Crystal Serenity

Launched in 2003, Crystal Serenity cruise ship is the second and bigger of the two Crystal Ocean Cruises ships - with fleetmate Crystal Symphony (1995).

History - construction and ownership

One of the top-luxury passenger shipping companies, Crystal Cruises operates both ocean and river cruises on premium liners and newbuild riverboats with all inclusive travel package deals. Company's ships are top-ranked in numerous categories, offer intimate cruising experience, 5-star hotel amenities, superior service. The company was founded in 1988 as subsidiary of the Japanese NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) – one of the world's largest container shipping companies. In 2015, NYK Line sold Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong (GHK). Following the acquisition, the company was renamed to Crystal Ltd. It currently includes the brands Crystal Cruises (ocean-going ships), Crystal River Cruises (European riverboats), Crystal Yacht Cruises (mega-yachts), Crystal Luxury Air (aircraft) and Crystal AirCruises (fly-cruise deals).

The 68,870-ton, 1,080-passenger cruise ship Crystal Serenity sailed on its Inaugural Cruise on July 7, 2003 - 14-day Baltic Sea itinerary from Southampton. Ship's first World Voyage started on January 14, 2004 (106-day itinerary from LA, ending in NYC).

Crystal Serenity is the youngest of Crystal's vessels, after Crystal Harmony (launched in 1990, now Asuka 2) and near-sibling Crystal Symphony (launched 1995). In response to demand, Crystal Serenity offers twice as many penthouse cabins in comparison to fleet's other vessels. There are two paddle tennis courts (instead of one) as boat's devotees are fiercely competitive in this field.

Cruise itinerary program

Crystal Serenity itinerary program is based on a “World Cruise” (out of Miami FL or San Francisco), Caribbean voyages, Mediterranean Sea and Canada/New England Fall Foliage cruises from Quebec and NYC.

The world's most awarded luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises included in the Serenity ship's itinerary program the legendary Northwest Passage Cruises on August 16, 2017. Crystal Serenity navigated in the Arctic Ocean leaving out of Anchorage (Seward Alaska) to NYC New York via the famous Arctic route (500 ml north of Arctic Circle). This 32-nights itinerary provided passengers with an expedition style of Arctic cruising.

The history that surrounds the route stems back to over 100 years ago when it was first completed by Roald Amundsen. This route covers 900 miles of waterways filled with stunning fjords, glaciers and vast landscapes. Crystal Serenity was escorted by the ICE 05 classed icebreaker Ernest Shackleton (equipped to navigate through ice-covered waters) through the Northwest Passage. The companion ship is operated by British Antarctic Survey and provided operational support and safety to the 1,070-passenger luxury vessel. Crystal Cruises is the first major, luxury cruise line to try a sailing through the icy waters of Northwest Passage.

Ernest Shackleton was equipped with two helicopters for emergency use, tools for oil pollution containment, high-tech communications equipment and survival rations. The crew has experience in the Northwest Passage and using the safety equipment. Crystal Serenity was upgraded with ice detection radar, ice navigation system and forward-looking sonar. The bridge team received ice navigation training, and ice pilots boarded both vessels (Ernest Shackleton and Serenity) for the crossing. The crew of Ernest Shackleton also assisted with cruise company's "Unexpected Adventures" tours - like helicopter flightseeing, Zodiac wet landings, speed boat rides and kayaking.

In 2017 the ship had its second Northwest Passage expedition.

Cabins

Most Crystal Serenity staterooms are 225-sq.foot Balcony rooms (65%). There are a total of 623 staterooms (of which 108 Suite, 356 Balcony, no Inside rooms) in 13 categories, as well as 10 wheelchair accessible cabins. The largest aboard Crystal Serenity are the 4 Crystal Penthouses (category CP), sizes 1345 ft2 / 125 m2 (with the balcony).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The formal restaurant on Crystal Serenity serves open seating breakfast and lunch. Dinner is in two assigned seatings, or open seating. Although there is no additional charge for the Italian and Asian specialty restaurants, reservations are required. On select days, theme luncheons and dinners are offered poolside and special wine dinners are held in ship's Vintage Room. Other choices include the casual Lido buffet for breakfast and lunch; poolside grill for snacks and casual lunch; The Bistro specialty coffee & wine bar for snacks all day and evening. Afternoon tea is served in Crystal Serenity's Palm Court. Room service is available 24 hours, with an extensive menu. Selections can be delivered during dinner hours from the menu of the formal restaurant. Suite passengers can order from the specialty restaurants.

Follows the complete list of Crystal Serenity restaurants and food bars.

• “Crystal” (aft Dining Room, features gourmet menu with regionally inspired and traditional dishes; offers “Dining by Reservation” option - guests can reserve each night different time by contacting the Maitre D)
• “The Vintage Room” (10-seat fine dining venue with sommelier service, at surcharge US$200 plus, depending on the wine selection; on special cruises it operates as “Ultimate Vintage Dining Room” and some of the most rare wines in the world are served - the cover charge sores up to US$1,000 and more)
• “Silk Road” (Asian dinner-only specialty restaurant; reservations are recommended)
• “The Sushi Bar” (Japanese specialty dinner restaurant; reservations-only)
• “Prego” (Italian specialty dinner only, reservations only restaurant)
• “Trident Bar & Grill” (fastfood venue; features lush greenery with live olive trees)
• “Tastes” (waiter-service lido pool buffet; serves casual late Breakfast, Lunch and alfresco Dinner)
• “Lido Cafe” (self-service buffet restaurant; serves the pool deck area).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Galaxy Lounge on Crystal Serenity is the main showroom for headline entertainers and award-winning Broadway-style production shows. It features comfortable seating and a rising stage for optimum viewing. In addition to sophisticated staging, the shows each feature elaborate costumes created by renowned designers.

Crystal Serenity amenities include: 24-Hour Room-Service, Internet/WiFi Access, Babysitting, Laundry & Self-Serve Laundromats.

Follows the complete list of Crystal Serenity lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• “Crystal Cove” (piano bar)
• “Galaxy Lounge” (main show lounge for grand show productions; with a large hydraulic stage and a full orchestra)
• The “Crystal Casino” (410 m2, with 86 slots and poker machines, gambling tables)
• “Hollywood Theatre” (cinema with a stage for live performances; also hosts conferences, lectures, presentations, Broadway-style show productions, comedy shows)
• “Pulse” disco & nightclub (hosts DJ program nightly, karaoke and trivia shows)
• “Avenue of the Stars” (280 m2 shopping area; has four duty-free boutique shops - Crystal Collection, Apropos, Facets, Captain’s Choice)
• “The Bistro” (Paris-inspired specialty coffee bar, all-complimentary)
• The Serenity’s “Library” (3000+ books in different languages, movies and videos, board games)
• “Stardust Club” (lounge & bar; hosts daily trivia quizzes, presentations, bingo games, music performances in the evening)
• “Photo Shop” (photo and video services, accessories, equipment)
• “Connoisseur Club” (fine cognac and cigar club/smoking lounge)
• “Avenue Saloon” (piano bar)
• “Computer University @ Sea” (24-hour 25-seat capacity Internet computers room; hosts computer and Internet classes)
• “The Studio” (serves the “Creative Learning” enrichment program: language lessons, digital film making, Yamaha keyboard and piano lessons, all complimentary)
• “Bridge Lounge” (cards playing room)
• “Palm Court” (observation lounge & bar; serves Afternoon Tea, hosts art auctions, themed parties, classic concerts)
• “Waves” (teen club lounge)
• “Fantasia” (kids club lounge area with two playrooms for children 3-7yo and 8-12yo; baby sitting is available for toddlers 1+ yo)
• Seahorse Pool area (with a lap pool flanked by two Whirlpools); Neptune Pool area
• “Scoops” (outdoor Ice Cream Bar)
• “Fitness Center” (with panoramic floor-ceiling windows; has a separate room for complimentary classes (yoga, pilates, aerobics)
• “Crystal Spa” (540 m2 Feng Shui-inspired Wellness Center; includes the Gym, relaxation area, treatment rooms, 2 saunas/steam rooms and the “Crystal Salon”)
• Promenade deck (walking/jogging track; hosts the “Walk On Water” daily walking programme)
• The Sports Area (Tennis Tables, two Golf Driving Nets, Putting Green)
• Deck Games (Shuffleboard); Tennis Tables; “Wimbledon Court” (2 tennis courts); Golf Putting Green.

• On July 9, 2002, the vessel’s keel was laid at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire.
• On July 3, 2003, the cruise ship was christened in Southampton, England, by the UK actress Julie Andrews.
• On July 7, 2003, was the ship’s Inaugural cruise - 14-days roundtrip itinerary from Southampton UK to Northern European ports of call.
• On January 14, 2004, the ship started its first "Around The World Cruise"”, leaving from USA (Los Angeles CA) on a 106-day itinerary (Jan 14 - May 5) ending in NYC New York.
• The Crystal ship Serenity is shiny, beautiful, very spacious, with staff ready to assist you at any time. You will find calm and quiet atmosphere onboard. The decoration of the Serenity ships makes her very elegant. The ship's interior colors are calming – muted golds, greens, blues, grays and reds. The Serenity staterooms' furniture and wood accents are in the darker gamma, but you will find lively colorful bed covers, curtains, upholstery and wall coverings. Designer companies - Tillberg, Garroni, Okada, Nix Firestone, Stephenjohn, II By IV, BBGM/Interiors.
• In Summer 2016, Crystal Serenity became the world's 3rd cruise ship with a Northwest Passage Cruise - after the 2013 voyages of Compagnie du Ponant ships Le Soleal and Le Boreal. The 32-days long one-way itinerary was from Seward Alaska to NYC New York (August 16 to September 16), with ports of call Kodiak Island Alaska (Aug 17), Dutch Harbor Unalaska (Aug 19), Nome Alaska (Aug 21), Victoria Island Nunavut Canada (Aug 27 and 29), Baffin Island Nunavut Canada (Sept 4), Ilulissat Greenland (Sept 7), Sisimiut Greenland (Sept 8), Nuuk Greenland (Sept 9), Bar Harbor Maine (Sept 13), Boston Massachusetts (Sept 14) and Newport Rhode Island (Sept 15). In 2017 the Serenity ship has scheduled a second Northwest Passage transit. The 2017 cruise itinerary (32-days Seward to New York City, August 15 through September 15) included the same ports of call - Kodiak Island Alaska (Aug 16), Dutch Harbor Unalaska (Aug 18), Nome Alaska (Aug 20), Victoria Island Nunavut Canada (Aug 25 and 28), Baffin Island Nunavut Canada (Sept 3), Ilulissat Greenland (Sept 6), Sisimiut Greenland (Sept 7), Nuuk Greenland (Sept 8), Bar Harbor Maine USA (Sept 12), Boston Massachusetts USA (Sept 13) and Newport Rhode Island USA (Sept 14). The cruise prices started from around USD 22,000 per person (double occupancy rates).