Crystal Serenity: Crystal Cruises' long-awaited third vessel offers more of what the line does best - New Ship Review

Cruise Travel, Nov-Dec, 2003 by Theodore W. Scull

The Computer University@Sea has 16 stations that allow one to keep in touch via email, at a price, and all cabins are wired for personal laptops. The staffed library of books and DVDs has three cozy bays for curling up in a comfy chair with footstool. Nearby, the Bridge Lounge has 16 well-patronized tables with instruction.

For the body, the 8,500-square-foot spa and fitness centers, located high up and aft, are much larger than aboard the two previous ships and are arranged with separate entrances and very good soundproofing, hence the thumping of exercise machines does not intrude upon treatment-room serenity or the Lido Care below. For sports, two paddle-tennis courts sit side by side on Sun Deck 13, and under the supervision of a sports director, they saw constant use. I found that a few fast-paced sets helped my appetite but not necessarily my waistline. Aft down on Tiffany Deck 6, there is a cluster consisting of two golf nets, a putting green, and two ping-pong tables--all in a quiet wind-protected setting with a wake's view.

In addition to the Palm Court observation lounge, cocktails are served in the Avenue Saloon, a Crystal trademark, which offers a pianist in a clubby paneled setting. Cigar smokers and after-dinner imbibers reside next door in the even woodier Connoisseur Club. For an open setting, the Crystal Cove off the Atrium, topped with a colored glass oval dome, has a pianist at times and a Lucite player-piano at others. And one deck above, the Bistro has a sit-up bar and table seating for enjoying the all day snack buffet of cold meats, salads, cheeses, fruit, and desserts. The Atrium's mezzanine is also the setting for two high-end shops selling clothing, jewelry, china, and glass, plus a Crystal souvenir shop.

One Crystal Society (past) passenger remarked, "Just about everything feels familiar, but there is more of it." Now with three ships, Crystal will call at more ports than any time in the company's history. From Auckland to Zihuatanejo and 176 ports in between, six continents are your oyster.

Following her fall season in the Mediterranean, the Crystal Serenity moves to the Caribbean. Then after a Panama Canal transit, she will set off from Los Angeles on January 19 for a 106 day world cruise that ends in New York.

For more information contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises (Cruise Travel Magazine), 2049 Century Park East/Suite 1400, Los Angeles, CA 90067; or log on to www.crystalcruises.com.