Crystal Serenity Review

Crystal serenity

Best for:

I would recommend this cruise line to those seeking to be immersed into other cultures and world history.

I noticed a lot of single travelers, accommodated with an ambassador host (provided by Crystal) to assist during dance times.  The ambassador hosts can also be utilized if one has a spouse who doesn't feel like dancing.

The clientele were mostly retirees with an average age of around 60-80 years.  Mostly on the 70 range.

Highlights:

The highlights of this trip was the diversity of the activities offered.
You can play bridge, golf, dance, walk, Pilates, instructional classes, lectures, learn to speak a language, needlepoint, knitting, digital film editing classes, paint, shop, get pampered in the Spa or just relax be the pool.  There are numerous activities for beginners to experts to indulge in.
Afternoon tea is each day at 2.30-3.30pm and is served in the finest China accompanied by cucumber sandwiches or my favorite - scones and clotted cream.

Stateroom experience

The staterooms on board are mostly balconies (80percent) with a few ocean view rooms on the promenade deck.
The interesting thing to know here is that unless you are in a penthouse (cat PH) or a penthouse suite (cat PS) all the rooms are exactly the same size, at 269 sq ft, and have the same bathroom and room amenities. (Omit the balcony from the ocean view 226sq ft) The one difference for the P1 and P2 or P3 categories is there is an upgraded filter system in place to provide cleaner air and a dust free environment.  This is great for those who have allergies, asthma or the like.
All bathrooms come with a tub shower combination and double sinks.

The PH Penthouse with verandah's are all located on the 11th deck and are 403 sq ft, have a jetted tub and a separate shower plus double sinks. They also have a walk in closet and are equipped with a coffee maker. Personal butler.

The PS penthouse suite is also on deck 11 and has 538 sq ft with all of the above plus a separate area for the bedroom which can be closed off by a curtain for privacy.
The PH and the PS can accommodate a 3rd guest but only a child as the couch does not fold out to a bed.

I was not able to tour the crystal penthouse.

I stayed in a B1 and it was on the 8th deck forward.  We had a couple of days of very rough seas which when I spoke to guests located in midship, they did not have as much movement in their rooms.  I would recommend midship for my future guests if they have any issues or not sure if they get seasick.
It is a smaller ship and so it seems you feel movement a lot more frequently than you do on a larger ship with the same waters.

The beds are incredibly comfortable.  There was plenty of storage space.  My overall impression with the room was it needs a makeover, maybe an update or two to get rid of some brass fixtures here and there, and an updated tv.  The decks are large enough for a small bistro table and 2 wicker chairs, and the balconies all have the metal rails.  All in all it was beautiful and accommodating for the clientele it seeks.

Dining experience:

The options were endless.  

Lido cafe was located close to the pool and is open for breakfast and lunch. In a very laid back atmosphere, guest can dine with a cover up after swimming or sunbathing.

Next to this was Tastes, which is more of a tapas style restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, with reservations recommended for dinner.  The menu seemed to be the same and so a couple of experiences was enough but the dishes were small enough to try a couple but big enough to share with your partner.
Dress was casual.

The Bistro is a little coffee shop over looking the crystal cove (piano bar) and reception area. This stays open from 6.30am until 11pm and has a buffet set up with light pastries and cheeses throughout most of the day.  This is the best place to get your coffee fix for sure!

In the same area as lido cafe, there is also the trident grill and scoops(really they are a station in the same place) Trident girl offers hamburgers and hot dogs and wraps, and scoops has Ben and Jerry ice cream and cookies.

If you are looking for a more formal setting then the Crystal Dining Room offered a sit down and be served style restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and then becomes the main dining room for dinner.

Dinner options:
Crystal dining room has either 6pm or 8.30pm options, with 75 percent of the ship eating at 6pm, due to the age of its clientele.

The specialty restaurants are offered complimentary 1 time in each during an 8 days or less cruise and twice in each for longer stays. Additional dinners are $30 per person.
Both located on the aft of deck 7 are Prego and Silk Road.

Service at each of the restaurants were amazing.  I really like that my waiter Kevin, knew I was English and made suggestions to the things he thought I would enjoy and he was spot on every time.  

I would recommend not missing the afternoon tea and try a scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam.

While onboard we participated in a private magic show.  It was very intimate with a room of just 20 guests.  The magician was amazing!  All the tricks were performed up close and was faster than the human eye could see to catch how he was doing tricks.
In addition, he was hilarious and has the entire room in stitches.

We did not participate in any shore excursions due to all of them beginning between 8.30am and 9.30am.

Insider tip
Be sure to utilize the concierge service.  If you want truffles to be placed in your room during turn down service, you can just ask.
The best spa deals occur during days where the ship is in port.
Breakfast is over pretty early, so the best way to be able to enjoy the foods you would like for breakfast is to order room service.
We were scheduled for late dining before we boarded so we just went to the dining room once we boarded and changed our dining time to 6pm.