Crystal Serenity, Through Fresh Eyes

Alex may be no stranger to luxury travel, with a very impressive portfolio of five-star stays under her belt, but Crystal Serenity marks her first foray into the world of luxury cruising.  

Stepping onboard as part of our Cruise Product team, she brings an interesting perspective: an experienced luxury traveller discovering what life at sea is really like for the first time. From the finer details of the ship and its service to the all-important question of whether cruising can rival the world's best resorts, we caught up with Alex after her Mediterranean sailing to find out what has surprised, delighted and impressed her most. 

You know luxury hotels particularly well – what, if anything, feels different about luxury at sea? Has Crystal changed your perception of what a luxury holiday can look like?

I think, like many, the idea of cruising felt a little alien, I've always loved exploring destinations or taking a walk around a resort when on a land holiday, so I wasn't sure how I would feel. Crystal Serenity was everything and more! Whether it was the seamless disembarks daily, the attention to detail  (cold towels waiting for us when we got back on board after being in 45 degrees, or the bottle of Jacquart Brut Mosaique NV waiting for me on arrival) or the exceptional dining options. I couldn't have imagined a better maiden experience into luxury cruising!  

When Emy and Isaac travelled on Crystal Serenity last year, they described the ship as feeling like a “floating, Art Deco-inspired boutique hotel”. Did you get the same feeling?

I was interested to understand that Crystal Serenity is going into dry dock in a few months, as the Atrium and some of the hallways looked older in style compared to other ships I’ve seen. I think I'd describe Serenity in a very similar way, but actually with more facilities than a boutique hotel. With a spa plus the padel courts and then the incredible food options, I'd say she is very much ‘big ship facilities, boutique ship feel’.  

Service is such a big part of the luxury hotel experience. How did you find Crystal’s service compared with the resorts you’re used to?

The butlers are certainly a highlight, nothing was too much trouble. An ice cold glass of rose blush and some olives while I got ready one evening, or even ensuring several items I needed pressing were whisked off and back expertly hung in the wardrobe for later in the cruise. We were very lucky to be in Sapphire Suites which included several pieces of laundry – absolute game changer for me and my dreadful panic packing.  

The staff onboard, particularly in the speciality dining restaurants are just incredible. They explain the menus in depth and make recommendations based on your preferences. Several options in Osteria D'Ovidio (the onboard Italian) felt a little overwhelming at first, as there are three different 8 course tasting menus – but our waiter and sommelier each explained the options and helped us to navigate the best choices! I now expect my Tiramisu to be made to order in front of me!  

We often say it's the small things, and with Crystal that's very much the case. It's the hundreds of little things that you didn't know you wanted or needed that they include or arrange.  

What was your standout dining experience onboard?

Honestly, I can't select a favourite. It was all exceptional. I imagined dining onboard a cruise line to be a great buffet most nights with a couple of speciality options. But Crystal's "as standard" options that can be visited every day are the same standard I expect of a speciality restaurant.  

To use Beefbar as an example, we spent our second evening enjoying tuna ceviche, Korean bao buns and smoked wagyu beef, before being served a 10oz Black Angus Rib Eye – with all the sides I might add, too! How this is not considered a speciality option baffles me.  

Of course as dining experiences go, I couldn't not mention Umi Uma (the only Nobu at sea). Again, after a slightly overwhelming look at the menu and knowing all too well I'd have food envy from start to finish, our server guided us through the highlights and helped us understand portion sizes. That meant we could order everything family style and sample A LOT of the menu. Many friends describe having a second stomach for desert? Well I have a second and third one for Japanese fusion! Yellowtail tartar with caviar, tuna tataki with cilantro sauce, octopus carpaccio and Nobu style lobster with truffle-yuzu sauce – I'm hungry again thinking about it.  

Crystal has a huge amount happening onboard, but it’s also known for never feeling crowded. Did you find any favourite places to retreat to?

Even on a sea day, the sun deck didn't feel crowded. It was wonderful to escape onto one of the day beds and soak up a little sun and sip a little champagne.  

I'd also highly recommend The Bistro – if one day you’d prefer not to have a full meal, they serve a great iced coffee and some pastry style snacks.  

Your itinerary took in Cartagena, Alicante and Castellón de la Plana. Did you do anything ashore that you’d particularly recommend?

Alicante was a great little day out, we took a very short (literally less than 5 minutes) shuttle to the town. We were close to the beach, which some of the group spent the afternoon on, while a few of us wandered less than half a mile to a local restaurant and ordered traditional Paella and sangria. That was a lovely experience seeing as we were in Spain.  

Castellon was a longer transfer to the town but well worth it, very pretty with several old churches, little town squares and quaint shops to potter about in.  

One of the advantages of cruising is waking up somewhere different without having to pack and unpack. After experiencing it first-hand, do you think that convenience changes the way you travel?

Yes, I have without a doubt been converted! Being able to explore several destinations and not be frantically unpacking and re-packing, then inevitably not being able to find anything, was so much more relaxing. Last year I visited 3 islands in the Maldives and I had the most wonderful time, but I lived out of my suitcase. Onboard Crystal Serenity my case was empty and all my clothes hung up in the large walk-in wardrobe within a couple of hours of embarkation, and that was that. All I had to do was remember to take ID with me when we disembarked at every port. I felt settled and a sense of relaxation I've not experienced before.  

You’ve experienced some exceptional resort spas and wellness facilities. How does Crystal Life compare?

The facilities on board Crystal Serenity are truly equal to many luxury resorts I've been to. I wished I'd had time to sneak a little massage in! The sauna has views for miles with a huge window looking over the ocean when sailing. The fitness facilities were very high end, fully equipped with everything you could imagine, and the team always made sure there was brand new bottle of cold water and clean hand towel on every piece of equipment!  

There were also several complimentary activities available daily – for example, the Power of Collagen Renewal by Dr Owusu in the Aurora Spa, fitness bootcamp classes, improve your metabolism sessions, spin classes, complimentary posture analysis, morning stretching with the fitness director, and even 15 minute mini neck and shoulder massages!

Has anything about cruising challenged your expectations? 

Dining onboard Crystal was something that absolutely changed how I view cruising. I'd honestly been expecting a lot more of a luxury buffet experience for most of the dining during our trip. But we actually ate a la carte every evening during the 4 night trip. I LOVE a buffet for breakfast or lunch, but it's not my favourite option for evening dining. I like to sit and chat the evening away with friends or my husband, not be up and down like a jack in the box eating random combinations of food as my fear of missing out takes over. 

Being able to dine and not feel restricted was exceptional. There’s such an incredible collection on each menu that - had we been on a longer cruise - I'd have happily dined in Beefbar and Waterside several times. You can dine at Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio more than once, however you can only book once prior to sailing. Umi Uma also has a sushi bar that’s first come first serve for seating, and that looks so much fun!

What was your biggest “this is why people cruise” moment?

Waking up on Wednesday morning and being greeted by my butler, I sat quietly on the balcony having breakfast alone, looking out over Alicante wondering what the day held. It was at this point - waiting to explore our second destination - that it dawned on me: I hadn’t had to unpack. And I wasn't going to need to pack for several days, AND I still had several destinations to look forward to. I didn't lift a finger all week, and that level of relaxation for me was unprecedented. I simply hadn't ever felt that calm and relaxed. I came to realise that it isn't just one reason you love cruising, it's the whole experience. 

After this sailing, what do you think Crystal Serenity does well for someone looking for a genuinely luxurious holiday?

The inclusivity of Crystal Cruises for me sets them apart: champagne on arrival, a butler for every cabin – guests want for absolutely nothing.  

Crystal Serenity has a mid-sized ship feel with big ship facilities. This sounds difficult to imagine, but they seamlessly provide so much onboard without it feeling overwhelming to the guests. The only time I felt like I'd seen quite a few people in one place was at the white party, aside from that I never felt I was cruising with 700 other passengers.  

And, most importantly, has Crystal converted you? Would you cruise again? And if so, where would you want to wake up or set sail with next?

Oh goodness, hasn't it just! Talk about being spoiled. I will absolutely be cruising again very soon. I'd love to explore more of the Mediterranean, but I've set my sights on Alaska – that's shot up to the top of the bucket list since cruising with Crystal.  

After several days sailing the Mediterranean, Alex has now had her first taste of the Crystal way of doing things – and, perhaps more importantly, luxury cruising has had its chance to make an impression. With truly world-class dining, thoughtful service, beautiful spaces and the simple pleasure of waking up somewhere new each morning, Crystal Serenity makes the prospect of swapping the traditional resort for a few days at sea very enticing. For a first cruise, it’s a pretty persuasive introduction – and one that may have Alex packaging cruise itineraries for herself, as well as our customers, from now on.