Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Entertainment	100	84
Cruise	400	342
Ship	500	431
Accommodation	200	165
Food	400	341
Service	400	339

How this score is created

Crystal Serenity is the latest (slightly larger but still mid-size) close sister ship to the company’s first ship, the former Crystal Harmony (now Asuka II) and to Crystal Symphony. This ship carries forward the same look, and profile. Crystal Serenity is a contemporary ship with a nicely raked clipper bow and well-balanced lines. While some might not like the “apartment block” look of the ship’s exterior, it is the contemporary, “in” look, with balconies having become important standard features aboard almost all new cruise ships built today.

The latest in podded propulsion is provided. Electrical power is provided by the latest generation of environmentally friendly diesel engines.

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 (retractable glass dome) in poor weather. There is no sense of crowding in this superb example of comfort by design, high-quality construction and engineering. There is also a wide wrap-around teakwood deck for walking, pleasingly uncluttered by sunloungers.

With the exception of a gray, clinical photo gallery passageway, the decor in most areas is warm, inviting and contemporary. There is much use of rich wood paneling and detailing. The main lobby houses the reception desk (staffed 24 hours a day), concierge and shore excursion desks, and a lounge/bar (Crystal Cove) with baby grand piano. However, there are no passenger cabins forward of the lobby (they have instead become accommodation for officers and staff, a more sensible arrangement since this area really is considered to be “back of house”).

Some of the most elegant public rooms include Palm Court (evoking images of Colonial-style grand hotel lounges); the Avenue Saloon (a favorite watering hole of the late-night crowd and a throwback to the gentlemen’s clubs of yesteryear); the Connoisseur Club (for cigar and cognac enthusiasts); and the Stardust Club (cabaret entertainment lounge). Other new additions include a dedicated room for viewing art for auction, computer-learning center (24 terminals), an internet center, and Vintage Room (private dining room where 12 invited diners can enjoy exclusive vintage wines from around the world in special wine-tasting dinners).

The casino is centrally located, with no outside views to distract passengers who are intent on gaming. Instead, the location is adjacent to lifeboats on both sides (in this arrangement, the lifeboats do not obstruct either cabins or public rooms).

This ship has just about everything for the discerning, seasoned traveler who is prepared to pay for fine style, abundant space and the comfort and the facilities of a large vessel, 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, many older passengers do want to eat early, while the line’s younger passengers prefer to dine later, so there is some balance).

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).

The ship achieves a high rating because of its fine facilities, service and crew. It is the extra attention to detail that makes a cruise with this ship so special. The passenger mix is usually 85% North American (half from California) and 15% other nationalities. The ship should provide you with announcement-free cruising in a well-tuned, very professionally run, service-oriented ship, roughly the equivalent of a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton hotel. All bottled water and (non-alcoholic) soft drinks are included in the price. The onboard currency is the US dollar, and gratuities are at your discretion (15% is added to bar accounts, however).

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008