A few of the team recently had the privilege of being invited aboard luxury cruise ship Crystal Symphony whilst docked in Liverpool for the day. It was a fantastic chance to experience the ship firsthand, especially one from such a small select fleet.
Crystal Cruises was bought by luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent in 2022. They’ve since been revamping both ships, Crystal Symphony & Crystal Serenity, in a $200 million refit programme.
Public Areas
The tone for a luxury cruise is set on arrival in the main atrium. Here you’ll experience the wow factor of a fabulous 2-storey waterfall, which is certainly a unique feature. We spent some time exploring the various decks, spaces, and passenger facilities.
Lunch was provided in the Waves dining room, and our menu featured items from several of the signature restaurants. Having experienced the dining firsthand, I can confidently say that the cuisine aboard Crystal Symphony is absolutely delightful.
Onboard you’ll discover award-winning dishes crafted with inspiration from global culinary pioneers, and with nine unique complimentary venues to choose from, there’s something for every palate. The open seating and extensive dining options are designed to cater to your personal preferences, giving you the freedom to enjoy meals on your own schedule. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely late breakfast, a sophisticated six-course wine-pairing lunch, or an elegant dinner the choices are endless and tailored just for you. We recommend the amazing risotto from Italian restaurant, Osteria d’Ovidio, or the miso-marinated black cod from Umi Uma – one of only two Nobu restaurants at sea!
The lounges are expansive and numerous, with the most varied types of comfy chairs, sofas and reading nooks I think I’ve ever seen of a ship! You’ll never be short of somewhere to put your feet up and enjoy a good book, or play a competitive game of Scrabble with friends.
For those that enjoy a flutter of an evening, the casino will be reopened onboard from late November 2024. In the meantime there are some fabulous live music venues and bars to enjoy, and a sophisticated cigar lounge for those that enjoy a quality smoke.
Suites & Guest Rooms
I also had the opportunity to tour a few of the suites, which is always important when for when we’re discussing options with potential clients.
Room 7066 – Double Guest Room with Ocean View
This room would still be perfect for me (even without a balcony). It’s what I consider to be a fairly typically deluxe stateroom layout on most mainstream ships… There’s a fabulous queen bed, desk area, sofa and coffee table in the main space. The bathroom is beside the main door, but is bigger than what you’ll find on a mainstream ship.
The view from the window is out onto the promenade and then onward to sea. Again, this is a reason that I wouldn’t miss a balcony… go out of your guestroom door, turn left and there’s the door going out to the promenade. Perfect for stretching your legs early morning or before heading out for dinner!
Room 8036 – Obstructed Sapphire Ocean View Suite
The first thing that I noted about this room, was just how spacious it is. I’m used to having a balcony when I go on a cruise, but I could easily see myself spending at least a week in one of these rooms. You have a separate lounge space to the bedroom, which is superbly furnished, plus a very good size bathroom.
The view from the window is most definitely obstructed below and to the right, as there’s a lifeboat there. However, you still get plenty of light and there are great views looking out to the left.
Room 9022 – Aquamarine Veranda Suite
If you’re travelling with friends or family then these suites are for you! They share a main door on the corridor, and then you can leave your suites doors open if you wish to pair up the spaces. This room pairs with 9020.
The bathroom is really large, with a double vanity and walk in shower. There’s a good sized dressing area with plenty of hangers, drawers and even a separate make-up table with large mirror. The bedroom and sitting area are one room, and lead out to the balcony where you’ll find comfy furniture. In the room there’s also a large cupboard featuring the mini bar, glasses and coffee machine. I also loved the touch of including a pair of Bushnell binoculars in the room!
Room 9050 – Sapphire Veranda Suite
Loved this suite! Aside from it’s spacious seating area, the walkthrough bathroom and the double length balcony… there’s a washing machine! I know, I know… who goes on holiday to do washing?? If you’re hitting the gym, or running around the promenade on the daily, then this would come in real handy! Anyway… it’s a unique perk and I think it’s brilliant! It’s not available in all Sapphire Veranda Suites though, so if you want the washing machine then please check before booking.
Room 9002 – Sapphire Junior Penthouse Suite
This is definitely a step up from the veranda suites… with around 200 extra square feet to lounge around in. They’re beautiful suites, and include a dining area (with table that seats 4) for those impressive in-suite dining experiences.
My colleague Alison was equally impressed with the ship:
For a luxury product, the space on board in the public areas really was fabulous and the choice of lounges and entertainment venues very impressive. You will be spoiled for choice!
And, with almost a 1:1 ratio of crew to guests you have the comfort of knowing that your every need is catered for!
Abercrombie & Kent’s head of marketing, also shared insights with us on how they stand out from other luxury tour operators. If you’re looking for bespoke luxury experiences in your itinerary’s ports of call then look no further than Crystal Cruises. A&K’s expertise and experience in sourcing out-of-the-ordinary trips/tours is second-to-none. No request is too “out there” for them to look into.
If you’re ready to discuss options for your Crystal Cruise holiday then please do get in touch with a luxury cruise specialists on 02380 658 386.
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