T+L Cruise Ship Review: Crystal Symphony

The Aboard Crystal Symphony Not so long ago, the butler of our hotel was worried about matzo. My husband wanted a light snack, so we’d called for some room service chicken soup—hold the dumplings. The butler was concerned that we might miss out on “something really good.”

This is the kind of service you can get. when traveling with CrystalThe line is known for its traditional service and assigns butlers to each suite. Our suite attendant, who had earlier polished my husband’s worn-out shoes, then politely suggested that another pair of shoes also needed polishing.

Since my husband and I had honeymooned here in Southeast Asia a few years ago, we were looking forward to this service. Being back for a sail in the Adriatic Sea felt like coming home—albeit a home that had recently been spruced up.

The reason is that the Crystal Symphony In 2023 the hotel underwent a major refurbishment and was reopened with a modern and retro look. Imagine cool, kidney-shaped sofas under the retro, real waterfall in the lobby. The overhaul came after the luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent purchased the Symphony. and its sister ship Crystal SerenityAfter Crystal Cruises filed for bankruptcy in 2022. In doing so, A&K revived the much-loved brand and hired back more than 90 percent of the staff that helped make the line so special in the first place.

The dress code is no longer retro. There are still “formal nights” but few of us on our sailing wore the tuxedos or ballgowns. Most of the guests were over 60 and opted for a more casual look. They wore dark jeans which was not allowed even a couple of years ago. It may be a new trend for the older crowd. SymphonyBut it’s something I’m glad to see.

Take a look at the details of what makes Crystal Symphony The ship’s restaurants, suites and other amenities are described in detail.

Staterooms and suites

The majority of guests stay in suites. Our Sapphire Suite had a 430-square foot walk-on wardrobe, couch, dining room, alcove with a queen bed, large marble bathroom, double sinks, and a shower. On the 110 square foot balcony, there was a table with two chairs and a small cocktail. We spent more time in our suite than we usually do on other cruise ships. The highest end suite is a 909 square foot penthouse, with a 107 square foot balcony. This suite is for those who have deep pockets. The premium suites have additional perks, too. While we had free laundry along with our in-room bar choices, the fancier suites include all kinds of extras.

A handful of cabins with ocean views measuring 215 square feet were recently added to the ship. They are designed for solo travelers and priced accordingly.

Bars and restaurants

You can choose from 10 different dining options. Crystal SymphonyMany of these are excellent.

Umi Uma is the first restaurant on the list. It’s a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant, owned by Nobu Matsuhisa. The menu includes sushi and his miso black cod signature. Then there’s Osteria d’Ovidio, which is named for Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, who owns Abercrombie & Kent and, by extension, Crystal. It’s got the pasta that you can only dream of; my favorite was homemade casarecce With aged Grana Padano and basil pesto. Both venues offer a complimentary lunch to all guests. Guests can also pay a fee for repeated visits. Many do.

The main Waterside Restaurant is also a great place to eat. I had to choose between Alaskan Crab Legs, Beef Wellington and Roast Pheasant. After my cruise, I found that the ship had turned its casual dining room into a Beefbar. Bao Buns and other international street food are available from this buzzy restaurant. The Trident Grill, located by the pool, serves delicious burgers for lunch. I was also impressed with the Marketplace Buffet which featured local cuisine including a Greek buffet when we docked on Crete.

Crystal offers a wide variety of drinks and wines, but The Vintage Room is an experience that requires an additional charge. This intimate dinner party–style venue is where sommeliers show off the ship’s cellar—at prices that can reach four figures.

In the Palm Court, a tuxedoed staff will serve you afternoon tea, complete with scones, clotted butter and real cream on bone china.

Crystal Symphony Sails

In 2025, the ship will spend the summer and early fall in Europe, visiting the Greek Isles and western Mediterranean before moving to Africa and Indian Ocean late November. In February 2026 it will sail to Asia, including Japan. Crystal Symphony Alaska is the next stop on the tour. Next, we will visit Canada, New England, the Caribbean, and then Canada.

Shore Excursions

Crystal’s excursions have gotten a boost thanks to the expertise of Abercrombie & Kent. Along with city walks and buses tours, the cruise line offers more intensive cultural activities and adventure activities. On my cruise, guests had the option of doing a walking tour of medieval Kotor, Montenegro—or they could opt for a via ferrata Climbing experience on a mountainside trail. About 20 people took part in a “Secrets of Greek Cuisine Tour” on Corfu. They learned how to make moussaka and tzatziki at a hillside house. The lively commentator suggested using cucumber peels for beauty treatments while applying strips on their faces.

Amenities and Entertainment

You can do a lot of things on the Symphony Crystal has a wide range of activities, from early morning until the very late hours. Learn the cha-cha dance with ballroom dancing instructors, learn video editing techniques from instructors in their Computer University@Sea program, receive tips on how to take better iPhone pictures, try pickleball at the ship’s dedicated court, attend an enrichment talk by a White House Correspondent who covered Ford. My husband enjoyed getting golf tips from an instructor. The ship offers TaylorMade clubs for rent in port.

The pool was a little chilly, but many people opted to lounge in the orange lounge chairs or hot tub. The spa had a steam and sauna that were complimentary. Treatments at an extra cost included cryofacials or hot stones massages. The 3,000-square foot gym is full of wellness distractions and has windows with views. Classes include yoga, Pilates and spinning.

The entertainment team is large for a ship of this size and includes, in the main lounge, a big team of singers and dancers performing Broadway showtunes—and my sailing we had on our sailing both Michael Jackson and Elton John impersonators, as well as comedians and other cabaret acts. There’s a resident big band that sets the tempo for dancing—there are even gentlemen hosts available for ladies—and a DJ rocks the small disco late into the night. The White Party is a big hit with guests. Everyone is encouraged to wear white and champagne is flowing.

A fun piano bar with a pub-like atmosphere and a Connoisseur club for cigars or cognac are also available. The first gaming room of the Casino de Monte-Carlo on the sea features both table games and slots. A library has around 2,000 titles for a more sedate feel.

Familie-Friendly Options

Crystal Symphony It is a popular destination for multi-generational families, especially during the holidays. The brightly decorated, staffed area is divided between a lounge for teenagers and a play area for younger children. Children are entertained by board games, Xboxes, movie nights and craft sessions. Scoops is the complimentary ice cream store on board. The ship has 39 connecting cabins so that parents can bring their children and still enjoy some privacy.

Accessibility

The three ADA-certified and wheelchair-accessible cabins are marked on deck plans with a wheelchair symbol: two are 215-square-foot double ocean-view guest rooms; the other is an Aquamarine Suite. On its site, Crystal According to the report, “guests who have limited mobility should be able independently to navigate a ship.” They can also travel with a friend who will be able to provide assistance, if required.