Overall Score
| BERLITZ'S RATING |
| |
Possible |
Achieved |
| |
| Ship |
500 |
430 |
| Accommodation |
200 |
163 |
| Food |
400 |
340 |
| Service |
400 |
342 |
| Entertainment |
100 |
84 |
| Cruise |
400 |
342 |
| |
Crystal Symphony is a contemporary ship with a nicely raked clipper bow and well-balanced lines. While some might not like the “apartment block” look of its exterior, it is the contemporary, “in” look, balconies having become standard aboard almost all new cruise ships. This ship has an excellent amount of open deck, sunbathing space, and sports facilities. The aft of two outdoor swimming pools can be covered by a magrodome in inclement weather. There is no sense of crowding anywhere – a fine example of comfort by design (form follows function) and high-quality construction. The ship combines large ship facilities with the intimacy of rooms found aboard many small vessels. There is a wide wrap-around teakwood deck for walking, uncluttered by lounge chairs.
The interior decor is restful, with color combinations that don’t jar the senses. It has a good mixture of public entertainment lounges and small intimate rooms. Outstanding is the Palm Court, an observation lounge with forward-facing views over the ship’s bows – it is tranquil, and one of the nicest rooms afloat (it is larger than aboard the sister ship).
There is an excellent book, video and CD-ROM library (combined with a Business Center). The theater has high-definition video projection and headsets for the hearing-impaired. Useful self-service launderettes are provided on each deck. Fine-quality fabrics and soft furnishings, china, flatware and silver are used. Excellent in-cabin television programming (including CNN) is transmitted, as well as close-captioned videos for the use of the hearing-impaired.
In 1999, a “Connoisseurs Club” was added, adjacent to the Avenue Saloon. Features in this intimate room include fine premium brands of liquor and cigars for those who can appreciate (and pay for) such things. Also added was a Computer Learning Center, with more than 20 computer stations. Private lessons are available (although they are expensive).
This ship has just about everything for the discerning, seasoned traveler who wants and is prepared to pay good money for fine style, abundant space and the comfort and the facilities of a large vessel capable of extended voyages, including an excellent program of guest lecturers.
The one thing that lets the product down is the fact that the dining room operation is in two seatings (however, having said that, there are many older passengers who want to eat early, while the line’s younger passengers prefer to dine later, so there is some semblance of balance).
Crystal Cruises takes care of its ships, and its staff, and it is the staff that make the cruise experience special. They are a well-trained group that stress hospitality at all times. The ship achieves a high rating because of its fine facilities, service and crew. It is the extra attention to detail that really counts. The passenger mix is approximately 85 percent North American (typically half will be from California) and 15% other nationalities.
This is announcement-free cruising in a well-tuned, very professionally run, service oriented, ship, the approximate equivalent of a Four Seasons hotel. However, note that the score has gone downwards a little recently, the result of the fact that, in comparison to other ships available in the discounted marketplace, this is still a two-seating ship, which makes it more highly structured in terms of timing than it really should be. All bottled water and (non-alcoholic) soft drinks are included in the cost of your cruise (this feature was introduced with the debut of Crystal Serenity, but has now been applied fleet-wide). The onboard currency is the US dollar, and gratuities are at your discretion (15% is added to bar accounts, however).
In 2007, Crystal Symphony was given a $23 million refurbishment that included making the ship’s main entertainment deck more contemporary. All suites/cabins received flat-screen televisions, new Murano bedside table lamps and Rubelli fabrics, and oval glass washbasins set in granite surrounds were introduced, together with a raft of other behind-the-scenes items that have helped bring the ship right up to date.
Your evenings will be necessarily rather structured due to the fact that there are two seatings for dinner (unless you eat in one of the alternative dining spots), and two shows (the showlounge cannot seat all passengers at once). This detracts from the otherwise luxurious setting of the ship and the fine professionalism of its staff. Many passengers feel that gratuities should really be included on a ship that is rated this highly (they can, however, be pre-paid).
Plastic patio furniture on suite and cabin balconies would be better replaced with the more elegant teak variety, to go with the teak decking.
Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008
