There is nothing more luxurious than the feeling of having every care in your world looked after. From the moment I arrived at the port of Civitavecchia, Rome to board Crystal Serenity, I knew that my week would be filled with the best of the best. Having toured the glamorous ship several times during her visits to Sydney, I knew what to expect from the hardware...classic lines, lavish amenities and staterooms that put my apartment to shame. Nothing could prepare me for the supreme level of personalised service though, or for some of the finest food I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. The rave reviews certainly hadn't lied when it came to the Crystal difference! Enrichment Programs & Creative Learning Institute Click here to view complete photo gallery.
We were calling a Penthouse Suite home for seven-nights, sailing from Rome to Athens and, for the very first time in my many years of cruising, I would have been quite happy to never leave the suite at all. Featuring a walk-in wardrobe, two dressing tables and sizeable bathroom, complete with; twin sinks, full-size spa bath and ultra-spacious shower, there would be no concerns about getting in each other’s way during the voyage. Our twin beds seemed deliciously created to envelop us for the best sleep of our lives and were complemented by a pillow menu so vast I had to order one of each just to experience the difference. I will always thank Crystal for helping me to discover the wonder of a body pillow or as I liked to dub it, my boyfriend for the week! Another benefit of booking a Penthouse Suite was our access to Sasa, otherwise known as our very accommodating butler. From sorting out vegan friendly hors d'oevres every afternoon for my cruising buddy, to rearranging dining reservations where necessary, Sasa was a Godsend. He even went out of his way when off duty for a few hours in Sorrento to walk us to where the ferry terminal was so that we didn't get lost en route to Capri...now that's service! Whilst one of the most popular services a butler offers is packing and unpacking, I just didn't want to ask the man who was already doing so much for us to deal with the myriad of clothing and shoes I felt I needed on this European sojourn. I did however feel comfortable asking for my outfits to be pressed after the long journey...just another complimentary service as part of our Penthouse experience! For someone who has always lived by the credo, "your cabin is just for sleeping in", I certainly spent a lot of time in my Suite...it would be a tough transition to settle into my next ‘regular-sized’ cabin aboard a cruise ship! Perhaps my favourite perk of Penthouse living (and my goodness there were a lot) was the room service breakfast. We would speed dial Sasa, order from the delectable breakfast selection and sit on the balcony while our butler clothed the table and turned our lounge area into our own private dining room. Could we pack Sasa in our suitcase and take him home?
Something that surprised me most aboard Crystal Serenity was that there really was no need for expansive theatres to ensure the calibre of lavish of productions that we were privy to on our voyage. From the local Tarantella show whilst in Sorrento, to the production shows "Curtain Call" and "Standing Room Only", the Galaxy Lounge hosted what I would deem the epitome of world-class entertainment in intimate surroundings. Passengers felt a part of the magic being produced on stage when in the Lounge that showcased some of the best entertainment I have ever experienced at sea. Lead vocalists Tara Lynn Khaler and John Ellis led the way for the ultra talented Crystal ensemble of singers and dancers through performances that included musical numbers from Broadway shows including "Wicked" and "The Producers". For a musical nut like me, it was very important that their renditions of such iconic songs truly "hit the note", and I wasn’t disappointed. When one of my favourite number's, "Defying Gravity", was performed and I tingled with goosebumps, it was clear to me that I was witnessing some of the greatest performers to sail the seven seas. The staging was immaculate in each production I experienced and, whilst the sets may not have been as elaborate as I have witnessed on other ships, the talent spoke for itself. Guest entertainers onboard our voyage included West End sensation Jacqui Scott who, with her grand piano and accompaniment by The Galaxy Orchestra, transported passengers on a journey through some of the best songs ever produced. Having starred in "Evita" on the West End, her showstopping performance of "Don't Cry for me Argentina" brought the house down and her unique medley of Beatles songs had my cruising buddy and I bopping away in our seats. Competing with such a port heavy itinerary is always a challenge for entertainers onboard short voyages such as ours, but battling through the tiredness to witness such greatness was something that was well worth it and created some of the best memories of my time aboard Crystal Serenity.
For those who are expecting a quiet cruise filled with early nights and not much activity in the bars and lounges, you may find yourself quite surprised as the ‘Pulse Nightclub’ is often pumping with tunes from across the decades encouraging passengers to fill the dance floor to work off the delectable food they have indulged in. If you’re after a more classic-style of dancing then ‘Palm Court’ would be right up your alley with the Crystal Sextet playing music throughout the evening and Ambassador Hosts available to whisk eager ladies across the dance floor. A quiet drink in the ‘Avenue Saloon’ is perfectly complemented by a tinkling of the ivories, transporting you to a sophisticated English pub where the bartenders always remember your name...and your favourite beverage. From creating a cocktail designed especially to titillate you, to suggesting some old favourites, the bartenders throughout the ship make it their mission to ensure they go the extra mile with personalising your onboard beverage experience. You may even receive the recipe for your cocktail of preference presented to you on the final night of your cruise as a parting gift! The ‘Connoisseur Club’ is conveniently located on Tiffany Deck aft near the ‘Pulse Nightclub’ and ‘Avenue Saloon’ and offers an intimate environment for those passengers wanting to indulge in a cigar from the ship’s extensive selection whilst reading a book or even catching the latest in sports or news on the big screen television. Dark woods and plush leather chairs add a warmth to the room that is peppered with palms and a louvered view of the ocean. One deck down and you reach the heart of the ship, which, amid hosting reception and the shore excursions desk, is also the location for a variety of musical performances every evening. The sound of music peppers the two-deck atrium nightly invoking a feeling of nostalgia for passengers after a relaxing beverage or a spot of retail therapy. Whilst there is the option to hire a DVD from the ‘Library’, the ‘Hollywood Theatre’ plays an array of new and old release movies twice a night with session times and selections advertised in the ‘Reflections’ newsletter delivered to your stateroom daily. Enrichment Programs & Creative Learning Institute
Whilst the ‘Galaxy Lounge’ is the place to be to enjoy the myriad of production shows and guest entertainers, it is also the location for the ‘Crystal Visions Enrichment Program’ where lecturers are on hand each voyage to enlighten passengers on topics including; destination enrichment, history, politics and special interests. Crystal Cruises has gone above and beyond when it comes to enriching the knowledge and lives of their passengers. From catering to those childhood yearnings to learn how to play a musical instrument with the ‘Passport to Music’ program, to accessing one’s inner artist as part of the ‘Odyssey Art at Sea Masterpiece’ program, guests aboard Crystal ships have the opportunity to extend and enrich themselves whilst on holiday. Berlitz language courses enable easier navigation of non-English speaking ports and classes on all ranges of topics including memoir writing and computer related lectures at the ‘Computer University @ Sea’ encourage learning at all ages.
One of the many things that are certain aboard Crystal Serenity is the fact that passengers are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options of the highest quality. Part of the personalised check-in experience is being escorted to the main dining room where lunch is served ahead of settling into your stateroom. The maitre'd welcomes guests and confirms dietary requirements for the voyage ahead and the first culinary adventure is experienced. Imagine the opportunity to indulge in fine dining each evening... Crystal enables you to experience just that as your taste buds are taken on a journey through a myriad of cultures and dining styles. World-renowned chef, Nobu Matsuhisa, is the brains behind Asian fusion restaurant, 'Silk Road', which takes mouth-watering traditional Asian dishes and gives them a unique twist. Lobster spring rolls and pan seared diver scallops do battle with Matsuhisa shrimp on the appetiser menu, while the ever-popular Nobu box, featuring a sampler of Nobu's most popular dishes, settles the argument for the indecisive patrons who have trouble selecting the Nobu-style black cod with miso over the grilled wagyu beef rib eye steak. For those after a more casual dining experience, whilst still satisfying their epicurean tendencies, 'The Sushi Bar' blends melt-in-your-mouth sushi and sashimi with personality plus as the sushi chefs whip up dishes to order in their own flamboyant way. The line to indulge can be long though, so it's best to get in early to savour the delights and view the spectacle. 'Prego' offers guests a romantic and charming Italian atmosphere and is located on Deck Seven directly across from 'Silk Road'. Like its Asian neighbour, reservations are essential and 'Prego' truly brings the flavours of Italy to Crystal Serenity with a seasonally-changing menu featuring delectable more traditional dishes including; lasagne alla casalinga and veal scalloppine parmigiana along with the more unique Midori flavoured tomato soup and warm taleggio cheese drizzled with lavender-flavoured honey. The added bonus with these amazing specialty restaurants? They are all inclusive in the price of passage!
With the array of irresistible dining options, it seems paramount to offer just as diverse fitness options. And diverse they are, with programs including the; Walk-on-Water program complete with 'The Walkvest® Training System' that turns the simple act of walking along the deck into a more effective workout by adding resistance to a vest through weights. After a polar experience at sea? Then the Nordic Walking program might be right up your alley. Using lightweight poles for stability and balance, this program is suitable for all levels of fitness and passengers can be guided in finding their rhythm using the poles in a similar fashion to cross country skiing. Pilates and yoga complement the more traditnal fitness offering of a state-of-the-art fitness centre while activities including; golf training and paddle tennis can also be enjoyed with the assistance of a fitness coach. When all those calories have melted away and it's time to truly escape, there is no better place to do so than the 'Crystal Salon and Spa'. The truly 'chi' area of the ship has been rated number one by readers of Conde Naste magazine in the mid-ship category and offers a range of treatments as diverse as the ports the ship visits. Using brands including; Elemis and La Therapie, their facial 'rituals' and 'cultural touches' evoke a sense of calm, peace and tranquility. Couples therapies are oft popular with a dedicated couples room complete with a spacious bath overlooking the ocean on offer for those loved up and wanting a unique escape with their special someone. Traditional salon services are also on offer with an exclusive menu dedicated to male cruisers after some pampering. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Crystal Serenity
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: Natalie Aroyan
More Top Stories
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Most Read
Advertise with us | Contact us | Site map | Privacy | Make this site your homepage | Add to favourites | Add to Google toolbar | Suggest this site | Save page as PDF Top^
Copyright © Agents Support Systems Pty Ltd 2001-2012 