Review: Crystal Serenity

_Location: Crystal Serenity is currently based in North America offering sailings to New England, Canada and the Caribbean. In January the ship will embark on a 142-night world cruise round-trip from Miami.

_{First impressions:} It doesn’t take long to discover that Crystal’s ‘exceptional at sea’ strapline isn’t just marketing spiel but an accurate summation of what the line delivers in terms of style and service. It’s abundantly clear that the crew all love their jobs, which perhaps explains why a staggering 80% of staff from the previous iteration of Crystal have returned to work for the brand. But despite their enthusiasm, the service never feels overbearing or forced.

_{The facts:} Crystal Serenity has undergone an extensive refit under new owners Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, but some elements remain unchanged, which is likely to please loyal followers of the brand. On the culinary front, The Palm Court lounge, Crystal Cove bar and Waterside restaurant are virtually the same as when the ship was operated by Genting Hong Kong.

The hugely popular Umi Uma – essentially a Nobu at sea – is back with a refreshed look, while The Bistro has also been modernised. Italian restaurant Prego has been replaced by Osteria d’Ovidio, while Chinese restaurant Silk has become tapas venue Tastes. Elsewhere, the pool deck has undergone a major overhaul and the Aur?ra Spa has been significantly enhanced. Those changes were well received by the agents I spoke to on board, but less welcome was the removal of the casino.

The bulk of the investment has gone into refitting the accommodation. This is most evident on decks eight and nine, where the number of cabins has been reduced to make them more spacious, decreasing the ship’s capacity from 980 to 740 and creating an impressive crew-to-passenger ratio of almost 1:1. This rejig has created two new room categories – the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View – the latter averting a single supplement.

_{Ideal for:} Crystal Serenity is best suited to mature couples looking for a romantic getaway, thanks to the ship’s array of intimate bars and restaurants, such as Avenue Saloon and the Connoisseur Club. But while it might not be geared towards families, children are welcome, with a kids’ area on deck 12. Two padel tennis and pickleball courts on the top deck will keep active guests busy.

_Wow: The Veranda Sapphire Suite really impressed me. Crystal enlisted the services of cruise ship architecture firm Gem and it’s clear that a lot of thought went into the refurb. The pièce de résistance was my spacious balcony where I started my day looking out on the Med with a coffee. Bliss.

_{Book it:} A 12-night sailing costs from £5,300, based on an October 21 sailing from Quebec to Miami. The price includes food and drink, and airport transfers, but excludes flights.
crystalcruises.co.uk