Crystal Serenity

The 2003-built Crystal Serenity cruise ship is the second/bigger of the two Crystal Ocean Cruises ships - with fleetmate Crystal Symphony (1995).

The vessel (IMO number 9243667) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311536000) and registered in Nassau.

Following the bankruptcy of the parent company GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd in January 2022, the GHK's subsidiary Crystal Cruises Inc (USA) went bankrupt in February.

In June 2022, both Crystal Cruises' ocean ships (Serenity and Symphony) were auctioned in The Bahamas. Both vessels (being under arrest in Freeport Bahamas since February 5th) were sold via a sealed tender auction, with bids submitted to The Bahamas' Supreme Court and a 10% deposit.

On June 15th, Bahamian sources announced that both vessels are sold in the auction - Serenity to CSE Ltd for USD 103 million (EUR 99M / GBP 84,6M) and Symphony to CSY Ltd for USD 25 million (EUR 24M / GBP 20,5M). The financiers were presented by the Bahamian law firm Alexiou Knowles & Co. Reportedly, both shipowning companies (CSY and CSE) are owned by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio de Clunieres di Balsorano (1953-born multibillionaire, co-owner of Silversea, Chairman of Heritage Group, Co-Chairman of A&K/Abercrombie and Kent).

On June 22nd was announced that both vessels are now owned by A&K Travel Group Ltd - a joint venture of Abercrombie & Kent Ltd (owned by Geoffrey Kent) and Heritage Group Monaco (Lefebvre family-owned private equity specializing in luxury travel, VIP tourism, medical technologies). Following extensive drydock refurbishments, both ships restart operations in 2023 for the Cristal Cruises brand, which was fully acquired by A&K. For the ships' management, A&K contracted the Monaco-based V.Ships Leisure Ltd (part of V.Group Holdings Ltd).

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. The company's ships are top-ranked in numerous categories, offer an intimate cruising experience, 5-star hotel amenities, superior service. The company was founded in 1988 as a 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. In January 2022, GHK filed for bankruptcy and all its assets were put to sale. In June 2022, the brand Crystal Cruises was acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd (Abercrombie & Kent). The company currently groups the ultra-luxury travel 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 980-passenger ship Crystal Serenity sailed on its Inaugural Cruise on July 7, 2003 - 14-day Baltic Sea itinerary from Southampton. The ship's first World Voyage started on January 14, 2004 (106-day itinerary from LA to NYC).

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

The Serenity ship is shiny, beautiful, very spacious, with a calm and quiet atmosphere, elegant decoration. Ship's interior colors are calming - muted golds, greens, blues, grays, and reds. Stateroom furniture and wood accents are in darker gamma, with lively colorful bedding, curtains, upholstery and wall coverings. Ship's interior spaces were designed by the companies Tillberg (Sweden), Garroni (Italy), Okada (Japan), Nix Firestone (USA), BBGM (USA), Stephen John (UK), II By IV (Canada).

Decks and Cabins

Most Crystal Serenity staterooms are 225-ft2 Balcony cabins (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 are the Crystal Penthouse Suites (1080 ft2 / 100 m2 plus 270 ft2 / 25 m2 terrace).

During the 2018 drydock refit, the ship received 36 Seabreeze Penthouses and 2 Seabreeze Penthouse Suites, while reducing capacity from 1070 to 980 passengers.

The boat has 13 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

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 the 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 specialty restaurants.

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

• Crystal Dining Room (aft) features a gourmet menu with regionally inspired and traditional dishes; offers "Dining by Reservation" option - guests can reserve each night at different times by contacting the Maitre D). Following the dry dock in October 2018, Crystal Dining Room was transformed into Waterside, with increased seating capacity, more tables for 2 and 4, and new decor.
• The Vintage Room (10-seat fine dining venue with sommelier service, at surcharge US$200 plus, depending on the wine selection; on special voyages, it operates as "Ultimate Vintage Dining Room" and some of the rarest 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), was re-branded as Umi Uma & Sushi Bar after drydock 2018 refit but continues serving Nobu's signature dishes.
• The Sushi Bar (Japanese specialty dinner restaurant; reservations-only)
• Prego (Italian specialty dinner only, reservations-only restaurant)
• Trident Bar & Grill (fast-food venue; features lush greenery with live olive trees)
• Tastes (waiter-service lido pool buffet; serves casual late Breakfast, Lunch and alfresco Dinner) became Silk Kitchen & Bar after 2018 refit and serves Chinese comfort food.
• Marketplace & Churrascaria Buffet/Lido Cafe (self-service buffet restaurant serving the pool deck area) became The Marketplace during daytime and a Brazilian steakhouse, Churrascaria, in the evening.
• Supper Club is a bar lounge with live music, part of Stardust Club. The Supper Club is offered on the first and last "Black Tie Optional" evenings on itineraries 8-days and longer. Club's capacity is up to 108 passengers. The seating starts at 6:30 pm. During the day, the lounge hosts trivia quizzes, bingo games, media presentations.

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)
• Crystal Casino (410 m2, with 86 slots and poker machines, gambling tables)
• Hollywood Theatre/Cinema has a stage for live performances and also hosts conferences, lectures, presentations, Broadway-style show productions, stand-up 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)
• Library (3000+ books in different languages, movies, and videos, board games)
• Stardust Club is a bar lounge hosting daily trivia quizzes, presentations, bingo games, lectures, classes, as well as live music performances (Crystal Sextet) in the evenings. Late-night snacks are served between 11 pm -12 midnight.
• PhotoShop (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 (onboard enrichment program/complimentary) housing events like language lessons, digital film making, Yamaha keyboard and piano lessons.
• 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; babysitting 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 program)
• The Sports Area (Tennis Tables, two Golf Driving Nets, Putting Green)
• Deck Games (Shuffleboard); Tennis Tables; Wimbledon Court (2 tennis courts); Golf Putting Green.

Itineraries

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

Crystal Serenity itineraries also include the legendary Northwest Passage Cruises.

Following the Coronavirus-related suspension of voyages, Crystal Ocean restarted passenger shipping operations with the Serenity ship. The Europe-UK program was entirely canceled and a new Caribbean program (July 3 through October 17, 2021) was planned. The unique 7-night Caribbean itineraries (Luxury Bahamas Escapes) were roundtrips from Nassau and North Bimini Island (Bailey Town) and visiting Harbour Island, Great Exuma Island (Georgetown), San Salvador Island and Long Island. In August, to the Luxury Bahamas Escapes itinerary was added Miami Florida as both call port and homeport/departure port. The expanded itinerary's first departure was on August 7 (from Nassau) and August 9 (from Miami). This way, the 7-night Luxury Bahamas Escapes itinerary offered 3x embarkation ports - Nassau (Saturdays departures), North Bimini (Sundays), Miami (Mondays).