Crystal Cruises

Dining Options

Dining is one area where Crystal Cruises is truly a cut above the rest. They put a strong emphasis on a gourmet dining experience, with only the freshest ingredients sourced from the regions you pass through. Award-winning cuisine starts in the Crystal Dining Room, which offers your choice of a Modern or Classic Menu for dinner. The Modern menu showcases the latest techniques in molecular gastronomy, for a truly show-stopping experience! Open seating is available aboard Crystal ships in most dining venues—it allows guests to dine at their leisure for breakfast, lunch and dinner at a restaurant of their choice. With the exception of speciality restaurants Prego, Umi Uma and the Vintage Room aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony (where reservations are required), all guests may enjoy dinner at any time they choose from 6 pm until closing at 9:30 pm (opening times subject to change). What’s on the menu? For breakfast, you might find freshly baked pastries and made-to-order omelettes, while lunch brings a range of fresh fish, salads, soups and pasta dishes.

• Speciality Dining

Crystal has been partnered with Master Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, (who you may recognise as simply ‘Nobu’), since 2003. He’s been bringing his innovative take on Japanese cuisine to the onsite speciality dining outlets like the Sushi Bar and Silk Road for years. Silk Road offers a delightful fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, with signature dishes like Miso Black Cod. The Sushi Bar is a feast for the senses, offering an impeccably fresh dining experience. Additional speciality options include the upscale Italian charm of Prego and the relaxed atmosphere of the Lido Café. Visit The Bistro for cheese plates and charcuterie throughout the day, or Trident Bar & Grill for pizzas, wraps and burgers. And a luxury cruise experience wouldn’t be complete without a proper afternoon tea service!

Drinks Packages

Like many luxury cruise lines, Crystal offers an all-inclusive experience. There’s no need to purchase a separate drinks package as fares include beverages including non-alcoholic options as well as fine wines and premium spirits.

Entertainment

Despite its midsized ships, Crystal Cruises excels in providing a mega-ship entertainment experience. You’ll be dazzled by a selection of West End and Broadway productions, karaoke nights, cabaret shows, and dance clubs. The Crystal Experience includes a range of bars and lounges to visit in the evenings, ranging from the cocktail and piano bar of Avenue Saloon to the glittering Swarovski crystals of the Starlite Club.

• Dance Clubs

Do you love to dance the night away? You’ll have options here in both the high-energy club tunes of Pulse and the after-dinner glamour of Stardust. Palm Court is another popular venue, hosting Afternoon Tea as well as a full programme of lectures, classical music concerts and on deck parties. The Ambassador Hosts programme ensures you’ll always have an accomplished partner even when travelling alone.

• Theatrical Productions

Visit the Galaxy Lounge and Showroom to enjoy Crystal’s exciting Broadway-style productions. The venue includes a hydraulic-rising stage so you’ll get a good view from anywhere in the room. See talented entertainers and sophisticated sets in this opulent theatre. If you prefer a cinema experience, visit the Hollywood Theatre to enjoy the latest blockbusters with a Dolby surround sound system.

Activities and Amenities

There’s a bevy of high-end facilities to make your stay more dynamic including plenty of swimming pools and a high-tech fitness centre. Play a round of bridge, visit the library, or work on your golf swing! Visit the Crystal Spa and Salon to enjoy exclusive, rejuvenating treatments like massages and aroma stone therapies along with a full treatment menu of skin-tightening facials and wraps.

Do you wish to improve yourself at sea? The Creative Learning Institute offers a range of enrichment classes including Tai Chi, foreign languages, fine art and wine tasting to fill your days with newfound knowledge. The unique Computer University at Sea helps you transform your digital photos and videos into high-quality blogs, documentaries or personalised movies with the help of expert instructors and big-screen Apple computers.

• Family-Friendly Luxury

One aspect that sets Crystal Cruises apart from its competitors is that it includes a kids’ club, a rarity in luxury cruising. This means that the whole family can enjoy a fabulous experience. The Junior Activities programme offers supervised activities, with games, crafts, video game consoles and personal computers on hand. Children can take part in everything from cookie baking to pyjama parties on board to keep them active and engaged.

Service Charges

Gratuities are included in this all-inclusive cruising experience, including tips for all housekeeping, bar and dining staff. However, an 18% gratuity is recommended for any Crystal Spa & Salon services, which is not included in the primary package price. This will be added to your bill automatically.

Dress Code

Expect a sophisticated yet relaxed ambience onboard a Crystal Cruise ship. For daytime adventures, opt for comfortable resort clothing and sturdy walking shoes for days in port. Swimsuits, baseball hats and cut-off shorts aren’t allowed in dining areas at any time of day. In the evenings, you have several options to choose from. It’s best to check the daily calendar to see which events are on for guidance.

The ‘Crystal Casual’ dress code is a basic smart casual option, consisting of smart trousers and collared shirts for men and nice dresses or separates for women. Black Tie Optional events give you the change to dress up a bit more, with the cruise line recommending a formal cocktail dress or evening gown for women and a dark suit or tuxedo for men.