Crystal Cruises offers an intriguing hybrid style of cruise experience. The line is decidedly upscale, but its ships, unlike its luxury niche competitors, are big ones, each carrying 940 or more passengers. Founded in 1990, Crystal has two ships in its fleet: the 940-passenger Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-passenger Crystal Serenity, which introduced new Crystal signature features. These include a sushi bar; second paddle tennis court; boardroom with wine cellar; and indoor/outdoor pool (in addition to the standard centerpiece pool). Fantasia, the children's facility, is state-of-the-art, and keynote facilities, such as the Computer University@Sea and the spa, have been expanded. And 85 percent of its oceanview cabins have balconies.
Crystal’s biggest challenge is, ironically, in the main feature that differentiates it over smaller-ship luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises: With bigger ships carrying more passengers, how does it successfully offer exemplary service, outstanding cuisine, and freedom of choice on such a large scale? Usually, it manages. Beyond the company’s innovative programming and ship features, it has one of the industry’s highest guest-to-staff ratios, guest space ratios, and, perhaps not coincidentally, one of the most loyal repeat passenger bases afloat. There’s a huge positive to Crystal’s biggest-ships-in-luxury-class status as well: There are simply far more options in terms of entertainment, socializing, spa and fitness facilities, activities, and enrichment options than can be found on its smaller luxury brethren.
Life Onboard
In differentiating itself from the smaller-ship luxury lines, Crystal's biggest challenge is, ironically, its size: How, on bigger ships carrying more passengers, does it offer exemplary service, outstanding cuisine, and freedom of choice?
Usually it manages this large-scale feat. Beyond the company's innovative programming and ship features, it has 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 bases afloat. There's a huge positive to Crystal's biggest-ships-in-luxury-class status as well, namely far more options, in terms of entertainment, socializing, casinos, spa and fitness facilities, activities, and enrichment opportunities, than there are on its smaller luxury brethren.
Another dilemma facing Crystal Cruises is the fact that, of all the luxury lines, it’s the only one that still has the two set dinner seatings in the main dining room, which, although a mainstay of the mass-market lines, doesn't necessarily appeal to the eat-when-we-want attitude of the upper-end cruiser. Crystal does offer alternative dining—it was the first cruise line to embrace the concept of boutique restaurants—and the Italian and Japanese restaurants onboard all its ships are outstanding, but they're also generally in high demand; passengers should make reservations as early as possible. Ultra-casual Pool Deck dining also is available at The Trident Grill on designated nights during each voyage.
Crystal has long been an innovator in the onboard experience, enthusiastically incorporating cyber cafés on its ships well before other lines and offering how-to classes to encourage passengers' computer skills. Yet it faithfully maintains cornerstone cruise traditions, including elegant afternoon tea, paddle tennis, casinos, and activities like bingo and napkin folding. More recently, Crystal is the first luxury line to make a significant commitment toward attracting families by upgrading children’s onboard facilities and activities. "Fantasia," the main kids' playroom, has Sony PlayStation games, big screen TVs, and games, with camp counselors overseeing daily activities and enrichment programs.
Cabin-wise, accommodations on in the upper ranges are plush and comfortable; however, lower-level categories can be exceedingly cramped.
Clothing onboard is dressy, particularly on formal night, a good time to break out those sequins. Even on other nights, women tend to wear cocktail attire and men tend to wear suits. During the day, elegant casual dominates.
Fellow Passengers
Longer, more exotic cruises attract an older, 55-plus crowd and few (if any) children. However, Crystal is developing a reputation as the multi-generational family cruise line of choice for luxury- line travelers, especially on summer, holiday, Alaskan, and—occasionally—Caribbean sailings.
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