Major redesigns are on their way to Crystal Cruises' classic ocean ships: the luxury Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
Beyond the brand's sizeable expansion in other travel markets, the refurbishments slated for 2017 and 2018 are being dubbed by the line as the "Evolution of Crystal Luxury."
New accommodations, dining options, technologies and decor updates will bring consistency across the two ships.
"Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are the foundation of Crystal and continue to embody the cornerstones of the celebrated Crystal Experience," said Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez, in a press release.
"These ships have earned us not only acclaim from the world's most eminent entities and publications for more than two decades, but more importantly, the loyalty of the world's most discerning travelers and travel partners. We are committed to continuing their reign as the most luxurious ships at sea by investing in changes and updates that will far exceed our guests' wishes."
Accommodations
Both the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are set to receive additional Penthouses and Penthouse Suites, while the Symphony will get two new categories all to its own: Seabreeze Penthouse Suite with Verandah and Seabreeze Penthouse with Verandah (previewed in the slideshow below).
On titular Deck 9, Seabreeze, the 12 new Penthouse Suites will match other existing ones sized at 491 sq. ft., with the 28 new Penthouses with Verandah similarly measuring at 367 sq. ft.
On Serenity, 36 additional Penthouses will be sized consistently with those existing at 403 sq. ft., and two additional Penthouse Suites will match the current ones also at 538 sq. ft. Penthouse guests will now receive unlimited complimentary dining at specialty restaurants.
The change in accommodations alters the ships' overall capacities and passenger space ratios as well. The Crystal Serenity will reduce to 980 total guests while the Crystal Symphony will drop to 848 passengers, increasing their respective ratios to 70.3 and 60.2.
Dining
Dining is also set to be transformed on both ships.
The Crystal Dining Room will be renamed to Waterside while taking on the decor of the main dining room on Crystal River Cruises' Crystal Mozart. Open seating will also replace traditional dinner assignments and reservations between 6 and 9:30 p.m. at more tables for two and four. Breakfast and lunch will also continue to be served here.
The Lido Café will also take on a new life as Marketplace during the day and Churrascaria in the evening-both with an open kitchen concept for dishes made to order. The casual buffet will remain for breakfast and lunch while Churrascaria will set up shop for casual dinners from 6 to 9 p.m. as an alternative option. Featured at night will be a Caipirinha welcome cocktail, as well as Brazilian-inspired tapas, ceviche, salads and grilled seafood and meats on skewers.
The contemporary Silk is also new to the Trident area, with modern Chinese cuisine served family style at dinner. Self-service breakfast and lunch options will also include dumplings, Chinois salad, a soup and noodle bar and other Asian specialties. The Trident Bar & Grill will continue serving burgers and sandwiches next door.
Meanwhile, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar from Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will be rebranded as Umi Uma (the Japanese word for Crystal's seahorses). The venue remains as the only Nobu restaurant at sea with cuisine prepared by his personally trained chefs. All non-Penthouse guests receive one specialty dinner (Umi Uma and Prego), and reservations thereafter are available for a surcharge.
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Technologies
By the end of Crystal Symphony's dry-dock refurbishment in November 2017, all Crystal guests on any Crystal vessel will be granted unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi. Allowing the service are investments in hardware and software for doubled satellite speed and improved internet connectivity.
Crystal Connect is a new guest portal on the internet landing page for accessing daily menus, activities, shore excursions, port maps, international newspapers, movies, lectures and more. It will also be available for mobile devices. Even the University@Sea classrooms will be enhanced.
New 42-inch, interactive flat-panel televisions in every stateroom as well as in public areas allow viewing folios, Crystal Spa & Salon, Connoisseur Wine Selection and dining menus. They will also enable guests to make onboard reservations, book shore excursions and order room service. Movies and TV shows will additionally be accessible.
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Decor Updates
Rounding out the shipboard improvements is a redesign to Crystal Serenity's Palm Court observation lounge with more intimate seating. Crystal Symphony's Starlite Club for dancing and cocktails will get an overhaul as well.
As scheduled, Crystal Symphony will go into dry-dock between September 19 and October 21, 2017; Crystal Serenity will be in between October 14 and November 10, 2018.
Rodriguez added, "Throughout this tremendous expansion, our commitment to setting an unprecedented standard of luxury travel experiences is unwavering. We will continue to place the quality of our guests' experience above all other priorities, and our exquisitely designed vessels are integral to that experience."
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