Crystal chose the name because of the definition -- Serenity (se•ren•i•ty; n). Webster’s defines it as "the state or quality of being serene; peaceful." The luxury line believes this new ship will fit its new name. "The name and the ship speak to what people desire now more than ever -- a soothing, yet rejuvenating travel experience," says Gregg L. Michel, president, Crystal Cruises. "Crystal Serenity will expand on the best of Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony with innovations that will complement the brand consistency valued by our guests and travel agents."
At 1,080 guests and 68,000 tons, Crystal Serenity will reflect the fusion of the talents of the world’s largest shipping line and Crystal Cruises’ parent company, NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), with one of the world’s finest luxury cruise lines. Leading the ship’s design is esteemed naval architect Robert Tillberg of Tillberg Design, supported by a team of world-leading designers.
Constructed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, Crystal Serenity hopes to be a floating sanctuary of pampering with state-of-the-art amenities. Crystal Serenity boasts an even greater space-per-guest ratio than her sister ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, two of the most spacious ships afloat.
PERSONAL ACCOMMODATIONS
The accommodations aboard Crystal Serenity, 548 in all, reflect more size and choice with 85% of all outside staterooms and suites offering private verandahs. On a deck and a half, 100 Penthouse accommodations (56% more than sister ship Crystal Symphony) include four, 1,345 square-foot Crystal Penthouses, at least 37% larger than those in the existing fleet (and two more than Crystal Symphony). The new ship also offers nearly double the number of Penthouse Suites (32 vs. 18 on Crystal Symphony), and more Penthouses (64 vs. 44 on Crystal Symphony). In addition, Crystal Serenity boasts a completely new category of penthouse accommodations, the Penthouse stateroom with verandah, which increases butler service by 300% over sister ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony.
In keeping with Crystal’s successful approach of offering a range of luxury accommodations, there are 366 outside staterooms with verandahs, 80 outside staterooms with large picture windows, and eight specially designed wheelchair accessible staterooms and penthouses in a range of accommodation levels.
DINING
While Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony have two alternative specialty restaurants, Crystal Serenity has three: an Italian restaurant Prego, reminiscent of northern Italy and offering a seasonally-changing “Valentino at Prego” menu alongside its own, featuring the cuisine and wine offerings of the revered Los Angeles Valentino restaurant; Silk Road, an elegant pan-Asian restaurant, and for the first time, The Sushi Bar exclusively features menu selections by the famed Nobu Matsuhisa. There are a total of five evening dining venues, including the main Crystal Dining Room and an indoor/outdoor poolside area for casual evening dining.
Crystal also retained its popular daytime dining venues on the new ship, with some new additions. Tastes, a new permanent hot food counter aft of the ships’ second pool offers international fare throughout the day, as well as service themed luncheon buffets and casual evening dining. Also, the line features stylish versions of The Bistro, the popular European-inspired coffee and wine bar, for morning and afternoon snacks, the country-club style Lido Café for breakfast and lunch, the Trident Bar & Grill for casual poolside lunches throughout the afternoon, and Scoops Ice Cream Bar, in addition to 24-hour complimentary room service.
SPA, SPORTS AND FITNESS
At more than 8,200 square feet, the sybaritic Crystal Spa, designed according to the principles of Feng Shui, is 60% larger than the Spas aboard Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, with more treatment rooms, a larger Fitness Center and separate Weights Room and Aerobics Studio for high and low impact classes, including complimentary yoga and Pilates instruction. Due to the popularity of the Wimbledon Court on Crystal’s fleet, the line added a second paddle tennis court on Crystal Serenity.
