenger Crystal Symphony, launched in 1995 and – roughly a third larger - the 68,000-ton, 1072 passenger Crystal Serenity which debuted in 2003.
The ships have one of the industry's highest guest-to-staff and guest-to-space ratios, and, perhaps not coincidentally, one of the most loyal repeat passenger ratios. Beyond their well-deserved reputation for dining, service and big-ship options (simply far more of them, from casinos and fitness facilities to a wide range of entertainment) - Crystal Cruises is particularly known for signature features that include on-board Sushi bars, vast wine cellars, innovative learning and enrichment programmes and a superb programme of entertainment including Broadway-style shows. It also offers one of the best children’s activity programmes in the luxury market.
Although Crystal has long been an innovator in the on-board experience - one of the first cruise lines to embrace the concept of boutique restaurants and internet access at sea for example – it still faithfully maintains cornerstone cruise traditions: elegant afternoon tea, ‘dressing for dinner', paddle tennis and assigned main restaurant dining (both ships enjoy a mixture of open seating, anytime dining and traditional dining practices with assigned tables).
Cabin-wise, accommodations on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity - particularly in the upper ranges - are plush and comfortable, with the added luxury of butler service.