Crystal Symphony’s Dramatic Redesign

Crystal Cruises has recently been looking forward to the luxury brand’s future in ocean, river and yacht cruising as well as charter flights.

But now the line is retuning to some of its originals too.

The Crystal Symphony—one of the company’s first two cruise ships—was just redesigned to match the updated look of the current lineup.

“The enhancements made on Crystal Symphony provide guests with more choices and flexibility than ever before, whether it’s the ability to dine at their leisure, stay connected to family and friends on shore, or enjoy a variety of new entertainment options onboard,” said Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber, in a press release.

“While we continue to innovate at the forefront of the industry, our focus will always be on the consistent quality and personal attention to detail and service that makes Crystal Cruises the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line.”

My family and I had the pleasure of experiencing Crystal Cruises’ first-ever voyage on its initial Crystal Harmony as a child. We later sailed on the Crystal Symphony during its inaugural season. Just last year, my parents and I even returned aboard the Symphony to sail for its Thanksgiving cruise. At the time, its software was still exceptional and its hardware had been enhanced some, but it was honestly looking a little tired and in need of an update.

I’m happy to now see it arrive.

Areas that then appeared dated have been largely addressed, private accommodations and their cabin corridors included. Fresh Penthouses and Penthouse Suites have been installed. There are 12 new Seabreeze Penthouses with Verandah and 28 new Seabreeze Penthouse Suites with Verandah on Deck 9.

Of course, the overall refinement of the ship’s existing staterooms goes a long way in bridging the gap that previously existed between traditional and modern.

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Also welcome is the full implementation of the line’s open dining concept, now eschewing set seating times. The Crystal Dining Room has made way for Waterside to service guests with greater flexibility in a refreshed setting, complete with more tables for two and four.

The Lido Cafe has become the Marketplace for buffet-service during the day and Churrascaria for full-service at night. However, most transformed is the Trident Grill deck area under the magrodome. It has now been delineated with more dining options, including Silk Kitchen & Bar for Chinese-inspired cuisine.

Previous culinary choices thankfully remain, like grill items and ice cream, and the look still features the great living wall forming portions of the new layout.

Rounding out the culinary changes is the renaming of Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Silk Road and The Sushi Bar to Umi Uma & Sushi Bar—still the only Nobu restaurants at sea.

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Entertainment has additionally been enhanced, beginning with unlimited complimentary ship-wide Wi-Fi, the Crystal Connect guest information portal and interactive on-demand HD television system. Also improved were the Starlite Club and Galaxy Lounge, which newly showcases the “Crystal in Motion” production show, replacing the “welcome aboard” variety.

Next up to receive a similar treatment is the Crystal Serenity in the fall 2018. That will bring the line’s existing two large ocean ships up to par as the brand anticipates the future introduction of additional sister-ships with its signature residences.

Altogether, these enhancements are considered representative of the current and future of the Crystal Cruises brand and are expected to continue through at least the introduction of the Crystal Endeavor—according to the great documentary video below.

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