Crystal Cruises is a great option for:
- Those looking for an excellent ultra luxury cruise
- Guests who value outstanding food and service above all else
- Solo travelers
Crystal Cruises might not be great for:
- Those who want super modern ships and staterooms
Crystal Cruises came back stronger than ever in 2023 to become one of the best ultra luxury cruise lines in the business.
Sometimes, it’s hard to choose a cruise line that will give you the experience of a lifetime. The ultra luxury market is more competitive than ever, with excellent names like Explora Journeys, Silversea and Seabourn. Crystal is a relatively new competitor, with only two newly refurbished ships, but it’s already making waves and receiving excellent reviews in a post pandemic world. Crystal is known for its excellent service, all butler staterooms, all included meals and drinks and a highly attentive, professional crew that ranks among the best you will ever find.
Before we move on, keep in mind that you can click the Request a Quote button and contact us anytime! Reaching out is free, and even better, booking through Famvia does not cost you anything extra. In fact, our travel advisors often have access to special deals that can help you save money. We can also provide tips on the best restaurants onboard, explain what is not included in your fare, assist with itineraries and much more.
The two ships in the Crystal Cruises fleet are from 1995 and 2003, which means that they launched more than twenty years ago! Well, they certainly do not feel old at all for a very simple reason. The company was acquired by A&K Travel Group in 2022, and both vessels received a $150 million update that added new venues, entertainment options, suites and a completely fresh coat of paint. Their two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, are mid size ships built for 740 and 606 guests, and they will be joined by the upcoming Crystal Grace in 2028.
Both ships are very similar in design and are known for the excellent service onboard. Crew ratio is among the best in the industry, with almost one staff member for every single passenger. Crew to space ratio is even better, and Crystal prides itself on leading the industry in that category. This makes sense, since it feels like taking a stroll at home when you walk through the promenades, which are very wide and do not have a lot of things in the way. Add to this the butler service in every room and 24 hour room service and you get one of the best service experiences in the industry.
Crystal Cruises is also all inclusive, but some things might cost extra. One of the main perks is that all meals, food (except one restaurant that costs extra) and the vast majority of drinks are included in your fare, such as premium wine, spirits, cocktails and beer. Basic Wi Fi, gratuities and room service are also included. Shore excursions, laundry, premium Wi Fi, The Vintage Room restaurant and access to the spa cost extra. It may also cost extra if you want to visit certain specialty restaurants more than once during your trip, but that depends on the duration of your cruise.
Crystal Cruises is also a great option for multigenerational groups and for people looking for a little more to do on a luxury cruise. If you have known ultra luxury brands for some time, you will know that entertainment is usually very low key, especially on smaller ships that carry only two hundred passengers or so. While Crystal has small ships, they actually offer many cool things to do.
They have a small casino onboard, swimming pools, pickleball courts, a fitness center and even an area to practice your golf swings. Live shows are also much fancier than the competition, with small scale Broadway style productions, piano lounges and original shows that pay tribute to legends like Elton John. Their ships even have areas dedicated to kids and teens, which is very rare for a cruise line of this caliber.
This might be one of the few ultra luxury cruise lines that is a good option for a variety of guests, from those traveling with children to romantic couples and even solo travelers, since they have rooms designed for guests who are sailing alone.
As you can see, Crystal gets almost everything right. They are fancy, they fit a great number of passengers and they offer more entertainment options than most competitors. This is not a cheap cruise line, so expect to pay around $3,000 to $4,000 per guest for a typical sailing. Their ships might also feel a bit old school for some. Remember, they are more than twenty years old, and some design elements will not change even with a multi million dollar refurbishment. But there is a lot of charm in luxurious ships from the late nineties and early two thousands, and the excellent service will make sure that age feels like just a number.
Crystal Cruises Reviews
The Good
Top Tier Service: Staff on Crystal Cruises is among the best in the industry. Crew to guest ratio is almost 1:1, and everyone will know you by name by your second day onboard. Not only that, but you are pampered on Crystal Cruises all the time, since every room has butler service and room service is available for free twenty four hours a day. Bartenders are amazing, housekeeping is outstanding and there is nothing to complain about in that area. Good job, Crystal.
Excellent Food: Restaurants onboard Crystal Cruises are often praised and compared to Michelin star experiences. Some of the top dining venues onboard are the Japanese Peruvian Umi Uma headed by Master Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and the Italian Osteria D’Ovidio. The best thing is that these restaurants are free, but you may need to pay $50 if you decide to make a reservation at a restaurant you already visited, depending on your cruise length. But you know what? Even if you need to pay, it is well worth it.
Lots to Do: There is a lot to do onboard a Crystal cruise when you consider that they are an ultra luxury cruise line. They recently debuted their new Monte Carlo casinos, they have pickleball courts, piano lounges and several live shows. Their professionals who give lectures are also praised for how knowledgeable they are. Sure, you will not find blockbuster Broadway productions like on mainstream cruise lines, but the number of things you can do on Crystal Cruises is definitely enough for anyone seeking luxury.
Solo Travelers: Crystal Cruises welcomes all kinds of guests, from those looking for a romantic trip to big families and solo travelers. In fact, they are one of the premier cruise lines for solo travelers, with special suites designed for them, special fares and social gatherings, plus tables in restaurants for those that wish to travel alone. If you want to go on a cruise with like minded individuals or simply want to discover the world by yourself while making friends, then Crystal Cruises is a great choice.
The Bad
Old school…?: so, are Crystal ships old or not? They are over twenty years old, but the recent 2023 refurbishments made them look brand new. Still, some design elements will not change, even with major updates. For example, the swimming pool is very small and basic, some suites lack storage options and not all rooms have private balconies. Even so, these are very cozy ships with plenty of room to walk around and enjoy a day under the sun.
How much is a Cruise on Crystal Cruises?
Crystal Cruises is an all inclusive cruise line with top tier service, lots of entertainment options and some of the best food you will find at sea. As an ultra luxury cruise line, they are not cheap. Expect to pay at least 3000 dollars per guest for a trip with them, and 4000 dollars or more for a week long vacation is pretty standard.
Let us take a look at starting prices for some Crystal Cruises itineraries. Keep in mind that prices fluctuate a lot, but the table below should give you an idea of how much a cruise with Crystal costs.
- 3-Nights San Juan to Bridgetown Cruise (most affordable cruise): $1,600 per guest
- 7-Nights San Juan to Fort Lauderdale Cruise: $3,800 per guest
- 9-Nights Fort Lauderdale Roundtrip Cruise: $4,900 per guest
- 7-Nights Alaska Cruise: $4,000 per guest
- 6-Nights Mediterranean Cruise: $4,300 per guest
- 9-Nights Asia Cruise: $5,800 per guest
What is included in your Crystal Cruises fare?
Crystal Cruises is an all-inclusive cruise line, so a lot is already included in your base fare. Your Crystal Cruise fare covers:
- Your Room
- Gratuities
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Self-serve laundry rooms
- Almost all restaurants and food in general (The Vintage Room is not complimentary; specialty restaurants might incur an additional $50 reservation fee if you visit them a second time, but that depends on the length of your cruise)
- All soft drinks and vast majority of alcoholic drinks (beer, premium wines, cocktails, etc)
- Entertainment & Live Shows
What is NOT included in your Crystal Cruises fare?
Although you get a lot included in your fare, a few things cost extra with Crystal Cruises. These include:
- Premium Wi-Fi (mostly for streaming)
- The Vintage Room restaurant
- Extra dining at specialty restaurants (depends on the length of your cruise)
- Shore Excursions
What Dining Venues are Free on Crystal Cruises?
Crystal Cruises restaurants are complimentary except for The Vintage Room. Beefbar, their latest specialty restaurant, is also complimentary but requires reservations in the evening. Beefbar offers premium meat cuts such as Kobe & Wagyu at an additional cost.
For the specialty restaurants, guests are entitled to the following complimentary reservations for up to two people per voyage:
- Up to 11 nights: One complimentary reservation at each restaurant
- 12 to 22 nights: Two complimentary reservations at each restaurant
- 23 or more nights: Three complimentary reservations at each restaurant
The Vintage Room costs $300 per guest, but on select sailings, you can choose The Ultimate Vintage Room experience, which costs $1,200 and includes some of the rarest wines in the world.
Crystal Cruises Fleet and Destinations
Crystal Cruises currently has two ships in its fleet, with a third arriving in 2028. Their ships are considered mid-sized, accommodate fewer than 1,000 guests, and have an old school feel. These ships were actually built more than twenty years ago and received extensive updates, including a major refurbishment in 2023, before being reintroduced to the world.
Their fleet consists of:
- Crystal Symphony (built in 1995, refurbished in 2023)
- Crystal Serenity (built in 2003, refurbished in 2023)
- Crystal Grace (2028)
As far as destinations go, Crystal Cruises has a strong presence in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, but also sails to Alaska, Asia and Northern Europe. Here is a list of their destinations and the number of itineraries they had at the time of this writing. This number changes over time, but it helps illustrate where Crystal focuses most of their attention:
- The Americas and The Caribbean (58)
- The Mediterranean (39)
- Asia (23)
- Northern Europe (23)
- Africa & Indian ocean (19)
- Alaska (18)
- South America (13)
- Transoceanic (9)
- Oceania (4)
- World Cruise (4)
Crystal Cruises Main Ports of Call
Crystal Cruises visits more than 100 ports worldwide. Here are some of their most popular ones:
- Fort Lauderdale (49)
- San Juan (45)
- Barcelona (30)
- Lisbon (27)
- Rome (26)
- Vancouver (24)
- St John’s (23)
- Cartagena (23)
- Singapore (20)
- New York City (18)
- Hong Kong (15)
Is Crystal Cruises for You?
Crystal Cruises is a great option for those who want an ultra luxury cruise experience above all else. It usually attracts guests in their 50s and older who are looking to relax and enjoy a refined vacation. It is also a good choice for families who want to travel together on an elegant cruise, especially since there are a few activities onboard for kids. Crystal is an excellent option for those seeking a top notch voyage to North America, Asia and Europe, as Crystal Cruises has a strong presence in those regions.
As you can see, Crystal really accommodates guests from almost all backgrounds. They are a top tier choice if you value excellent food above everything else, and if you also care about outstanding service and want a personal butler while at sea. Crystal is known for its exceptional cuisine and even better service, so you will not be disappointed in that area. It is also a great choice for solo travelers, as Crystal offers several rooms designed for guests traveling alone, special fares for solo travelers, social gatherings and much more.
So, who shouldn’t sail with Crystal? While they are a good choice for families, if you are looking for a big family trip with waterslides and over the top entertainment options, you won’t find it here. You also won’t find ultra modern ships. Remember, their ships are actually a few decades old, though the refurbishments did wonders. Still, some suites may lack a bit of storage space, and some rooms might not be as luxurious as those on similar cruise lines. If a top notch stateroom is your main priority, Crystal may not be the perfect cruise line for you.
Activities onboard Crystal Cruises
As is the case with most ultra luxury cruise lines, activities onboard Crystal Cruises are very different from what you would find on mainstream cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line. You won’t find waterparks, waterslides or huge Broadway shows here, but the interesting fact is that Crystal Cruises does offer more entertainment options and activities compared with other cruise lines in a similar price range.
Here is the type of entertainment and activities you can expect on a Crystal cruise:
- Live Shows (Broadway-themed performances, piano bars, etc)
- Casino
- Lectures
- Swimming Pool
- Fitness Center & Sauna
- Pickleball Court & Golf Driving Nets
- Space for Children & Teens
- Spa
Why book Crystal Cruises with us?
At Famvia, we are luxury cruise specialists. We proudly partner with some of the world’s most prestigious cruise lines, including Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys and, of course, Crystal Cruises.
Crystal Cruises is still a relatively new cruise line following the major relaunch of their two ships in 2023, so navigating their itineraries and offerings can be a bit challenging. That is where we come in. Our dedicated travel advisors specialize in Crystal Cruises and can help you find the perfect voyage tailored to your preferences. In addition, we often have access to exclusive offers and pricing not available to the general public.
With deep expertise in Crystal Cruises’ all inclusive fares and two luxurious ships, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Simply click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. Our personalized planning services are complimentary, and we look forward to crafting an unforgettable journey just for you.
Crystal Cruises Additional Info
Passport
Your passport is the single most important document you must have when traveling, and we always recommend bringing it on a cruise. A valid passport and any required visas are necessary to sail with Crystal Cruises. Note that passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of debarkation.
Gratuities
Gratuities are already included in your fare. Gratuities at the spa are additional and are typically 20%.
Wi-Fi
Basic Wi Fi is provided free of charge. You can also choose to pay for premium Wi Fi for faster connections or if you want to stream content. The Premium Plan costs $20 per day or $100 for a 7 day package.
Dress Code
The dress code is casual, but please do not enter dining venues wearing only swimwear. After 6pm, the dress code shifts to Evening Resort. Women should wear skirts, pants, blouses or sweaters, or dark wash jeans with no rips. Men can wear shirts, sweaters or smart designer sweatshirts, dark wash jeans with no rips if paired with a jacket, chinos, or a sports jacket or blazer.
On sailings of more than seven days, there will be one formal night, and every sailing will have at least one White Night event. For formal night, formal evening attire (suits, cocktail dresses, etc) is mandatory in all dining venues, bars & lounges after 6pm, except Beefbar, where it’s optional.
Laundry
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity both provide complimentary self-serve laundry rooms, including detergent.
Carry-on Drink Policy
You are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages onboard.
Loyalty Program
Crystal Cruises’ loyalty program is called the Crystal Society, and you automatically become a member after your first voyage. Every five completed voyages moves you up a tier, continuing all the way to an impressive milestone of 300 cruises.
Each tier comes with its own perks, including discounts on future sailings, an in suite celebration package at 30 completed cruises, and unlimited specialty dining at 50 completed cruises. After the 50 cruise mark, most benefits revolve around additional onboard credit and more opportunities for special dinners with ship officials.
Book your dream vacation with Crystal Cruises!
Now that you know a lot about Crystal Cruises… why not learn even more!? Yeah, our guides do not end here. We have guides about almost anything you can think of. How about the room options at Crystal? Or the list of restaurants you can find there? We have those too. Wait, now you want to know about the specific pH levels of the swimming pools during June on a rainy night? We don't have that guide yet, but don't tempt us!
Feel free to message us anytime for the best deals, more information about room options, activities, or anything else you need. Until the next one!
