Since its official relaunch under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) in 2023, Crystal is again exceeding expectations.
Crystal has been recognized as the top cruise line in its category in the Readers’ Choice Award from Travel+ Leisure in 2025. It is noteworthy that Crystal held this top spot for nearly 30 years since the award’s inception.
Their two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, have been redesigned with larger, updated suites and affiliations with top brand names in its amenities and outlets. With rave reviews from recent guests, we were excited to experience Crystal for ourselves.
We seamlessly boarded Crystal Serenity in Oslo for a ten-day voyage that was all too brief to enjoy all of her delights and pleasures.For starters, every guest is welcomed aboard not only by the cruise personnel but upon entering your suite or cabin, by their butler. He is all too eager to help unpack and organize every detail of the voyage including specialty dining, in suite beverage selection and any other request that might arise.
Our Aquamarine Veranda Suite was spacious, luxuriously appointed and had more than ample spaces for storage as well as numerous outlets for all of our digital devices. Once we settled in we started to explore our new home.
The ship itself is gorgeous with classically elegant decor that excites and intrigues the senses.
The public rooms are warm and welcoming with numerous food and beverage outlets strategically placed to take advantage of the ship’s redesign and sea views.
The informal Bistro offers your favorite premium Viennese coffee and tea selections made to order and made to accompany a variety of freshly baked delights including the daily delivery of still warm, Pastel de Nata, an irresistible Portuguese custard tart that is a Crystal signature treat.
Every Crystal cruise food outlet is exceptional in its own right. Their world-class dining includes Umi Uma®, by Michelin-Stared Chef Nobu (Nobuyuki Matsuhisa), his only outlet at sea.
Dining here is a trip in itself. From the authentic sushi bar with its extensive menu to the many additional signature Nobu dishes, the only dilemma is what to choose. Some of our favorite items included the sushi and the lobster tempura.
Again, Crystal is the only cruise line to offer Beefbar on the ocean, a collaboration with visionary Monte Carlo restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. In addition, there is Badiani Gelato from Florence, Italy in Scoops Gelato Bar and a new menu in Osteria d’Ovidio from the renowned, Michelin 3-Starred Alajmo Brothers..
The Marketplace breakfast and themed lunch buffets, the Trident Grill and the Palm Court for afternoon tea accompanied by live music are all additional venues not to be missed.
Last but not least is Waterside, the main dining room that serves top tier ingredients expertly prepared and delivered by professional waitstaff that are all too ready to honor personal requests and preferences.
The expert sommelier staff tops off each dining experience with an international selection of beverages that pair perfectly with your food selections. Crystal’s culinary expertise is a clear cut above most other vessels at sea and clearly are aimed to impress even the most discriminating palates.
Besides the exceptional dining that sets Crystal apart, their enrichment and entertainment program is robust and world class. Their lecturers have impressive; jaw dropping resumes and deliver informative and riveting presentations on issues that pertain to the port locations as well as lifestyle topics including computer classes that enhance the total cruise experience.
The ten person Crystal ensemble of singers and dancers performs most nights at one of two venues and guest artists round out the evening entertainment with several venues offering live music late into the night for listening pleasure and dancing.
Other Crystal special features appeal to solo travelers who can book solo cabins without the usual one-person upcharge. Solo women have access to gentlemen dance hosts to keep them on their toes each evening and the signature white night dance party brings out the entire ship to dance the night away.
As fitness buffs, we were impressed by the state-of-the-art fitness center, heated pool and jacuzzies and a wide range of complimentary classes.
Adjacent to the gym, you’ll find the Aurora Spa with a host of signature services meant to add to the relaxation and rejuvenation that a Crystal offers.We splurged on deep tissue massages offered at the Auroa Spa by a skilled therapist who added an additional dimension of revitalization to our magical journey.
Overall, Crystal Cruises promises an exceptional experience and delivers just that. Their staff are exemplary in their service orientation providing a warm, welcoming smile and helping hand at every turn.Many of the clientele are loyal, long time returning guests who continue to choose Crystal. They are crystal clear in the assurance that Crystal will remain their top choice now and into the very exciting future when two new ships will soon be added to the fleet. They embrace the tried and true and look forward to an ever more exceptional time ahead.
