Crystal Serenity

Founded in 1988 by parent company NYK Lines of Japan, Crystal Cruises’ elegant double seahorse logo has become synonymous to discerning travelers as the pinnacle of luxury at sea. Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and the newer, slightly larger Crystal Serenity are among the world’s cushiest, most spacious vessels, with expansive decks, generous amenities and elegant quarters -- more than half with private verandas. Crystal’s six-star liners have grand lounges, a sybaritic spa outfitted within Feng Shui principles, extensive exercise options, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, and the only Caesars Palace at Sea Casino afloat. Computer University@Sea, helping trailblaze 24-hour e-mail and Internet access at sea, has hands-on instruction to boot. In 2004, highlights include 28 round trip sailings from domestic ports, 33 cruises beginning or ending in domestic ports, new seven-night sailings for all three ships in the Mediterranean, Canada/New England and the Caribbean, and new 10-day cruises round-trip from Honolulu. Crystal Serenity’s inaugural World Cruise sails from Los Angeles to New York.

Quick View

With more dining options, more veranda staterooms, and more exquisite penthouses of equally exquisite proportions, plus expanded venues for entertainment, fitness and educational endeavor, Crystal Serenity ups the ante on six-star luxury traditions. The ship, built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, boasts an even greater space-per-guest ratio than sisters Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, and has a magnetic new penthouse category -- the Penthouse Stateroom With Veranda -- increasing butler service by 300 percent over sisters Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony.

About Gratuities
Noting that tipping is personal, Crystal does not include gratuities in fares. Guidelines, per person per day, are $4 for room stewards, $4 for waiters, $2.50 for assistant waiters, etc. Guidelines for specialty restaurants are $6 per guest, per dinner. Bar drinks have a 15 percent tip added. Gratuities may be charged to the shipboard account.

Ship Features

With 64,583 square feet of teak for expansive outside decks and 32,292 square feet of teak for private verandas, Crystal Serenity reflects many classic qualities of yesteryear’s grand liners. Exceptional service, a Crystal Cruises hallmark, is assured by one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in cruising, with Crystal Serenity boasting 635 staff members catering to 1,080 guests.

Staterooms
Serenity accommodations, 548 in all, reflect more size and choice with 85 percent of all outside staterooms and suites with private verandas. On a deck and a half, 100 Penthouse accommodations (56 percent more than sister Crystal Symphony) include four, 1,345 square-foot Crystal Penthouses. Serenity nearly doubles the number of Penthouse Suites (32 vs. 18 on Crystal Symphony), and has more Penthouses (64 vs. 44 on Crystal Symphony). Crystal Serenity’s entirely new category, the Penthouse Stateroom With Verandah, increases butler service by 300 percent over sister ships. There are also 366 outside staterooms with verandah, 80 outside staterooms with large picture windows, and eight wheelchair accessible staterooms and penthouses.

Stateroom amenities
Spacious sitting area, large closet with shoe rack, showers, tubs, double sinks and phone in bath, 14-channel remote control color TV and DVD, personal safe, phone with private voice mail/automated wake-up calls, refrigerators with mini-bars, make-up mirror and 24-hour room service. Penthouses, in addition, have butler service, binoculars, slippers, Riedel glassware, personalized stationery, welcome champagne and fully-stocked complimentary in-room bar, flat screen television, walk-in closets, and more.

Kid & Teen Stuff
Fantasia is the main venue for the supervised Junior Activities Program, while Waves offers a teen center/video arcade. Babysitting is available. On holiday cruises and selected sailings, Junior Activities Program Directors supervise additional fun, tiered for ages 3 to 7, 8 to 12, and 13 to 17. Parents must sign waivers for children under six months to board.

Cruises Specials

Click Here.

Life Aboard

Dining
While Harmony and Symphony have two alternative specialty restaurants, Crystal Serenity has three: Prego, offering a “Valentino at Prego” menu alongside its own, featuring cuisine and wine of Los Angeles’ Valentino restaurant; Silk Road, an elegant pan-Asian restaurant, and (for the first time) The Sushi Bar, with Nobu Matsuhisa selections. Also among five evening venues are the main Crystal Dining Room and an indoor/outdoor poolside area for casual meals. Additions to daytime dining on Serenity include Tastes, a permanent hot food counter aft of the ship’s second pool offers international fare, as well as themed luncheon buffets and casual evening dining. Also awaiting are The Bistro, the popular European-inspired coffee and wine bar, for snacks, the country-club style Lido Café for breakfast and lunch, the Trident Bar & Grill for casual poolside lunches through the afternoon, and Scoops Ice Cream Bar, in addition to 24-hour complimentary room service.

Sports / Health / Fitness
The 8,200-plus square foot Crystal Spa, designed to principles of Feng Shui, is 60 percent larger than spas aboard Harmony and Symphony, with more treatment rooms, a larger Fitness Center and separate Weights Room/Aerobics Studio for high/low impact classes, including complimentary yoga and Pilates instruction. Popular Wimbledon Court has a second paddle tennis court on Crystal Serenity. Seahorse Pool, an outdoor lap pool, is flanked by two outdoor Jacuzzis and the indoor/outdoor Neptune Pool is covered by a magrodome roof. A full, exterior Promenade Deck accommodates walkers and joggers, and a Sports Deck has a golf driving range for complimentary instruction by PGA pros, a shuffleboard court and table tennis area.

Entertainment
Crystal Serenity assures opportunity for rich entertainment, social, and learning experiences. Galaxy Lounge, the venue for production shows, features improved sight lines and upgraded sound and lighting. The Stardust Club, a second cabaret lounge, hosts dance classes and wine tastings by day. The Palm Court/Sunset Bar, a signature top deck lounge for afternoon tea, has floor-to-ceiling 180° panoramic windows and extensions with views of the glass-enclosed bridge wings one deck below. The Studio hosts creative, educational classes and The Vintage Room is a classic boardroom with wine cellar. Caesars Palace at Sea Casino offers one of the largest luxury casinos afloat. Avenue Saloon has a “clubby” atmosphere, and Connoisseur Club, a refined cigar lounge, has a private club atmosphere. Also aboard are Pulse disco and nightclub and Hollywood Theatre cinema and conference center with theater seating for movies, lectures and religious services.

Other Facilities
A trained physician and medical staff are on call 24 hours.