Crystal Cruise Line
Ten Years being the “Best”
For an astounding tenth straight year, Crystal Cruises has been voted the "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" in Travel + Leisure magazine's annual readers survey. This amazing tenure is the longest that any luxury cruise line has ever maintained. When asked about the award, Gregg Michel, President of Crystal Cruises said, "While each award is very special, we are exceptionally honored to win this tenth year on the tenth anniversary of Travel + Leisure's World Best Awards". "Our research indicates that reputation is a key factor in making a travel decision and there is no better validation of Crystal's reputation than to win this award for an unprecedented number of consecutive years from the sophisticated readers of Travel + Leisure."
It is no wonder Crystal cruise travelers prefer the award winning luxury cruise line again and again. With recent enhancements to basic needs like offering guests a pillow menu for a customized sleeping experience, Crystal Cruises recognizes that repeat business is what drives a company and makes every effort to make their guests as comfortable as possible.
Profile
The line is decidedly upscale--but its ships, unlike its luxury niche competitors, are big ones, carrying 940 passengers and more. Crystal, owned by NYK Line of Japan and based in Los Angeles, was founded in 1990. Six-star cruise ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony feature elegantly-appointed staterooms (most with private verandas), an array of dining options (Italian and Asian alternative restaurants), award-winning entertainment, and Caesars Palace at Sea casino.
The luxury cruise line's third ship, Crystal Serenity, the line's largest ship, introduces the new Crystal signature features, such as a sushi bar, a second paddle tennis court, and a boardroom-with-wine-cellar. Fantasia, Crystal's children's facility, is state-of-the-art; also onboard is a teen center. The ship has an indoor/outdoor pool as well as the standard centerpiece pool. Keynote facilities, like the Computer University@Sea and the spa was expanded. Crystal Serenity offers a higher ratio of balcony cabins; 85 percent of all outside staterooms have verandahs. Crystal Serenity sailed its inaugural cruise on July 7, 2003.
As a luxury cruise line, their biggest challenge, ironically, is its size. How do you provide outstanding service and freedom-of-choice--on such a large scale? The answer is that it has one of the industry's highest guest-to-staff ratios, guest space ratios, and, perhaps not coincidentally, one of the most loyal repeat passenger bases afloat. There's a huge positive side to Crystal's biggest-ships-in-luxury-cruise-class status as well; there are simply far more options, in terms of entertainment, socializing, its Caesar's Palace at Sea casino, spa and fitness facilities, activities, and enrichment options than its smaller luxury competitors.
Health and Wellness Fitness Program
Crystal Cruises has devoted some of their sailings to a health and wellness cruise special theme. This health and fitness collection offers different activities on each sailing. For example, the December 6th sailing on the Crystal Symphony going to the Western Caribbean will offer Pilates classes and lectures led by Darcie Osborn, the studio manager for the Nevada Ballet Theatre Academy in Las Vegas. Also, the award winning medical journalist, Dr. Ruth Jacobowitz, who will share her knowledge and insight on the human aging process and will be offering tips on longevity.
The December 14th sailing (Eastern Caribbean) will have Pat McFrederick, a yoga master with 22 years of experience holding a series of yoga classes and lectures. Joining Pat will be Dr. Barbara Udell, the Director of Health and Wellness at the CuisinArt Resort and Spa in Anguilla, British West Indies. She will speak on her experiences as a keynote speaker for Weight Watchers and Diet Centers of America.
Kids
While it is a top-rated luxury cruise line, Crystal has made a lot of effort to incorporate family cruises with a first-rate children's program--generally on summer and holiday sailings--on both Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony. Centered around "Fantasia," the main kids playroom, there are Sony Playstation games, a big screen television and games. Camp counselors oversee daily activities and enrichment programs. Crystal Symphony has "Waves," a teen-oriented center. As a result, the cruise line has become a terrific multi-generational family cruise vacation choice--on an upscale level, of course. On more exotic and on longer itineraries, expect few, if any children.
Crystal Society
A multi-tiered program that includes Passport, a quarterly magazine; onboard cocktail reception; priority on wait lists and on special reservation voyages, and a Crystal Society travel bag and lapel pin. Incredibly generous onboard incentives that increase as passengers pass designated milestones. Crystal's Society Sailings, usually four annually, offer themed events such as Alaska Glacier and Mexican fiesta parties and specially-designed shore excursions; with the company president accompanying one of these.
Ships in Service
- Crystal Harmony: approximately 49,400 tons, 940 passengers
- Crystal Symphony: approximately 51,044 tons, 940 passengers
- Crystal Serenity: approximately 68,000 tons, 1,080 passengers
Cruise Areas & Seasons
- Spring: Panama Canal/Caribbean, World Cruise, Transatlantic, Baltic, Asia
- Summer: Alaska/Canada, Western Europe, Baltic, North Cape, British Isles, Mediterranean
- Fall: Panama Canal/Caribbean, Mediterranean, South America, Canada/New England
- Winter: Panama Canal, Caribbean, Asia, Western Europe, Transatlantic
- Holiday: Caribbean/Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera
Customer Profile
Their cruise travelers are primarily 35+ with a median age of 62. Most are married, upscale, discriminating travelers. Approximately 85 percent are from the United States and Canada and 15 percent are international, sophisticated travelers.
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