Under new ownership and following an extensive refurbishment, Crystal Symphony officially re-entered service last week, departing Athens on its inaugural sailing as part of A&K Travel Group.
The Symphony accommodates 606 guests and boasts nearly one staff member per guest and an impressive space-to-guest ratio. It now joins sister ship Crystal Serenity in a new chapter for the luxury cruise brand.
A&K says Crystal Symphony’s re-entry to service marks an impressive feat; in just one year, and on schedule, Crystal revitalized two ships and returned more than 80% of the line’s beloved crew.
“We are so proud that Crystal Symphony has officially joined Crystal Serenity back in the water, signaling an exciting new chapter for Crystal – two ships refurbished and back in service in under a year is completely unprecedented,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group.
“The ship’s exceptional enhancements reflect our unwavering commitment to providing guests with inspiration and enrichment as they sail to the globe’s most coveted destinations.”
Itineraries
Following the ship’s inaugural voyage from Athens to Istanbul, Crystal Symphony will sail eastward, to destinations such as Santorini, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai. For the remainder of 2023, the ship will sail throughout Oceania visiting locales including Sydney, Auckland, Papua New Guinea and Bali.
Suites & Guest Rooms
Crystal collaborated with cruise ship architectural firm, GE, to revamp select guest rooms and suites. The refreshed design incorporates a palette of neutral shades enhanced by gentle pastel tones reminiscent of the ocean's colors. As part of the ship’s refurbishments, there are two new guest room categories – the Jr. Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View, which serves as an option for solo travellers. These new categories will also increase the availability of the popular Sapphire Suite category.
· Single Guest Room with Ocean View: Cozy bedroom (up to 215 sq ft) redesigned in 2023, with welcoming and comfortable detailing, butler service, and ocean views.
· Sapphire Veranda Suite: Spacious suite (up to 430 sq ft) with living area, elegant finishings and private veranda, accompanied by attentive butler service. Sapphire suites are available to book in new and classic designs.
· Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite: This new, large suite (up to 645 sq ft) includes spacious rooms with separate dining and living areas looking onto a private veranda, also accompanied by attentive butler service.
Crystal Symphony sailing out of New York City. (photo via of Crystal Cruises)
Dining
With 10 distinct dining options, including 24-hour in-suite dining service, guests onboard Crystal Symphony now have access to culinary experiences including the following:
Umi Uma: The return of legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma – the only Nobu dining concept at sea where guests can enjoy award-winning, innovative Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.
Osteria D’Ovidio: Named for Crystal's Executive Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, this restaurant specializes in traditional Italian meals.
Waterside Restaurant: Crystal’s main dining room features open seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Bistro: A modern café and coffee bar with light snacks.
Trident Grill: Set poolside, Trident Grill features burgers, melts, salads and more.
Scoops Gelato Bar: Crystal’s sumptuous dessert bar features authentic Italian gelato with fresh toppings, frozen yogurt, homemade cookies and more.
The Vintage Room: Offers intimate guided pairings and dinners highlighting the ship’s vast selection of wines.
Tastes Kitchen & Bar: Globally inspired cuisine and casual “family style” dining experience, Tastes offers tapas-style cuisine for guests to enjoy on their own or with newfound friends.
Marketplace: A buffet-style dining venue with indoor and open-air options.
Wellness
In addition to now offering a full-sized paddle tennis and pickleball court and a revamped fitness centre, Crystal’s new spa concept, Aurōra offers a completely fresh design. The extensive treatment offerings include more signature facials, massage treatments and a full-service Salon.
In addition to Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity being back in service, Crystal recently announced the brand is currently working with advisors, lenders and export credit agents to sign a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders. The agreement is poised to include the development of four new ships in the next six years including two classic ships and two expedition vessels.
Topics From This Article to Explore
