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Reviewed By: HINCKS, BROADWAY on 10th Jan 2008
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| Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Crystal Symphony |
Sailed:
April,
2006 |
| Destination:
South America
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Age: 65+ |
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Celebrating one of those special birthdays and on the recommendation of a crusing friend we counted our savings and my wife and I booked an 18 day holiday on the CRYSTAL SYMPHOMY last April. To catch one of the two Crystal Ships you are somewhat limited to destination by the time of the year you want to go. We flew out to BUENOS ARIES (over night for a 2 night stay) then sailed northwards ending up in Miami from where we flew home to UK.
The transfers and hotel arrangemenrs were excellent, indicating the care we could expect at Crystal's hands.
We boarded the ship on the third day and immediately were greeted warmly and escorted to our cabin, which was a balcony one with plenty of room for clothes and an above average cabin facilities. Having cruised on large ships from a mumber of lines we noticed the advantages to sailing on a mid-size ship (50,000 tons and only 900 passengers) and we thoroughly recomend it!
Our table consisted of two other English people and a couple from Australia - there should have been two more but they found friends on another table so with out any fuss the maitre'd arranged the change and even found us a smaller round table for us 6. The food was really excellent and one night we all tried out the Italian room which was a great success. There is also a Thai restuarant. I think we paid just 10 dollars gratuity. A very popular facility was a bisto amid ships open all hours and serving a full range of coffees and a delicious fresh buffet food - all completely free of charge. Another appreciated regular was the themed buffet at lunch, often on the deck or otherwise in the atrium. The waiting staff were first rate - none of the begrudging service if you turned up late unlike on some other lines we have cruised on recently! They must be well looked after as they said they would not go back to any other cruise line!
Being English we did not patronise the casino but enjoyed the various bars around the ship at the usual prices. I must mention the after-noon tea in the forward longe which offered amazing delights to the sound of mozart from a three piece string group - often in correct period costume.
One of the much appreciated advantages of this (American run but Japanese owned ship) was the excellent standard of the lecturers who were of a calibre we couldn't believe. One had been chief press officer to George Bush, another was in the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9/11 and yet another was a director of Walt Disney with plenty of Disney extracts to show us. A top cartoonist and many more made for a most entertaining time at sea. My wife likes to walk around the deck (360 degree)wooded walkway supervised by the friendly Spa staff. Pools and equipment were naturally top rate.
As far as excursions go - we enjoyed stops at Montevideo, Rio (rained),
Salvador, Fortaleza and Barbados - the standard and arrangements were usually faultless with refreshmets when needed.
Evening entertainment was top rate, as well, with one of the best song and dance groups I have ever seen. Intrumentalists and vocalists etc kept us entertained in the beautiful (small) theatre.
As you can see we thoroughly enjoyed our first Crystal Cruise and would - like most of those on board who were 'regulars' - wish to return again as soon as finances allow.
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