Experiencing Reborn Crystal

Item: Crystal Serenity
Rating: 4
Author: minntom

Crystal Serenity Cruise Review to Caribbean

minntom

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 14

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

13 Night The Americas & Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 05, 2024

Ship: Crystal Serenity

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 9022

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 months ago

Review summary

Crystal is 95% back. Still need to provide more amenities (umbrellas on deck 12 outside dining, towels on back decks, cushions on chaise on back deck.) These are minor compared to the annoying inconveniences, bad food, poor service on our recent Seabourne and Regent cruises.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

A&K has kept the food variety and quality nearly as great as the old Crystal. There were some issues with wait times in Waterside early on and evidence of short staffing, but overall service and food was far superior to any Seabourne and Regent we've been on. Wouldn't take either of those again unless trying to get someplace no one else was going when i wanted to go (i.e. USA to Sydney)

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Saw a couple of good movies, walked out of several bad ones. Had one great comedian and one lame comedian. Don't care for floor shows so didn't see any. Speakers were generally entertaining and knowledgeable (didn't hear anything i couldn't look up on google if i was curious).

Entertainment

3 out of 5

See Activities comments

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Better than any other cruise line i've been on (over 50 cruises on several cruise lines). Staff looks for ways to serve you when not overwhelmed with demand.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

This is an older ship but well maintained. There were evidence of rust in many areas on the outside decks. We didn't like the Saloon layout (doesn't promote meeting people) and the Bistro is walled off from the atrium, which closes it in. On the Symphony it used to be open to the courtyard and activities going on. Felt more like a "town center' rather than a college cafeteria.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Everything was excellent. HVAC was unbalanced but other than that no issues.

Ship tip

Be aware smaller rooms have reduce closet space and storage is minimal. Old design was much more travel friendly. Get upgraded room (Aquamarine or Sapphire) if you can afford it. Single travelers would enjoy smaller oceanview room.

Thumbs up