The Crystal Symphony is a popular floating resort. The waters are crowded with sea-worthy vessels, so to make planning easier, we've done all the prep work for a cruise vacation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on cruise ships, here is a tip sheet offering all the key information one could ever need to know about the Crystal Symphony.
Destination
The
travels to a wide range of locales throughout the year. Most cruises last seven to 10 days, with some occasionally approaching three weeks. Tour itineraries include both coasts of the United States, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, South America, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and Australia.
Elegant Ship
The Crystal Symphony has undergone three major multimillion-dollar renovations, most recently in 2009, according to the Crystal website. The Crystal Symphony is a 781-foot-long, 99-foot-wide cruise liner, with a passenger capacity of 922.
Special Features
The Crystal Symphony does not have many high-tech or unique features, but it boasts many of the amenities that cruise passengers have come to expect. The Crystal Symphony has a swimming pool, a fitness studio, a cinema, a casino, theaters, a putting green and driving net, and several hot tubs. Perhaps most notable is the ship's Creative Learning Institute, where many classes and lectures are held to add cultural and educational enrichment to the cruise experience.
Accommodations
The Crystal Symphony is quite unusual for a cruise ship of its size, in that it has no interior cabins -- meaning all passengers enjoy a
. All cabins feature queen beds, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, refrigerators and Aveda toiletries. There are many cabins with verandas, and there are three levels of suite options available, including the top-level Crystal Penthouses, which feature butler service, free bottles of liquor, walk-in closets and more luxury amenities.
Cost
Because of the great variety in cruise length and cabin options, prices vary a great deal on the
. Per-person rates for average rooms range from $2,500 to more than $15,000, with special prices and options available for unusual cruises such as the Asian Pacifc adventure. Deals are regularly available on the company's website. Expect to pay more for gratuities, meals and various additional amenities. Brochure fare for the most expensive suites can exceed $26,000 a person.
Excursion
One great excursion that can be comfortably undertaken from the Crystal Symphony is to the German port city of Warnemunde, according to
at CruiseCritic.com. This small coastal community is a popular weekend destination for Germans and features authentic German beers, sauerkraut and sausage. It is a comfortable walk from the ship's dock into town.
Dining Experience
According to
, passengers on the Crystal Symphony must select a special option called Perfect Choice dining in order to enjoy open seating during dinner. Otherwise, passengers are assigned specific meal times and table mates for dinner. The Crystal Symphony's most prominent dining area is the Restaurant, which offers quality service and a variety of cuisines, with dinners largely made up of various European fare. There are two major alternative restaurants, Silk Road, which features Asian fusion cuisine, and Prego, for Italian fare. Additional dining options include a buffet, a casual outdoor eatery called Trident Bar & Grill and the Bistro for pastries, coffee and breakfast. There also is 24-hour room service.
Maiden Voyage
The Crystal Symphony made its maiden voyage from April 29 to May 20, 1995, sailing from New York to Los Angeles, according to
. The Crystal Symphony was commissioned to be a cruise ship and has always been owned by Crystal Cruises.
In The News
Our research revealed no notable news stories or safety concerns regarding the Crystal Symphony.
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In this official video, take a tour of the Crystal Symphony's cabins, public spaces, casino, restaurants and more.
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