Company Overview:
With
home offices based in Los Angeles, Crystal has
long been a favorite of the well-heeled West
Coast crowd (though actually a subsidiary of
Tokyo-based NYK or Nippon Yusen Kaisha). Crystal
Cruises is the line of choice for voyagers
deep-pocketed enough to afford a luxury cruise,
but gregarious and lively enough to crave a
larger ship (by luxury standards) and lots of
fellow passengers and a broad range of
activities and facilities.
The company's
68,000-ton newest state-of-the-art luxury ship,
Crystal Serenity, carries a mere 1080
passengers, boasting one of the highest
space-to-passenger ratios in the cruise world.
Intent on being even more popular than its
predecessors Symphony and Harmony (no longer in
service, it left the fleet in November, 2005 to
sail for parent company NYK as the Asuka II),
the 14-deck ship has three alternative
restaurants among seven dining venues, two
paddle tennis courts, a completely new learning
center, and an enlarged computer center. Its
boardroom has its own wine cellar and a special
lounge for repeat passengers.
Currently
sailing only two vessels, Crystal has plans
underway to design and build a new vessel to
replace Crystal Harmony in the future.
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Crystal Cruises Experience:
Crystal definitely
has a feel of its own among the luxury vessels,
and some people find it intoxicatingly
addictive. The service is impeccable, and if
anything tends to be almost too much for private
types, but if you love being doted upon then
Crystal has the highest guest-to-staff ratios at
sea. There's a general atmosphere of what might
be called California-ness aboard; everyone tends
to be friendly, socially aware, and committed to
personal growth.
Crystal focuses on the
image conscious, worldly passenger interested in
knowledge and self-improvement. Even on the
balmiest afternoon, far fewer of your fellow
passengers are likely to be sunning themselves
by the pool than inside listening attentively to
a guest expert lecture about climate change or
jewelry. The line also innovated the first
computer training program at sea as far back as
1999 (copied by many other cruise lines
eventually) called it Computer University@Sea
class. That isn't a real address by the way.
Though far ahead of the game when it came to
teaching about computers, they were one of the
last cruise lines to actually install decent
Internet access aboard their ships. They have
since solved that little nuisance.
That
said, bingo and the casino are both very
popular, as are the ship's wonderful floor shows
which generally get rated as the best at sea in
the luxury cruise line division. Because
Crystal's passengers generally prefer to stay
aboard and attend lectures and computer classes,
Crystal seem to call in relatively fewer ports
per cruise than many other cruise lines. For
example, the 10-day May 31, 2007 Mediterranean
cruise on Symphony, only stops at four ports
(one for 2 days), while a comparable luxury line
known for port-intensity on a 10-day, May 27,
2007 Mediterranean cruise stops at nine
(including two in one day).
Obviously,
being aboard a Crystal ship is being in the lap
of luxury, and it is for people who appreciate
that more than the world travel. The company has
introduced a whole raft of passenger-pleasing
new policies in recent years, none more popular
than its Reserve Wine List of 20 rare and
much-sought-after vintages. Special dinners were
conceived around particular wines and
champagnes. Crystal may have introduced
alternative, boutique, restaurants, but assigned
dining at one of two seatings remains the rule
in the main restaurant.
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Fellow Passengers
Mostly
widely-traveled, well-heeled sixty-somethings
from California who almost invariably "look
great for their age" whatever that age may be.
The line also attracts a fair number of
relatively younger (40s-50s) singles attracted
by the line's single supplement program, usually
more women than men single travelers, so the
line often has gentlemen hosts aboard.
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Taking Kids:
As far as youngsters
are concerned, Crystal is the most welcoming of
the high-end lines. Each ship has a dedicated
playroom, and a Junior Activities counselor is
present on any cruise with ten or more children
aboard. There are Junior Activities counselors
aboard any Crystal cruise where 10 or more
children are booked. Children's play rooms are
well equipped and the "Surf Runner," children's
newsletter details scheduled activities.
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Shore Excursions:
Crystal's
attractively priced and well-organized shore
excursions can be reserved in advance; just
download the form from www.crystalcruises.com
and fax or mail it in. Onboard, a Land Program
Specialist can work up a personalized itinerary
for those who prefer to set off on their own.
Some of the excursions are extraordinary,
including a whole new raft (pun intended) of
active excursions such as driving a Formula 1
race car in Monte Carlo, or a hot air balloon
ride over Ireland. In keeping with the
California media-based clientele, there is a
tour of Rome showcasing the key symbols and
landmarks in Dan Brown's best-selling book
Angels & Demons.
Crystal also offers
"private adventures" which means they will
customize a shore excursion just for you,
including a car, lunch reservations, museums or
tours, fully organized for you by the concierge
on board.
Tipping:
Crystal's
per-day/per-passenger (including children)
guidelines are: $4.00 for stateroom stewardess
($5.00 for single travelers); $4.00 for the
senior waiter; and $3.00 for the waiter. On the
Penthouse Decks, they suggest $4.00 for the
butler. All may be charged to your shipboard
account.
The servers in specialty
restaurants Prego, Jade Garden, Silk Road and
The Sushi Bar all expect $6.00 per person per
dinner.
All bar drinks and wines
automatically get a 15 percent gratuity added. A
similar gratuity is recommended for Salon and
Spa services. Tip the maitre d', headwaiter,
assistant stewardess and night Room Service at
your discretion.
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Repeat Passenger Programs:
Crystal's passengers
are the most loyal in the industry, and the line
makes its appreciation apparent. Crystal Society
members receive special discounts on select
cruises, including reservations made during a
cruise, and enjoy special onboard parties and
photo sessions with the Captain. They're sent
the Society's newsletter, and granted priority
check-in. Once aboard, they enjoy in-cabin wine
and flowers. The line also offers a
Milestone-level rewards and recognition program.
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