Four Things You Should Know About Crystal Cruises
There are many cruise lines around the world and, even for people who travel frequently, appreciating what makes each cruise line different can be a daunting task. Im a firm believer that there is a cruise experience for everyone, whether you enjoy bumper cars at sea or a thrilling expedition to the polar regions. Cruising has never been more popular, thanks not only to the accessibility of the travel style, but lower costs and a greater willingness by travelers to do something a little different, to venture out further than they would ordinarily. Personally, I think cruising is a great arrow in ones travel quiver. Its another option, to be enjoyed every now and then as a unique way to experience destinations you might not otherwise see. Ive always enjoyed this style of travel, and in recent years Ive fine-tuned what it is I like most in a great cruise experience. A focus on the destination, dedicated crew members and a certain level of comfort are all important to me, and theyre also all qualities I found in clear abundance during my first sailing with Crystal Ocean Cruises onboard the Crystal Serenity. Today I want to share some features of both the ship and the company that might be news to you but which, for me at least, made my adventure with them an experience that I know Ill never forget. Note: I was invited by Crystal Ocean Cruises to join them for a sailing but, as always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
All-Inclusive Luxury
What Restaurants Are Included On The Marella Discovery
Not all Marella ships have the restaurants below, this bit is based on my experience of the Marella Discovery.
47°
47° is the main restaurant onboard the Marella Discovery. We ate here loads of times and never had a bad meal. The dress code is smart and men are asked to wear a polo shirt or collared shirt. The dress code seems pretty relaxed and the atmosphere in the restaurant was always friendly. You could happily eat here every day of the cruise. The restaurant is also open for lunch during sea days.
Dress Code And Suite Amenities
Dress code on the Crystal Esprit is “Crystal Yacht Casual.” This is defined as comfortable, stylish attire that includes tasteful swimming attire and shorts and similar yacht/resort wear during the day. For evenings, the dress code is defined as “elevated fashionably chic.”
Amenities on the yacht include bathrobes, slippers, a hair dryer, ETRO soap, body lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Both 110 and 220-volt outlets and USB ports are available as well as a bedside iPad that runs all your electronics, lighting, shades, and alarm for your suite. Each of the 31 suites features 42″ HD ultrathin TVs and free unlimited Wi-Fi.
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About Crystal Cruisesthis Cruise Line Is Good For
- All-Inclusive
International Callers
WMPH Vacations and AlaskaCruises.com are located in Delray Beach, Florida. You may book online or contact us directly. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below:
Please note that all prices on our website are in US dollars, and travel purchases must be completed with a major credit card.Unless you are considering one of our custom cruise itineraries, certain cruise lines prohibit US-based travel agencies from selling to non-US residents.
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip.
Passenger Shipping Pause 2020
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Crystal Cruises suspended its ocean fleet’s passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through July 2021.
- Crystal River resumed in late-August 2021.
- Crystal Yacht restarted on September 15 .
- Crystal Ocean restarted on July 3 and August 5 .
All affected bookings received full monetary refunds including on prepurchased through Crystal Cruises packages and services. With rebooking, all fully-paid reservations received 125% refund in FCC of the fare paid, plus a full monetary refund of prepaid port charges, Gov taxes-fees, any flight and hotel packages . Not fully-paid reservations received FCCs based on the deposits. All FCCs are valid on any Crystal cruise with departure through December 31, 2023.
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Crystal Cruises 2021 Global Itineraries
The Crystal yacht Endeavor is planned to embark from Anadyr Russia to Tromso Norway on August 18, 2021. On the 28-day Northeast Passage expedition, the superyacht visits some of the most remote islands and archipelagos in the world, including Ayon and Medvezhiy Islands. The cruise calls at places that are hardly occupied since polar explorer Nils A.E.Nordenskjold first successfully transited the passage in 1878-1879.
Itinerary highlights include Franz Josef Land, UNESCO World Heritage Site Wrangel Island, The New Siberian Islands, Cape Chelyuskin on the Taimyr Peninsula, and Severnaya Zemlya. The trip also visits Murmansk and several Russian Federation ports such as and Solovetsky Island. Crystal Endeavor visits Russia’s territorial waterways East Siberian Sea, White Sea, Barents Sea, Laptev Sea, with numerous opportunities for coastal navigation and zodiac landings .
Passengers on the Northeast Passage journey benefit from 1-day pre-cruise hotel accommodations in Anchorage Alaska as well as flight transfer to Anadyr Russia. The itineraries for Endeavors inaugural season ranged 12-22 days. The maiden voyage was planned as Tokyo roundtrip .
The planned for Crystal Endeavor cruises were to Antarctica, Adelie Coast, Ross Sea, South Georgia , Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas, Macquarie Island, Svalbard Norway, Greenland, Canadian Arctic, plus 3c Japan-based roundtrips from Tokyo.
Smoking And Drone Policy
Guests who want to smoke on their balconies may find the smoking policy a bit restrictive, as only several dedicated places are designated for smokers, including those using e-cigarettes.
While some travelers want to bring drones and they may be legal in some destinations, Crystal Cruises requires that you surrender all drones to the Captain at embarkation, and that they be kept in storage until your final disembarkation.
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Crystal River Cruises 2022
Crystal River Cruises will resume operations from March 2022, with the lines five ships offering guests a fantastic way to explore several of Europes most fascinating river regions. So take your pick of sailings on the Danube, the Moselle, and the Rhine, and look forward to enjoying the ultimate combination of all-inclusive onboard luxury and an unrivalled choice of shore excursions and land programmes.
Family Cruising On Crystal Cruises
Of all the luxury lines, Crystal does the most for families with bright playrooms and supervised activities whenever demand calls for ages 3 and up. Teens also get their own space and you can borrow kiddy books and videos in the library. Anytime there are 10 children on the ship, there is a camp counselor, and on summer cruises, Crystal may have as many as 10 camp counselors and three different age levels for the programs 3 to 8, 9 to 12 and teens.
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Activities On Crystal Alaska Cruises
Crystal Cruises offers tons of exciting entertainment options for guests to choose from while onboard. Whether you’re looking forward to Broadway-style shows or enriching lectures, there’s something for everyone at sea. Refocus your health with the Wellness at Sea program, or learn a new skill: piano, a language, or Tai Chi, perhaps. Take part in wine-tasting events with the ships’ sommeliers, or try your hand at poker in the Resorts World at Sea casino.
The Crystal Spa and Salon is always nearby should you yearn for an afternoon of pampering, with services like facials, massages, stone therapy, and mani-pedis. A full-size fitness center is equipped with cardio and strength machines, weights, and mats, and offers fitness classes like cycling, yoga, and Pilates.
In the evenings, head to a comedy show or jazz performance, or stop into one of Crystal’s many bars and lounges, which you can enjoy worry-free thanks to Crystal’s all-inclusive experience. There’s Pulse, a high-energy dance club, or the Connoisseur Club, a classy cigar lounge, and lots of other venues in between.
Whats Included In A Crystal Cruise
What’s IncludedCrystal Cruises
Crystal River Cruises All-Inclusive fares include beverages including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits and all nonalcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff personal Butler service airport transfers to and from the River Ship,
Secondly, is WIFI included on Crystal Cruises? Internet/Wifi: Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi access is available on board throughout all Crystal ships. Crystal encourages you to bring your own device/s with you to use during your voyage. Once on board, please connect to Crystal’s complimentary Wi-Fi.
Keeping this in consideration, are gratuities included on Crystal Cruises?
With Crystal Cruises, basic gratuities are included in the cruise fare. As with Azamara, an extra 18% is automatically added for spa and salon services. There’s no obligation to tip anything extra, but staff will always appreciate extra tips in cash if you feel the desire to do so.
Are Crystal Cruises good?
Crystal Cruises‘ two ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are lauded by critics and reviewers for their elegant design and sparse crowds. Crystal also separates itself from other luxury liners with its low passenger-to-crew ratio, which allows for more personalized service.
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Crystal Cruises Vs Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Key Differences
They are two of the worlds most popular luxury lines: Crystal Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Sailing worldwide itineraries, both of these all-inclusive lines are distinguished by their high caliber of service, their exceptional cuisine, and sumptuous onboard appointments.
Both Crystal and Regent have recently put their ships through multi-million-dollar makeovers intended to spruce their older vessels up and add new features and amenities to make them more competitive than ever, and the results have been astounding.
Still, there are several key differences that set these lavish lines apart:
Seven Seas Mariner in Kotor, Montenegro. photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises
What differentiates these two cruise lines from one another?
Crystal Ocean Cruise 2023 Itineraries
On August 1, 2020, were opened bookings for Crystal Symphony‘s 2023 program – 36 itineraries with 23x of 10-days or fewer. Signature regions include India, Southeast Asia Holy Land, Egypt, Middle East Baltic, Mediterranean, Australia.
Crystal Symphonys 2023 program features 5 maiden port calls , new homeport , return to Skagen Denmark , overnight in Antwerp Belgium. Boutique ports include Bordeauxs downtown, Antalya, Port Vendres, Paphos.
A turnaround in Rouen France features a land tour to Paris City. The overnight in Le Havre brings passengers to Seine River, Paris, Giverny. The overnight in Edinburgh allows them to enjoy the Military Tattoo festival. New routes include Scandinavia-Paris , Iceland-Baltic, London-Bordeaux. Visited UNESCO Sites include Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, Rioja Wine Region , Israels Old City of Acre and Western Galilee, Egypt’s Giza Pyramids, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens.
In 2023, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail a total of 68 itineraries with B2B options for longer voyages. The program has 216 call ports in 92 countries on 6 continents. Crystal Serenity in 2023 is deployed in North America . Both ships have extended summer seasons in Western Europe and the Mediterranean.
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Staterooms Onboard Crystal Cruises
Though considered the largest true luxury vessels in high-end cruise market, the cabins arent as roomy as they are aboard Crystals smaller high-end peers . Still, the recently refurbished cabins are comfortable, and all categories have a mini-fridge, exceptionally comfy bedding and in-cabin movies that can be checked out in the library. Crystal also holds an added advantage over some of their competitors, having redone staterooms and suites on both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony multiple times in order to keep up with current trends. Thus, these accommodations have a very new, modern feel when compared with some of their competitors.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
While Regent market themselves as the most inclusive luxury cruise line, with benefits such as airfare from selected airports, hotel stays and transfers to the ship included, there are still some extras that you will have to fork out for. Regent offer a selection of shore excursions as part of your fare, however, the Regent choice shore excursions are not included. All spa treatments come at an extra cost, plus gratuity. Gratuities are included for housekeeping, bar, and dining staff, but not for spa therapists, an 18% tip will be automatically added to your room bill. Gratuities for local guides and selected vintage alcoholic beverages are also not included.
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What Alcohol Is Included On Marella Cruises
- Draught Beers
- Aperitifs, Liqueurs, Ports and Sherries
- Gins, Vodkas, Rums and Tequilas
- Whiskies and Brandies
Soda, juices, and mocktails are also included.
To see the full list of the drinks available on Marella cruises check out the post here:
What Alcohol isnt included?
When cruising with Marella it is possible to upgrade to a premium beverage package. This costs £50 a week and means you can have premium spirits, soda by the can instead of fountain soda, and premium teas and coffees.
Drinks packages on other cruise lines can cost in excess of £50 per day so £50 for a week is an absolute bargain.
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Below Are Just A Few Featured Crystal Cruises
Use the Search Box on the right to find other Crystal Cruises itineraries and destinations.
Or just give us a call and well help you find your dream vacation.
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Dining On Crystal Cruises
Food, and the lavish table settings and smart service that come along with it, is a highlight of a Crystal cruise. Each ship has an elegant formal dining room with two seatings as well as three chic alternative restaurants: an Italian venue inspired by Piero Selvaggio of Valentino in Los Angeles and two pan-Asian restaurants featuring cuisine by renowned master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, including a sushi bar. Crystal Serenity also offers Tastes on the Lido Deck for casual dinners. Also see: Dining On Crystal Symphony, Prego & Other Options
See related video: Crystal Symphonys Silk Road & Sushi Bar, But Is It A Real Nobu Experience?
The Bistro offers specialty coffees and a delectable spread of pastries, cheese and cold cuts. Evenings, The Bistro features petit desserts and cheeses.
Theres also a poolside grill serving everything from salmon burgers to tuna melts until 6 p.m. Enjoy the daily elaborate high tea service and the great themed luncheon buffets that are legendary in cruise circles.
Crystal Luxury Air/crystal Aircruises
Crystal Luxury Air private jet service launched in 2015 with the company’s Bombardier Global Express jet, available for charter and accommodating 12 guests. In August 2017, Crystal AirCruises took flight with the launch of Crystal Skye, a Boeing 777-200LR configured with 88 first class flat-bed seats, a lounge/dining room that seats 24 and a full bar. The National Hockey League is one of its first three charter customers. In addition the company took delivery of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May 2017. As of November 2017, this aircraft was stored.
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How To Snag A Free Drinks Package
Most big-ship lines offer one or more drinks packages for an extra charge but you might be able to get one of the packages for free. Some big-ship lines will throw in drinks packages for no extra cost as a perk during limited-time booking promotions.
The line perhaps best known for throwing in free drinks packages as a booking perk is Norwegian. Norwegian seemingly always is running some variation of its Free at Sea promotion that brings a choice of a free drinks package, free specialty dining, free excursions and other perks. Depending on the cabin category you book, you can get one or more of the freebies thrown in.
Other lines that sometimes run promotions with free drinks packages include Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.
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Review Of Crystal Cruises
This is CruiseMapper’s page for the three Crystal Cruises subsidiary companies – the sister-brands Crystal OCEAN, Crystal RIVER and Crystal YACHT, their fleets , cruisetour itineraries, destinations, homeports, cruise tracker. We have listed all Crystal ships as schedules and current position tracking maps.
One of the top-luxury travel brands and premium passenger shipping companies, Crystal Cruises operates both ocean and river cruises on premium ships and newbuild riverboats. All vessels are operated with all-inclusive travel package deals. The company’s ships are top-ranked in numerous categories, offer intimate cruising experience, 5-star hotel amenities, superior services, elegance and perfection in every detail.
The company’s chief officers are Tom Wolber and Karl Muhlberger . On July 24, 2020, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary.
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Crystal Cruise Ships In Alaska
The Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail to Alaska regularly, and also happen to rank as the top two best ships in the world according to Conde Nast Traveler readers – lucky you! The two ships carry 1,070 and 922 guests, respectively, and boast some of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea. Besides hundreds of beautiful staterooms, that space is filled with plenty of activities to keep you entertained while at sea – the ships are equipped with a driving range and putting green, pools and Jacuzzis, a Resorts World at Sea casino, a movie theater, a full-size paddle tennis court, and a 360-degree Promenade Deck, perfect for relaxing with a book or taking a stroll by the sea.