Gary Buchanan charts the rebirth of Crystal
Following its inception in 1988, Crystal Cruises was considered a touchstone of excellence by experts and guests alike, who praised the company's uncompromising standards. Amongst the accolades bestowed on the business were: ‘World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line’ for 20 consecutive years by Travel & Leisure; and ‘World’s Best’ by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for a record 23 years.
Fame and fortune turned to downfall and despair when Crystal Cruises became the most notable victim of the pandemic. Having announced it had exhausted all liquidity and refinancing options, its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, shuttered its cruise operations in January 2022.
Six months later, the line's two ocean ships, plus rights to the Crystal Cruises brand, were snapped up at auction by A&K Travel Group Ltd, the pioneering travel enterprise owned by Geoffrey Kent, and private equity firm Heritage Group, chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio of the Italian shipping dynasty. Rising like a phoenix from the chaos of Covid, the elegant ships were relaunched under their new stewardship in the summer of 2023. The brand is now known as Crystal.
The first decision the new management team took was to send both ships to Fincantieri's shipyard in Trieste for major, stem-to-stern modernisations. The work lasted five months and cost $164 million.
Integral to the dynamic vision for both vessels was a reduction in capacity. Crystal Serenity decreased from 980 to 740 guests; Crystal Symphony dropped from 916 to 606 guests. This has resulted in very impressive space-to-guest ratios of 1 to 93.1 and 1 to 84.2, respectively. The number of crew members was unchanged.
The most radical reform to the ships during their makeovers is in the range of accommodation. Decks 8 and 9 were stripped back to bare steel to create 116 new Sapphire Veranda Suites that offer living room and bedroom areas, large bathrooms with a walk-in shower or bath, and double washbasins. Crystal now offers eight categories of accommodation, all of which have ocean views or verandas. Approximately 40 percent of the new suites are Sapphire Veranda Suites, measuring 430 sq. ft. 28 percent are Aquamarine Veranda Suites, spanning 323 sq. ft; the remaining 32 percent of accommodation includes larger 646 sq. ft. Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites and 850 sq. ft. Crystal Penthouse Suites. There's also oceanview, double and single guest rooms covering 215 sq. ft.
The new palette features neutral tones with subtle hues of pastel colours and shades of grey and beige. High-quality linens are from a custom-made collection of bedding from Jesurum 1870. For more than 150 years, this renowned manufacturer has woven exclusive linens for grand villas, mega yachts and royal families. Crystal is the first in the cruise industry to collaborate and work exclusively with this Italian brand. Amenities are by Ortigia, a Sicilian artisanal company whose soaps, bath and shower gels exude scents of spring wildflowers. Every suite is in the care of a butler, who is neither too intrusive nor obsequious.
With a reputation that was the envy of its competitors, the former iteration of the ships never short-changed on epicurean excellence. Today, that culinary distinction has been skilfully elevated. With its cosy ambiance and plenty of tables for two and four, the Waterside Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and open-seating dinner. Modern cuisine is prepared in a contemporary, delicate, collated way. An example from this menu is Broiled Fresh Cold Water Lobster with Green Asparagus and Leek Truffle Risotto and Lobster Emulsion. There's also a Crystal Classic menu showcasing dishes including top picks like Dover Sole, Coq au Vin, Wiener Schnitzel and Beef Tenderloin. Championing the vogue for eating fewer animal products, there's also a noteworthy array of vegetarian and vegan options.
Tastes is a cool and casual eatery with dramatic lighting that showcases a living wall, trees and decorative screens. Regionally inspired tapas-style cuisine is a crowd-pleaser, especially dishes such as Chinois Chicken Salad, and California Street Tacos Blackened Swordfish and Pico de Gallo. Marketplace is a sophisticated buffet-style restaurant featuring a dizzying array of hot and cold choices at breakfast and lunch. An open kitchen prepares made-to-order egg dishes as well as al dente pasta at lunchtime. With its sassy new styling, the Bistro has a more European vibe and offers cold collations and snacks throughout the day. The Trident Grill, close to the Seahorse Pool, serves burgers, hot dogs, melts and salads throughout the day. Scoops Ice Cream Bar dispenses Ben & Jerry's classic flavours. There is also 24-hour in-suite dining.
Revelling in an updated, elegant setting, is the only Nobu restaurant at sea. Umi Uma serves specialities of Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, created by his personally-trained team of chefs. The impeccable Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine features dishes such as Lobster Tempura with Amazu Ponzu, Black Cod marinated in Saikyo Miso with Baby Peach and Young Ginger, as well as Wagyu Beef Fillet Steak. The popular Sushi Bar serves Yellow Tail or Salmon Tartar with Caviar, Nobu-style White Fish, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, and Tuna Tataki with Cilantro Sauce.
The brand-new Osteria d’Ovidio offers a modern twist on traditional, top-quality regional Italian cooking. This sublime locale, with its cool grey-blue design, acknowledges Crystal's collaboration with Stefano Di Gennaro, who conceived and underpins the menu. As head chef at Quintessenza in Puglia, he has held a Michelin star since 2016. Crystal guests can delight in stellar choices, including Hand-Chopped Fassona Piemontese Beef Tartare, Potato Gnocchi with Porcini Mushroom Ragout, Salt Baked Sea Bass with Tarragon Sauce, rounded off with Coffee Foam, Hazelnut Ice Cream, and Salted Caramel.
Curtain-raisers in the Galaxy Lounge, featuring the Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers, are some of the best choreographed and most lavishly costumed entertainment at sea. There’s the ‘Icons in Concert’ production show, plus a Broadway-style revue called ‘Crystal on Broadway, The Show’ which features songs from hit musicals including 'Something Rotten!'; 'West Side Story'; and 'Rent'. There’s also the Starlight Lounge for comedians and cabaret. On formal nights during longer cruises, this turns into a casual dining venue where the aura is reminiscent of the Rat Pack era. There are also recently released movies shown in the Hollywood Theatre. The Casino was removed from both ships during the significant refit, but is due to return in a new guise in the not-too-distant future.
The Crystal Cove at the base of the ship's atrium is the place to see and be seen when pre-dinner drinks attract an elegant crowd who enjoy the melodies from the accomplished duo of pianist and violinist. The Palm Court is another watering hole of choice at cocktail hour, especially when the ship is manoeuvring out of port. The club-like vibe of the Avenue Saloon is a magnet for after-dinner drinks, accompanied by a pianist who plays a repertoire of crowd-pleasers. The sublime Connoisseur Club, with its colonial-style décor, is the hot ticket for after-dinner banter, quaffing a single malt or fine cognac digestif and a Monte Cristo cigar.
Pampering therapies are the order of the day in the Auröra Spa. Treatments include a gamut of well-being panaceas, from standard deep tissue massages to couples experiences, wraps, scrubs and facials. There are also cosmetic medi-spa services administered by a licensed physician, plus a top-notch Beauty Salon. The Technogym fitness centre is supervised by a full-time instructor who is available for personalised sessions for toning and atonement for any excessive indulgence.
The Seahorse Pool is one of the largest at sea and is surrounded by ‘pod beds’ and padded sun-loungers; there are also two Jacuzzis. A throwback to the glory days of cruising is the wide teak Promenade Deck that wraps around the ship.
As I discovered during my cruise on board Crystal Serenity in July, the line's ships are back and even more sumptuous than before. They are ushering in a new gilded era of all-inclusive cruising, one that's at the same time all-new and a tad nostalgic. Recent reports from guests on board the redesigned ships talk about them being “akin to a comfort blanket, where you know everything is going to be exceptional, and you'll be looked after by the best crew in the business”.
It speaks volumes that over 80 percent of the crew who were employed when the former company ceased trading took the first opportunity to reapply and are once again providing levels of service that were revered industry-wide.
During the short voyage, Cristina Levis, CEO of the A&K Travel Group, spoke to Panache Cruises to share her thoughts on the new incarnation of this venerable brand. “As we welcome guests back to Crystal, we are delighted to unveil a look and feel that blends the best of its renowned past with a new vision fit for a bright future. Fresh colours, unique textures, and first-class tangible elements create an ambiance that evokes timeless moments of leisure and will leave guests with memories that will last a lifetime."
It can only be a matter of time before accolades are once again bestowed on Crystal, the cruise line that's 'exceptional at sea'.
Call Panache Cruises on 0161 513 8200 if you want to learn more about cruising with Crystal.
