I recently had the pleasure of embarking upon a three-night voyage from Barcelona to Sète on board Crystal Serenity. I had the most incredible time and was eager to share my experience on what you can expect on board this stunning ship, from service and suites to dining and entertainment.
A: Boarding Crystal Serenity was incredibly smooth, and the crew were so friendly from the moment we stepped on board.
A: Crystal Serenity is stunning; she’s much larger than many other ultra-luxury ships, and offers an abundance of open space to relax in. The decor exudes elegance and class throughout the ship; the public spaces have been re-designed, removing the dark wood so they’re much lighter, particularly the atrium area, which is just breathtaking.
A: We stayed in one of Crystal’s newly renovated Sapphire Veranda Suites, which was impressively spacious. As you walk in, the suite has a beautiful walk-in wardrobe to the side, with a stunning living area, separated from the bedroom which I loved. You can access the bathroom from both the living room and the bedroom, which was handy! The Veranda runs the full length of the suite, with sliding doors from both the living area and the bedroom.
Yes, you enjoy butler service with every suite on Crystal Cruises. I had a fabulous butler called Denis who was fantastic. He checked on my special requests and explained the complimentary laundry, including pressing and dry cleaning (two-day service).
You’re never short of refreshments on a Crystal cruise. He delivered daily canapés and ensured the champagne was always re-stocked and chilled. The mini bar will also be stocked/re-stocked to your preference throughout your cruise.
A: The evening entertainment was superb - we had so much fun. I don’t tend to be one for shows usually, but they were excellent!
A real benefit of Crystal having larger ships is the wider choice of entertainment. I personally think they have the best entertainment out of all the ultra-luxury cruise lines. You still have the Broadway productions in the Galaxy Lounge but also a wide variety of lounges and alternative venues, like the onboard nightclub with music, dancing and karaoke.
A: One of my favourite venues was the Avenue Saloon, Crystal’s signature piano bar. I had seen the pianist before on another cruise line and he is very talented. He takes requests, has everyone singing along whilst singing and playing the guitar, and even does the odd magic trick in between sets - it was a great atmosphere.
A: The food onboard was exceptional! It is the best food I’ve ever had on a cruise. The range is fantastic, with eight restaurants, plus Scoops Gelato Bar and 24-hour in-suite dining. There are so many dining options when you sail with Crystal, but Umi Uma (the only Nobu at sea) is an absolute must-visit.
The food across all the restaurants was phenomenal. We dined at Osterio D’Ovidio, serving Italian cuisine, and enjoyed the most incredible lamb, and during the day, we went to Waterside for breakfast and lunch.
A: Beef bar is a triumph – it mimics a street food experience that’s completely unique, so this was definitely my favourite. There was so much choice, so the waiter brought us an array of recommended small plates from the menu, including wagyu bao buns (my favourite), tacos, salmon and tuna; it was delightful!
A: The service was the best I have ever experienced on a luxury ship. The staff were incredibly friendly, warm and genuinely couldn’t do enough for you – I was truly impressed!
A: I honestly had a fantastic time on board. I could not fault any aspect of the cruise - the suite was stunning; the ship is beautiful and the perfect size. The quality of the wines and premium drinks was impressive, and the food was just phenomenal – the best I have ever had. The staff are wonderful, and the entertainment was far better than I’d expected! I cannot recommend this ship or the cruise line enough. Three nights just wasn’t long enough! I will definitely be travelling with Crystal again.
A: I would advise to go with a newly refurbished suite. The classic design is beautiful, but the ones that have been refurbished in 2023 are just stunning and really stand out from the rest. I’d also highly recommend experiencing as much of the entertainment as possible, as it is the best I’ve ever seen at sea!
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