Crystal Symphony

The 1995-built Crystal Symphony cruise ship is the company's first and the smaller of the two (for now) Crystal Ocean Cruises ships - with fleetmate Crystal Serenity (2003).

The vessel (IMO number 9066667) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309168000) 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 - Symphony to CSY Ltd for USD 25 million (EUR 24M / GBP 20,5M) and Serenity to CSE Ltd for USD 103 million (EUR 99M / GBP 84,6M). 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 Inc to Genting Hong Kong Ltd (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 1000-passenger ship Crystal Symphony underwent three major drydock refurbishments - in 2006, 2009 and 2012, as part of a 5-year vessel renovation plan to redesign all passenger staterooms and add new venues and amenities. The 5-year project cost the company USD 65 million.

The ship's interior spaces were designed by the companies Tillberg (Sweden), II By IV Canada), KNA (USA) and the UK designer firms SMC, Clixby, The Syntax Group, Adfecto, DPA Lighting.

Decks and Cabins

Most Crystal Symphony staterooms (59%) are 245-ft2 sized Balcony cabins. There are a total of 477 staterooms (65 Suites, 215 Balconies, no Inside cabins) in 13 categories, including 10 wheelchair-accessible. The largest are the two Crystal Penthouses (category CP), sizes 982 ft2 / 91 m2 (balcony included), both featuring boutique-hotel-like decors.

The boat has 12 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The formal restaurant on Crystal Symphony 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 Symphony'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 Symphony restaurants and food bars.

• "Crystal" (aft Dining Room, 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)
• "The Vintage Room" (10-seat fine dining venue with sommelier service, at surcharge US$200 plus, depending on the wine selection; on special sailings, 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)
• "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)
• "Lido Cafe" (self-service buffet restaurant; serves the pool deck area).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Тhe "upgrades" of Crystal Symphony added in 2004 the Feng-Shui spa complex (8 spa rooms), a new teak deck, upgraded saunas, separate areas for Yoga and Pilates training classes, The Vintage Room (winery), the "Computer University@sea" area (capacity 25 guests), renovation of the Crystal Dining Room, new decors to all accommodations, and new Photo Gallery (deck 6).

The refit in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2006 featured the "Starlite Club", the Crystal Casino, new Bistro Cafe and boutiques, a new disco-club, redesigning of the staterooms, reconstruction of the Tiffany deck, new equipment.

In 2009, up-to-date equipment was installed in The Hollywood Theater (audio-visual systems), renovations of the penthouses, bathrooms, of the Main Dining room, of the Lido Cafe and the "Prego" restaurant, new furniture and Jacuzzis on the pool deck.

During the 2012 refurbishment of Crystal Symphony, there was a redesign of some public spaces, which included the Avenue Saloon, that relocated the piano to make more room for brass-tack couches, embossed-leaf barstools, and tufted booths. Seating was also changed in the panoramic-view Palm Court, and the dancing was enlarged. The vessel's two theaters also underwent considerable updates. In addition to new furniture and decor, new stage extension expanded the performance space in the Galaxy Lounge by 30 %. And both the Galaxy Lounge and Hollywood Theatre obtained technological upgrades of lighting, sound, and projectors.

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

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

• "Crystal Cove" (66-seat piano bar)
• "Galaxy Lounge" (463-seat 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" (143-seat cinema; has a stage for live performances; also hosts conferences, lectures, presentations, Broadway-style show productions, comedy shows)
• "Luxe" disco & nightclub (hosts DJ program nightly, karaoke and trivia shows)
• "Avenue of the Stars" (280 m2 shopping area; has three duty-free boutique shops - Crystal Collection, Apropos, Facets)
• "The Bistro" (70-seat Paris-inspired specialty coffee bar, all-complimentary)
• Atrium (2-deck high midship area with a waterfall)
• "Library" (2000+ books in different languages, movies, and videos, board games)
• "Starlite Club" (350-seat lounge with circular bar; hosts daily trivia quizzes, presentations, bingo games, music performances in the evening)
• "PhotoShop" (photo and video services, accessories, equipment)
• "Connoisseur Club" (fine cognac and cigar club/smoking lounge)
• "Avenue Saloon" (58-seat 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" (22-tables cards playing room)
• "Palm Court" (250-seat 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 a large 20-person capacity Whirlpool)
• "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)
• Deck Games (Shuffleboard, Quoits); Tennis Tables; "Wimbledon Court" (tennis court); Golf Putting Green.

Itineraries

Crystal Symphony itinerary program is based on cruises to Europe (UK, Baltic, Mediterranean), Southeast Asia (with departures from Singapore, China, Vietnam), Australia New Zealand, Caribbean (out of Miami FL), Canada-New England (from NYC New York).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in mid-April 2021, Crystal Cruises announced that Symphony ship's entire 2021 program in Europe-Mediterranean (June 6 through December 21) is canceled and replaced with 10-night "Luxury Caribbean Escapes" (roundtrip itineraries from homeports St Johns Antigua and Philipsburg St Maarten).

• The new Antigua homeporting program (first-time for Crystal Cruises) was scheduled for the period August 5 through December 23, 2021 (a total of 15 departures). The "Luxury Caribbean Escapes" itinerary visited the islands Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries), Trinidad (Port-of-Spain), St Maarten (Philipsburg), BVI Tortola (Road Town).
• Bookings opened on April 20, 2021. However, on July 1, Crystal Symphony's homeporting in St Maarten and Antigua was canceled "due to ongoing uncertainty regarding ports of call and availability of adequate airlift".
• In mid-July was announced that Symphony will be homeported in Boston MA (Sunday departures from Flynn Cruiseport, August 22 through September 12, 2021) and in NYC (Friday departures from Manhattan Cruise Terminal, starting September 24, 2021). From Boston and New York City, the ship had scheduled 7-night "Luxury Bermuda Escapes". The 7-night roundtrip itineraries included two days and two nights in Kings Wharf (Royal Naval Dockyard) Bermuda.

Crystal Symphony's Caribbean deployment was soon extended (November 2021 thru March 2022) with 14x total 7-night itineraries (including 2x holiday voyages / 10-night "Connoisseur's Caribbean Holiday", 11-night "Tropical New Year's Celebration") visiting ports in The Netherlands' Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, The Bahamas Out Islands (aka Family Islands).

• The new program started with the 7-night NYC to Nassau repositioning cruises (Nov 26, 2021).
• 7-night itineraries included 5x "Luxury Antilles Interlude" (Miami to San Juan Puerto Rico), 5x "Luxury Caribbean Kaleidoscope" (San Juan to Miami), 3x "Blissful Bahamian Luxury" (Miami roundtrips). 14-day B2Bs (back-to-back cruises) were also offered at 5% discount.
• Both holiday 2021 voyages were 7-night Miami roundtrips, departing December 18 (10-night) and Dec 29 (11-night).
• Promo pricing started from USD 2000 pp with double occupancy.