Having worked in the cruise industry for 20 years, Crystal has long been a familiar name, synonymous with refined luxury cruising.
Two years ago, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand, relaunching their two flagships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, thus propelling them into a new era of ultra-luxury, six-star cruising.
We joined Crystal Symphony for three nights from Liverpool to Dover, calling at a surprisingly warm, sunny, and lively Dublin. Here are just some of the highlights of our time on board.
When we say world-class, we truly mean it! Crystal Symphony wowed us with its eight restaurants, a tongue-tingling ice-cream bar, and 24-hour in-suite dining. A foodie’s heaven, we indulged in some of the most exquisite cuisine we’ve ever experienced at sea. From the Italian fare in Osteria D’Ovidio, to the UMI UMA Sushi Bar (more on that later…), Crystal has certainly set the bar high when it comes to dining. With an open dining policy in the main restaurant, it makes for a relaxed evening. Guests can enjoy the speciality restaurants on a number of visits relative to the duration of the cruise; subsequent visits require a small surcharge, but we can certainly testify that this is exceptional value.
One of our favourite spots on board Crystal Symphony, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows, regal décor, and dreamy live piano music drifting through the air. Smartly dressed waiters served us an exquisite Viennese afternoon tea on fine bone china, with delicately crafted sandwiches, scones, and pastries, indulgent cakes and bakes, and a mouth-watering apple strudel that left our taste buds begging for more. The relaxed ambience and extensive menu of speciality teas made this a serene spot to read a book or watch the waves go by.
Every guest suite enjoys the services of their very own butler – so allow me to introduce you to Jaison. His warm gentle manner immediately put us at ease as he welcomed us to our suite. No request was too much trouble. If we needed an extra coffee boost in the morning? After a quick phone call, Jaison would swiftly arrive with room service. In fact, highly personalised service has long been a Crystal signature, boasting some of the industry’s leading passenger-to-crew ratios.
Now, this Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant deserves a special mention of its own. The only Nobu restaurant at sea, it’s one of Crystal’s award-winning specialty dining offerings created by legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa. The cuisine is outstanding; we explored a plethora of delicate fish, Wagyu beef, octopus, and so much more. The fact that you could order this to your suite if you preferred a cosy night in blew us away. But frankly, why would you when the elegant setting of this beautifully adorned restaurant provided the perfect backdrop for such a feast? When we considered what this would cost in a UK restaurant, to have it included in the Crystal fare really highlighted what exceptional value this is.
Crystal Symphony’s expansive suites have been beautifully renovated to an exceptionally high standard, with soft furnishings, a generous in-suite minibar, and the comfiest of beds. Our Sapphire Ocean View suite gave us ample space with a separate lounge area, a huge bathroom with dual sinks, and the largest shower we’ve ever seen at sea. There was also a small dining table and four chairs in the lounge, should you wish to entertain family or friends. We were delighted to see a number of interconnecting suites, which are ideal for multi-generational families, of which we saw quite a few on board.
This is very apparent on the Crystal Symphony the moment you step aboard. With a maximum of just over 600 guests, this 51,044-tonne ship offers one of the highest guest-to-space ratios you’ll find on the seven seas.
On our sea day, we saw just a handful of guests out on the top deck, meaning you could take your pick of sun loungers (even on a sunny day bound for Dublin!). We never had to wait for a drink or a restaurant reservation, we were first into a tender boat, and there was always a lift immediately available when we pressed the button … it’s the little things that make a big difference!
Avenue Saloon set us up each evening with its dark wood interior, intimate atmosphere, and live pianist. From cocktails to Champagne, this lively little bar was a wonderful way to meet friends before heading off to dinner, or the perfect place for a nightcap after a show.
We were pleasantly surprised at the variety of venues on Crystal Symphony, from quiet cosy lounges to the show theatre and even a small, funky nightclub complete with a DJ booth and cool lighting. The vibe is definitely low-key on board, but the Galaxy Show Lounge was a big draw in the evenings, as was the Crystal Cove bar near the atrium, playing live music amid the backdrop of a glittering waterfall.
As we meandered around the ship during the day, we saw private dance lessons taking place, a pickleball tournament being played out on the top deck, and various talks by historians and professors on topics relevant to the destinations we were visiting. We, however, took full advantage of a large, bubbly hot tub (and I mean hot!) around the Seahorse Pool. You have to soak up the sun rays while you can on a round Britain cruise! For the ultimate relaxation, there was the Crystal Aurora Spa offering a menu full of enticing treatments and a hairdressing salon.
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