Crystal Cruises to have a new ship.

Crystal Cruises are currently one of the most expensive cruise lines in the world to cruise with and they have a high sought after reputation to retain. Currently sailing in this 6* fleet is the Crystal Symphony, the older of the two ships – Built in 1995 but has been modernised and kept up to date as time has gone by. Crystal Symphony is 51,044 gross tons and carries just 922 guests. There is also 545 crew on-board giving a significantly high crew: passenger ratio.

Crystal Serenity joined the Crystal Fleet in 2003, she is a total of 68,870 gross tons and carries just 1,070 guests, with 655 crew.

One of the appealing aspects of cruising with Crystal is that although they have larger ships the passenger capacity is lower than what it could be, take for example.

Crystal Serenity – 68,870 Gross Tons -1,070 Guests

P&O Oriana – 69,840 Gross Tons – 1,880 Guests

Okay, Crystal is not the most affordable ways of seeing the world but they do offer value for money if you like the Ultra-Luxury market.

All of your drinks are included as are the tips so once on board you should really need to pay for anything. All meals are to a Gourmet Ala Carte standard, and even if it’s not on the menu nothing is too much trouble.

According to Edie Rodriguez, Chief Operating Officer for Crystal Cruises – ‘Crystal will confirm a new ship by the end of the year.’ She also added ‘It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when we have a new ship.’

Crystal have said that the 3^rd ship will be a brand new build and the same sort of style and size as the two ships currently sailing for Crystal.

Guest on-board Crystal have been asked what they would want from a new Crystal ship and the feedback is fantastic that they are bringing a new ship to the fleet but guest want this new ship to be of the same size and style as the current ones are.

Edie Rodriguez joined Crystals Cruise in October last year after leaving Azamara Club Cruises, another contender in the Luxury and Boutique market. She has said that ‘I want to keep the principles and ethos that have made Crystal Cruises such a great brand, but evolve it.’

She also added that she wants Crystal to look at relaxing the dress codes on board and introducing a more relaxed – semi formal nights and also adding ‘Tastes’ a new dining concept ‘Modern Cuisine’ which brings ‘Molecular Gastronomy’ as pioneered by Heston Blumenthal.

Have you sailed with Crystal before? I look forward to hearing your thoughts?

www.tomstravel.co.uk – 0800 408 6143 – [email protected]