Description
Crystal Cruises was created in 1988 and currently operates two luxury ships. Crystal Symphony (1995) each carry 940 guests. The 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity was launched in 2003. Crystal is wholly owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), the largest shipping company in the world.
Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm operates over 800 ships, has offices around the globe and is renowned for its fast, reliable and economical service to people around the world.
Their unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations.
The Six-Star rated liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, the only Caesars Palace at Sea Casino afloat, and the innovative Computer University@Sea, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands-on instruction, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely-appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.
The 68,000-ton, 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity features an even greater space-per-guest ratio than her sister ships. Expanded areas for spa services and other athletic, cultural and intellectual pursuits. Within a range of luxury accommodations, the line increases its number of penthouses and enlarge its deluxe staterooms with verandahs. Approximately 85 per cent of its all outside staterooms and suites will offer private verandahs.
The luxury liners are operated by Crystal Cruises, winner of the travel industry's most distinguished hospitality awards and guidebook ratings. Its most recent honours include an unprecedented seventh consecutive "world's best" large-ship cruise line award from Travel + Leisure magazine, and a number one ranking for cuisine from the same publication.
Further Information
Bars & Lounges
The ships offer a variety of bar and lounge venues, including the Avenue Saloon, The Bistro, casino, Crystal Cove, Galaxy Lounge, Palm Court, Pulse (Crystal Serenity), Stardust Club (Crystal Serenity), Starlite Club (Crystal Symphony), Sunset Bar (Crystal Serenity) and Trident Bar. Each features a unique style and atmosphere, as well as different hours of service.
You may have beverages delivered to your stateroom by calling Room Service. Charges may be applied to your shipboard account.
Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served wine and beer, and at least 21 years old to be served spirits. When docked or anchored in U.S. ports, within the three-mile limit, guests must be at least 21 years old to be served any alcoholic beverages.
Communication
Mail
Prior to the departure date, you receive a list of embarkation and disembarkation ports where mail can be forwarded or delivered to you on board. Postage and mailing services are available on board. Be sure to allow sufficient time for delivery to distant destinations.
Telephone
Crystal ships are equipped with a sophisticated telephone system that allows you to make direct-dial satellite phone calls from your stateroom. The ship telephone number is included in your travel documents before sailing.
Calls are billed to your shipboard account or a major credit card. However, please be aware that the per-minute cost to use this system is significantly higher than a normal shoreside call. You may also wish to use pay phones located in various ports of call.
E-mail
Crystal Cruises offers a 24-hour private e-mail system through our Computer University@Sea. Your personal e-mail address is included on your cruise ticket. Details are provided with cruise documents or you may contact your travel agent for more information. Fees apply.
Facsimile
Facsimile services are available. Fees apply.
Dazzling Production Shows
Conceived and produced by our own creative in-house production staff, Crystal Cruises' Broadway-style shows are a highlight of every cruise. After dinner, stroll to the Galaxy Lounge to witness the talented Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers in such spectacular original productions as Fascinatin' Rhythm, Million Dollar Musicals, COLE!, Curtain Call and many more!
The Galaxy Lounge is the venue for our award-winning production shows and a host of other evening performances. The showroom was custom-designed to offer perfect views from each of its seats, and features state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
Fine Dining
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity each feature an exceptional variety of dining options including our main Crystal Dining Room, two specialty restaurants and Room Service available 24 hours.
The extraordinary cuisine for which Crystal Cruises is justifiably famous is offered in our elegant Crystal Dining Room, located in the heart of the ship just off the Crystal Plaza. The Crystal Dining Room is beautifully appointed, with sweeping ocean views by day and a magnificent ambiance at night. Our gracious European-trained waiters and internationally acclaimed chefs provide regionally inspired dishes and classic continental cuisine. The Crystal Dining Room offers the flexibility of two seatings to facilitate your dining preferences, and gives you the convenience of open seating at breakfast and lunch.
Casual poolside dining is offered on many evenings. Served from the Trident Grill (Tastes on Crystal Serenity), dinners on these relaxed, no-reservations evenings under the stars are a unique Crystal Cruises dining option.
Specialty Restaurants
Our alternative specialty dinner restaurants offer exciting variety at no additional cost.
On Crystal Symphony, you'll enjoy the innovative Asian cuisine prepared with a contemporary flair at Jade Garden. Dishes are inspired by the exotic array of traditions and ingredients of the Orient. Specialty selections from Wolfgang Puck's Chinois restaurant are also offered.
On Crystal Serenity, we feature contemporary Asian cuisine in the specialty restaurant Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, offering signature dishes created by internationally renowned Japanese master chef, Nobu Matsuhisa.
For Our Young Cruisers
Crystal Cruises' commitment to excellence and quality of experience does not end with our grown-up cruisers. Kids have a variety of great activities to choose from on every Crystal cruise! We offer a children's playroom and babysitting services on all cruises. During Holiday cruises and most summer sailings, junior activities feature games, arts and crafts, and cotillion classes (with dance and etiquette instruction) under the supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors.
Activities are determined by age and the number of children on board. On those sailings with Junior Activities Directors, a detailed schedule of events is created at the beginning of each cruise. Once on board, you'll receive Surf Runner, or Teen Scene, the teenagers guide to special activities, our daily newsletter for kids with details for the following day's schedule and other pertinent information.
Fantasia, our children's playroom, offers tables and chairs for arts and crafts, popular Sony PlayStation® game titles, a large screen television set and board games. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity also feature a teenager's video arcade, Waves. The Library offers children's books and children's videos or DVDs for enjoyment in staterooms.
Kids may choose from a special Junior Cruiser's menu, and Crystal's executive chefs and other culinary staff can prepare custom dishes. The Trident Grill serves complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza and more. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats are available.
Golf
On most cruises, a qualified PGA pro is on board to offer golf classes and clinics. You'll find driving range nets and a putting green, with a supply of practice clubs and balls. Crystal Cruises now proudly and exclusively features TaylorMade, the best performance golf company in the world. On board products include TaylorMade's #1 ranked drivers used by PGA pros to lead in distance, accuracy and total driving company. Complete sets of TaylorMade clubs are also available for rental to use in ports where you may wish to play.
Medical Services
Medical staff are on call 24 hours a day. The professional services of this staff, as well as certain medications, are available on board at reasonable costs. Guests requiring ongoing medication, or having specific dietary needs, are advised to bring an ample supply of medication or dietary supplements with them in their carry-on luggage.
Portable oxygen tanks and concentrators may be used on board, provided Crystal Cruises is notified in writing, no later than 30 days prior to sailing, that a guest is bringing his or her own oxygen equipment, and has made direct arrangements with an independent medical contractor who has agreed to undertake all required arrangements without involving the ship's onboard Medical Centre and its personnel. The oxygen-dependent guest must travel with a companion who is also completely familiar with the operation of the concentrator.
Oxygen-dependent guests are limited to those cruises on which they can be properly supported by equipment vendors and which have itineraries that will easily allow medical disembarkation if it should be required. The number of oxygen-dependent guests using portable equipment is very limited on any cruise. Requests for oxygen equipment for a specific cruise will be processed in the order of date received.
Guests with existing medical conditions, guests who cannot completely care for themselves and who may require treatment by the ship's medical staff, or guests who may constitute a risk or danger to anyone else on board must be reported in writing to Crystal Cruises' Onboard Guest Services Department prior to departure. Crystal Cruises reserves the right, without liability, to refuse to board and transport such guests who are in need of constant care by the ship's staff.
Outdoor Activities
If golf isn't your game, how about paddle tennis or shuffleboard? You'll enjoy a full-size, enclosed paddle tennis court on the ship-top Sun Deck. For jogging, walking, stretching and fresh air, there's the Promenade Deck, nearly a quarter-mile around for walking or jogging. Our two pools, the indoor/outdoor Neptune Pool and the full-length Seahorse Pool and adjoining Jacuzzi®, are located on the Lido Deck. Sunbathe, snooze and read while enjoying a refreshing drink poolside in the afternoon.
Shipboard Services
Our staff takes pride in making sure your entire journey goes smoothly, from beginning to end.
Concierges
The concierges, members of the prestigious Union Internationale "Les Clefs d'Or," and a 24-hour Reception Desk staff are available to assist you with any special shipboard or shoreside needs.
Cruise Sales Consultant
Our shipboard sales representative provides itinerary details and fares, and is on board to assist you with starting a future reservation on Crystal Cruises. All bookings made on board are returned to your travel agent, and for most cruises you will receive special Onboard Booking savings, as well as a repeat guest (Crystal Society) discount.
Crystal Society Host/ess
Our Crystal Society Host/ess is on every cruise to welcome first-time cruisers into the Crystal Society and to acquaint members with all the benefits and rewards of being a part of the Crystal family.
Spa & Fitness Facilities
Experience the sublime and the sensuous in the Crystal Spa: the first floating spa to use the principles of Feng Shui.
Treatments include: Aroma Stone Therapy, Japanese Silk Booster Facial and a Well-Being Massage. All enjoyed in the relaxing spa with beautiful Asian artifacts and the peaceful ambiance of Feng Shui. The spa features panoramic sea views, which surround a facility offering sauna, steam, a full-service hair salon and a well-equipped fitness centre. Relax the mind, body and soul, and indulge in a Pathway to Yoga class, or enhance your physique with the modern-age Pilates Reformer, all under the guidance of a qualified fitness director. Other onboard fitness facilities include: a lap pool; an indoor/outdoor pool; two Jacuzzis®; 360º Promenade Deck for walking and jogging; paddle tennis courts; table tennis; golf driving ranges and putting greens; and shuffleboard courts.
Build Your Sea Legs with "Walk-On-Water"
Debbie Rocker's weighted vests have become one of the world's most popular exercise accessories. And now, Ms. Rocker brings these vests on board with an exciting new program developed exclusively for Crystal Cruises: "Walk-On-Water" (WOW).
Designed to maximize the health benefits of walking, the innovative program, featuring Ms. Rocker's revolutionary weighted WALKVEST® by Debbie Rocker, allows guests to expand their fitness regimen in idyllic settings around the world. Tailor-made for Crystal and taking advantage of our renowned wraparound Promenade Deck, Ms. Rocker's WOW regimen was introduced on Crystal Harmony's holiday cruise and is now available fleetwide.
The main feature of the Walk-On-Water program is Ms. Rocker's exclusive WALKVEST, a lightweight cotton vest with weight pockets strategically located around the mid-section. In contrast to exercising with hand-held or ankle weights, which may alter the natural stride and can wrench the spine, WALKVEST places weights around the waistline, providing better support and equilibrium control. More than a dozen specially designed weight pockets hold one or more weights in half-pound increments, allowing for a gradual increase from two to sixteen pounds. The WOW program adds customized motivational music-driven audiotapes, a day-by-day guided walking program, and educational instructions on how to walk safely and effectively.
Each ship features at least 50 WALKVESTs, customized with the Crystal logo, and Ms. Rocker personally trained our sports directors on teaching the WOW-WALKVEST walking program.
Wheelchair Access
Our ships were designed to be accessible for the physically challenged, with ramp access to most decks and public areas. Ships' elevators can accommodate standard-size wheelchairs (22.5" wide) allowing access to all public decks.
Certain staterooms offer extra-wide doors, fully wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and "wheel-in" closets with low-fitted hanging rods. Some suites offer limited wheelchair access to personal facilities. Please note that these staterooms and suites are subject to availability and must be requested at the time of booking.
Wheelchair-bound guests must bring their own junior/adult standard-size wheelchair (22.5" wide) and must be accompanied by a travelling companion for better access to all areas on and around both ships.
Some ports of call are anchorage ports and physical conditions may preclude our guests in wheelchairs from going ashore. This decision is made by the ship's Captain or doctor, and is binding.
The Shore Excursions staff may assist with recommendations on which Crystal Adventures tours, if any, are best suited for physically challenged guests. Personal assistants may be available to provide wheelchair or other individual services to guests participating in shore excursions; the assistance may be requested at the Concierge Desk for an additional fee.
For the hearing-impaired, the Hollywood Theatre is equipped with a StarsSound Infrared Hearing System. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity also offer closed-captioned programming on selected television programs. Guests should contact the Reception Desk to activate this feature.
