schedule and set its fares
to include gratuities, dining
in specialty restaurants and
beverage, both fine wines and
premium spirits and specialty
coffees, bottled water and
soft drinks. From its Nobu
restaurants and the enormous
wine section to its exquisite
breakfasts, the ships please
a very demanding clientele.
Formal evenings have been
reduced and most nights the
dress is country club casual.
Fares now cover beverages
(including fine wines and
premium spirits, plus all nonalcoholic beverages such as
bottled water, soda, juices
and specialty coffee drinks);
gratuities for housekeeping,
dining and bar staff; and
dining in the ships’ specialty
seafood will from sustainable
offers a varied and creative
and receive top ratings,
restaurants and sushi bars.
and fair trade vendors.
selection of shore excursions
to the exclusive onshore
from the complimentary service
experiences like touring
Florence in a Ferrari ($8,900).
The company is strong on
Crystal pioneered computer
social responsibility, with
learning with its Computer
opportunities that allow guests
policies including sourcing all
University @ Sea labs and it
to help local communities
The line’s two ships are very
elegant without being stuffy.
Crystal Serenity received a
very well planned $25 million
refurbishment in 2011 and
the Symphony finished a
five-year, $65 million plan to
redesign every space on board
last year. An important tip:
the Penthouse staterooms,
complete with beautifully
trained butlers, sell out first,
so it is best to book early.
Passengers tend to be
very well traveled and well
educated, with an older
demographic on the longer
cruises, and friendships are
struck up that last years
after the cruise is finished.
The combination of Crystal
and Asia should be one of
the most satisfying yet; the
dramatic expansion indicates
that the line thinks so.
Photos courtesy of Crystal
LUXE BEAT MAGAZINE • APRIL 2014
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