Well I’m finally getting around to writing this review of our cruise on the Crystal Symphony in December. I had wanted to check with Ngaire first and make sure she had no objections, since she doesn’t sell Crystal, and this is after all her board.


EMBARKATION:
We arrived in Ft Lauderdale right on time, got our luggage, and a cab, had him take us to the Crown Wines and Spirit store for some wine, beer and gin, and arrived at the pier about 12 noon. Normally we would have been able to check in immediately, as Crystal offers early boarding and a champagne lunch in the dining room for those who wish it. However, the ship had been 2 hours late arriving in port that day because of early morning fog, so they weren’t quite ready to open the check in yet. A representative was very apologetic and said we could make ourselves comfortable outside or inside of another door. We decided after coming from a snow the day before to just enjoy the mild Florida weather and sat outside, talking to several other people. About a half hour later, they opened the doors and check in began. Of course we always pick the slowest line, we must hold the record for that, so we finally jumped our line to the one next to us and about 5 minutes later were checked in and on our way to board. We were greeted with champagne and a staff member that escorted us to the hand carry check in desk, where it would be delivered to our room, and then she escorted us to the dining room for lunch.

CABINS:
They had said the cabins would be ready at 2:00, and we finished about 1:45 so wandered up to deck 9 where our cabin was located. Our delightful stewardess Marina, greeted us in the hallway and showed us to our cabin. We had a balcony cabin, similar set up to RSSC, although definitely much smaller, only 246 sq ft. The cabins though are very nicely appointed, every cabin on Crystal gets robes and slippers, a refridgerator stocked and replenished with water, soft drinks and mixes (all non alcoholic, water and soft drinks are complimentary on Crystal throughout the cruise), a nice bar cabinet with plenty of glasses and wine glasses, a small vase of flowers, a small sitting area with sofa, table and a writing desk, and a cabinet with a safe. Closets are not walk in, but are organized quite well, with lots of hanging space and plenty of wooden hangers, an umbrella, shoe horn and polishing cloth (Crystal also offers complimentary shoe shines) and a nicely laid out bathroom with double sinks, shower/tub combo and lots of shelf space. They currently use Aveda products, and anytime that we opened a bottle it was replaced at the next room servicing, which is twice a day. The beds had the duvets like RSSC, plenty of pillows, a throw blanket for naps or use on the balcony, which had two chairs with nice cushions and a small cocktail table. We were amazed at the storage drawer space, and in spite of initially thinking we weren’t going to have enough drawers, found ourselves with two empty ones when we finished unpacking.
Marina, kept our room spotless throughout the cruise, she was quick, efficient, and when we’d leave in the morning, had the room done by the time we came back from breakfast. They only have one room stewardess per cabin, she delivered room service and anything we asked for, brought the fruit basked, freshened up the flowers, restocked the refridgerator – did it all! Penthouse Deck cabins also have the service of a Butler, and some extra amenities to go along with those cabins. Frank even commented about the smallness of the cabin, and he never cares about the cabin, but we did fine and were quite comfortable.

SHIP:
In a word – beautiful!! The public rooms, dining room, show lounge, casino, atrium area were just beautiful and spotless, nicely laid out and we had no complaints there. The ship was decorated for Christmas, with a huge tree in the atrium area, and just amazing decorations all over – it was so festive and got us right into the Holiday spirit. The pool(s) deck area were very nice, and there is a promendade all the way around on deck 7, plus in the back, they had a covered area with really nice couches for just sitting and watching the wake – one of my favorite spots. Deck 8 and 9 also had a small deck out back with chaise lounges. One thing we noticed is that none of the bars had more than two or three bar stools at them – we like to sit at the bar, but I guess many of the older passengers on Crystal don’t do that, so they don’t have many. The Horizon Court was a wonderful spot looking over the bow, and our favorite was the Avenue Salon that had leather sofas, and comfy chairs and a nice clubby feel. The show lounges was all one level and good sightlines from everywhere, the Starlight lounge was very pretty and the Captain’s parties were there, as well as after dinner dancing and many of the guest lectures and such. The Crystal Cove at the bottom of the atrium, was small and intimate, and the Bistro, had European coffees, cappacino, lattes, plus snacks all day, continental style breakfast; cheese, pates, pastries and fruit in the afternoon, and desserts in the evening; a very busy place all day long. There were also cozy little nooks along the hallways where people would congregate or read. When the pianist was playing in the Crystal Cove, it would filter up thru the atrium and you could hear it all around the main staircase and shops area, which was very nice.

DINING:
The food was just plain fantastic – no other way to describe it. We had late seating, (and the fixed traditional 2 seatings is not a deal breaker for us, although we've come to love the open seating on RSSC) and a group of fun tablemates whom we enjoyed very much. Our table waiters were great, and the Table Captain was very attentive – we even did some special orders one night – and the dining room had lots of cherry like wood and brass, was a very warm feeling room. The food was fresh, nicely presented and always hot when it came. Prego and Jade Garden were outstanding, I always wanted everything on the menu and usually found myself over ordering – but it was excellent. We did not get a chance to try the Poolside Bistro either evening they had it, so can’t comment on that.

ENTERTAINMENT:
Without a doubt, probably the best, most well done shows I have ever seen on a cruise ship, and Frank and I don’t go to the shows very often, but we went to 4 of these and they were amazing. Crystal’s shows are done exclusively for them, from what I heard, they do not use any of the agencies such as Peter Grey Tehune, or the JeanAnne dancers, their shows are unique to them and them only, and they were very impressive.
The orchestra was wonderful, the Piano Bar entertainer was a lot of fun, and for whatever reason, the piano bar rocked every night (took us 3 nights to find it) and he commented one night that he never thought he’d be singing “YMCA and Time Warp on Crystal”. They had several other entertainer’s, good dancing music (Frank and I love to dance and went to the Starlight a couple of times after dinner to dance, but we actually were a little intimidated by the professionalism of some of the couples who were really really good dancers, so we didn’t dance much). They had several guest lecturers, Ambassador Robert Fritts, Frank DeFord (an executive editor for Sports Illustrated) they had an Arts instructor onboard, computer university at sea, offered Yamaha piano lessons, were offering photo work shops, spanish classes by Berlitz, golf instruction, there was a magician onboard, concert pianist, a Smithsonian Institution Photo exhibit, the usual Art Auction, bridge instructors, lots of entertainment.

CASINO:
Run by Ceasar’s Palace of Las Vegas. Good size, with lots of gaming and slots. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I cashed out about $600.00 the first two nights on a quarter slot, and thus got on a first name basis with the two Casino managers early on. Unfortunately my luck didn’t hold, and even though I came away ahead, I did contribute my fair share. The Casino was usually busy later in the evening, after the second show, lots of people – and a really nice perk, when you are playing in the casino, drinks are complimentary.

SHORE EXCURSIONS:
Pretty typical, we did a couple, one in Belize and on in Roatan, but they were nothing outstanding or different from other cruise ships. In Grand Cayman and Cozumel, we just had lunch and walked around and then headed back. Cozumel, is coming along, but its going to be awhile, although shops and restaurants were open, there is a lot of work yet to do.

STAFF:
We found them to be very professional, in general friendly and helpful, although as Frank said, they are definitely more formal. We never saw the Cruise Director unless he was on stage (he wears an Officer type uniform, unlike RSSC where a lot of the staff dresses more casually during the day), the reception desk and concierge desk people were always helpful and had a smile. As mentioned previously we loved our room stewardess, and got friendly with some of the bartenders and bar waitresses, and found them very accommodating. The Officer’s are definitely more formal, but they were friendly, although didn’t seem to make much effort to really get to know passengers on a personal level as they do on RSSC, and they weren’t out and about the ship much chatting with passengers and such.

OVERALL:
We thought it was a very good cruise. We had been wanting to try Crystal for some years now and this opportunity just sort of fell into our laps. We would cruise them again, especially for the right itinerary and price. According to information I was given, they have no plans to go to open seating, and many of the passengers who are long time Crystal cruisers really like the fixed seating and the chance to get to know your waiters and they get to know you and your preferences. They also have no plans to offer complimentary wines at dinner, or go any more inclusive than they are. The passengers in general, and probably in a good percentage of instances are quite a bit older, but they were interesting, well traveled and friendly. For whatever reason on this cruise, they seemed to be a bit younger – maybe the timing, or the fact that it was an 8 day cruise, the itinerary, I don’t know, but we felt quite comfortable, found many people to hang out with, etc.

Crystal was doing a seminar at sea in conjunction with CLIA, which I was attending to get my Crystal certification, so the fact that there were a certain number of Travel Agent’s onboard attending these seminars probably changed the dynamics somewhat, but we met many passengers that were not from the TA group.

Sorry that this has gotten much longer than I meant. If anyone has any questions, you can post them or email me, I’d be happy to answer them.

Thanks Ngaire, for letting me post this!!

Great review, JoAnn! We don't get nearly enough Crystal reviews and since I value your opinion, it's nice to hear how great you thought it was!

Thanks for all of the detailed impressions. It's very helpful in considering vacation choices. Like Karen says: It's great you enjoyed it so much!

Cheers, Anne

JoAnn, thanks for finally posting your review. I'm glad to hear how much you enjoyed your cruise. Due to the number of passengers, the dining room cannot accomodate open seating. I would love for Crystal to offer complimentary wines at dinner, really my only complaint.


Karen, I'll be taking my next crystal cruise in October so I will post after that. While I have been on Crystal 3 times, loved all of my cruises, I hope to try Radisson one of these days.

JoAnn, thanks again and so glad you and Frank enjoyed Crystal as much as I have.

Nancy

We truly did enjoy it, although I should have said that overall, I think we still prefer RSSC, it just seems to suit us a little better at this point in time - but as I said, given the right situation, I wouldn't hesitate to cruise them again.

Gee, if you find that right Itinery, let us know, we could join you! Sounds like it was a great cruise - thanks for the review.

Thanks, JoAnn. It'a always nice to hear about a great cruise anyone here takes. Sounds like you had a really good time.

I enjoyed your review, JoAnn. I love hearing about what's going on on other lines.

Great review. Thanks.

JoAnn,

Thanks for your great review. Many of your comments parallel our impressions of our sampler cruise on Crystal Symphony. Like you, we do feel that, overall, RSSC fits us better. (I do think it's that assigned seating ~ dinner thing) We felt the same way, the right itinerary, price, etc., we would cruise them again.
Good job, on your review!!!!

Betty

JoAnn, I really enjoyed your review! Sounds like a wonderful cruise, even if I don't like assigned seating for dinner! There seems to be lot to make up for that. There is just that little thing about wine with dinner...how is it handled it you are traveling alone and would like to drink wine with dinner? (Especially if your table mates do not)

jhp - you can order wine by the glass, no problem. A couple of times we shared a bottle with our tablemates, they and Frank all liked reds, and I tend toward whites, and I would have a little of the red sometimes, but would just order white by the glass when I was the only one wanting white. They have a nice selection, and even though I'm not partial to chardonnay's they had their "Crystal" brand, either regular or reserve (reserve is more expensive) and the chardonnay was very nice, light and crisp. I think too, you could order a bottle, drink what you want of it, and then ask them to keep the bottle for the next meal and just drink what you want until its gone, we've actually done that before, but in your case, probably ordering by the glass would make the most sense.

Nancy - you are right, now that you mention it, they did say that the main reason they aren't considering open seating, is that the dining room is not large enough to accommodate all passengers if they all showed up at one time - I had forgotten that. I also agree that offering complimentary wines with dinner would be nice, even if they just offered their "Crystal" brand regular red, white or blush. For those who want something else, they could then order and pay for that.

Yes, thanks for the great review. We were on the Symphony on a last minute cruise in October and had much the same reactions that you did--we have been on the Voyager and the Silver Shadow and felt that Crystal compared well in most categories. BUT--the deal breakers for us were 1.the size of the cabin--this was an A cabin with verandah but felt so small compared to the other ships that we couldn't get used to it. We were bumping into each other and the bed constantly. It was ok for a 7 day cruise with lots of ports but we wouldn't do it for any longer; would have to upgrade to Penthouse and that would make it way too pricey.
2. The other annoying thing was the room service--our cabin attendant let us know right away that if we wanted anything she would be the one to get it and she was sooo tired all the time etc. that we were reluctant to call her. So we didn't use room service at all which takes away from the "luxury" feeling that we get on RSSC and SS.

We didn't really mind the set dinner hour as much as we thought we would. We had a great table for 2 right by the window for the entire trip and very congenial waiters. Since we are not big drinkers, the price for a glass of wine here and there was not bad.

So we will continue to sail RSSC and SS (leaving for Bangkok to Hong Kong on the Silver Shadow soon)--maybe would consider Crystal again only if the price and itinerary were very very enticing.

Susan

Susan - we too were in an A cabin with verandah, and felt it was small compared to what we had gotten use to on RSSC, but eventually we just sort of adapted.

Too bad about your room stewardess and her attitude, ours was just fantastic and we did have breakfast in a couple of times, and she always brought it with a smile, a cheerful "good morning Mr and Mrs Ridolphi" and right on time. I've heard complaints even on RSSC about this now and then, so I guess there is always one!

Thanks for the review, JoAnn!! Love hearing reviews of other cruise lines!

Masaki

What times are the two seating and was it hard to get your preference? Sounds like a great cruise and I do like their itineries. thats for the review. Jan

6:30 for early and 8:30 for late. We didn't get to choose, we were assigned late, which is what we would have wanted. But my experience with Crystal as a TA has been that usually the early seating is more popular, since the clientle are somewhat older in general. Now obviously that could change on some sailings where the passengers might tend to a little younger.

Thanks for the great review.

Thanks for the excellent review, JoAnn! Very happy to hear that you and Frank had a wonderful time!