Crystal Symphony

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

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 a subsidiary of the Japanese NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) - one of 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 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.

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.

Cruise itinerary program

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 St Johns Antigua). 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 included as destinations Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries), Trinidad (Port-of-Spain), St Maarten (Philipsburg), BVI Tortola (Road Town). Bookings opened on April 20, 2021.

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 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 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 the 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 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 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)
• The Symphony’s "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 programme)
• Deck Games (Shuffleboard, Quoits); Tennis Tables; "Wimbledon Court" (tennis court); Golf Putting Green.

Crystal Symphony is the older ship of the company's two ocean vessels. Its sisterships are the fleet mate Crystal Serenity and NYK Line's Asuka 2 (former Crystal Harmony).

The top-luxury cruise liner entered service on May 3, 1995. It was majorly drydock refurbished three times as part of a 5-year plan (2006, 2009, 2012) at a total cost USD 65 million. This project was Crystal Cruises most extensive upgrade ever. All staterooms and public areas were renovated in 2006. During 2006 drydock was also added Luxe nightclub. Lido Deck was changed in 2009 - upgraded with Jacuzzi (for 20 people) which replaced the swimming pool. In 2009 was also changed the Italian restaurant "Prego". During drydock 2012, ship's public spaces and two theatres were updated – the seating was changed, and some trendy technologies were implemented (projectors, lighting, surround sound).

Crystal Symphony refurbishment 2020 review

The vessel's drydock 2020 (April 13-23, in Singapore) was a USD 10 million project planned mainly for regular technical and general maintenance works. Minor upgrades received some public areas and passenger staterooms, among which new carpets and furniture.

Crystal Symphony refurbishment 2017 review

The ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (September 23 - October 16, done by Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven Germany) reduced its passenger capacity in order to enable single-seating dining. Following the dry-dock, Crystal Symphony offers to all passengers free Wi-Fi (regardless of cabin category).

• On deck 9, two new balcony cabin categories were introduced - Seabreeze Penthouse Suite (12 new suites) and Seabreeze Penthouse (28 new suites). The new staterooms have the same size as the existing Penthouse (365 ft2 / 34 m2) and Penthouse Suite (490 ft2 / 46 m2). Seabreeze Penthouses are connecting cabins (sharing an entryway).
• All Penthouses offer enhanced all-inclusive amenities, including butler service, in-cabin dining, complimentary specialty restaurants dining).
• Cabin conversions reduced ship's capacity from 1095 to 848, thus increasing its guest-to-space ratio to 60,2.
• Crystal Dining Room was renamed to "Waterside" and upgraded with additional 2- and 4-seat tables. New open-seating dining (between 6-9:30 pm) replaced the old assigned seating and the required dinner reservations. Breakfasts and lunches are served as usual.
• Lido Cafe is operated as Marketplace (during the day) and as Churrascaria (steakhouse, by night). The restaurant features an open kitchen and made-to-order dishes. Marketplace serves buffet breakfast and lunch, while Churrascaria serves casual dinner (between 6-9 pm). The Brazilian-themed Churrascaria restaurant features Caipirinha (welcome cocktail event) and selection of Brazilian dishes (grilled seafood and meats, tapas, ceviche, salads). Meats are served by “gauchos” (dedicated staff) on traditional meat skewers.
• Silk restaurant's menu was upgraded with modern Chinese fare (family-size dinner plates). Self-service is now available at breakfast and lunch, and also includes traditional Chinese food (dumplings, Chinois salad, soup, noodle bar). Dinners at Silk are open-seating (reservations-recommended) and between 6-9 pm.
• Trident Bar and Grill serves casual grilled food (including fast food - burgers, sandwiches).
• Silk Road and The Sushi Bar (both specialty restaurants by celebrity-chef Nobu Matsuhisa) were combined and renamed to "Umi Uma". Umi Uma offers Nobu-inspired dishes prepared by Nobu-trained chefs.
• Dining reservations for Umi Uma and Prego restaurants are now complimentary for Penthouse passengers. To all other cabin categories, 1 complimentary specialty dining is offered (additional reservations are available at a surcharge).
• The new free of charge shipwide Wi-Fi is the result of the company's investment in new hardware and software for expanded onboard connectivity and faster (doubled) satellite Internet speed.
• Crystal Connect is ship's new onboard portal for Internet connections and various shipboard info (menus, news, scheduled activities, shore excursions, itinerary ports, international digital news media, movies library, lectures, etc). Crystal Connect (mobile app) is available for personal devices.
• All cruise cabins were upgraded with new 42-inch smart TVs with interactive panels (infotainment system).
• Ship's Computer University at Sea (enrichment workshops venue) was updated and redesigned.
• Among the redesigned public spaces is the midship located Starlite Club (panoramic floor-ceiling windows).

Along with all Lloyd Werft workers, the refurbishment project also involved several hundred crew and sub-contractors. Almaco Group (1998-founded company) was the project's supervisor.

To maintain the “Crystal Clear” standard, the Symphony ship was extensively refitted in 2006 (in Norfolk VA at the of cost USD 23 million) and in 2009 (in Boston MA, for USD 25 million). The list of deck plan changes after the ship's 2016 drydock refurbishment (done by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg Germany, project cost USD 15 million) included:

• general maintenance works, that included propulsion system upgrades (Rolls-Royce Azimuth thrusters were replaced with new ones), new hull coating, air ducts cleaning, reverse osmosis plant inspection.
• Introduced was the company's new “Deluxe PURE” category of staterooms (hypoallergenic cabins).
• On deck 12 were redesigned the Tastes buffet restaurant and the Lido area.
• New energy-saving LED lighting was installed in all public rooms.
• All Penthouse Suites were overhauled.
• The project's total cost was USD 15 million.