Crystal Cruises
Cristal CruisesThe best crystal cruises of 2018: Reviews, Photos & Activity
It also encourages corporate citizenship and provides free field trips where travellers can take part in volunteer work locally - for example, at a college or cleaning up a neighbourhood in an area that is less privileged. The Crystal Cruises is a fascinating hybrid-style cruising adventure. Featuring two ocean-going liners, of which the smallest can carry 848 people, the upper class line has created a recess that provides the conveniences and activity associated with bigger boats, as well as first-class food and services that are part of a luxurious adventure.
This line was established in 1990 with Crystal Harmony as the first vessel. Soon thereafter followed the Crystal Symphony. Serenity made its debut in 2003 and Crystal Harmony left the company two years later. While its childrens centres cannot keep a fireside candlestick in front of large shipping companies such as Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, Crystal has the best programme for kids on the luxurious class.
By 2012, Crystal had gained the remainder of the luxurious ocean shipping market by making its rates more attractive. Crystal was divested to Genting Hong Kong, which holds Star Cruises, in March 2015. Crystal has entered a phase of fast growth through the takeover. In December 2015, the line started a 62-passenger Crystal Esprit and in 2020 will present an expedition-style mega-yacht with Arctic abilities under the name Crystal Endeavor.
This line has also branching out into the cruise on the rivers. In 2016, Crystal Cruises started its first vessel, the renovated Crystal Mozart; by mid-2018, the cruise liner will comprise five ships. The most challenging aspect for Crystal is the key characteristic that distinguishes it from smaller luxurious brands such as Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises:
How can we provide excellent services, excellent food and great style of dining for larger vessels that carry more people? There is also a big plus for Crystal's largest vessels in the deluxe category; there are just many more possibilities in regards to fun, conviviality, casino, spas and gym equipment, activity and enhancement than is the case with its smaller deluxe brothers.
Maybe the greatest predicament that crystal cruises has face in the past is the fact that, of all the luxurious routes, it is the only one to have two sets diner seating in the home dining room -- a backbone of crowd marquee routes that does not necessarily please the eat-if-we-want caprices of the top-end cruiser. ΓΏ On the other hand, it is the only one to have two sets of diner seating in the home dinning room.
Moreover, Crystal has long been offering an alternative to its executive restaurant; its on board Spanish and Spanish establishments, both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, are excellent, but generally very popular, so book as early as possible. But subcategories for a luxurious vessel can get tense at this rate.
Longer, more upscale cruises draw a 55-plus audience, but Crystal, which is building a fame as the multi-generational, families line of choice for well-to-do travellers, is attracting a more varied group of travellers to Alaska and occaisonally the Caribbean. The clothes on board are chic, especially on official evenings (good moment to get the straws out).
By 2012, Crystal was joining the other luxurious brands by taking the almost all-embracing itinerary. From 2014, all members of the Crystal Society's current airline retainer programme will have free access to the web (minimum 60 min per head per day). The longer and more expansive the trip, the older the customers (typically more than 55 people).
Weighing 51,044 tons and seating 848 people, the Crystal Symphony was introduced to the market in 1995. Approximately one third bigger, the 68,000-ton, 1,080-person Crystal Serenity, was introduced in 2003. In 2022, the company is planning to add new Diamond Class ships with 800 passengers to its existing fleets. One 62-passenger Crystal Esprit was added to the crew in December 2015.
A mega yacht designed for expeditions, the 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor, is due to be launched in 2020.