Crystal Luxury Cruise Line - Cruise Line Information

The Crystal difference Luxury, as they say, is in the details. It is so often the little details that make all the difference. And on a Crystal cruise, the differences are many. Here are some of the things that sets Crystal apart and have resulted in Crystal receiving "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" honors year after year.
Six-Star Commitment From the moment you step on board, you will experience Crystal Cruises' dedication to making your cruise with Them a perfect one. Our Six-Star Commitment means each instant must be memorable, every detail sublime. From the grand designs of their ships to the right vintage wine, a turned-down bed, or even a simple smile, singular attention is paid to every detail of your cruise. For all of the employee's at Crystal Cruises, Six-Star quality means more than awards and accolades; it means the constant pursuit of a single goal: to create the best, then make it better. They are not just aiming to provide a fabulous vacation, they are aiming to create an experience that will enrich your life and provide memories to cherish forever.
Award Winning Luxury Cruises A welcoming atmosphere and thoughtful details. Easy going luxury on board with genuine smiles from your stewardess. Cool breezes on their 360-degree Promenade Deck. It quickly becomes Crystal clear why the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine voted Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the two best Cruise Ships in the World in 2006. Join Crystal for a uniquely memorable voyage and experience the service, space, quality and numerous choices that have also earned Crystal Cruises the unparalleled title of World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Awards recognizing Crystal Cruises for excellence.
Onboard 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.
Crystal Society Host/ess Their 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.
Ambassador Hosts On Every Sailing Crystal Cruises offers a host program that includes carefully screened gentlemen with interests and backgrounds similar to those of their guests. Each distinguished Ambassador Host is cultured, well traveled and an accomplished ballroom dancer.
Crystal Clean Environment Crystal Cruises recognizes that their wonderful world is precious and fragile. They are committed to developing plans for preventing pollution, complying with worldwide environmental regulations, and continually improving their environmental management system to minimize and reduce the environmental impact of their operations. They are also dedicated to raising shipboard and shoreside awareness of responsible and respectful treatment of the environments through which they travel.
Dress Codes aboard Crystal Each evening on a Crystal cruise has a specific dress code for dining areas that also applies to all public areas of the ship after 6:00pm (except for alfresco dining on deck when available). If you choose to change your attire following the evening dinner and other festivities, please maintain a minimum style of dress in keeping with the dress code for Casual Evening Attire (described in detail below). Guests find that the occasional formal nights create a special atmosphere in contrast to the other more informal or casual nights on board. The three codes of attire are formal, informal and casual. Typically, 10- to 14-day cruises have three formal nights. The number of informal nights is usually based on the number of days at sea, and casual nights are based on days in port or the time of departure. For your convenience, your cruise ticket lists the number of specific dress code evenings during your stay on board. - Please contact Crystal Cruise lines or your Zanza Travel Concierge for Details.
Dining in Luxury Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity each feature an exceptional variety of dining options including their 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 their elegant Crystal Dining Room, located in the heart of the ship just off the Crystal Plaza. The Crystal Dining Room The Crystal Dining Romm is beautifully appointed, with sweeping ocean views by day and a magnificent ambiance at night. their 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 Crystal's alternative specialty dinner restaurants offer exciting variety at no additional cost. On Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, they 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. Also on both ships, their Italian restaurant Prego offers elegant dining with a spectacular view and unique Italian cuisine. No matter where in the world you are cruising, you'll have the option to enjoy Old World charm and authentic regional Italian cuisine, with signature creations by Piero Selvaggio, owner of the renowned Valentino restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Luxurious Shore Excursions An extensive selection of Crystal Adventures shore excursions has been developed to enhance your cruise experience. Options include sightseeing, flightseeing and adventure tour programs. Activity levels vary from tours requiring less walking to more active excursions such as cycling and kayaking, each providing you with an opportunity to explore the points that interest you most at the ports you are visiting. All Crystal Adventures shore excursions may be pre-reserved.

First Class Entertainment

Dazzling Production Shows Conceived and produced by their 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!
Celebrity Entertainers and Speakers The stars shine brightest at sea. Crystal Cruises is proud to feature exciting celebrity entertainers on board such as Carol Channing, Tommy Tune, Marvin Hamlisch, Joel Grey, Maureen McGovern, Lorna Luft and John Davidson -- among many others -- all part of the diverse spectrum of entertainment options available to their guests. They also offer a galaxy of celebrity speakers to further enrich many sailings..
Music & Dancing Before and after dinner hours, musical entertainment and dancing are offered in a number of venues around the ship. Each lounge features a diverse array of performances from classical artists to ballroom dance bands. Their musical trio serenades you with classical melodies during Afternoon Tea and plays requests as they stroll through the Crystal Dining Room each evening.
Variety Entertainment Crystal Cruises features at least four variety performers from around the world on every cruise. These may include a classical musician, a Broadway vocalist, a pop singer, comedian, juggler, ventriloquist, instrumentalist or other respected performing artist.
Lectures & Enrichment Their popular Crystal Visions Enrichment Program and Creative Learning Institute are offered on every cruise and include a noted destination expert who lectures on the regions visited during the cruise, plus at least one other respected enrichment speaker who shares insights into his or her particular world. Many CLI programs are available for a pre-reservation request online. Crystal Cruises Creative Learning Institute offers a variety of interactive classes in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Business & Technology, Lifestyle, Wellness and Wine & Food. ACBL experts offer instruction in most levels of Bridge, professional ballroom dancers share their tips on improving dance steps, and on most sailings, a qualified PGA pro leads a series of golf classes.
Crystal Bars & Lounges One stroll about the public areas on any Crystal cruise and you will discover entertainment at practically every turn. There's a headline show every evening in the Galaxy Lounge. There is frequently music in the Crystal Cove and a pianist performs nightly in the Avenue Saloon. A string ensemble entertains in the Palm Court during Afternoon Tea. Entertainment may also be found at various times in other venues including the Crystal Dining Room, the Starlite Club, the Stardust Club, the Club 2100, on the Lido Deck, and more.
Piano Bars Soft piano melodies fill the Crystal Cove in the afternoons and each evening at cocktail hour. The popular Avenue Saloon features a pianist performing jazz and favorite tunes.
Crystal Casino Crystal Cruises offers exciting games of chance in the new Crystal Casino featuring Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Mini-Baccarat (on request), as well as Slot and Video Poker machines.

Up on Deck

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. 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. Their 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.

Spa, Health & Fitness

Fit and Wellness Cruising is all about lifestyle: fine wining and dining, visiting exotic destinations and enjoying extravagant production shows. But today's guest is also interested in balancing the rich life of a cruise with health and fitness. If that sounds like you, then Crystal Cruises is your perfect vacation. From the wrap-around, all-outdoor teak Promenade Deck - one of the most popular features on all their ships, and one you won't find on many other large cruise ships - to a Spa with one of the world's best views, every Crystal cruise offers a variety of options for keeping fit and well.
Spa & Fitness Facilities Experience the sublime and the sensuous in the Crystal Spa: the first floating spa to use the principles of Feng Shui. In 2007, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler named Crystal Cruises the Number One Cruise Line Spa in the magazine's prestigious 2007 reader's poll. The Crystal Spa was awarded its highest score yet to date with an overall rating of 90 points, more than six points ahead of its nearest competition. Superior service and state-of-the-art facilities and amenities propelled the Crystal Spa into first place.
Salon Services The full-service Crystal Salon offers a relaxing experience with sweeping ocean views. Their trained professionals provide a range of treatments.

Junior Activities Programs

Crystal for Kids For their Young Cruisers Crystal Cruises' commitment to excellence and quality of experience does not end with their grown-up cruisers. Kids have a variety of great activities to choose from on select Crystal sailings! During Holiday cruises and most summer sailings, junior activities feature games, arts and crafts, and other programs under the supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors. Plus, they offer a children's playroom and babysitting services on all cruises.
Crystal Juniors Their Junior Activities Program is Three-Tiered: 3-7 year olds 8-12 year olds 13-17 year olds Children under six months are not permitted on board without a signed waiver by parent(s).
Activities 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, their daily newsletter for kids with details for the following day's schedule and other pertinent information. Facilities Fantasia, their 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. Dining For Kids 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. Additional Services For a small fee, all vessels offer in-stateroom baby-sitting. Guests should contact the concierge on board for this service at least 24 hours in advance. Cruises with Junior Activities Directors listed on the "Entertainment & Programs" tab above individual itineraries offer organized activities for children under the supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors.

Crystal Luxury Cruise Ships

Crystal Symphony The luxurious 50,000-ton, 940-guest Six-Star Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious cruise ships at sea. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, full-service fitness facility, Crystal casino, Feng Shui-inspired spa, 360° teak Promenade Deck, two pools, Jacuzzi®,award-winning cuisine and entertainment, in addition to, elegantly appointed staterooms most with private verandahs.
Crystal Serenity At 68,000 tons and capable of serving 1,080 guests, Crystal Serenity is our largest ship. However, like her sister ship, she maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll never feel crowded. Featuring many of the same popular public spaces and amenities as Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity serves up innovation in the form of new dining venues like Tastes, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

*The Contents of this page is provided as a guide by Zanza Blue. For up to date information please contact the Cruise Line directly or a Zanza Travel Concierge. Information provided may change at any time.