Crystal Symphony to Enjoy a Major Makeover

[GeminiA]

Crystal Symphony to Enjoy a Major Makeover

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- This September, following a $25+ million makeover, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is unveiling dramatic new interiors and deck spaces for its sophisticated and stylish Crystal Symphony. The 922-guest, 50,000-ton ultra-luxury ship will boast redesigned Penthouses (including its uber-plush Crystal Penthouses), pool areas, Prego Italian restaurant, Lido Cafe as well as guest elevators and numerous behind-the-scenes upgrades.

Penthouses
Crystal Symphony's two 982-square-foot Crystal Penthouses with large verandahs will be stripped and completely transformed into the feel of elegant residential apartments with luxurious fabrics, details and finishes. Internal space will be extended to enlarge the living spaces and bedroom. While both the master and guest bathrooms will feature rare marbles and designer fittings, the master bathrooms will boast a sunken Philippe Stark Duravit Jacuzzi bathtub with 90-degree ocean views, glass mosaics and recessed televisions, among other features. The suites also offer an entrance lobby, his and her walk-in closets, private study area, living room, state-of-the-art audio-visual system, and dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Crystal Symphony's 61 butler-serviced Penthouses and Penthouse Suites will be redesigned in soothing taupe and sand tones, accented by citrus or icy blue, one of two color schemes. New custom cabinetry will sport stone countertops and flat screen televisions, while new bedding, stone-topped end tables and bedside reading lights will be framed by new headboards, carpeting and window treatments. All bathrooms will feature new tile with mosaic accents, glass showers, contemporary hardware and lighting, and a fresh white and neutral color palette.

Lido Cafe
This popular breakfast and lunch cafe will be transformed into an upscale dining spot with a completely new Crystal dining experience, designed to showcase Crystal's freshly cooked fare as well as add intimate seating and improve flow. Inspired by the endless skies, surf and sand dunes of the Hamptons seashore, the room will be infused with light through a new glazed indoor/outdoor extension and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural tones of seashell, sand and weathered timber provide a soothing backdrop for sparkling polished metal accents and sea grass screens. New food and drink service islands, each with different choices, will enable guests to enjoy what they want in their order of preference. New bread oven, grill, woks and other culinary equipment will provide an even greater array of freshly cooked to order choices.

Seahorse and Neptune Pool Areas
Befitting an upscale chic resort, Crystal Symphony's pool areas will be redefined with new spaces, water features and furniture providing more indoor and al fresco dining, plush conversational seating and varied sunbathing options. Sophisticated limestone tile will offset the azure pool and the new, larger whirlpool, while deck furniture offers a harmonious combination of antique white and neutral taupe accented with colors of sunshine and tropical fruit. In the retractable roof-covered, mid-ship area of the Lido Deck, the Neptune Pool will be removed and replaced with teak decking and al fresco dining and lounging options around the Trident Bar. While the calming neutrals of the Lido Cafe open to brighter outdoor colors, the unifying theme is natural and relaxed.

Prego
Since its debut, this critically-acclaimed, intimate Italian specialty restaurant has been inspired by Venice. Open only for dinner, the new design will be moody and dramatic, retaining elements of traditional Venetian architecture and portraiture presented in a fresh and modern way. Luxuriously padded, dark chocolate fabric walls frame delicate chandeliers, art by famed Venetian artists and richly upholstered seating.

All Crystal staterooms, all of which were redecorated in late 2007 and feature sitting areas, will receive new sofas to provide more seating and add third berths for families. This year, all accommodations on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity received new plush Simmons' mattresses with healthful sanitary protectors.

During the September drydock, Crystal is also investing in upgraded elevators, a new crew restaurant, new lighting systems and other behind-the-scenes projects. Medical center improvements include digital x-ray equipment, enabling doctors to efficiently share x-rays with guests' personal physicians and other specialists. A major upgrade of the ship's onboard broadcast production studio will enhance Crystal's extensive television programming with added clarity and brilliance.

Crystal's drydock is scheduled for September 17-October 1 in Boston at the Atlantic Marine Boston shipyard. Adfecto will design the Crystal Penthouses, Lido Cafe, Seahorse Pool and Neptune Deck areas, guest elevators and crew mess. Kurt Nix will design Prego and II X IV will design the Penthouses and Penthouse Suites.

The Crystal Difference

The 'Crystal Difference' starts with the company's unwavering mission: to be the best in the luxury service business, not just the luxury cruise industry. This uncompromising commitment to unparalleled service, abundant space, superior quality, and limitless choices is appreciated by valued guests who return again and again.

Crystal has also won an unprecedented number of the travel industry's most distinguished hospitality awards. In 2009, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were again voted the best medium-sized cruise ships in the world (ranking #1 and #2, respectively) by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, and the line was voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for a record 14th consecutive year. In all, the line has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband or Julie Dibble (310) 203-4305, mediarelations@crystalcruises.com





SOURCE Crystal Cruises

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayRe...5070881&EDATE=

Looking forward to go on the Symphony next July. And I think Symphony's Prego is overdue for a makeover to match the Serenity's ...

[nancygp]

Thanks for posting!!!

I'm very impressed with all of this. I love this ship and it's only going to get better. I'm bummed that I will not see any of this until next October!

[KaraokeQueen]

Good thing Judith is cruising and may be delayed in learning her favorite exercise pool, The Neptune is going bye bye.

Tastes is so popular for casual dining on the Serenity, it is a super decision to duplicate it on Symphony.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for posting this. All of these updates will add to the beauty of the Crystal Symphony and I look forward to seeing them up close the next time we cruise on the Symphony.

Keith

[martinsfo]

Now I have to do another cruise. I was on the Symphony right after it's last dry dock!

[Harry1954]

This is really nice .. this ship is special to DW and me as it was our first ever cruise ship ... looking forward to getting back on in 2010 with refurb.
harry

[caliber35]

Please bring back the chair! I never got to experience it. Looking forward to the Grand Voyage around South America this winter.

[Oceans&Rivers]

I appreciate the press release and most of the renovation sounds great. The Prego design firm is listed with an incorrect name, however.

It is Kirk Nix, not Kurt. The firm is KNA Design.

For some examples, see: http://knadesign.com/

[Oceans&Rivers]

Originally Posted by caliber35

Please bring back the chair! I never got to experience it.

We did, and we liked it just fine. It was stylish and comfortable for dining.

I mentioned my concern in past posts that any replacement of the chair with a sofa or love seat would likely lead to more berth capacity, i.e. a third berth. Several folks told me that wouldn't happen.

Well, I really, really, really wish I didn't have to tell you this, but

I told you so.


Next up: KIDS SAIL FREE (or deeply discounted).

[Exec Libra]

This is terrific news (as long as prices don't go up too much, of course!). Thanks for posting.

Kudos to Crystal senior management for taking the initiative to do something this dramatic just as news of a possible thaw in the economy is taking root.

The change I'm most interested in seeing is the Lido transformation. My guess is that with the Neptune removed, new furniture and design treatments, and the cafe being redone this place will be the favorite haunt on the Symphony, particularly on casual dining evenings. I can just see various members of our Cruise Critic crowd on the LA-Sydney crossing next February dining al fresco as we skip along over the waves of the South Pacific, playing trivia games and having a few too many beers or glasses of wine while trying to best our opponents.

Now, what about fixing the coffee?

Chuck-

[All too soon...]

This all sounds wonderful.

The Trident Area is one of my favorite spots on the ship, and removing the little-used pool makes so much sense. Anything that enhances the dining options is a winner with me!

I'm trying to envision the new indoor/outdoor extension of the Lido. Perhaps it will encompass some of the space that is now under cover on the aft deck, with sliders that open in fair weather.

We're certainly happy to hear about the penthouse improvements, so that they'll be ready for our 20th cruise in a few years! Stone tops should provide a much nicer long-term finish than wood or glass.

I've always liked the Prego interior, but the changes sound lovely. It will probably mean that they'll be removing some of the oddly-hung artwork.

Guest elevators are ready for refurb, as years of luggage handling has led to a few dents in the brushed sheet metal. I suspect they won't be making my suggested change of inlaying the deck number in the floor outside each elevator, to help guests orient themselves.

[Oceans&Rivers]

ATS, you mentioned a vibration in the area near your cabin. Have you heard whether this will be addressed in the makeover? We are booked in a cabin in that area later this year. (I don't know yet whether we will be able to take time off, though, so I haven't listed us in a roll call.)

Also, we may see you onboard the Sea of Cortez cruise, unless something more attractive comes up in the 2011 schedule.

[NHBob]

All of my 2009 cruises have been on Serenity, so I'm looking forward to seeing the Symphony's changes on my February/March 2010 trans-Pacific-- unless, of course, I can find somebody to invite me on board during one of her post-dry dock Boston overnights (V#9223/9224/9225) so I can see them sooner.

I'm glad to see confirmation that sofas will return to the cabins, although I guess a few people liked the chairs. Hopefully the new sofas, like the old love seats, will accommodate the life jackets so they don't take up closet space.

There's no mention of the desk/dressing table chairs, but I hope they will revert to the style that fits under the desk when not in use. Also no mention of the much-maligned "salad bowl" lavatory basins, but I'd be surprised to see any major changes in bathrooms after the large amount they spent on them during last dry dock.

The Lido deck changes sound great, although I'm sure some will miss the Trident Pool. Although the name "Tastes" doesn't appear in the press release, I assume that the revamped Neptune area will be similar to Serenity's Tastes.

About the only thing I like better on Serenity than Symphony is the layout of the Palm Court and Sunset Bar. Would love to see something similar on Symphony, especially the larger dance floor, but suspect it isn't feasible without major structural changes because Symphony's overall length is some 42 feet less than Serenity's.

I wonder if the delay in release of the 2010 Worldwide Atlas is because they want to include the new deck plans.

Bob

[BEAV]

It's reassuring to know Crystal continues to keep their two beauties updated and "fresh". I, too, am looking forward to the Lido changes. I was fortunate to be the guest of Patty (paws10) last month for a tour of Azuka II (ex-Crystal Harmony) and took notice of the fact that the old Neptune pool has been removed from that ship as well. Like Symphony, it has been replaced with an expanded Lido seating area. It will be great to have a Tastes-type eatery on Symphony.

I'll admit I was never too thrilled with the bright & cheery decor in Prego, but that of course is a "to each their own" category. After the wonderful transformation of Jade Garden into Silk Road, I'm looking forward to those padded, dark chocolate walls in Prego! I especially liked the words "moody and dramatic" Crystal used to describe the new Prego. I've liked dark & dramatic restaurants every since Flip Wilson, who portrayed the female character Geraldine, said "I'll meet you in the booth in the back in the corner in the dark".

The suite refresh and upgrades sound wonderful as well. We're going to open a lemonade stand in hopes of raising enough cash to sail in one on 0226. Wish us luck!

[ricki]

I'm with you Beav, I'm excited to see Prego redone, especially since the same firm did Silk Road. It should look terrific.

Re: all the old chairs. Perhaps Claes Oldenburg can do a public sculpture exhibit with all the old chairs. It would bound to be dramatic!

Ricki

[Jinn]

Originally Posted by NHBob

All of my 2009 cruises have been on Serenity, so I'm looking forward to seeing the Symphony's changes on my February/March 2010 trans-Pacific-- unless, of course, I can find somebody to invite me on board during one of her post-dry dock Boston overnights (V#9223/9224/9225) so I can see them sooner.


Bob

Bob---I will be on #9223 and would be happy to have you onboard as a guest when I know what I will be doing in Boston. I will certainly be onboard for dinner. Can't miss a meal! But, I'm willing to bet that if you E-Mail Crysta's guest services, Crystal will invite you to come onboard when you wish to see the changes. Jinn

[JTor]

Wow, I am surprised they are removing the pool - it was such a focus for that part of the ship. My first reaction is that I will miss it but perhaps one will be enough. Worries me that everyone may be crowded around the remaining pool on sunny sea days though

[joyous]

We seldom have seen anyone in the Neptune pool and I think that space will be well used for the buffets. The lack of space makes the buffets currently a challenge to get around without bumping and stepping on toes. As for the sofa, wish it were on there now for my reading afternoons. I love to prop up so I can see the sea :-) from the sofa and read while DH takes his nap. We'll have to wait until 0216 to see the changes. We love the casual dining and will look forward to that. Hope it means that the menu will be much different from our last cruise. We missed our duck quesadillas, onion rings and steak :-( When we get off in Boston I guess the commotion will begin. Hurray! joyous

[asoe28]

Originally Posted by Oceans&Rivers

We did, and we liked it just fine. It was stylish and comfortable for dining.

I mentioned my concern in past posts that any replacement of the chair with a sofa or love seat would likely lead to more berth capacity, i.e. a third berth. Several folks told me that wouldn't happen.

Well, I really, really, really wish I didn't have to tell you this, but

I told you so.


Next up: KIDS SAIL FREE (or deeply discounted).

I remember your initial concern, and noticed that, so far, no one has paid appropriate homage to your foresight. Let's hope that only a few sofas will be convertible. I love children - teach nursery school - but sea time is for peace and quiet. It's probably a good sign that none of the renovations included expanding Fantasia (think that's what the kids' program is called).

[solomon]

It still amazes me how Crystal can get all of this done in only 2 weeks.

It takes 2 weeks just to get a building permit around here!

If I had the time & the access, I would love to watch. It would be a real treat to see this transformation take place in person.