In what the company calls the “Crystal Luxury Evolution”, during 2017 and 2018, Crystal will embark on a multi-million dollar investment taking the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity to new standards of luxury and innovation.
“Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are the foundation of Crystal and continue to embody the cornerstones of the celebrated Crystal Experience,” says Edie Rodriguez, CEO and President of Crystal. “These ships have earned the loyalty of the most discerning travelers, and we are committed to continuing their reign as the most luxurious ships at sea by investing in changes and upgrades that will far exceed our guests’ desires.” “Throughout this tremendous expansion, our commitment is to set an unprecedented standard in luxury travel experiences. We will continue to place the quality of our guests’ experience above all other priorities, and our exquisitely designed ships are an integral part of that experience.”.
As part of the extensive renovation, some cabins will be converted into new luxury penthouses, featuring new and imaginative dining options, high technology, and updates with modern and elegant decor in the common areas.
Both ships will expand their Penthouse Suites. Crystal Symphony will feature two new accommodation categories: Seabreeze Penthouse Suite with Verandah (12 new suites) and Seabreeze Penthouse with Verandah (28 new suites). These new accommodations will measure 34 m² and 45 m², respectively. On board Crystal Serenity, the 36 additional Penthouse Suites and 2 Penthouse Suites will measure 37 m² and 50 m², respectively. The Penthouse Suites offer guests enhanced all-inclusive services, including butler service and meals from specialty restaurants. The conversion to these new accommodations effectively reduces the ships' guest capacity—Crystal Symphony to 848 and Crystal Serenity to 980—and increases the space-to-guest ratio on board.
The cuisine served on the ships will also undergo a revolution. Even for the renowned Crystal Experience, the elegant restaurants will offer diverse menus of Michelin-starred cuisine, inspired by destinations around the world. The dining room will become Waterside, with tables for two and four guests and a new open seating concept. Silk will offer modern Chinese-inspired dishes, and the Trident Bar & Grill will continue serving grilled options, including burgers and sandwiches. Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, the specialty restaurants of renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, will be renamed Umi Uma and will continue serving Nobu-inspired cuisine, prepared by his personally trained chefs, remaining the only Nobu restaurants at sea.
Following the Crystal Symphony's refurbishment, guests will receive unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi. Crystal's investment in guest technology services will include hardware and software upgrades to enable greater internet connectivity and double the satellite speed. In addition, a new portal – Crystal Connect – will allow guests easy access to the internet, as well as a wealth of onboard information, including daily menus for each restaurant, daytime and evening activities, Crystal Adventures shore excursions, and daily port charts. A selection of international newspapers will also be available for digital viewing, along with a library of blockbuster movies and much more. Crystal Connect will also be available as a mobile app for use on guests' personal devices. All ship suites will feature 42-inch interactive flat-screen TVs, with the ability to make onboard reservations, book shore excursions, and order room service. These new interactive TVs will also showcase the latest Hollywood movies and television series. The Computer University @ Sea lounges will also undergo upgrades and renovations, further enhancing the technology experience and enrichment for guests.
The Crystal Symphony's refurbishment is scheduled for September 19 to October 21, 2017; Crystal Serenity's from October 14 to November 10, 2018.
