the crystal serenity cruise ship

Crystal Serenity cruise ship review: What to expect on this transformed luxury vessel

Call it the once and future queen of luxury cruising.

For years, Crystal Serenity was one of the world's most beloved luxury ships. Some would even say it was at the pinnacle of luxury cruising: The ship that delivered the ultimate luxury cruise experience.

But then, in early 2022, it was unexpectedly gone — a victim of the collapse of the parent company of Crystal Cruises .

Now, after an 18-month absence from the luxury cruising scene, Crystal Serenity is back and — dare I say — better than before.

The company that bought Crystal Serenity and the rights to the Crystal brand name from the liquidators of the former company has relaunched the vessel. But not before it poured millions of dollars into a massive overhaul of the ship that has left it sparkling — almost as if it were new.

King Arthur may not yet have returned to rule his kingdom. But Crystal Serenity is back to rule hers, and she is looking better than ever.

If you're a luxury cruise lover (or a Crystal fan), that's exciting news.

Overview of Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity is the new flagship for Crystal, a luxury cruise brand that is at the same time all-new and decades old.

Crystal is technically a start-up luxury cruise company — one that just debuted this year and is being built from the ground up. Its owners have nothing to do with the old owners of Crystal Cruises. That company ceased to exist when its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, collapsed in early 2022 and was liquidated.

And yet the new owners of Crystal Serenity and the rights to the Crystal Cruises brand are creating a new cruise line that is about as close to the old Crystal Cruises as can be. Its name is just slightly different (note it's just Crystal, not Crystal Cruises), and it's operating the same two main ships that once sailed for Crystal Cruises. You'll also find many of the same senior staff and crew on those ships as before.

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If it's not a rebirth of Crystal Cruises, it's at least a reincarnation. The old soul of Crystal Cruises is back in a new form.

Still, it's a reincarnation that comes, as noted above, with a massive transformation for Crystal Serenity and the other former Crystal Cruises ship that is relaunching — Crystal Symphony.

Unveiled in 2003, the 68,870-ton Crystal Serenity has been made even more luxurious during an overhaul in dry dock that was so long — around six months — that it allowed for an almost complete rebuilding of significant parts of the ships.

For starters, two whole cabin decks were completely gutted to rip out relatively small cabins and replace them with much bigger suites. This was on top of an overhaul of other cabin areas several years ago. As a result, the ship now has far fewer but far bigger cabins than it once did.

Originally built for 1,080 passengers, Crystal Serenity is now configured to hold just 740 passengers — even as the size of its public areas (lounges, bars, restaurants, etc.) hasn't changed. That means its "space ratio" — a fancy cruise world term that refers to the amount of space on the ship per passenger — is at an almost unprecedented level for a cruise vessel. Specifically, it's at 93, far above the 60 to 75 that is typical for luxury ships.

With its passenger count down, its crew-to-passenger ratio is also through the roof at around 1-to-1.

These are the building blocks on which true luxury cruising is built.

What I loved about Crystal Serenity

The remarkable crew.

There was always something special about the crew on Crystal ships. It was what made the line. And the big news for Crystal fans as the line restarts is that more than 80% of the crew has returned.

If you book a cruise on Crystal Serenity, you'll mostly find the same butlers, room stewardesses, wait staff and front desk workers that have wowed customers for years with their next-level service — a service level so exquisite and intuitive that it has long been the talk of the cruise world. It is the interplay of this crew with Crystal's regular customers — and 80% of Crystal's customers are regulars, according to its new owners — that creates an onboard experience that many luxury cruise lovers find unrivaled.

For longtime Crystal fans, one of the great joys in returning to the brand's ships, again and again, is to see the same crew members they have come to know and love over the years. I experienced this myself upon boarding Crystal Serenity in July as I bumped into one crew member after another with whom I had sailed before and, at times, developed deep bonds.

In fact, one of the first staffers I met after boarding, the butler for my room, was Prince Jose, who I called out by name for his great service in the last story I wrote from a Crystal ship in 2021. That was nearly two years ago, but he recognized me, and I recognized him, and we immediately got to talking as if no time had gone by.

My all-time favorite bartender from any ship at sea, Ana, also is on board, now promoted to a position at the front desk. We hugged when we saw each other — it's that kind of crew.

The spacious suites

The old knock on Crystal ships was that many of their cabins weren't big enough — at least for an ultra-luxury ship. Newer luxury ships in recent years have been built with more big cabins and suites, which put Crystal's older vessels at a disadvantage.

That's no longer the case, thanks to the overhaul of the cabin decks mentioned above. The two decks were completely gutted, with smaller cabins replaced by suites that are twice as large. I'll go into more detail on this below in the cabins section, but the result is a game-changing transformation for Crystal Serenity's accommodations that give it some of the best luxury cabins in the business.

The promenade

It's a little thing, but the promenade on Crystal Serenity is gorgeous. It wraps all the way around the ship — something that is increasingly rare on cruise vessels. It's lined with beautiful teak boards that have been refinished to look almost brand new.

On Deck 7, not far above the waterline, the promenade also is wide and blissfully uncluttered. If you end up on board Crystal Serenity, do not miss a morning walk around it — 3.35 laps equals a mile — or an evening stroll to soak in the salty air and watch the waves. It's what promenades used to be in the grand old days of cruising.

What I didn't love about Crystal Serenity

The lack of a casino.

I am not a gambler, and you won't ever find me in a cruise ship casino. For me, personally, a lack of a casino is no loss at all. But Crystal has traditionally drawn a lively crowd that likes to stay up late drinking, dancing and soaking in the onboard entertainment, and for some, at least, that includes dropping a little money at a casino.

Crystal Serenity used to have a modest casino area just outside the main theater on Deck 6. Theatergoers would spill out of the theater into the casino on their way to the ship's other entertainment venues on the opposite side of the deck, with some lingering for a game or two. But the casino was taken out during the 2023 overhaul.

For now, the old casino space has been revamped as a lounge. However, it's a lounge without a bar, and it comes off as a dead space on the ship — a room that is rarely used. Over six days on board, I hardly saw a soul sitting in it.

Crystal executives say they still are figuring out what to do with the space, and it could become something different over time. One proposal called for it to become a cooking classroom, though executives said that would be hard to do properly in the space. One Crystal executive mentioned to me there was talk of using the space for an onboard distillery.

Whatever happens, my take is that the casino's removal was one of the rare misses of the ship's overhaul.

Sapphire suite storage space

It's difficult to find fault with much on Crystal Serenity in the wake of its makeover. It's that great a ship. A relatively minor quibble is that the many big (and lovely) new Sapphire Verandah Suites the line added to Crystal Serenity don't have quite as much storage space as I would have expected. These are huge suites at more than 500 square feet, so there is no lack of space to add shelving, drawers and other storage units. But the amount of storage space put into the rooms seems modest, given their size.

That isn't to say that there isn't a good amount of storage in these rooms. There's enough for a typical seven-night cruise, but this is a ship that will often sail longer cruises where you will want extra storage.

Crystal Serenity cabins and suites

Crystal Serenity's array of cabins and suites is relatively simple to understand. It features just nine categories of rooms, with just two of those categories accounting for the vast majority of accommodations.

About 40% of the ship's accommodations (151 out of 377) are Sapphire Verandah Suites. Measuring a whopping 537 square feet including balcony space, these are unusually spacious suites for a main cabin category on a cruise ship. Each of these suites, notably, has a separate sitting room and bedroom, a walk-in closet and a large bathroom, as well as a 107-square-foot balcony.

The somewhat smaller but still spacious Aquamarine Verandah Suites make up another 28% of the ship's accommodations (106 suites). Measuring 409 square feet, including balcony space, these suites lack the separate sitting rooms found in Sapphire Verandah Suites but still are impressively large.

Add in four more Aquamarine Verandah Suites with balconies that are ADA compliant and four Aquamarine Suites without balconies that are ADA-compliant (both sets of which are considered their own cabin categories), and that's 70% of all accommodations on the ship.

The remaining 30% of accommodations include a handful of larger penthouse and junior penthouse suites, and roughly 100 smaller double and single rooms (more on these in a moment).

For longtime Crystal fans, the thing to know is that a large percentage of all these accommodations were massively overhauled and enlarged in advance of the line's relaunch this year. In fact, two of Crystal Serenity's four main cabin decks — decks 8 and 9 — were essentially gutted and rebuilt, with nearly all their smaller cabins ripped out and replaced with the much larger Sapphire Verandah Suites.

It was a massive undertaking that involved knocking out dozens of walls — and one that has profoundly changed the vessel. Once criticized for not having big enough rooms, Crystal Serenity now offers one of the most impressive arrays of big suites of any luxury ship.

My own cabin was one of these all-new Sapphire Veranda Suites on Deck 9, and it was among the most lovely cruise ship suites I have stayed in in recent years. In addition to being wonderfully spacious, it had a sophisticated, contemporary vibe with soothing light gray and beige furnishings, fabrics and wall coverings sprinkled with ocean-inspired blue velvet accents.

As one would expect on a luxury ship, the bedding on my Sapphire Veranda Suite bed was ridiculously luscious, with super-high-end, embroidered Italian-made Jesurum 1870 sheets that were so soft and comfortable that I just wanted to snuggle under them all day. Generously sized, Fior di Pesco marble-topped nightstands flanked the bed, with perfectly placed task lighting floating off the wall just above them.

I also appreciated the tidy cluster of electrical outlets (both U.S.- and European-style) and USB ports on both sides of the beds. On some ships, you only find these on one side of the bed — if at all.

In addition, the bathroom in my Sapphire Verandah Suite was spacious and elegant, with a Fior di Pesco marble-topped vanity embedded with two upscale Duravit sinks on one side and an unusually large walk-in shower on the other side. The shower itself was a showpiece, with high-end Grohe fixtures that spouted water from three directions. These included a massive rain shower head on the ceiling that shot water straight down, two back-wall shower heads that shot out horizontally (hitting you midbody) and a separate hand-held wand. There were separate controls for each of these, so I could mix and match the water delivery devices to my liking.

One small gripe: In a perfect world, the hand-held wand would have been placed higher on the shower wall, so it could double as a main shower head for those who aren't fans of ceiling-mounted rain showers.

The bathroom toiletries, too, were high-end, made by Italian luxury purveyor Ortigia Sicilia with scents of Italian wildflowers.

I particularly liked that the bathroom had an unusually large amount of storage space, with two long open shelves built into the marble vanity under the sinks and a floor-to-ceiling tower of matching marble shelves next to the shower (some of which house the bathroom's towels).

All that extra storage space in the bathroom was in contrast to what some may consider a lack of enough storage space outside the bathroom. While the suite featured a walk-in closet for storage, as I mentioned above, I found it oddly small for a suite of this size, at around six feet by six feet.

The storage available in Sapphire Verandah Suites is surely adequate for the storage needs of a couple on one of the ship's occasional week-long sailings. But this is a vessel that often does much longer sailings of 10 nights or more, including around-the-world trips that last more than four months.

Given that, there would have been logic to using more of the suite's ample room for storage. I might have tucked another built-in storage unit along the wall in the seating area that currently houses a television, with the television inset into it, or in the narrow inset area at the entrance to the room where there currently is a second door to the bathroom (a door that is a "nice to have" for those rare times when a guest is visiting but not critical).

Notably, the walk-in closet is so small that the four pull-out drawers along one of its walls can't be opened all the way unless the inward-swinging door to the closet is at least partially closed. This makes for an awkward time trying to access items put in these draws.

The walk-in closet also is tucked away in an odd location in a corner of the sitting room instead of adjacent to the bedroom. Still, that's just another small quibble.

Overall, the new Sapphire Verandah Suites are a delightful addition to Crystal Serenity, which has long needed a bigger array of suites to please its well-heeled passengers.

Those who want something even bigger than a Sapphire Verandah Suite will find four massive, 1,372-square-foot Crystal Penthouses on the vessel and six 806-square-foot Junior Crystal Penthouses. The latter is an all-new category of cabin for the line.

The four Crystal Penthouses, one of which I toured, are truly over-the-top. Each has an elegant bedroom, an enormous bathroom with mosaic-inlaid floors and walls that evoke a Roman bath, two separate living room areas, a dining area and a butler's pantry that is essentially a miniature private kitchen with its own sink, dishwasher and microwave.

The six Junior Crystal Penthouses offer separate dining and living areas looking out over a private balcony, a bedroom with a large walk-in closet, a spacious primary bathroom, and a half-bath near the entrance for visitors.

Rounding out the ship's accommodations are 46 smaller cabins for two with balconies that measure 269 square feet. There are also 42 cabins for two without balconies that measure 215 square feet. Both cabin categories are officially called Double Occupancy Suites, though, in my book, cabins of that size aren't really suites and shouldn't be labeled as such.

The final cabin category on Crystal Serenity is its 14 Classic Staterooms, which are sold as solo cabins. At 215 square feet, they're essentially the same layout as the Double Occupancy Suites without balconies but only meant for one passenger.

The solo cabins, which I wasn't able to see, are also an entirely new category of cabin for the ship.

Other Crystal Serenity cabin tidbits:

• Every cabin has a small hair dryer and a personal safe in the closet.
• There are flat-screen televisions on the walls in bedrooms that offer a wide range of movies on demand for no extra charge. The televisions also receive live feeds from a limited number of cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, BBC World News, Fox News, HGTV, Food Network and Travel Channel.
• Every cabin and suite on Crystal Serenity comes with butler service (a change with the new line, as previously only higher-level cabins received butler service).
• Cabins come with pull-out minibars stocked with beer, wine, water and sodas.

Crystal Serenity restaurants and bars

As is typical for a (relatively) small luxury vessel, Crystal Serenity doesn't have a huge number of eateries. Nor are there so many bars that you won't have time to get to them all on a typical cruise. That sort of too-much-is-never-enough excess is the realm of the big mass-market ships.

But what Crystal Serenity lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The vessel has one main dining room and two main specialty restaurants that each are about as classy and upscale as you'll find at sea — all included in the fare. There are also several casual eateries in the vicinity of the main pool on the Lido Deck. Crystal Serenity's handful of bars and lounges also are classy and refined.

In general, Crystal's cuisine and drinks offerings are high-end, as you'd expect for a luxury product, and served with the sort of elegance and flair that is only found at the best luxury resorts on land or sea.

Restaurants

While I was only on Crystal Serenity for six nights, I was able to visit every food outlet on board — something made possible by the ship's relatively intimate size.

The main dining room on the vessel, and the spot where you'll eat at least a few, if not most, of your dinners, is Waterside. On Deck 5, just off the ship's central plaza, it serves up what the line calls modern international cuisine for dinner in an elegant setting.

We're talking such dishes as sauteed tiger prawns with creamed orzo, broccolini and candied bacon; or broiled lemon sole floating in a shallow dill-and-cockles chowder with snow peas and confit potatoes. More traditional items, such as grilled black Angus sirloin steak with Bearnaise sauce, also appear on the menu, which changes nightly.

Waterside is also open for breakfast and lunch — the place to go when you want something a little more formal for breakfast or lunch than a quick bite at one of the casual eateries on the Lido Deck. The breakfast menu offers everything from eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles and other breakfast classics to a crab omelet (a Waterside breakfast signature). Lunch brings its own enticing array of mouth-watering dishes, from pan-fried rainbow trout with almond-caper butter to lamb kofte.

Still, as wonderful as Waterside is (and for a main restaurant on a cruise ship, it truly is wonderful), the culinary star of Crystal Serenity always has been and remains Umi Uma, the innovative Japanese-Peruvian restaurant created by legendary master chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa. It's an eatery that was on Crystal Serenity for many years before its overhaul, and it has thankfully made a comeback under the ship's new owners — albeit with an all-new look.

Luckily, the overhaul did not extend to the menu. All of the insanely fabulous, melt-in-your-mouth Nobu specialties, such as Matsuhisa's signature Nobu-style black cod marinated in Saikyo miso, baby peach and young ginger, and Wagyu beef filet steak, are all still there.

Note that while unlimited dining at Waterside on Crystal Serenity is included in the fare, passengers only get to visit Umi Uma once per cruise for free for sailings of 11 days or fewer. For sailings of more than 11 days, two complimentary reservations are included.

If you want additional reservations at Umi Uma, you can sign up for another turn, on a space-available basis, for $50 per person. This is basically a crowd-control measure, as otherwise, everyone on board would want to eat there every night. It's that good. If you can get a second or third reservation, grab it. Matsuhisa's restaurants on land can easily set you back $300 or more a couple, so even a $50 per person charge here is an incredible bargain.

The new entrant to Crystal's scene is Osteria d'Ovidio, a high-end Italian eatery that takes the place of Prego, another Italian restaurant that was in the same location for years leading up to the line's shutdown in 2022. Like Umi Uma, it was completely gutted and rebuilt during the ship's overhaul in early 2023 and looks brand new. It also has a new menu focused on Northern Italian cuisine.

I sampled half a dozen of Osteria d'Ovidio's new dishes during a special night of tastings, and there wasn't a bad item in the bunch. The standout, if I had to choose, was the tortello di stracotto di manzo, a wrapped pasta filled with braised beef, fig vincotto (a type of fig molasses) and gorgonzola cheese. It may be my new favorite pasta.

Also, whatever you do if you dine here, order the caffe nocciola e caramello salato dessert. Run that through the Google translator if you must know what it is in advance — or trust me. It'll melt in your mouth.

Crystal Serenity trivia: Osteria d'Ovidio is named after Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, the new controlling owner of Crystal. A familiar name in the cruise business, Lefebvre d'Ovidio owned luxury line Silversea Cruises for many years, until he sold it to Royal Caribbean Group (the parent company of Royal Caribbean).

Notably, Lefebvre d'Ovidio already has a series of restaurants on ships named after him, but not on Crystal or Silversea ships. Lefebvre d'Ovidio's friend Torstein Hagen, chairman of upscale cruise line Viking , has named the high-end Italian eateries on all of Viking's ocean ships Manfredi's in honor of him.

My take: Any restaurant with at least a portion of Lefebvre d'Ovidio's name in it must be destined to be a star. The Manfredi's eateries on Viking ships (which Lefebvre d'Ovidio had a hand in creating with Hagen) were until now my favorite Italian eateries at sea. Now the new Osteria d'Ovidio on Crystal Serenity joins them atop my pantheon of all-time great Italian restaurants on ships. It's an Italian eatery that even my judgy Italian grandmother would have loved.

Like Umi Uma, Osteria d'Ovidio only can be visited once per cruise for free for sailings of 11 days or fewer. After that, there's a $50 per person charge to dine there on a space-available basis. Again, this is mostly for crowd control.

Other eateries on Crystal Serenity include Marketplace, a casual buffet, and The Trident Grill, serving cooked-to-order burgers and hot sandwiches. Both are steps away from the ship's main pool on Deck 12, as is Tastes Kitchen & Bar. The latter serves a mix of classic lunch dishes from around the world at lunchtime — everything from stir-fried egg noodles and a grilled Reuben sandwich to chicken quesadillas and a shrimp Caesar salad. Dinnertime is when the eatery really shines, though.

Designed as a casual alternative to the more formal dining spots on the ship, Tastes offers a dinner menu of elevated, globally inspired dishes in a relaxed, top-of-the-ship setting. All of the dishes, which include ahi tuna poke, hamachi crudo, oven-roasted cauliflower, ricotta gnocchi, California street tacos and chimichurri steak, are placed in the middle of the table and meant to be shared.

There's also a nearby counter serving handmade Italian gelato.

Trident Grill and Tastes are side-by-side on a top deck covered with a glass magrodome that can slide open when the weather is pleasant.

In addition, on Deck 6, just off the central atrium, passengers will find a Parisian-inspired cafe serving espresso drinks and light snacks throughout the day (this is the place to get your coffee fix). In the morning, there's a self-serve continental breakfast here, arrayed along a buffet on one end of the room. The afternoon brings a spread of cold cuts, scrumptious cakes, cannoli and other desserts, and fruit.

Finally, Crystal Serenity has a special 14-seat dining room called the Vintage Room that guests can book for exclusive private dinners that combine an elegant set menu of five to seven dishes with wine pairings for each course. Seven-course meals in the room, including wines, are presented over about three hours in the room and cost $300 per person.

A shorter five-course food and wine pairing in the Vintage Room is available for $220 per person. Occasional seven-course meals overseen by celebrity chefs that sail on the ship cost $1,100 per person, including wine pairings.

Bars and lounges

Some cruise ships have so many bars and lounges that you have trouble visiting them all on a typical seven-night cruise. Crystal Serenity isn't one of them. If you're out for a drink on Crystal Serenity, you're probably heading to just one of three places: Crystal Cove, Avenue Saloon or the Palm Court & Sunset Bar.

At the base of Crystal Serenity's two-deck-high atrium, Crystal Cove is the ultimate social hub for the ship, the place you go when you want to meet all the new friends you're making on board for a pre-dinner cocktail or a nightcap afterward. Open from late morning until the wee hours, it offers live music for much of the day, starting as early as lunchtime and continuing through midnight. The entertainment is low-key enough that you can maintain a conversation with your companions.

On a typical night at Crystal Cove, you might find a saxophonist playing in the early evening, followed by a pianist and a violinist and then a pianist and a singer, capped off by a singer with a guitar.

Avenue Saloon, at the back of the ship on Deck 6, is a cozy venue. Its dark wood and leather-lined walls, heavy red-upholstered barrel chairs and turned-down lights create the air of a speakeasy. You feel like you want to order a whiskey drink here, and indeed, it's home to both a special Manhattan menu and a Negroni menu. It also serves as the ship's piano bar, with a pianist playing most nights.

If you're a cigar smoker, the adjacent Connoisseur Club is the place for you. The clubby hideaway is the cliche of a cigar and pipe smoking den with dark-wood paneling, leather sofas, paisley fabric-covered wingback chairs and high-end single-malt Scotch, Armagnac and Cognac for sale as well as hand-rolled cigars from around the world. Sinatra plays in the background. It is, notably, the only place on the ship you can smoke a cigar or pipe.

For a bar with a view, you'll want to head up to the faux palm tree-filled Palm Court & Sunset Bar, which is at the top of the ship on Deck 12 overlooking the bow.

While not staffed nearly as many hours as the other bars (on my voyage, bar service was only available from 5 to 10:30 p.m.), the Palm Court offers sweeping views of the ocean from floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around 270 degrees. Palm Court also is where Crystal offers a formal afternoon tea service on sea days accompanied by a pianist and a violinist.

Home to one of the ship's biggest dance floors, the Palm Court often has live entertainment and dancing at night. One night on my sailing, an old-timey crooner sang Sinatra tunes for a half hour, accompanied by a pianist.

Crystal Serenity activities and shows

Among the major luxury lines, the original Crystal Cruises was always known for a stepped-up level of entertainment (it's long been a Crystal thing), and the new Crystal is no different. From the day of its relaunch, Crystal Serenity has been a ship that gets lively at night in a way that many luxury ships don't.

The entertainment hubs on Crystal Serenity include Galaxy Pavilion, a full-blown theater at the front of the ship on Deck 6 that offers all sorts of relatively big entertainment productions in the evening. During my sailing, for instance, it was the site of a Billy Joel tribute concert and a show by a comedian who flew in for the performance.

At the back of the same deck is yet another major entertainment venue, the Stardust Club. It's a more versatile entertainment lounge with a stage and large dance floor that offers a mix of dancing, cabaret performances and other themed events. Additionally, on select nights, Stardust opens its doors as a reservations-only Supper Club that offers an evening show with both dining and dancing.

Speaking of dancing, Crystal is one of the few cruise lines in the world that still sails with "ambassador hosts" — older gentlemen who are on hand to dance with single ladies on board. The word is they're always in hot demand. If only I knew how to dance, this would be my retirement plan.

A third entertainment space on the same deck as the Stardust Club, the Hollywood Theatre is a traditional cinema playing recently released movies and also broadcasting live sporting events at times. It's also used as a lecture hall.

For the late-night crowd, there's a small nightclub with a semi-circular bar tucked back behind the Stardust Club. Called Pulse, it doesn't get going until around midnight, assuming anyone on board is still up for it.

Combine all that with the live music at bars and lounges mentioned in the section above, and Crystal Serenity is a luxury ship where passengers can — and do — head out for a big "night on the town," so to speak. Guests usually get quite dolled up when they hit the entertainment areas of the ship at night, looking glamorous and expensive.

On plenty of luxury ships, nearly everyone is in bed by 9 o'clock in the evening. Crystal Serenity isn't one of them.

During the day, the onboard scene is more laid back. As is typical for luxury ships, the top decks of Crystal Serenity aren't loaded with the amusements you'll find on large mass-market ships. You won't find climbing walls or waterslides. Instead, what you get atop Crystal Serenity is a stylish, refined pool deck experience. If you're the kind of person who likes to lounge next to a Four Seasons hotel pool, you know what I'm talking about.

At the center of the top of the ship, a main pool area sports a large pool (the Seahorse Pool — a nod to Crystal's seahorse branding), two large hot tubs and rows of plush loungers of the sort you'd expect on a luxury vessel. Elegant modern white rattan sofas and chairs are sprinkled around under shading umbrellas.

This main pool deck was completely redone during the overhaul of the ship in 2023, with its classic teak flooring resanded, and its pool refurbished with new mosaic tile work. When you're up top on Crystal Serenity, as at so many other areas of the ship, you'll feel like you're on an all-new vessel.

The top decks of Crystal Serenity also are home to two paddle tennis courts that can double as pickleball courts, a complex known as Wimbledon Court. Six decks down, hidden at the back of the ship, you'll also find a golf lover's hideaway with driving nets, a small putting green and table tennis. Even if you don't want to use it, go in search of it, just as a game. It's tucked away so well that it's a bit of a treasure hunt to find it.

Other activity areas on the ship include a large library staffed throughout the day, a computer classroom, a shopping area that wraps around the central atrium on Deck 7 and a bridge lounge for bridge playing, tournaments and classes. (Bridge is big on Crystal ships.) The ship's entertainment staff also offers dance classes at times.

While Crystal Serenity isn't particularly focused on families, it does offer a small teen center and children's playroom on Deck 12, just off the main pool area.

In addition, the ship has a luxurious spa with 12 treatment rooms that was completely revamped in 2023.

Renamed Aurora, the spa has been recast with light-bright neutral colors, an illuminated fiber optic starlight ceiling and organic materials such as Selenite (a natural salt crystal) and silk-brushed slate stone to create a serene feel.

In addition to treatment rooms, the spa is home to a hair salon, men's and women's saunas and steam rooms, and a relaxation room.

Crystal Serenity itineraries and pricing

From September 2023 through January 2024, Crystal Serenity will be based in North America for sailings to New England, Canada and the Caribbean. After that, it'll set off on an epic, 141-day, around-the-world cruise from Miami that will continue through June 2024.

The ship will then spend the summer of 2024 sailing to Alaska out of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska, before returning to the East Coast of North America for another season of sailings to New England, Canada and the Caribbean.

The 2023 and 2024 sailings to New England, Canada and the Caribbean will depart from various North American home ports, including Quebec City, Quebec; New York; Miami; Bridgetown, Barbados; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

As of the publishing of this guide, fares for Crystal Serenity sailings were starting at $3,200 per person for the least expensive cabin on a six-night sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Nine-night Caribbean sailings were starting at $3,900 per person. These fares are based on double occupancy — that is, they are valid when two passengers share a room. Solo passengers pay a higher amount.

Unlike many cruise lines, Crystal doesn't charge extra for taxes, fees and port charges assessed by government agencies and port authorities (to which we say: Bravo, Crystal). Such charges are folded into its base fares.

What to know before you go

Required documents

All passengers must have valid government-issued citizenship documentation to sail. For U.S. residents, that would mean either a U.S. passport or a U.S.-issued Permanent Resident Card (also known as an Alien Registration Card). You'll also need visas for any country you'll be visiting that requires one.

Passports must be valid for at least six months and have blank pages available for entry and exit stamps. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Crystal includes gratuities for housekeeping staff (including butlers) and bar and restaurant staff in its fares. No additional tipping is expected.

Wi-Fi service on Crystal Serenity is relatively fast for a cruise ship and included in the fare.

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many cruise lines, Crystal does not restrict the amount of alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks passengers can bring on board for personal consumption. That said, some restrictions may apply based on specific countries that the ship visits.

Smoking policy

Cigarette smoking (including electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers) is only allowed outdoors in designated areas at the back of decks 8, 9, 10 and 11; in a small corner of the main Seahorse Pool area on Deck 12; and at the Connoisseur Club on Deck 6.

Cigar and tobacco pipe smoking is only permitted at the Connoisseur Club on Deck 6.

Smoking is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Crystal Serenity has self-serve launderettes on every cabin deck with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. You also can pay to send out your clothes to be washed and/or pressed. As of the publishing of this guide, the cost of washing and pressing a men's dress shirt was $7; the cost of cleaning a women's long-sleeve blouse was $6. The cost of dry-cleaning slacks or pants was $9.

Electrical outlets

Crystal Serenity's cabins and suites offer both U.S.-style 110V outlets and European-style 220V outlets and USB ports at built-in cabin desks. You'll also find both types of outlets and USB ports above the nightstands on both sides of cabin beds. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms where the outlets are all European-style.

The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar.

As is typical for cruise ships, Crystal Serenity operates on a cashless system, with any onboard purchases you make posting automatically to your onboard account. You'll receive a plastic keycard upon embarkation that you can use to make charges. This same card also gets you into your cabin.

Drinking age

You generally must be 21 or older to consume alcohol on Crystal Serenity. One exception: During sailings in Europe, passengers as young as 18 are allowed to consume beer and wine.

During the day, the dress code is "day casual," which for Crystal means sundresses, elegant shorts, jeans; T-shirts, polo shirts or blouses; or linen clothing. Swimsuits with cover-ups also are acceptable when dining near the pool at the Trident Grill, Tastes and Marketplace eateries.

Note that swimwear on its own, wet swimwear, revealing clothing, bathrobes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and clothes bearing any offensive messages are not permitted.

During the evenings, the official dress code steps up to what Crystal calls "evening resort." For women, that means dresses, skirts, pants, blouses or sweaters, dark-wash jeans with no rips, or tailored dress shorts. For men, it's button-down shirts, collared polo shirts, sweaters or smart designer sweatshirts, dark-wash jeans with no rips (only when accompanied by a jacket), chinos, and a sports jacket or blazer (the latter being optional). In addition, men can wear tailored shorts but only when dining in the casual Tastes restaurant.

Flip-flops, swimwear and hats are not allowed in the evenings.

In addition, on cruises of seven nights or more, there will be at least one optional ship-wide formal night where women are expected to turn out in cocktail dresses, gowns, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses. For men, the formal night dress guideline is a suit or tuxedo, with a tie being optional.

Related: The ultimate guide to packing for a cruise

Bottom line

Crystal Serenity isn't the newest luxury cruise ship on the market. But after a major overhaul in early 2023, part of a relaunch of the Crystal brand under new owners, it's back to being one of the leading luxury ships at sea.

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What It’s Like to Sail the Crystal Serenity, the Newly Resurrected Luxury Cruise Ship

Autumn colors come to life on a luxe leaf-peeping tour through new england and canada., sarah khan's most recent stories.

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Crystal Serenity ’s Iconic East Coast

Describe it in three words:

Indulgence at sea.

What’s the deal?

Design chops

The best room

At a massive 1,265 square feet, the Crystal Penthouse Suite is a sprawling lair with an entrance foyer, a plush living room, a bathroom with a Duravit spa tub overlooking the ocean, and a butler’s kitchen. But the redesigned Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites are nothing to scoff at either, with an impressive 645 square feet of space spanning separate living and dining areas and a roomy bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom. 

The Rundown

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Not at check-in, but by the time we docked in Boston the next day, Serenity felt like a place where, well, everybody knows your name. The staff was incredibly warm and engaging and greeted every guest personally with a smile everywhere we went.

Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? (Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice.)

Yes, a glass of bubbles served just after check-in, and a chilled bottle was waiting in the suite. A variety of beverages are complimentary in the mini-bar as well.

Is the highest tier worth it?

The Crystal Penthouse Suite and Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites are worth booking for their impressive dimensions and comfortable design alone, but each of these top-tier categories also comes with one particularly noteworthy perk: The full menu at Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa is available via room service.

Is there a private butler for every cabin?

Every cabin, regardless of category or size, comes with a personal butler standing by to help with any arrangements, reservations, and laundry, and to deliver a delectable array of canapés in-suite every evening before dinner.

Does the ship handle your luggage?

I pulled up at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in an Uber and left my bag there, and it was waiting for me at my suite by the time I’d finished checking in.

Is it good for the ‘Gram?

Is there a gym or spa? Or both?

The fitness center is massive and fully equipped—I spent many hours there trying to deflect the inevitable pounds I amassed at the nine restaurants. There are a host of complimentary classes and tests on offer, and you can also book sessions with the personal trainer. Next door is the Aurora spa, a new addition to Crystal. With its location on the top deck, the relaxation room has a calming view directly over the water, while treatment rooms offer a range of high-tech and indulgent treatments like Biotec 2.0 facials, a gold and caviar body polish, and IV therapies. 

Caviar on board?

I spotted caviar on a few of the menus on board, but there’s also an in-room caviar service with a range of Kolikof offerings.

Are the restaurants five-star?

If there’s one thing that truly sets Crystal in a league of its own, it’s the food. Let’s start with Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa: The only Nobu restaurant at sea serves all the beloved classics, like the legendary miso cod and the rock shrimp tempura, and is included for all guests once per sailing. Ditto a meal at the Italian fine-dining restaurant, Osteria D’Ovidio. But there isn’t a bad bite to be found anywhere in the ship, from the elegant main dining room Waterside and the casual buffet-style Marketplace to the globally inspired Tastes Kitchen and the casual poolside Trident Grill. Other lovely additions include afternoon tea at the Palm Court as well as an all-day scoop shop. This is definitely the right ship for anyone who loves to eat.

Is the entertainment up to snuff?

Are excursions included? What were the highlights?

Excursions aren’t included, and were the weak spot on this sailing—perhaps because the ship wasn’t full, there were only a limited number of options to consider, and the choices tended to be a bit cookie-cutter. Given Abercrombie & Kent’s involvement, however, I would imagine that signature excursions will be a big focus as the brand regains momentum. But with prime docking locations in each port, heading into Boston, Halifax, or Sydney to explore by myself was incredibly easy—and each destination offered a fascinating mix of history, cuisine, and natural beauty. 

The final stop on this fall-foliage voyage was Quebec City, and when I realized that the port is a five-minute walk away from Old Quebec, I decided to extend my trip and linger in the city. I checked into the elegant Auberge Saint-Antoine , a Relais & Chateaux property whose history is inextricably intertwined with Quebec City’s rich past—in fact, the hotel doubles as a museum, with myriad artifacts uncovered at the properly displayed on every floor and in each of the 95 rooms; there’s even an uncovered stretch of the 17th-century city walls bisecting the Artefact bar.  It was the perfect base for a magical two days exploring the charming city, and was filled with other Crystal guests who had the same idea.

Would you buy the ship if you could?

It’s a bit big for my garage, but I’d happily sail again.

The Verdict

After eight days making the most of the decadent dining, the restorative spa, and my sumptuous suite, I left the ship feeling, well, serene.

What Our Score Means:

1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you plan a voyage. 4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch. 7-8: Very good. We’d go on another sailing and recommend it without qualms. 9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we hit the open sea again?

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This Beloved Luxury Cruise Ship Is Back on the Water — With a Nobu at Sea, a Gorgeous Pool Deck, and a Slate of Epic Itineraries

Beloved brand Crystal Cruises came to an ignominious end during the pandemic. Now, new leadership has revived the line and aims to make it better than ever.

Bars and Restaurants

Where serenity sails, shore excursions, amenities and entertainment, family-friendly offerings, accessibility.

Spending a week on Crystal Serenity feels like staying at a resort that families have been visiting for 20 years. On a July cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, most of the passengers I met had sailed on Serenity many times before. Veteran Crystal cruiser Keith Steiner regaled me with stories of the paddle tennis tournament he plays in every year, alongside the crew, on the line’s world cruises. Linda Glenn, who has been on 130 Crystal cruises, promised to show me the beautiful ring her husband, Stanley, commissioned from the jeweler who supplies Serenity ’s boutique. And the Glenns' grandson, Tate, has been sailing on Crystal Serenity since he was two. He’s 19 now.

What’s strange about all this is I met these folks on Crystal Serenity ’s inaugural journey. 

Crystal Serenity

• Crystal Cruises has the only Nobu restaurants at sea. On Serenity, Umi Uma, a Japanese-Peruvian spot by chef Nobu Matsuhisa is one of the best restaurants on board.
• The 740-passenger ship has all ocean-view rooms — and most have balconies — plus 24/7 butler service.
• Crystal Cruises is known for its exceptional world cruises, and Serenity embarks on its first around-the-world tour in 2024.

Here’s what happened: Crystal Serenity first launched in 2003. To put a time stamp on that, Julie Andrews was named the godmother of Serenity , and “The Princess Diaries” had come out two years before. Fast forward 19 years and Crystal went bankrupt in fairly spectacular fashion in early 2022. Seventeen months later, the brand is known simply as Crystal and is a part of A&K Travel Group, the holding company backed by travel luminaries Geoffrey Kent, of Abercrombie & Kent, and Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the onetime chairman of Silversea. Since taking the helm, A&K has invested $150 million in Crystal, giving Serenity and sibling ship Crystal Symphony stem-to-stern overhauls. Both ships returned to service in the summer of 2023.

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

“It’s Crystal enhanced,” Steiner told me, as we sailed from Corsica to Barcelona on a particularly rocky day on the Mediterranean. The retired telecom executive has been on 120 Crystal cruises with his wife, Anne Marie. “Every person we've spoken to would say, from the moment they came on, it feels, it looks, it smells like Crystal. It is Crystal.”

That’s largely because 80 percent of the Crystal Serenity ’s crew is back on board. My butler, Jijo, who had been with Crystal for 17 years before the bankruptcy, knew every one of his guests on that first sailing — I was his only newcomer. Jijo unpacked my suitcase, handled my laundry and my airport transfer, routinely surprised me with an afternoon iced tea, and accompanied me to the IT office when my Wi-Fi went out. When I wasn’t feeling well, he brought me several rounds of chicken consumé, toast, and mint tea as I watched “Top Gun: Maverick” while hiding under Jesurum 1870 bedding. It was, due respect to my husband, even better care than I would’ve gotten back home. 

Here, everything you need to know about the new and improved Crystal Serenity — and what it was like to be one of the first on board.

My 430-square-foot Sapphire Veranda Suite — where I enjoyed my daily iced teas on the balcony, slept phenomenally well on the custom Jesurum 1870 bedding, and reveled in the spaciousness of the shower — was gutted in 2023 and completely redone by cruise ship designer GEM. But A&K, committed to keeping the returning guests happy, left some Sapphire Veranda Suites as they were — including the room Linda Glenn has booked since 2009.

There are no inside accommodations on the 545-room Crystal Serenity — even the entry-level offering has an ocean view. The smallest rooms, at 215 square feet, are the doubles with an ocean view, singles with an ocean view, and doubles with a veranda. Every accommodation comes with 24/7 butler service.

The most luxurious of Serenity' s 377 suites is the 1,275-square-foot Crystal Penthouse. The bathroom — with a full peachflower marble tub — is exquisite, as is the plentiful balcony space. And while most guests get only one reservation at each of the specialty restaurants, Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio, reservations for the penthouse guests are unlimited, and they can order from both directly to their room.

Linda, like most Crystal die-hards, still accidentally calls the Italian restaurant, Osteria D’Ovidio, by its old name, but says the space, overhauled by Tillberg of Sweden, feels completely different. "I think the food's even better," Stanley adds. Umi Uma — one of two Nobus at sea, the other on Crystal Symphony — has brand-new interiors, too. The Umi Uma menu hasn’t changed, which is a relief, because it turns out nothing bonds two people on a ship quite like a shared affinity for Nobu’s black-miso cod and decadent sashimi.

Maya Kachroo-Levine/Travel + Leisure 

With one coveted culinary name already, Cristina Levis, A&K and Crystal Cruises CEO, told me she’s working to “bring home another celebrity chef” for Osteria. (Though, even without a Michelin-touted chef at the helm of Osteria, I loved the lobster acquasale and gnocchi blanketed in porcini mushroom ragout.) The best Italian export on board, however, is served six decks above Osteria at the gelato bar, Scoops. Levis is from a family of gelato makers, and it shows; the stracciatella and coffee gelato I savored on a poolside couch as we sailed from Portofino, Italy, was better than the cone I had in port. 

I also grew very attached to the buffet at Marketplace — it is truly next-level, with a carving station, a great salad bar, some excellent Indian food (who knew you could find phenomenal butter chicken on an Italian-owned ship?), and fresh seafood. I had terrific moules-frites one afternoon, with Rotterdam-sourced mussels in a delicate, garlicky cream sauce, seated outside in the sun, with a beautiful view of Cannes. This is not your average buffet. There’s also the main dining room, Waterside, open for three meals a day; Tastes Kitchen & Bar, with a lovely indoor-outdoor terrace that makes you feel like you’re on the corner of a charming European street; and a grill that does burgers and sandwiches for lunch — and excellent pancakes in the morning.

As for bars, I was partial to the Avenue Saloon — where Joel Spire plays piano every night and there’s a great Manhattan menu. Worth noting, there’s also an extensive non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktail menu at Avenue Saloon, for those looking for booze-free nightlife.

In 2023, Serenity will sail in North America, along the New England coast in the fall and into Canada, exploring Quebec’s Saint Lawrence River. In the winter, the ship will cruise the Caribbean, stopping in ports like St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Looking ahead to 2024, the ship will begin a five-continent world cruise — the first since A&K bought Crystal — cruising French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, South America, and in Europe, winding up in the Mediterranean Sea again next summer. The 2025 lineup was just announced, too; learn more about the sailings here .

As Crystal becomes more ingrained in the A&K family, “we will bring to Crystal what A&K does best, which is the excursions,” Levis said. Starting in 2025, the cruise line intends to roll out packages that let travelers leave the ship for a few days, knock out a once-in-a-lifetime tour, and then hop back on board.

While I had slight FOMO just hearing about travelers slipping off to Machu Picchu for an A&K adventure before rejoining the cruise in Lima, my travel envy dissipated as soon as I went on my first excursion. When we docked in Livorno, Italy, I joined a small group on a truffle-hunting excursion, following a sweet pup, Bianca, through a cluster of oak trees at Vialto Farms, a 1,000-year-old farmhouse in Tuscany. After glasses of cold vermentino, we dug into pasta in a light cream sauce topped with freshly grated truffles, followed by a truffle-covered fried egg. A few days later, on Corsica, a bus whisked a group of us to Domaine Orsini, for a wine tasting and a relaxing stint on the covered patio overlooking the island. And before I disembarked the ship in Barcelona, I crashed an evening excursion to the trendy El Born neighborhood, where our 10-person group shared a barrage of Spanish tortilla, patatas bravas , and croquetas at Tapeo.

The pool deck — in close proximity to the gelato bar – on deck 12 feels like a relaxed, exclusive Mediterranean beach club. One deck up, there’s a fitness center with Technogym equipment and workout classes, plus pickle ball and paddle tennis courts close by. The spa has a gorgeous, light-wood sauna with a picture window — perhaps my favorite place to watch the world go by — and an extensive treatment menu. I was extremely impressed with my dynamic biotech resurfacing facial and noticed the effects of the healing LED blue-light mask, which dissolves dead skin, for a full week after the treatment.

As for the entertainment, while I didn’t stray much from Pete’s piano in the Avenue Saloon, there are standup comedy and musical theater shows at the Stardust Club, Galaxy Lounge, and the Hollywood Theater. Crystal Cove bar is a great spot to catch live music (classical, jazz, piano, and even the occasional rock moment).

Also of note are the educational seminars, held daily, with guest speakers who lecture on upcoming destinations and give in-depth talks into their industries — whether that’s sports, media, or “even the occasional astronaut,” per Crystal’s website.

There is certainly a kids’ club on Serenity and children are welcome. In fact, children grow up on this ship, coming on the holiday cruise every year, and making lifelong friends — as I learned from my friend Tate. Waves and Fantasia are the kids’- and teens’-only spaces on board. Personally, though, I would come on Crystal with a spouse, longterm travel partner, grown-up family members, close friends, or even solo. 

There are eight ADA rooms on Crystal Serenity — some aquamarine veranda suites and some aquamarine ocean-view suites. According to a Crystal spokesperson, the ADA suites "are designed to accommodate guests with additional needs or who are wheelchair bound. The furniture can accommodate a wheelchair or scooter, there is extra space between beds, more room in the living area for easy movement, and the bathroom is larger with a roll-in shower, fold-down shower bench, and easy-to-reach shower head and sink faucet. Additional equipment is available upon request, such as rubber shower mats, shower stools, and a shower bench."

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See Inside the $150 Million Cruise Ship Makeover That Has Us Dreaming of Summer on the Mediterranean

Enjoy dinner at the only Nobu at sea as you sail from Marseille to Lisbon.

After the cruise company was acquired by the travel company Abercrombie & Kent in July 2022, the owners decided to complete a $150 million design renovation on the ship. On July 31, the spiffed-up ship will set sail on its inaugural voyage, escorting its 740 (at most) guests from Marseille, France to Lisbon, Portugal.

With a goal of creating a space that’s “lavish,” “sophisticated,” and “refined,” according to a media release, Abercrombie & Kent CEO Cristina Levis describes the renovated ship as being reinvigorated with “fresh colors, unique textures and first-class tangible elements to create an ambiance that evokes timeless moments of leisure and will leave guests with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Levis and team enlisted GEM as the architect and Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) as lead designer. Those companies teamed up to combine classic elements with contemporary materials, and a color scheme that’s calm and sea-inspired (think: subtle pastels, gray and beige), with a goal of creating a home away from home that gives a nod to the Mediterranean. (The ship's first sailings are in the Mediterranean , and also include Northern Europe, Canada, New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.)

Crystal Serenity's capacity might seem fairly small—to offer a more intimate experience—but the accommodations will have you thinking big, says Lorenzo Mortola, managing director of GEM.

“Our main goal was to merge smaller-sized guest rooms into larger suites that offer a separate living room and bedroom areas, large bathrooms with a walk-in shower and double faucets and sinks. With more space, guests will have all the functions expected on a high-end cruise, while offering the best comforts of home,” Mortola explains.

After creating renderings to drive the redesign, project architect and adjunct professor of architecture at Politecnico di Milano Adriana Granato didn’t just shop online for the elements to bring her vision to life. Granato actually traveled to a quarry in the Italian Alps to hand select the Fior di Pesco marble slabs (also known as peach flower marble, thanks to the peach-hued veins that run through the stone) that aligned with her vision.

Here are a few other noteworthy details that instantly skyrocketed Crystal Serenity, and its also-refurbished sister ship, Crystal Symphony , to vacation bucket list-worthy status in our eyes:

• Jesurum 1870 Linens. No scratchy or flimsy fabrics here. Each bed is adorned with bespoke, embroidered Italian-made linens.
• La Bottega Amenities. Expect soap and fragrances on board from Sicily-based Ortigia . The bath products deliver delicate notes of Sicilian spring wildflowers like narcissus, wild iris and jasmine.
• World-Class Dining Options. In addition to the 24-hour in-suite dining services available, guests can dine at the only Nobu restaurant at sea (master chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a legend in the culinary world) for Japanese-Peruvian fare. Or savor tapas, Italian, American, European bistro or ice cream. Vino fans will swoon over a multi-course food and wine pairing feast at the aptly named “The Vintage Room.”
• A Next-Level Spa. Aurōra is the Roman goddess of the dawn, and it's also the name of the ship’s spa “where you can awaken your mind, body and soul” with a signature facial, massage, medi-spa IV healing or book a full-service salon visit. (We’ll take a Chariot of Light massage and Supertech Facial, please!)

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About Crystal Serenity

Take the luxury cruise you have always dreamed about on the stunning 1070-guest Crystal Serenity. Feel like a VIP as you receive the acclaimed non-obtrusive service of Crystal Cruises, dine on the finest cuisine and retreat to beautiful spacious accommodations. Discerning travelers, this ship is for you!

De-stress at the fabulous Crystal Spa as you are pampered with fabulous treatments for the mind, body and spirit. Take an enrichment class at the ComputerUniversity@Sea or a special theme cruise, such as the Crystal Wine & Food Festival at Sea. Shop for a variety of designer items at Avenue of the Stars — this incredible ship has it all. Leisurely days of pleasure means you can finally read that bestseller, so head to the well-stocked library, which also has DVD’s and various board games or relax by the pool.

Imagine savoring the culinary masterpieces of famous celebrity chefs. Head to Silk Road, an elegant pan-Asian restaurant and The Sushi Bar, featuring dishes by legendary chef, "Nobu" Matsuhisa. Savor classic Italian dishes of Piero Selvaggi, owner of the famous Valentino restaurants, at Prego, for an unforgettable dining experience . Casual eateries for daytime meals include Tastes, with themed luncheon buffets and The Bistro, a European-styled coffee and wine bar. Enjoy the Lido Café for a quick breakfast and lunch, the poolside Trident Bar & Grill and try Scoops Ice Cream Bar for a delicious treat.

Dine under the glow of crystal chandeliers on exquisite cuisine prepared in the classical French tradition with a regional twist, at the beautiful Crystal Dining Room. Boasting menus sure to please the most discerning palate, as well as a separate one with mouthwatering four-course vegetarian dinners, never repeated during a cruise. Convenient Dining by Reservation™ is offered, as well as complimentary in-suite dining.

Luxuriate in your spectacular home away from home, with more than 80 percent of all staterooms boasting private balconies, perfect for morning coffee, cocktails and romantic sunsets. TV, a DVD player and Internet are featured in all. Complimentary amenities also include wine and various spirits. Indulge in the 982-square-foot Crystal Penthouse, with a huge living space and elegant dining area, state-of-the-art audio-visual system and a personal butler, anticipating every need and much more.

Exciting evenings await on the stunning ship. If you like dancing, The Gentleman Host Program provides a dance partner for single female passengers, so you will never feel left out. Meet friends for a cocktail at the Avenue Saloon and The Bistro. Enjoy pre-dinner dancing in the Starlite Club and watch a spectacular Broadway-like production at the magnificent Hollywood Theatre. Delightful piano music can be heard at the popular Crystal Cove, ideal for relaxing pre-dinner cocktails. Family fun activities and youth programs are also available onboard. Incredible cruise vacations await on the unparalleled Crystal Serenity.

Crystal Serenity cruises to worldwide destinations, including Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Mediterranean, U.S. & Canada, Hawaii, South America, Mexico, Panama Canal and Asia.

Crystal Penthouse Suite

Large private veranda and custom stone foyer floor, Spacious living room, Separate den with full-size sleeper sofa, TV, and closet plus separate dining area with ocean view and binoculars, Large bedroom with queen-size bed or twins with sumptuous bedding, Sophisticated one-touch lighting and surround-sound system, Welcome champagne, Nespresso coffee maker, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Sapphire Veranda Suite

Private veranda, Spacious living room, Queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, and third berth, Walk-in closet, Two TV's, Welcome champagne, Nespresso coffee maker, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Aquamarine Veranda Suite

Private veranda, Sizeable living area, Queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, Vanity in dressing area, Walk-in closet, TV, Sophisticated one-touch lighting and surround-sound system, Welcome champagne, Nespresso coffee maker, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite

Large private veranda, Spacious living room, Dining area, Two TV's, Sophisticated one-touch lighting and surround-sound system, Separate bedroom area, Vanity in bedroom, Queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, and third berth, Walk-in closet, Refrigerator, Welcome champagne, Nespresso coffee maker, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Double Guest Room with Veranda

Private veranda, Spacious living area with sofa, Queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, Walk-in shower, TV, Welcome champagne, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Double guest room with ocean view

Large picture window, Sizeable living area with sofa, Queen-size bed or twin beds with sumptuous bedding, Walk-in shower, TV, Welcome champagne, In-suite safe, Interactive tablet for news, updates, and reservations, Hair dryer, Hair iron (available upon request).

Single Guest Room With Ocean View

Accessible Suites

View Deck Plan

Deck: 12 - Lido

Deck: 6 - Tiffany

Parisian-inspired café and coffee bar with light snacks such as fresh pastries, bagels and fruit in the morning and a selection of international cheeses, pâtés, prosciutto, smoked salmon and dessert delicacies through late afternoon.

Trident Grill

Our pool restaurant featuring favorite classics such as Burgers, melts, salads and quick snacks for an indulgent poolside snack.

Umi Uma & Sushi Bar by Nobu Matsuhisa

Deck: 7 - Promenade

Created by legendary Master Chef Nobuyki (Nobu) Matusuhisa, Umi Uma is an innovative Japanese-Peruvian restaurant inspired by the rich culture of Japanese cuisine and Peruvian ingredients.

Vintage Room

Led by our head sommelier, this intimate venue focuses on wine education and cuisine. Vintages are paired with the masterful gastronomy served and specially aerated in advance.

Waterside Restaurant

Deck: 5 - Crystal

The main dining room aboard Crystal Serenity, features open seating as well as tables for two and four guests. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

MarketPlace Restaurant

Buffet style dining wrapped in floor to ceiling windows and a chic open air dining area. This venue offers breakfast and lunch with a variety of choices from appetizers to desserts. Itinerary driven food selections keep the menu’s fresh, while carving stations and individual a la minute cooking add a dynamic element.

Tastes Kitchen & Bar

Decks: 12 - Lido 13 - Sun

Globally inspired cuisine, and casual dining, Tastes offers tapas-style cuisine inspired by regional itinerary. The venue encourages a "family-style" experience for guests to enjoy on their own or with newfound friends. Open seating.

Osteria D'ovidio

Fine Italian cuisine, featuring original menus and dishes created by talented Crystal chefs.

Medical Center

Medical Center.

Galaxy Lounge

Performances are the focal point here, with appearances by fantastic Broadway-style performers and headline entertainers.

Hollywood Theater

The ship's sleek cinema for recent-released movies, live sport events, guest lectures and religious services.

Bridge Lounge

Equipped with comfortable chairs and large bridge tables, plus an expansive ocean view. Guests enjoy scheduled daytime activities or tournament play with Bridge Lecturers.

A well-stocked library containing over 2,000 books on a range of subjects from classics to popular biographies, history to contemporary mysteries.

Crystal Plaza

The Crystal Plaza Fountain reflects the ambiance of the entire ship: class, luxury, and pleasure.

For your every need, head to the concierge desk for helpful suggestion, reservations and more.

Avenue Saloon

Signature piano bar with an intimate ambience. The perfect setting for a cocktail before and after dinner.

Pulse Night Club

An intimate lounge for a late-night drink, dancing or a place to let loose with karaoke.

Stardust Club

On selected evenings before and after dinner, this entertainment lounge features dancing, production spot shows, cabaret performances and other themed events. Additionally, on select nights, Stardust will open the doors for Supper Club for up to 116 guests to enjoy an evening show where they can dine and dance at the same time.

Computer University@Sea

Our innovative Computer lab onboard led by a team of tech experts.

Fantasia Children's Playroom

Fantasia Children's Playroom.

Seahorse Pools & Jacuzzi

Our lap pool with plenty of surrounding deck space to sunbathe, relax and read while enjoying a cool drink in the afternoon.

Golf Driving Nets

Golf Driving Nets.

Table Tennis

Challenge a friend to a fun game of ping-pong on one of our tennis tables.

Wimbledon Court Paddle Tennis & Pickle Ball

Deck: 13 - Sun

Hit the full-sized paddle tennis and pickle ball court for a friendly game. Crystal Serenity has two courts available.

Avenue of the stars Boutiques

Avenue of the stars Boutiques.

Crystal Images

Schedule a private photo shoot or browse photos and videos from your voyage. Offered at an additional cost.

Waves Teen Center

Waves Teen Center.

Crystal Collection

Features an exclusive selection of Swiss watches and hosted trunk shows from iconic brands.

Crystal life Salon

Crystal life Salon.

Crystal life Fitness

Our 3,000+ square-foot Fitness Center, Weight Room and Aerobics Studio feature an extensive line of professional weights and Technogym® exercise equipment, along with panoramic views.

Crystal life Spa

There is a complete sauna and steam room facilities, as well as a variety of treatments, including aromatherapy, aqua meditation, exfoliation, reflexology and Swedish massage. Treatments are by appointment only.

Concierge Shore Excursion

Visit the Shore Excursions desk to learn about our unique on shore experiences.

Enjoy lectures and enriching experiences in this intimate classroom setting.

Future Sales Consultant

Future Sales Consultant.

Decks: 11 - Penthouse 10 - Penthouse 9 - Seabreeze 8 - Horizon 7 - Promenade

Convenient complement to our laundry and dry-cleaning services, guests have access to onboard self-service laundry.

Crystal Cove Bar

An ideal refreshment stop any time of the day, and the perfect place to meet friends for a pre-dinner cocktail. Enjoy a variety of musical styles as the day turns into night.

Scoops Ice Cream Bar

A sumptuous ice cream bar featuring fresh toppings and homemade cookies, with frozen yoghurt accompanying classics from Ben & Jerry’s.

Come by for a drink and watch the sunset at sea.

Connoisseur Club

An elegant space to indulge in the finest cigars and cognacs.

Observation Deck

Gaze onto sweeping azure ocean views from our forward observation deck.

The Palm Court

Featuring large sky lights, floor-to-ceiling windows and a fabulous 270-degree forward view, this venue is perfect for afternoon tea, social gatherings and dancing.

Main Stage.

Golf Putting Green

Golf Putting Green.

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Europe Tours & Trips 2019/2020

Crystal serenity.

• Onboard Experience

Out-of-This-World Cruise Vacations with Crystal Serenity

Few things in life can compare to Crystal cruise vacations, and the award-winning voyages with the spacious Crystal Serenity offer the quintessential experience. You'd be hard pressed to get more from an all-inclusive getaway anywhere else. It's a perfectly sized cruise ship: while it's the fleet's biggest, Crystal Serenity is still more intimate than most ocean liners. So just kick back, relax and enjoy all the good things in life at sea. Starting from Crystal Serenity's top deck, you're immediately in for treats. Enjoy the Wimbledon paddle tennis courts, Crystal Salon, the fitness center and an award-winning spa all on the Sun Deck. The Lido Deck entertains with everything from the Waves teen center and Fantasia kid's room to the pool and dining venues like Palm Court and Lido Café. Highlights from the Promenade Deck include the Library and restaurants like the Prego, Silk Road and the Vintage Room. Last but not least, the Tiffany and Crystal decks offer the most entertainment options aboard the Crystal Serenity. Between the Galaxy Lounge to the Hollywood Theatre, you're in for some amazing live shows. Of course, there's plenty of action in the glamorous Crystal Casino. Chill out in the sophisticated lounges or turn up the volume in the Pulse Night Club and Stardust Club and dance the night away.

ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Entertainment & Attractions

• Galaxy Lounge
• Hollywood Theatre

The Galaxy Lounge showcases award-winning Broadway-style productions with extravagent sets and features headline entertainers outfitted in elaborate costumes. Relax in comfortable seating and watch as the hydraulic stage rises to accomodate all seats in the house.

The Hollywood Theatre features popular classics and new releases to enjoy in a cozy space equipped with Dolby sound systems and multi-lingual translation systems.

The Palm Court is a forward-facing, spacious lounge that boasts stunning panoramic sea vistas through floor-to-ceiling window walls. Guests can enjoy daily Afternoon Tea, evening dancing and fun, and classical music concerts and special concerts here.

Dining Options

• Umi Uma & Sushi Bar
• Market Place
• The Vintage Room
• Churrascaria
• Trident Grill & Ice Cream Bar
• In-Suite / In-Room Dining

The critically-acclaimed Umi Uma & Sushi Bar is a reflection of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's celebrated sushi, sashimi, and Japanese-Peruvian dishes. You'll find ingenuity in every bite at this exclusive sea-going restaurants.

Waterside is an elegant main dining venue where you can dine at your leisure in an open seating setting. Enjoy Michelin-inspired meals prepared by Crystal's finest culinary team, showcasing menus of classic delights and modern treats.

Come to the Marketplace where you can enjoy luxuriant culinary presentations for breakfast and lunch. You will savor creative, continental dishes inspired by various regions in an atmospheric space with an ever-changing backdrop of wilderness. The Marketplace is located in the Endeavor's two-story solarium.

Dine where the rustic elegance and contemporary edge of Northern Italy converge. You'll enjoy Northern Italian fare amidst a lively and sophisticated atmosphere.

Unwind after a day of adventure in this European-style coffee bar that serves sublte, yet delicious full-service breakfast and lunch.

Not only will you enjoy innovative wining and dining, you will also become educated in The Vintage Room. Take part in priavte wine-themed lunches and dinners that showcase a praised collections of vintage wines and champagnes. To make a reservation, guests may use Priority Check-In & Planning Center or onboard through Reception.

Churrascaria has an atmospher reminiscent to a Brazilian steakhouse. You will be welcomed with a Caipirinha before you sit down to enjoy a savory selection of tapas and ceviches, salads, soups, veggies, and freshly grilled meat and seafood. This open seating venue is available for dinner every evening of your cruise with no reservation required.

Located on the Lido Deck, the Trident Grill & Ice Cream Bar is an open and relaxed venue offering classics like burgers of all kinds, hot dogs, tuna melts, wraps, and gourmet pizzas. Finish off your meal with a cool treat from the Scoops ice cream bar, hosting a wide variety of Ben & Jerry's ice creams, frozen yogurt, and sherbets with toppings and freshly baked cookies.

Crystal offers a complimentary 24-hour in-stateroom dining so you can enjoy breakfast in bed or dinner out on your verandah. Whether at sea or at port, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner from the comfort of your own room without lack of presentation or style you would find in the restaurants themselves. For lunch and dinner, guests may order from the Waterside menu, but if you are staying in a Penthouse, you have the opttion to order from specialty restaurants in addition to the Waterside.

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7 NIGHT CARIBBEAN Cruise

Departing From: San Juan

Duration: 7 nights

Ship: Crystal Serenity (Ship Info)

Port of Call: San Juan, Santo Domingo, Day At Sea, Pointe-a-pitre, French West Indies, Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, St. John's, Road Town, San Juan (View Itinerary)

7 Night Caribbean Cruise

Best For: Gourmet, Honeymoon, Luxury, Ocean Cruise, Romantic, Senior

$3,100

as little as $443.00/night

What's Included? -->

What 's Included in my Cruise?

Your Crystal Package Includes:

• Airport transfers to and from cruise
• Select alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages
• Gratuities onboard and on shore excursions
• Select complimentary shore excursions in every port
• Wellness classes
• Special events, such as dinner in a castle
• Specialty restaurants
• Butler service
• In-room mini-bar
• Interactive entertainment system with complimentary movies in cabins
• Room service

It does not include travel protection, personal expenses, or gratuities

No Money Down & Relaxed Cancellation Terms and Final Payment Date

Peace of Mind

The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line invites guests to dream big and plan for their future travels with total confidence, excitement and reduced pressure of commitment. Newly expanded to include voyages across all Crystal Experiences – Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition – is our  Crystal Confidence 3.0  for select new and existing bookings.

This new limited-time offer launches in conjunction with enhancements to our other Peace of Mind booking policies – from reduced deposits and extended final payments to relaxed cancellation schedules and extended Early Full Payment Savings – granting travelers who are eager to return to their global discoveries with broader choices and flexibility to alter plans if necessary.

CRYSTAL CONFIDENCE 3.0 Now extended through December 2021, Crystal Confidence 3.0 offers both relaxed cancellation terms and a final payment of 60 days prior to first day of service for all new and existing bookings.

EARLY FULL PAYMENT DISCOUNT Revised Early Full Payment Discount policy applies to select voyages. To qualify for 2.5% savings, cruise must be paid in full at 90 days prior to first date of service for departures through December 2021** and 270 days prior to first date of service for all departures beginning January 2022 and beyond.

Departing From: Fort Lauderdale

Port of Call: Fort Lauderdale, Day At Sea, Day At Sea, St. Thomas, Road Town, Marigot, St. Martin, St. Kitts (basseterre), San Juan (View Itinerary)

Port of Call: San Juan, Jost Van Dyke (british Virgin Islands), St. John's, Gustavia, St. Barthelemy, St. Thomas, Day At Sea, Day At Sea, Day At Sea, Fort Lauderdale (View Itinerary)

Departing From: Barbados

Port of Call: Bridgetown, St George's, Day At Sea, Kralendijk, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Aruba, Day At Sea, Cartagena (View Itinerary)

$3,400

as little as $486.00/night

Enter your email to get the ‘6 Night Canada Cruise’ brochure containing all the important information right to your inbox.

6 NIGHT CANADA Cruise

Departing From: Vancouver

Duration: 6 nights

Port of Call: Vancouver, Astoria, Day At Sea, San Francisco (california), San Francisco (california), Day At Sea, Los Angeles (View Itinerary)

6 Night Canada Cruise

$3,600.

as little as $600.00/night

Cruise ship review: A new owner saved this luxury ship from ruin

Crystal symphony.

• The cruise Fremantle to Auckland (14 days)
• The ship Built 1995, refurbished 2023
• Passengers 606
• Length 781 feet (238.1 metres)

Good bones, sleek lines and the ability to win deep affection: the high-end Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group knows a good thing when it sees it. So when Crystal Cruises sailed into financial strife in 2022, A&K rushed to snaffle two of the defunct company’s most beloved ships, the Crystal Serenity and the 1995-built Crystal Symphony, and immediately set about updating and reconfiguring so they could do the impossible – relaunch within a year. The result? A hybrid of Crystal Cruises’ small-ship charm and A&K’s exceptionality.

I’m joining the Crystal Symphony for its Melbourne-Sydney leg. As the taxi pulls up at Port Melbourne my heart sinks at the long queue winding out of the terminal under leaden skies, spitting rain and crashing thunder that Melbourne has scripted for our send-off. But there’s a plot twist: the queue is for the other ship docked here. I’m spirited on board and in 10 minutes I have a fresh cruise pass in one hand and champagne in the other as I watch a rainbow straight out of special effects announce a break in the weather over the bay.

Luxury is never a dirty word, but it is an overused one. One marker that cannot be fudged and that sets cruise experiences apart is a sense of space, something Crystal Symphony has in spades, helped by the decision to reduce capacity from 900 passengers to 606 by preferencing bigger guest rooms over smaller ones during refurbishment. The number of 20-square-metre rooms was cut from 347 to 95, while the number of 40-square-metre Sapphire Suites rose from 31 to 132. Detail-driven design set off by quality Italian furnishings mean all the public areas invite you to linger (it’s hard to walk past those plush Cassina chairs) and there are no dead spaces. This is not a shouty ship; the overall feeling is of elegant, relaxed comfort, that makes it hard to decide where you want to spend most of your time.

I’m at the Seahorse lap pool on deck 11 and, in a cruise-ship rarity, I have it to myself, though the brisk water temperature may have something to do with this. After a floaty hour on one of the many, well-spaced deckchairs, other spaces beckon.

The pot-planted Palm Court on the same deck is the spot for afternoon tea accompanied by a 270-degree forward view and a pianist. Later it’s the venue for cocktails, and to witness a rosy ocean framed by floor-to-ceiling windows before the dance floor fills. From the wide promenade deck, to a bite at the refreshed Parisian-inspired bistro, to the shiny brass fittings by the elevators, you’ll encounter clean lines, elegance and attention to detail.

The stateroom

In a nod to the passion of Crystal Symphony’s former cruisers and to avoid needless waste, A&K decided to entirely refit decks seven and eight only, and to preserve the ship’s classic staterooms on deck 10, which feature darker wood and are beloved by previous passengers. (I witness one returning passenger describe his former stateroom in loving detail, down to how it felt to write at the desk).

I’m in one of the new Sapphire Verandah Suites on deck eight, which is more than 40 square metres (yes, two staterooms were turned to one) with a double balcony, separate lounge and walk-in wardrobe. But again it’s the small details not immediately apparent that impress the most: the Fiorito marble in the bathroom; the Italian Jesurum 1870 bed sheets ($US2000 a set); the push-button double rainshower and Bushnell binoculars for ocean gazing. There’s also 24/7 butler service, which all rooms now include.

Yes, your butler can deliver whatever you like 24/7, but you must eat at least once at Umi Uma, the only Nobu at sea, for such delights as lobster tacos and monkfish liver pate. This Japanese-Peruvian hybrid, complete with sushi bar, is by Michelin-star chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa, who has had a 20-year relationship with Crystal. If you prefer to travel to Italy, there’s Osteria d’Ovidio and Scoops gelato bar for dessert.

The indoor/outdoor Marketplace with its jaunty striped chairs will banish any doubts about cruise buffets: it’s here that the Crystal Symphony’s high guest to space ratio (1:82 square metres) really shines. The Bistro, the Trident Grill and the Tastes Kitchen and Bar offer casual eating, while the more formal Waterside offers has range of cuisines served on white tablecloths.

There’s a well-equipped gym, the Seahorse lap pool, the spacious Promenade walk on deck seven, a pickle-ball court and golf range. The revamped Aurora Spa offers a sauna and a range of treatments.

Entertainment

Head to the Galaxy Lounge Theatre for Broadway-style shows, the Starlight Lounge for comedy or the Avenue Salon for jazz. The Jade Nightclub buzzes: mainly because of its resident DJ who once worked at that famously infamous New York hotspot Studio 54, a fact celebrated with photos of celebrated ’54-ers Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger in their disco-hopping heyday beamed onto walls, accompanied by a danceable mix. Daytime pursuits beyond eating, drinking, relaxing, exercising and socialising? There’s the computer lab, a cosy library and Galaxy Lounge movies. There is no casino.

When you’re on a good thing, stick to it. When news came that A&K was breathing new life in the Symphony after Crystal went into receivership, 85 per cent of former crew members jumped at the chance to get back on board and that’s tipped to hit 95 per cent by the end of March. The crew ratio with almost one staff member per guest, is the highest at sea. The crew are unfailingly efficient, polite, friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, I don’t get to test the butler service; I have everything I need, so I keep forgetting I have one.

The verdict

Attention to detail, classic touches and understated elegance: there are many reasons why the Crystal Symphony attracts such loyalty. This beautiful ship has emerged from financial upheaval with a new owner sympathetic to its history and to the expectations of its returning guests.

The details

A 10-night Stockholm to Copenhagen voyage leaving August 11, from $9100 a guest. A 12-night sailing from Venice to Istanbul from June 10, $13,300 a guest. All-inclusive. The Symphony has five staterooms with disabled access.

The rating out of five

Swell Relaxing on my wide balcony, with nothing but sea, serenity – and good binoculars.

Not so swell Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal somehow still causes Uber confusion.

The writer was a guest of the Crystal Symphony. See crystalcruises.com

Crystal Serenity - Current Position

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$569 / day #239 of 248 ships

$591 / day #211 of 238 ships

$630 / day #163 of 288 ships

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Crystal Serenity

Crystal cruises.

• Year of built 2003
• Length (LOA) 250 m / 820 ft
• Passengers 740
• Destination SAO TOME
• ETA May 14, 08:00
• Speed 15 kn / 28 km/h
• Temperature

Around-the-World Cruises: Everything Travelers Need to Know About These Epic Voyages

By Scott Laird and Mark Ellwood

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

An around-the-world cruise is often thought of as the pinnacle of a  sailing vacation . Some cruisers treat these multi-month journeys as once-in-a-lifetime trips; others are frequent guests, a world cruise but one piece of their annual travel plans. There are also the enduring tales of older travelers who elect for extended world voyages as an unconventional retirement plan . (Though as onboard WiFi becomes more reliable, it's now possible to work remote from many cruise ships, as well.)

Whatever the reason, the allure of this mode of travel is strong. Why not unpack once, enjoying fairy godmother-like service, exemplary amenities, and always-changing views for months on end? Plenty of cruisers with time and money on their hands do exactly that, choosing an extended at-sea lifestyle for at least a portion of the year. Around-the-world cruises often run from early January through March or April, although new off-season itineraries are being introduced.

If an epic voyage across multiple oceans and continents fits into your future, be prepared to plan the trip far in advance. World cruises have a strong following among cruisers—many of the sailings can sell out up to a year before departure. Travelers can also book shorter “segments” joining the ship for only a portion of the journey, but cruise lines often add significant value-adds to those booking the entire voyage—everything from free business class airfare to other exclusives like special parties and invite-only shore excursions.

Here's everything travelers need to know about taking an around-the-world cruise, including tricks from veteran world cruisers, booking tips, and some of the best itineraries in 2025 and beyond.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Booking tips for around-the-world cruises

How much is a cruise to go around the world.

World cruises, which may not actually circumnavigate the globe entirely, but are generally in a category that covers at least three continents and lasts from 90 to 150 days, generally start around $140 per passenger per night based on double occupancy. All in all, the cost of 100-plus day world cruise can range from $16,000 to over $800,000 per person, depending on the line and cabin type.

Is an around the world cruise worth it?

That’s certainly subjective, but travelers already accustomed to cruising—who appreciate the amenities of a ship and the lifestyle of a new port to view through the window every few days—will likely consider world cruises good value.

How much does a 180-day cruise around the world cost?

The longest world voyages we found generally lasted up to 140 to 150 days at their upper limits, although Oceania Cruises world cruises can be 180 days or more, starting at $48,799 per passenger.

Advice from frequent world cruisers

Roger Foenander and his partner David Mutton—loyalists to Viking Cruises —note the lack of pressure to see and do things within a tight timeframe on longer journeys, which provides plenty of freedom to relax. That might mean attending onboard enrichment lectures, spending the afternoon playing cards with fellow passengers, or dipping into the onboard spa and sauna before cocktail hour.

Linda Wiseman, who has traveled with Cunard , suggests new faces can help get ahead of any monotony: “In the dining room, we tell the maître d’ not to seat us with another couple who is sailing the whole thing—that way, our seat mates switch every few weeks, and we can meet different people.”

New Orleans-based philanthropist and veteran world cruiser Phyllis Taylor observes that these sailings are a class set apart, without the frenzied pace of shorter itineraries: “The difference between a short cruise and a  world cruise  is night and day, storm and calm, fleeting thought and thoughtfulness. I enter the bar in the evening, in no time my favorite song is being played, my favorite drinks sit before me. I go to dinner and my favorite table is waiting for me, and my waiter has already served the iced water with lemon just as I like it."

But the real value of a world cruise, Taylor says, is the chance to fully immerse in and savor the experience: “With an extended cruise you absorb the lifestyle of life at sea; with the great advantage of having a crew and staff that treats you like royalty.”

The best around-the-world cruise itineraries

You can book world cruises in their entirety or join one leg of the journey for a shorter voyage.

Silversea’s 136-day sailing onboard their newest ship, Silver Dawn , will embark in Tokyo in January 2025. Called Controtempo , the cruise will sail in the opposite direction and season of many world cruises, taking in Japan and China in January before heading to Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives , and Seychelles in February. The ship will spend the spring making its way up Africa’s Atlantic Coast—arriving in the Baltic Sea before cruising to Iceland and Greenland (an uncommon call for World Cruises), then tracing Newfoundland and New England to New York.

Caitlin Morton

Jessica Puckett

Jamie Spain

Meaghan Kenny

Fares start at $77,560 “Port-to-Port” or $79,060 “Door-to-Door,” which includes business class airfare and transfers—including pickups and drop-offs in the traveler’s home city.

Princess Cruises

Most world cruises departing from North America head to sea in January, but in 2026 Princess Cruises will be offering 114-day World Cruises during the northern summer. Departing in early May from Auckland, New Zealand; or Sydney or Brisbane, Australia (mid-autumn in the Southern Hemisphere), the sailings are timed to arrive in Western and Northern Europe during the peak of summer, promising endless sunny days.

The sailing also has a number of long stretches of sea days for cruisers who like time to unwind and enjoy the amenities of the ship, Crown Princess . Some of the longer ocean crossings, like Brisbane to Bali and Colombo, Sri Lanka to Aqaba, Jordan will take a week or longer, while three other ocean crossings are at least four days.

Inside cabins start at $15,588 per passenger or from $22,248 for Princess Plus fares, which includes beverages, WiFi, and onboard gratuities.

Crystal’s land partnerships with parent company Abercrombie & Kent are front and center during their 2025 World Cruise , a 123-night sailing departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 7 onboard the Crystal Serenity —fresh off a complete refurbishment that reduced the total number of cabins, which now all offer butler service in every room or suite category.

With port calls in South America, Africa, India, the Middle East, and Europe, Crystal will offer guests a number of overland packages in partnership with Abercrombie & Kent—think multi-night side trips to the Galápagos Islands , Machu Picchu, the Serengeti, Taj Mahal, or Karnak Temple.

Guests booking Crystal's full World Cruise will have included Business Class airfare, $1,500 shipboard credit, luggage valet, and airport transfers. Fares start at $66,500 per passenger based on double occupancy in an Ocean View Deluxe stateroom.

Regent's luxury world cruises tend to sell out far in advance.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has already opened their 2027 world cruise for booking—and they have a tendency to sell out quickly. It will be the first year a larger Explorer Class ship, the Seven Seas Splendor , will undertake the world voyage, calling at 71 ports en route from Miami to New York in January 2027.

The routing will take the ship from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast of Mexico via the Panama Canal, Hawaii, several ports in French Polynesia (calling twice at both Moorea and Bora Bora), Australia, Southeast Asia, India, the Persian Gulf, the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, and Bermuda before arriving in New York.

Early bookers will get a long list of added amenities, including first class airfare, a pre-cruise gala in Miami, exclusive shoreside experiences in Panama City, Colombo, and Málaga , unlimited shore excursions, unlimited beverages, gratuities, transfers, door-to-door luggage service, and unlimited laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing. Fares start at $91,449 per passenger and go up to $839,999 per passenger for the ship’s most luxurious suite.

Oceania Cruises

Many world cruises depart in January and sail in the 100- to 140-day range, mostly wrapping up by April or May. Oceania’s 180-day world cruises last until midsummer, and are often “true” around-the-world sailings, ending in the same port they first embarked from.

Oceania’s 2025 Global Horizons sailing lasts a whopping 196 days onboard Insignia , roundtrip from Miami. The sailing includes several destinations in the Eastern Caribbean, and—extraordinary for a world voyage—a week of scenic cruising along the Amazon River . The voyage continues in South America before crossing the Atlantic to the remote islands of Tristan de Cunha, a British Overseas Territory, before making landfall again in Namibia , tracing the African coast through South Africa, Mozambique, and the French department of Mayotte (another rare stop for a cruise), island-hopping in the Indian Ocean before calling in India.

The sailing covers a lot of ground in Asia—Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Japan, the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia—before cruising the west and south coasts of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, French Polynesia, and Hawaii. Crossing the Pacific to San Diego the ship then hops down the coasts of Mexico and Central America through the Panama Canal before returning to Miami in mid-July.

Oceania’s 2026 Around the World in 180 Days sailing is also roundtrip from Miami. Sailing westbound, the itinerary covers the east and west coasts of South America, the South Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, and much of the Middle East before transiting the Mediterranean to spend significant time in northwestern Europe and the Baltic Sea before crossing the far north Atlantic via Iceland and Canada before returning to Miami.

Starting fares for each of the world voyages currently range from $48,799 to to $57,999, including a number of value-adds like roundtrip airfare and airport transfers, plus a number of added onboard amenities.

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MEET THE CREW: A WORD WITH THE CAPTAIN

Crystal Serenity’s much-loved Captain Birger Vorland on how he broke a world record, his favorite port on the 2025 World Cruise – and the most important rule of being a captain.

Published on 05/14/2024

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Most long-time Crystal voyagers will probably have heard of the now-legendary 2016 Northwest Passage crossing. Long before the boom in expedition ships, Captain Birger Vorland successfully navigated Crystal Serenity through the notoriously ice-choked, often-inaccessible sea route through the Arctic – earning the world record for the largest luxury cruise ship and the greatest number of people to sail the waterway.

“That’s when my career peaked,” he quips, recalling how the voyage, which was repeated in 2017, was four years in the planning and involved a support icebreaker vessel, special training, and ice radar.

“The icebreaker ship had a heli-deck so we could land two helicopters next to each other for sightseeing and to scout out the ice,” he recounts. “We had 18 Zodiacs, a RIB boat, all the survival gear. The trip sold out within 48 hours. The excitement among the guests was unique.”

Vorland, who has been a captain for almost 25 years and with Crystal since 2002, has led countless epic journeys.

“Every World Cruise is memorable, especially our 2025 itinerary,” he says. “It includes the island of Saint Helena, in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean between Brazil and Africa, which is a really exciting place – you only have a 50-50 chance of making it in because of the swell. That’s why Napoleon was sent there in exile – he couldn’t get away.”

Growing up on the small Norwegian island of Bomlo, south of Bergen, a maritime career was always on the cards for Vorland.

“In those days, everyone was at sea. All my friends were fishermen, and I knew that wasn’t for me, but my dad was a captain of cargo ships, so I decided to do that. I started as an able seaman when I was 19,” says Vorland. In 1983, he swapped cargo ships for cruise ships – but it initially didn’t go well.

“I hated the first month. The cargo ship had 25 people, and everyone talked to each other. Then, I went on a cruise ship with 350 crew. I used to breathe a sigh of relief when I managed to find my way back to my cabin at the end of the day. When I got promoted to quartermaster and went on the navigation bridge, everything all changed.”

After nautical college Vorland worked his way up through the ranks at Cunard; in 2002, Crystal Cruises approached him, and the rest is history. Initially, he was Captain of the former Crystal ship Crystal Harmony ; then, a spell working on land included, in 2008, going to Dubai to work with the Royal Navy when the Somali pirates were at their peak. But ultimately, he missed being at sea, so he returned as Captain of Crystal Serenity in 2012.

“My number-one job is to make sure that everyone is safe and secure in everything that we do.”

“It’s a lifestyle choice. I can not answer my phone, I’m on call 24/7, and I have to make really important decisions,” he says. “But I enjoy being with people and working with all these crew members. This team is special. It’s not something that happens in one or two years – it takes decades to create this kind of magic.”

The most important rule of being a captain, he says, is to be completely certain of your own ability. “If you are the master, you need to be 100 percent confident in taking the ship into port. It’s no good thinking, ‘My old captain did it, so it will be fine’; unless you yourself are sure, don’t do it,” he says. My number-one job is to make sure that everyone is safe and secure in everything that we do.”

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