Crystal

Crystal Cruises promises class with a capital C on its cruises where attention to detail, immaculate service and quality surroundings are seen as essential ingredients. Passengers can be confident that their Crystal Cruise will be reassuringly upmarket and exclusive, from the gourmet dining in up to seven venues where meals are served on the finest china and crystal, to one of the highest space per guest ratios at sea. Customers can choose between the line’s two ships the 940-guest Crystal Symphony and the larger 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity.Each boast quality facilities with a wraparound teak deck, swimming pools, spa, bars and lounges. Crystal Cruise holidays are noted for their ambitious entertainment with lavish award-winning Broadway-style shows, themed cruises and well-known entertainers and speakers.

Crystal may be a small ship line, albeit a six-star small ship line, but it thinks big when it comes to innovation. The company’s Crystal Adventures programme offers shore excursions that range from flying a MiG Russian fighter jet in Russia to a speedboat adventure in the Baltic Sea or an exclusive wine-tasting dinner at an 18th century Bordeaux chateau. Alternatively, Crystal Cruises can arrange private shore excursions for guests that could range from reserving a table at a local restaurant to organising a complete day out. With such facilities and service, it’s not surprising that the line boasts that its customers keep coming back. Crystal Cruise holidays attract well-heeled more mature travellers, but they also tempt many families drawn by the good children’s facilities on both ships that have made Crystal the main family brand among the six-star lines.

Eating well is a matter of course on each Crystal cruise thanks to its tie-up with celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Nobu Matsuhisa who have their own restaurants on board. Then there are other treats such as afternoon tea and in-stateroom dining. For diners who really want to push the boat out, each ship has its own Vintage Room where specially-chosen dishes and wines are served. Among the on-board activities on each Crystal Cruise is its renowned Creative Learning Institute offering everything from acting workshops and calligraphy to entrepreneurship and learning to play the piano. Crystal’s ships sail across the world offering trans-ocean crossings and around-the-world cruises in addition to areas including South America, the Mediterranean and Alaska.