This article originally
appeared in the February issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
Since its inception more than 30 years ago, Crystal Cruises
has served as a hallmark of sorts for luxury cruising, garnering a dedicated
following among travel advisors and their clients. So, when the line – now
known as Crystal – ceased operations in 2022 due to the liquidation of its
parent company, Genting Hong Kong, its devotees were devastated.
When A&K Travel Group came to the rescue and purchased
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, both of which re-entered service in
summer 2023, advisors and guests were elated. But what few foresaw was that
A&K, which invested a fortune in renovations, would elevate the vessels to
a new level of luxury – which is something I can attest to, at least in the
case of Serenity. With three prior Crystal cruises under my belt, I sailed on a
seven-night Crystal Serenity itinerary from Miami
to San Juan late last year.
In short, A&K reduced Serenity’s passenger capacity from
1,080 to 740 to increase the ship’s spaciousness and added larger suites and
new accommodations categories. It added a new spa and revamped two specialty
eateries, Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa Restaurant and Sushi Bar, and Osteria
D’Ovidio, formerly known as Prego.
What has remained unchanged, however, is Crystal’s flawless
service, which is friendly and highly efficient but not obsequious.
Your clients would be hard pressed to find better service on
any other ship.
Accommodations
Two of Serenity’s four passenger decks – 8 and 9 – were
entirely gutted to enlarge smaller accommodations and introduce two new
categories: Single Guest Room With Ocean Views (215 square feet) and Junior
Crystal Penthouse Suites (645 square feet with 161-squarefoot veranda), which
feature separate bedrooms, and dining and living rooms.
The redesign also included the addition of larger versions
of Serenity’s most popular accommodations, Sapphire Veranda Suites (430 square
feet with 107-square-foot verandas). Now, guests can choose between the
pre-existing classic configuration, which has a bathroom with a large, separate
soaking tub and bidet, or the new version, boasting enormous showers with a
rain shower and marble bench. Both versions are equipped with marble bathroom
vanities with double sinks along with a copious amount of storage space,
bedrooms with separate living rooms and walk-in closets.
In all, Serenity has nine category accommodations, which
also include 1,265- foot Penthouse suites with 107-square-foot verandas,
Aquamarine Veranda Suites (323 square feet with 86-square-foot veranda), Double
Guest Room With Verandas (215 square feet with 54-squarefoot verandas) and
Double Guest Rooms With Oceanview (215 square feet).
What’s For Dinner?
In addition to insanely delicious sushi and sashimi, Umi
Uma’s menu includes a host of innovative entrée options, including black cod
marinated in Saikyo miso with baby peach and young ginger, and grilled
Australian Wagyu beef filet steak with grilled onions and asparagus and three
sauces.
Osteria d’Ovidio, which was named after A&K Travel Group
Co-Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, and former owner of Silversea,
features a menu that ups the ante on traditional Italian cuisine, with such
dishes as risotto with tortilla pasta, braised beef, fig vincotto and
gorgonzola cheese, and lamb with sweet onion, balsamic vinegar and sea
asparagus.
The main dining room, the Waterside Restaurant, is open for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers an eclectic array of entrees at night,
from grilled black angus rib eye steak with cauliflower au gratin,
bacon-wrapped asparagus with tomato-béarnaise choron sauce to fresh cold-water
lobster with leek chive risotto.
Other dining options include Marketplace, Serenity’s
buffet-style restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch and serves fresh
and delicious offerings with options for virtually any palate; the poolside
Trident Grill, serving breakfast for late risers, and burgers and sandwiches
throughout the day; Tastes Kitchen & Bar, featuring tapas-style cuisine for
lunch and dinner; The Bistro, offering sweet and savory snacks; The Vintage
Room, seating just 14 guests for seven-course meals with wine pairings for $300
per person; and Scoops Ice Cream bar.
Public Areas
Crystal
Serenity houses some of the most spectacular public areas of any ship at
sea, including the Palm Court, located forward on Deck 12, with
floor-to-ceiling windows proffering up amazing views.
The Crystal Cove on Deck 5 is a popular spot for pre- and
post-dinner cocktails, as is the Avenue Saloon, a piano bar.
Other public areas include the Galaxy Lounge for headline
entertainment; the Hollywood Theater for movies and lectures; the Stardust
Night Club and Supper Club, which offers dancing, dining and shows on select
evenings; a library; the Connoisseur Club for cigars and cognacs; the Seahorse
Pool with two large hot tubs; Pulse Night Club; the Wimbledon Court for paddle
tennis and pickle ball; golf driving nets; a putting green; and Wave’s Teen
Center & Fantasia Children’s Playroom.
The new Aurora Spa features cutting-edge and traditional
massage treatments, 12 treatment rooms, male and female saunas, a hair salon,
and nail and makeup facilities. The adjacent fitness center includes Technogym
exercise equipment, yoga, Pilates and spinning classes.
What’s Included
Fares include non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, butler
service in all accommodations, room service, daily restocked minibars, Wi- Fi,
gratuities and self-service laundry. Guests are privy to one complimentary
reservation at both Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio.
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