Luxury Crystal Cruises » chicluxurycruises.com - http://www.chicluxurycruises.com/info

Crystal Cruise Lines is a Japanese owned luxury cruise company which is part of a larger shipping company called Nippon Yusen. Crystal Cruise Lines has been in operation since 1986. For in depth look at what cruising on Crystal Cruise Lines is like, check out the latest Crystal Symphony cruise review on the Captain’s Blog.

Why Crystal Cruises

For 17 years in a row, Crystal Cruises has been voted the “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. That is a record unmatched by any other luxury cruise line. As a further testimony to the standing of this luxury cruise line, consider the fact that Crystal Cruises has won this prestigious award not only more than any other cruise line has, it has also more than any hotel or resort. The cruise lines’ staff, from the Captain on the deck down to the staff that check you in and out at each shore stop, are above excellent and always professional. ChicLuxuryCruises considers for an over all cruise experience, Crystal Cruises deserves every accolade it has received.

Crystal Cruises Includes

See: A Guide to All-Inclusive Luxury Cruise Lines

Free Air and transfers: Free air is included in the base price for stateroom categories E through A (Crystal Symphony) & AA(Crystal Serenity). In many cases in categories PH and above, free business class air is included. If one elects not to take the Crystal air with the cruise, a reasonable air credit is given. Limited Gateways, ask for details.
Pre-cruise hotel packages and transfers: Crystal Cruise lines has an extensive selection of hotel packages, touring and sightseeing programs available in conjunction with majority of their cruise departures. These land programs are designed to complement your cruise experience and enhance your travel convince. ChicLuxuryCruises also can augment or offer a more extensive alternative to the Crystal Cruise land programs with our own VIP destination management specialists.
Gratuities: All Crystal Cruises purchased through ChicLuxuryCruises include pre-paid gratuities, unless otherwise noted. Crystal cruise lines current ship board policy strongly encourages a gratuity be paid to the room steward, both dinner service waiters. ChicLuxuryCruises includes these tips in any cruise purchased from us. Gratuities are added to your bill on Crystal for specialty restaurants such as the Silk Road and Prego. Lounge and extraordinary beverage services are also tipped. Starting in the Spring of 2012 Crystal Cruise Lines will become a fully all-inclusive luxury cruise line.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic beverages are for the most part free on Crystal Cruise lines. Items like coffees, teas, and soft drinks are free. Beginning in the spring of 2012, alcoholic beverages will be included as Crystal Cruise Lines becomes an all inclusive luxury cruise line. At that time they will have the same on board ship policies currently in use by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea and Seabourn Cruise Lines.
In-suite mini-bar: Crystal Cruise Lines has a fully stocked mini bar. However, prior to the Spring of 2012, the bar will be stocked only with bottled water and soft drinks on a free of charge basis.
Specialty restaurants: Crystal Cruise Lines has six restaurants. Prego is an Italian restaurant specializing in menu’s created by Piero Selvaggio. The Silk Road, created by the famous master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, features Asian cuisine and a Sushi Bar to kill for. Crystal Cruises also has a buffet restaurant called the Lido that surpasses any buffet on the high seas for quality and believe it or not presentation. The main dining room is called rather non-creatively, the Crystal Dining room. The food is exceptional, the service competes with the food for top billing. There are two pool area grills with set menus that seldom change, but that can be a good thing. Their hot dog and hamburgers are top quality. But everyone’s favorites are the french fries and sweet potato fries. An ice cream kiosk services quality ice cream on crisp cones or waxed cups. Because of the extensive collection of toppings, the cups are the most popular. ChicLuxuryCruises recommends you spend all your leisure time at Crystal cruise’s post city visit wind down room called the Bistro. The service it top notch, the coffee the best this side of the “star” place.
Room service: Open 24/7 and serving anything on the menu at any of their five restaurants. ChicLuxuryCruises recommends a sunset set up of caviar and vodka.
Private Balconies: Balcony staterooms on Crystal are category “B and above. The category staterooms from B to A (Crystal Symphony) AA (Crystal Serenity) are all the same, just on different floors. The are some interesting exceptions. The staterooms toward the front and the back have slightly bigger balconies, but have an in hull design. This means that the railing is solid in these staterooms while it the others it is a fence style railing.
Sauna/steam rooms: Crystal Cruise Lines spa facilities are excellent. ChicLuxuryCruises’ in house spa critic known with the nom de plume of Pierrette, rates it magnifique. Can you say “La Therapie Hydralift facial”?
Enrichment, lectures and entertainment: Here is grouping of categories where Crystal Cruises is in control. Let’s begin with their University at Sea. This program gives out serious instruction to guests in a myriad of educational venue. Basic software disciplines are offered (mostly MS based). Other courses are in languages, piano, bridge, dancing, art appreciation and gourmet cooking for the culinary cruiser. Guest lectures are always related to the destinations involved. Famous Ambassadors, professors, politicians or sports figures are often aboard. The entertainment is excellent, especially the costumes and choreography.
Cocktails before Dinner or after hours: Every Crystal cruise ship has a plethora of areas for cocktails and dancing. There are numerous lounges and one or two always have a piano bar for entertainment. The Crystal Orchestra plays well into the night for dancers. For smokers there is the Crystal version of the Connoisseur’s Club.
Internet cafe: Crystal Cruise lines has no internet cafe as such, but they do have the most extensive internet access and accommodation on the high seas. WiFi service is available throughout the ship for a fair price if the minutes are purchased in volume.
Library: Crystal Cruises has an excellent library that is well staffed with personnel, books, guides, music, videos, reference materials and periodicals.

Crystal Cruise Ships

Crystal Symphony | Crystal Serenity – The Crystal Serenity has been refurbished.

Crystal Cruises Dining

Crystal Cruises has garnered numerous awards for it’s dining experience, including "Best Food", "Best Onboard Dining Experience", and "Best Service."

The Crystal Dining Room is open for all meals. At dinner, Crystal Cruise passengers have their choice of traditional seating (early or late dining) Open Dining (reservation required). Prego (Italian) and the Silk Road (Asian and Sushi Bar) are available every evening on a reservations only basis. The Lido Buffet and the Tastes Restaurant are open evenings also.

Crystal Cruises Activities

Crystal Cruises: Activities
      •     Art Classes On Board: Crystal Cruises has the only creative art program designed for the luxury cruise passenger.
      •     Bridge: Play Bridge with folks from around the world An ACBL accredited instructor is on every cruise to offer complimentary instruction, and to supervise games.
      •     Dance Lesson: Instruction on a variety of styles is available on all Crystal Cruises.

Crystal Cruises Awards

Crystal Cruises has been named the Worlds Best Cruise Line for 17 years in a row. Both Travel and Leisure and Conde Nast have called them the "Worlds Best" more then any luxury product (luxury cruises, resorts, hotels).

2010: As mentioned Travel and Leisure named them the Worlds Best Large Ship Cruise Line for the 17th year in a row. Conde Nast (UK) named Crystal Cruises the Favorite Large Ship Cruise Line. Conde Nast also placed them on the "Gold List", a consecutive streak starting in 1997. Vacation Agent called them the "Best Luxury Cruise Line". TravelAge West names Crystal Cruises the "Cruise Line with Highest Client Satisfaction" for the fourth year running. Sterns Guide to the Cruise Vacation gives them 6+stars, which they have done every year since 1998.
2009: Conde Nast Traveler named Crystal Cruise the "Best Large Ship Cruise Line" for the thirteenth time since 1996. Travel Weekly says "Best in Luxury Cruise Lines ". Recommend recommends them "Best Luxury Cruise Line" again, continuing a streak starting in 1996. Luxury Travel Adviser calls Crystal Cruises the " Best Luxury Line for Luxury Ocean Cruises" for the second year in a row. Conde Nast (Spain) calls them the "World’s Best International Cruise Line". TravelAge West Gives them the "Editors Pick" for" Best Overall Dining", an honor bestowed upon them in 2007 as well. Porthole magazine gives them an "Editor-in-Chief" award for "Best Onboard Dining Experience ". Cruise Critic gave Crystal Cruises an Editors Pick for Best Luxury Service.
2008: Porthole magazine awards them the "Editor-in-Chief" award for "Best Onboard Educational Program ". Global Travel says "Best Cruise Line".
2007: Conde Nast awards them with "Best Cruise Line Spa".
2006: Cruise Magazine (UK) awards them with " Best Shore Excursions".

2005: Porthole magazine awards Crystal Cruise the "Editor-in-Chief" award for "Best Luxury Line". Travel Agent awarded President Gregg Michel the Leader in Luxury award.

Crystal Cruises Misc.

Crystal Cruises is the first luxury cruise line to publish their entire cruise atlas in Spanish. Crystal Cruises 2012 Spanish Atlas
In the Spring of 2012, Crystal Cruise lines will become an all inclusive cruise line which means tipping will be unnecessary and all beverages will be included in the price. All Inclusive Crystal Cruises
Almost all Crystal Cruise sailings are part of the "Family Memories Program", making Crystal Cruises ideal for a family cruise vacation.

Crystal Cruises