![]() Photo: Georgina Cruz By Georgina Cruz Special to North Palm Beach Life It’s like coming across a friend we have not seen in some years and finding that she has not grown older but is vibrant and radiant. My husband Humberto and I had enjoyed Crystal Cruises’ 51,400-ton, 740-passenger Crystal Serenity on four sailings to Asia, Iceland, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean –the last time in 2019 -- and we had booked her world cruise for 2022, which was not to be. On each occasion that we did sail we loved the Crystal Serenity's refined décor and ambiance, restaurants and service, accommodations, and her superb stabilizers –so effective that although at times we sailed in turbulent waters, the dinner wine in our glasses was as still as if we were on dry land. In 2022, the bankruptcy of Genting, the parent company of Crystal Cruises, occurred soon after the start of the Crystal Serenity's world cruise. Then A&K Travel Group, the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent, acquired the Crystal Cruises brand –now it is called only Crystal—and the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony received an extensive refurbishment to the tune of $150M this year prior to their debuts in late July and September respectively. When we heard of the planned remodel of the Crystal Serenity, we immediately thought that we liked the Crystal Serenity already just as she was, and we worried about changes. But our concern was not necessary, the ship was rejuvenated after the refurbishment at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy. Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, A&K Travel Group executive president, whose expertise with cruises spans decades (encompassing Sitmar Cruises and Silversea Cruises), calmed the doubts of passengers like us about the line and the remodel. “Passengers who have come and return to Crystal,” D’Ovidio said, “have my promise: you will find the same Crystal Cruises, enhanced.” And so we did when we sailed on Crystal Serenity for an 11-day Caribbean voyage from Miami this fall. The ship is just as lovely with a refreshed look --its Crystal Cove Atrium resplendent with orchids, harpist sculpture and waterfall feature. Tillberg Design of Sweden, the firm that carried out the refurbishment of the public rooms, restaurants and spa has created Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary, chic spaces. Among the most beautiful remodeled public areas is the spa. Named in honor of Aurora, goddess of the dawn in Roman mythology, it is inspired by the sunrise. The Aurora Spa is peaceful and pleasant, with light neutral tones and a simply gorgeous ceiling with Starlight fiber-optics that celebrates the time of day when the sun makes its radiant entrance. The décor of the spa also utilizes organic materials like Selenite, a natural salt crystal. ![]() I am typically just a mani-pedi and haircut-and-style spa goer, but I loved every pampering minute I spent there, and if I had wanted much more the Aurora Spa rises to the challenge, with 12 treatment rooms, the latest in technological advancements and a menu of offerings with beauty products and treatments from companies like Elemis and Kerastase. Among the therapies is the Aurora LED and Cryo Facial Experience to fill and tone the skin. Among the featured massages is the Aurora Signature Massage with hot stones and The Chariot of Light with LED light therapy. The ship’s dining venues were also refurbished including one of our favorite restaurants at sea, Umi Uma, from legendary Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa, exclusive to Crystal. Nobu’s specialties mix Asian culinary traditions with those of Peru, and the restaurant also offers delights in its Sushi Bar. We do not particularly care for sushi, but we do adore Nobu’s fillet of Wagyu beef and his chocolate souffle cake with sesame ice cream. Passengers still enjoy a complimentary meal at Umi Uma during each cruise of 11 or fewer days; and two free dinners in sailings of more than 11 days. Additional reservations, at $50 per person (a bargain!), may be made if tables are available. The ship’s other restaurants were refreshed too, including Waterside, the main dining room where its varied menus of continental and international specialties continue to be something to write home about, and the service is impeccable, as it has always been. Osteria d’Ovidio (formerly Prego) where gourmet Italian fare is to die for, has been redone with warm red accents and silvery chandeliers. We loved the Salt Baked Sea Bass with Tarragon Sauce and the Chocolate Mousse with Ivoire, Nyangbo, and Gianduja Valhrona Chocolate and almond ice cream (Yum!). We did not miss Prego, as some guests mentioned that they did. Fans of Prego’s hugely popular cream of mushroom soup –a vacation for the taste buds in a bread bowl –will be glad to know that it is still being served in other restaurants on Crystal Serenity from time to time. Tastes Kitchen & Bar offers global tapas, and The Marketplace (buffet), and the Trident Grill are perfect for delicious quick meals on port days and for a snack or two while sailing in the tropics as we were. Scoops, offering decadent Italian gelato with choice of lots of toppings, is heavenly. In addition to traditional gelato flavors Scoops features such innovative delights as rum brittle. Sadly, the Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, previously featured in the Marketplace in the evenings with delectable meats and such Brazilian specialties as feijoada and churros is no longer. Once during our cruise, the Stardust Club became a lovely Supper Club with a four course dinner with selections from the Waterside Restaurant with choice of caviar, King Crab Legs, Beef Wellington and Dark Chocolate Mousse Salted Caramel Panna Cotta and music for dancing. We were told capacity is for 90 only, so reserve the instant you board (reservations must be made on board). We foolishly waited till we had lunch and missed out. ![]() After busy days exploring the Caribbean isles and blissful evenings at sea, guests return to updated suites with artisanal finishes. The architectural firm, GEM, used neutral tones and high-end materials in the remodeled suites including the Italian marble, fior di Pesco, “peach flower,” so called because of the beautiful peach-tone veins in the stone. The suites’ décor also utilizes shades of blue, gray and beige that complement the colors of the ocean. The number of popular and luxurious Sapphire Suites was increased –we had one, #8020, and it was as chic as it was comfortable. From the moment we entered it we knew we were in a privileged place: we had an elegant living area with lovely furnishings, including sofa, side chair, cocktail table and desk, round table, chairs, big television, art and orchids, plus a spacious bedroom with another big TV, a lovely veranda with two chairs and table, and a spa-like bathroom with a roomy shower with multiple jets and a marble bench –so spacious a shower that a passenger joked that you could hold a party in there. It is definitely the best cruise ship shower we have ever had --sitting on the marble bench under ever so softly cascading water from two jets and the delicate fragrance of the provided Italian shampoo and conditioner it was easy to imagine that I was washing my hair at a fountain somewhere in Italy. Our butler, Richard, helped us unpack, brought us a bottle of champagne to join bottles of white and red wines already in the suite and kept our fridge stocked with juices, sodas, beers and mineral waters. We requested a bottle of our favorite after dinner drink, Limoncello, and Richard brought it as well. Also in the accommodations department, two new room categories have been created: the Jr. Crystal Penthouse Suite, and the Single Guest Room with Ocean View. A bit smaller suite than the palatial Crystal Penthouse, the Jr. Crystal Penthouse Suite had been sold out when we booked. The Single Guest Room with Ocean View category (a room for a solo traveler without having to pay the supplement in a double cabin) will probably be very popular. Some of the rooms have been reconfigured into suites that offer bedroom, living room and big bathrooms with walk-in showers and double wash basins. Some rooms have been kept with their classic look to the delight of guests who have stayed in them numerous times through the years. For the rooms and suites’ linens, Venetian company Jesurum 1870, that specializes in custom, high quality sheets, was chosen, and they are luxurious, and Crystal now uses fabulous soaps and lotions from Ortigia, a Sicilian company that utilizes delicate fragrances of wildflowers including jasmine. We like them better than the Etro soaps and lotions that Crystal was providing the last time we were on the Crystal Serenity. Etro bathrobes and slippers are still provided as well as light robes. Other novelties on the Crystal Serenity include a new pickleball court and, as always, there is a wide variety of entertainment and activities including Broadway style and variety shows, art and craft sessions, computer classes, musical afternoon teas, religious services, dance classes, and close-up magic shows. Production shows are now presented at 9:30 p.m only instead of at 8 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. as was the norm on Crystal. Variety shows were presented at 6 p.m. some nights nd there was music in several lounges throughout the evening. Single ladies may be glad to hear that Crystal still has Gentlemen Hosts. Enrichment talks by distinguished lecturers are still featured --Roger McGuinn, co-founder, lead singer and lead guitarist of the Byrds, was on our cruise. One change that did not affect us as we are not gamblers, but may be missed by others, is the removal of the ship’s casino. In its place is a lounge used by guests for Scrabble and other games, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and watching sports on big screen televisions. ![]() Crystal’s iconic Seahorse pool and Jacuzzi area is refreshed –its comfy day beds and sofas are the perfect spots to relax after touring a Caribbean idyll like St. Lucia where we enjoyed a whale and dolphin watching excursion. As our 11-day Caribbean voyage from Miami this fall concluded, we felt thoroughly spoiled, pampered, and relaxed –and in love with Crystal Serenity all over again. So much so that we booked two back-to-back Caribbean voyages on her for 2024. Crystal Serenity spends the rest of the fall offering cruises in the Caribbean and will sail Crystal’s world cruise in 2024. Comments are closed.
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