Archive for the 'Crystal Cruises' Category

Crystal Cruises’ new “Standby” program offers up to 75% off brochure fares on five May-June sailings in Alaska, the Baltic and North Cape, as low as $2995 for 12-day cruises. That’s less than $250 per day on Crystal, an unheard-off per diem on the luxury lines.

Standby fares are based on availability, require a $500 per guest deposit upon reservation, and will be confirmed on a “first requested, first confirmed” basis no earlier than 45 days before departure.  Read more... (285 words, estimated 1:08 mins reading time)

I’m here at Silk Road and the Sushi Bar featuring the world-renowned cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa. You can easily spend a few hundred dollars for a night of dining at Nobu restaurants around the world. Crystal charges nothing for dinner, but is this a true Nobu experience? Let’s find out.  Read more... (172 words, estimated 41 secs reading time)

It’s our last day here on Crystal Symphony. Over the last 11 days we put Crystal to the test to see if it lived up to its world’s best status?

We’ve experienced a variety of choices, including enrichment programs and Broadway-style shows, that only a large luxury ship can deliver. And the quality and level of service is what we would have expected of a world’s best resort.  Read more... (148 words, estimated 36 secs reading time)

Interviews with passengers aboard our Crystal Symphony sailing about the value of cruising Crystal Cruises.

The Panama Canal is an engineering marvel, with three series of locks lifting ships 85 feet above sea level, to cross the Continental Divide and one of the world’s largest manmade lakes.

In1880, the French attempted to to cut a sea-level canal across the Isthmus of Panama, but their efforts were continually flooded out.  Read more... (182 words, estimated 44 secs reading time)

Crystal Symphony’s Deluxe Staterooms measure just 202 square feet with a large picture window or 246 square feet with verandah. Too cozy for comfort? Rather than answer myself, I put the question to passengers staying in those staterooms (as well as a few staying in Penthouses) on my sailing.

[Transcript] You can’t say you have the world’s best resort unless your dining has incredible quality, variety and flexibility. Crystal Cruises says its Perfect Choice Dining gives you a taste of true freedom. Let’s see if they live up to to the claim.

“Remi, what are our dining options here in the main dining room?”

Remi: “You can enjoy traditional dining, either main seating or late seating. Or take advantage of our open dining by reservation.”  Read more... (305 words, estimated 1:13 mins reading time)

[Transcript] We’re at one of the most popular places on Crystal Symphony, the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa. I’m looking forward to splurging on a few treatments. Let’s see how Crystal handles the art of pampering for men.

My shave treatment began in a real barber’s chair. Crystal has mastered the art of shaving and my barber Kayoko has perfected it. She began by applying a hot towel wrap, giving me a light facial massage and a cleansing. She practically lulled me to sleep.  Read more... (230 words, estimated 55 secs reading time)

A lot of cruise lines have a concierge, but Crystal Cruises has taken it one step further, with a technology concierge, where you can get one-on-one personalized instruction to help you master the latest gadgetry. Learn more about the tech concierge and Crystal University At Sea in this video.

I’m on the veranda of a deluxe category stateroom on Crystal Symphony. As you can see, this category stateroom offers gives you an open window on the sea. What a gorgeous day.

The deluxe veranda stateroom is certainly comfortable, but if you want to take full advantage of staying at the world’s best resort, you’ll need to take it up a deck.  Read more... (271 words, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)