Crystal Symphony & Serenity - Barcelona
Peter Ruck, Baldwins Travel
5th June 2010

Those charming people at Crystal, Andy, Elaine and Bob offered agents the chance to win a trip to Barcelona to view their fleet. Being one of the fortunate winners, they accompanied me and four other discerning agents from Gatwick to Barcelona on Saturday to have a look over both the Symphony and Serenity and view the $25m worth of refurbishments on Symphony. Flying into Barcelona Airport we were afforded a great aerial view of the ships berthed nose to nose - almost kissing!

Crystal took 900 workers and over 5 days brought the not really old standard Symphony up to brand new. They have removed one of the pools and converted the area into an open but coverable space with gorgeously designed and coloured seating. Although slightly smaller than its sister, I believe the feeling now is of much more space. The public areas are fabulous on both ships but I think Symphony shines even more now. The meals on board are varied from the Crystal Dining Room or the speciality restaurants, Preggo – Italian, or Silk Road – Oriental Japanese ( from Los Angeles based chef Nobu Matsuhisa) – both available without a supplement. Preggo arguably offers one of the nicest dining at sea experiences. We were treated to an excellent lunch on board Symphony in the Crystal Dining room – main course choice of beef tenderloin or black cod – both delicious! They offer 1st and 2nd sittings but also a new Open Dining By Reservation too, allowing you to dine where, when and with whom you like in the main restaurant. The array of desserts offered in the open seating buffet restaurants are both creatively attractive and mouth-watering. Coffees and a great selection of pastries are on offer at The Bistro. For a more unusual dining experience, guests may pay a supplement and dine in The Vintage Room for up to seven course wine-themed, gourmet dinners. And of course all soft drinks are included throughout in the cost of your cruise.

Lead in cabins on both vessels are of a good size and include choices of bathrobes or kimonos, slippers, his and hers vanity basins and pillow menus.

Rather than being All-inclusive, Crystal offer their All Inclusive As You Wish – a good on board credit is offered with their cruises so that guests may spend it where they wish. Be it on spa treatments, excursions alcoholic beverages. Many guests prefer this system rather than feeling that they are otherwise subsidizing fellow travellers alcoholic beverage requirements.

There are varied entertainment programmes, including the option to learn a language, play the Yamaha keyboard or polish up your golfing skills with a PGA golf pro.

We spent a good a few hours exploring the ships – unfortunately for us, Symphony was sold out – so no cabin viewings.

After lunch and tours of the ships we caught the complimentary shuttle bus into Barcelona and walked the length of the Ramblas before going back to the airport for our flight home. Crystal provide complimentary shuttles in all ports where they are not moored adjacent to the port centre.

A thoroughly enjoyable (albeit whistle-stop) opportunity to view Crystal’s ships in a destination port.