Crystal Cruises Lines

• Crystal Serenity  

With only two ships in it's fleet, the largest of which carries just over 1000 passengers, Crystal cruises has managed to offer cruisers a top-notch luxury dining experience while still offering activities that are normally associated with much larger vessels. Owned by NYK Line (Japan) and based in the USA, Crystal cruises was formed in 1990 with the Crystal Harmony as it's very first ship, which was later removed from the fleet in 2005. The 51,044-ton, 922-passenger Crystal Symphony was later launched in 1995 and is about one-third the size of the newer 68,000-ton, 1,080-passenger Crystal Serenity which made it's launch in 2003.

What sets Crystal cruises apart are it's signature features such as Onboard sushi bars, enormous wine cellars and the wide ranging Computer University. While bigger ships like Disney Cruise Lines do a better job at catering for kids, Crystal can still manage to hold it's own in that category.

To differentiate themselves from other luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas, they offer far more options when it comes on to entertainment, casinos, spas and health and fitness facilities than those other cruise lines while still managing to provide exemplary service and fine cuisine.

One of the biggest complaints cruisers have of Crystal cruises is that they have only two set dinner seatings and for a luxury line, this doesn't have much of an appeal as it's a reminder of what occurs on the mass-market cruise lines that have set dinner times. Fortunately, Crystal cruises plan to change this system in 2011 with more flexible dining options where open seating dining will become available by reservation. The other effort is to introduce an ultra-casual pool deck dining at The Trident Grill on designated nights during each voyage.

Crystal cruises was the first luxury line to make significant strides in attracting families and they've done this by upgrading on-board facilities and improving the activities that children and parents would do. At the same time, they've maintained all the niche concepts of a luxury cruise like elegant afternoon tea, paddle tennis, high-stakes casinos and assigned restaurant dining, for those who want it of course.

Overall, cabins on the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are plush and comfortable but those on the lower-level can feel a bit cramped for a luxury ship. Cruisers on longer voyages tend to be baby-boomers in the 55 and above age range. Clothing is generally dressy on-board and formal at nights where passengers where fancy dresses for the women and suits for the men. In the day, a casual, but elegant look is seen.

Crystal cruises offers a generous on-board credit of $2000 per couple per cruise, rather than take the all-inclusive route that many other cruise lines take. They still continue to charge for alcohol, onshore trips etc...

Crystal Cruises offers voyages to nearly all seven continents; mainstays include Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America's Canada/New England region, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South America and Alaska/British Columbia. New for 2011 are several calls in West African ports.