Crystal Serenity

THE SHIP

The Crystal Serenity, launched in 2003, is a US$350 million vessel accommodating up to 1080 guests with a full time crew of 655.

The gleaming snow white thirteen deck ship is 820 feet/250 meters in length, 106 feet/32 meters wide and cruises at 22 knots. She is 36% larger than her sister the Symphony, yet carries only 12% more guests. Notably the ship features a unique life boat design which allows full and unobstructed views from all her staterooms. A superb teak promenade deck, on deck 7, is ¼ mile/400 meters around and acts as a generous host for jogging, walking, playing shuffleboard or taking a late evening stroll.

Inside her public rooms are richly furnished. Crystal’s excellent use of colors and feng-shui influenced design has created a roomy, full-featured floating resort.

There are 655 full-time officers and crew aboard the Serenity. The crew is made up of staff from 42 countries.



CABINS

Bottom Bunks: The 269 square feet Deluxe Staterooms with verandah, on decks 8,9 and 10 are the staple of the Serenity, accounting for 368 of the 548 available cabins. These are very comfortable rooms, with fluffy beds. Filled with the usual features, fridge, safe, remote color TV and DVD, free sodas and water. The soft colors and thoughtful layout works seamlessly. The bargain of the ship is the 80 C category Deluxe Staterooms with picture windows. The same sizes as the verandah rooms, minus the verandah, all are located on promenade deck 7. If you don’t see much use for a verandah, spend most of your time away from your cabin, or are on a tight budget – these rooms are for you. (As we always recommend booking this type of room VERY early gives you a chance of a complimentary upgrade.)

Small Splurges: Deck 11 holds 32 Penthouse Suites with verandah, as well as 24 Penthouse with verandah (PH) with 538 sq. ft. and 403 sq. ft. respectively. Tastefully appointed with flat screen TV and Yamaha music systems, twin bathroom sinks, deluxe Jacuzzi bath tubs, separate shower and walk-in wardrobe. If you intend to book a PH, we recommend you request deck 11.

Fantasy Suites: It all happens on deck 11. The four Crystal Penthouse Suites (CP) are simply fabulous – a 1300 sq. ft. home away from home with living room, dining area, very private verandah, B&O sound system, large flat screen TV, guest bathroom, private work-out area with treadmill or step machine, mini kitchen, separate butlers entrance and much more. If you demand space, like to entertain, or just like to linger in your own private space, then this is the one for you!

Smoking: Most areas of the ship are smoke free, for example the Crystal dining room, Prego, Silk Road and the Sushi bar restaurants as well as the main Galaxy theater. Pipes and cigars are permitted in the Connoisseur Club and on some open decks (not around the pool). Crystal recently stopped all smoking in cabins or room verandas.

Drinking: All sodas and water are included in the cruise fare, however most alcoholic drinks need to be paid for. If however you room category is PH (Penthouse) or above, and initial mini-bar set-up, which included wine and a choice of spirits is included.

You are also likely to be invited to a number of cocktail parties, hosted by the ship, like “Captains Welcome Party” or “First time Crystal Cruisers Party”, where complimentary open bar operates for the 45 minutes or so. An extensive wine list , aided by trained sommeliers provides options from many new and old world wine producing nations and range from around $13 per bottle to several thousand. (If you like, you can bring your own bottle of wine, and Crystal charges only $10 for corkage).

Insider TIP – Drinks are served free at the bar in the Casino for those gambling, or about to gamble or are with a gambler…

Obviously the inclusion of alcohol in the fare, is a major difference between luxury cruise lines, and Crystal maintains that some passengers do not wish to subsidize the heavy drinkers aboard. Certainly if you are a teetotaler or light drinker none of this is an issue. Anna and I had a bottle of wine with dinner each night, some days we had cocktails, and occasionally we had a cold beer around the pool and our alcohol bill totaled under $250 for the 11 nights…very reasonable. If we had sailed on some of the other so called “all-inclusive” lines we would have saved most of that money – but we felt that often compromises are made in other more important areas of the ship – in order to recoup that cost.

Tipping: An area of great debate and one that is very personal. However, I will pass on that generally speaking the service we receive is better on ships that do NOT include tipping in the fare, but this only applies to the main dining room staff, stewardesses and butler/concierge.

Crystal does not include tips in its fare, however there is a 15% gratuity automatically added to bar checks for deck and bar staff, and on wine sales to the sommeliers.

Crystal does offer the option to ‘pre-pay’ gratuities while aboard which negates the need to carry cash, and is debited directly to your shipboard account. Crystal provides a guideline of $10.50 per cabin per day split between the stewardess and dining room waiters. If you are in a suite with a butler they suggest $4 per day for him.

CRYSTAL SERENITY: SHIP PROFILE

BUILDER: Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique

Saint-Nazaire, France

COMMISSIONED: December 2000

ENTERED SERVICE: July 7, 2003

COST: $350 million

GUEST CAPACITY: 1,080

SPACE RATIO: 63.0 (one of the highest of any luxury ship)

GUEST TO CREW RATIO: 1.65:1

DECKS: 13

STATEROOMS: 548

% OF VERANDAH

STATEROOMS: 85%

SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamian

CREW SIZE: 655

CREW NATIONALITY: Norwegian captain; International officers; European hotel and dining staff; international crew

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• 68,000 gross registered tons (approx.)
• 820 ft. length (250 m)
• 105.6 ft. width (32.2 m)
• 24.9 ft. draft (7.6 m)
• 21.0 knots cruising speed
• 22.0 knots maximum speed
• Fin type roll stabilizers
• Two transverse controllable pitch bow thrusters
• Powered by environmentally-friendly diesel engines and an azimuthal pod propulsion system to enable greater maneuverability

DESIGNERS:

DECKS AND STATEROOMS:

Nine guest decks with 548 staterooms on five decks including:

• Four Crystal Penthouses with verandah - Category CP (1,345 sq. ft.)
• 32 Penthouse Suites with verandah - Category PS (538 sq. ft.)
• 64 Penthouses with verandah - Category PH (403 sq. ft.)
• 82 Penthouse Staterooms with verandah - Category AA (269 sq. ft.)
• 286 Outside Deluxe Staterooms with verandah - Category A, B(269 sq. ft.)
• 80 Outside Deluxe Staterooms - Category C (226 sq. ft.)
• Eight staterooms specially designed, wheelchair-accessible accommodations will include two Penthouses, two staterooms with verandahs and four staterooms with large picture windows
• 50 connecting staterooms and 134 staterooms with a third berth for families

STATEROOM AMENITIES:

• Large, private verandahs in more than 85 percent of staterooms; all other staterooms have large picture windows
• 24-hour room service
• Refrigerators with complimentary bottled water and soft drinks
• 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows, plush duvets, and featherbeds
• Spacious sitting area
• Remote control color television and DVD player. Television features 24-hour news and sports information via CNN (Cable News Network), CNBC, FOX News and ESPN (sports network)
• Lavish bathroom amenities including two hairdryers, Frette bathrobes, slippers, umbrella, and Aveda bath products
• In-stateroom Internet access
• Shower, bathtub, double sink, makeup mirror and a telephone in bathroom
• Queen or twin-sized beds, depending on preference
• Direct-dial ship-to-shore phones and personal voice mail
• Large closets with shoe rack
• Telephone system with private voice mail and automated wake-up call
• Personal security safe

PENTHOUSE AMENITIES:

Penthouse categories PH, PS and CP offer the same amenities as the staterooms and, in addition:

• Personal butler service
• Complimentary beer, in addition to soft drinks and bottled water
• Welcome champagne and fully-stocked complimentary in-room bar upon embarkation Guest bathroom, pantry, library and private workout room
• Larger verandah
• Walk-in closet
• Riedel glassware
• Full Jacuzzi bathtub
• Separate shower
• Vanity in dressing area
• Flat-screen television
• CD/DVD player and cordless phone
• Personalized stationery
• Binoculars

PUBLIC AREAS:

• Two-story Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove, lobby area with atrium, comfortable seating and piano bar
• "Avenue of the Stars" shopping arcade with three boutiques offering upscale clothing, jewelry, and specialty items
• Casino featuring slot machines, bar poker and slant top poker machines, blackjack tables, craps, a roulette table, baccarat table and the Ultimate Texas Hold'em
• Galaxy Lounge, the ship's main entertainment venue
• Hollywood Theatre for recently released movies, with state-of-the-art audio visual and translation equipment that may be used for meetings and/or conferences; theatre also features audio enhancement for the hearing-impaired
• Computer University@Sea® center with a lab for classroom instruction and separate room offering 24-hour Internet and e-mail access
• The Studio, a completely new learning center for a variety of creative and educational hands-on classes
• Variety of lounges including the Stardust Club for dancing and cabaret, Avenue Saloon cocktail and piano bar, Connoisseur Club, an intimate refined cigar lounge, Palm Court/Sunset Bar observation lounge, and Pulse disco
• Fantasia children's center and Waves teen center
• Library featuring over 3,000 books, videos, DVDs, and books-on-tape
• Bridge Lounge

DINING AREAS:

• 24-hour complimentary room service
• Crystal Dining Room offering distinctive international cuisine and a world-renowned wine list
• Prego restaurant serving Italian cuisine in an intimate atmosphere alongside "Valentino At Prego" specialties
• Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, completely new dining venues that exclusively feature menu selections by the famed Nobu Matsuhisa
• The Vintage Room, a new classic boardroom and wine cellar for winemakers dinners
• The Bistro, a social coffee and wine bar for morning and afternoon snacks
• Trident Bar & Grill for casual poolside lunches throughout the afternoon
• Lido Café, a country-club style café for breakfast and lunch
• Tastes, an open kitchen aft of Trident Bar & Grillfeaturing international fare
• Scoops Ice Cream Bar, for complimentary frozen sweets and freshly baked cookies
• Afternoon teas are served in the Palm Court
• Themed luncheon buffets aft of the ship's second pool
• Indoor/outdoor poolside area for casual dining

FITNESS FACILITIES:

• Feng Shui concept Crystal Spa, Salon and Fitness Center
• Fitness Center with cardiovascular exercise equipment and personal fitness instruction
• Weight room with free weights, weight machines
• Exercise studio for high and low impact classes, yoga, and Pilates with Pilates Reformer®, as well as personal training
• Treatment rooms
• Relaxation area
• Salon for hair styling, manicures and pedicures
• Dry sauna and steam room
• Full exterior 360 degree Promenade Deck for walking and jogging
• Sports deck with a golf driving range and putting green, featuring Taylormade golf equipment, a shuffleboard court, and table tennis
• Two full-size paddle tennis courts
• Seahorse Pool, an outdoor lap pool, flanked by two outdoor Jacuzzis®
• Neptune Pool, a second indoor/outdoor pool covered by a retractable roof

ENTERTAINMENT:

• Lavish Broadway-style production shows
• The Creative Learning Institute, an extensive lecture and seminar program
• Featured artists such as Tony® award-winners and classical Julliard graduates
• Full orchestra in the Galaxy Lounge, a six-piece dance band, and a strolling trio
• Complimentary dance classes
• A harpist and/or cocktail pianist
• Ballroom and disco dance lounges
• Talented Crystal Ensemble of singers and dancers
• An Ambassador Host Program for dancing partners
• Cabaret/variety acts
• Bridge instructors

SHIP SERVICES:

• 24-hour Front Desk service
• 24-hour e-mail and Internet services
• 24-hour medical center
• Complete laundry, dry-cleaning and valet services
• Beauty services for men and women
• A StarSound Infrared Hearing System available in the Hollywood Theatre
• Telefax and secretarial services available upon request
• Complete photographic services including one-hour processing and camera and video recorder rentals
• Satellite telephone services
• Wi-Fi Service
• Cellular phone service
• European-trained concierges
• Air-conditioned tenders with toilets
• Two private group hospitality suites
• Complimentary safety deposit boxes
• Complimentary self-service launderettes
• Onboard sales consultant for future cruise sales
• Interdenominational religious services