Suite Travels

CRYSTAL SCORES WIN AS CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S “BEST CRUISE LINE” OF 2011

Highest Rating of Any Cruise Line

LOS ANGELES, October 11, 2011 – In a huge affirmation of cruise industry excellence, Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.) readers have named Crystal Cruises the “Best Cruise Line” (Mid-Sized) for 2011 and rated the line higher than any cruise line, large or small. The ultra-luxe line’s victorious score of 93, its highest in years, marks the 18th time the company has won its category--more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in the magazine’s history.

Crystal President Gregg Michel shared his excitement about the feat: “Clearly, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler continue to appreciate and recognize Crystal’s unwavering focus on delivering what sophisticated travelers want: new, life-changing itineraries and on-board experiences, plus a chic sense of design and space that also makes them feel at home.”

Considered one of the highest honors in hospitality, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies and islands. The more than 28,800 readers who voted this year evaluated cruise lines’ Activities/Facilities, Staterooms, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries and Shore Excursions to determine the overall score. All award-winners are listed in the magazine’s November 2011 issue, and its website.

2011 has been a winning year thus far for Crystal, with numerous additional accolades from other travel trade publications, industry editors, and trusted travel agent consortiums. Such international honors include “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure (U.S.) readers for the 16th consecutive year, #1 Foreign Cruise Line by Japan’s Cruise magazine readers, and three Travel Weekly Magellan Awards for the $25 million redesign of Crystal Serenity.

Other innovations implemented by Crystal in 2011 include new, private tour options for shore excursions; a new “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program, with complimentary opportunities on every cruise; new dual-compatible, 27” Apple computers and classes at Computer University@Sea; new fitness and beauty offerings in the Feng Shui-designed spas; and new dining amenities, including “Perfect Choice Dining” with flexible, open seating by reservation, and, starting in spring 2012, “All Inclusive” enhancements, with complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff—even in Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio’s onboard specialty restaurants.

Itineraries of 7-98 days on the line’s Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ships are available throughout the world, with “Book Now” savings of up to $4,000 per couple until October 31, 2011.

TC, you have never stepped foot on a Crystal ship. The Serenity cabins/suites are larger than the Symphony. At least we can compare having sailed on Regent and Crystal and also other lines.

We think Regent is very over priced for its product and yes I still get the wasteful brochures from them. Not to mention Crystal e-mails everyone and on any changes which can happen to any line.

Regent needs to improve their customer service and address issues that have been mentioned on this board. Service and quality of food is everything.....not the size of your room, unless you plan on living in it for the entire cruise.

Well geez, just when I was getting ready to speak as one of the few, if not only, liberal "Censor-natians," and celebrate your presumed old hippie ways, you come back with that.

 

So instead, I shall say in the words of that fabulously succinct 11 year old granddaughter of mine, WHATEVERRRRRR! :D

 

Still, I say go to your suite, Miles. I mean it.

Mrs.T.....I have been told by Dan to go to my room <not suite> and shut up or he will take my computer and hide it.

BTW, we are home and still have not booked another cruise.:( I think we are going back to Africa. You can't argue with elephants. LOL

And just last week they came out with a $700 price reduction....Yeah Crystal doin great! BUT REGENT ROCKS !!!

You are not kidding me it ROCKS & VIBRATES. You do not need quarters for the vibration experience.:p

It's not doin.....it is DOING GREAT.

Crystal ships are never REALLY full because of the great single supplement prices. Crystal introduced the as you wish which was worth $2000.00 not to mention what each travel agent offered their clients with onboard credits. They will soon be all inclusive.

Our combined credits were $3000.00. We can't drink that much or buy anything in the shops that we don't already have in our closet. We put the $$$ to work with private tours. No bus for us.

Open dining was not a problem. We just walked in and were seated without reservations

Ah...................there's the rub!!!....Your last sentence says it all....My opinion really is the only valid opinion.....In my opinion, that is...............:D

Your post to Keith was real class, Not!!!

We are so fortunate to know Keith and Anne Marie. Keith is always helping other cruisers regardless of the cruise line.

Keith1010.......I stated only those things that I personally experienced this year on 2 seperate Crystal cruises...I am aware of you and your position on the Crystal boards, most always a voice of reason...With your inside information perhaps you might step up and tell me why, in your opinion, that Crystal is going all inclusive next Spring...Suitetravel chooses to not give an opinion....I thought it was a reasonable question.

Sorry.I don't live on the computer. Crystal has evolved slowly and now they will go all inclusive which is a very good move and we knew it was coming eventually.

In 20 cruises with Crystal we have never had a bad experience. Crystal has maintained its number one rating for years.:D

...When are you going to stop being logical?....On the Serenity in July from Copehagen-North Cape-Dover we only had 600 aboard a ship that carries over 1250...It was both amusing and annoying during breakfast at their Veranda venue to see and have 2 or 3 of the wait staff ask to help you or see them standing in a corner talking while an encumbered passenger was looking for a bit of help..There were simply not enough passengers for the ammount of wait staff..is quiI get the impression from being aboard and reading their posts on CC that the perfect service they continuously allude to must be the fawning over their return passengers..To me perfect service et, unobtrusive, prompt and polite.

We have NEVER seen that on Crystal. Nobody helped us on the Mariner with those non-automatic doors and the wind blowing.

" I get the impression from being aboard and reading their posts on CC that the perfect service they continuously allude to must be the fawning over their return passengers..To me perfect service."

WRONG!!!!!

Perhaps this poster should use spell check.:eek:

I think NYK will take care of the employees since many have been with Crystal for many years. The staff has always been treated very special. Tipping will not be necessary.

We have 20 cruises on Crystal and remain in contact with several crew members and they are not concerned about gratuities. If one decides to leave a little extra and they have done something special for you....do it.

BTW, Regent's prices have really gone up over the last few years. We would rather have quality rather than quantity.

Well Responder,we stay on PH deck. Many people have taken world cruises in other category's on Crystal and have never complained about the cabin and that includes past Regent guests that HAVE switched over.

Crystal ships are really never full because of the good single supplement offers. I doubt you would ever see more than 750 guests on either ship.

I wanted to add that Crystal has a great library of DVD'S and books. Crystal does have movies on TV and you are provided with a program. We don't go on a cruise to watch TV. We do enough of that at home. Well, we are not couch potatoes.

Oh please, Crystal guests don't worry about their accounts. Most people don't stay in their cabin/suite anyway to watch TV. Too many other venues to attend. The only thing we watch is CNN or FOX news.

We, as well as anybody can get menus delivered to their cabin/suite and a very extensive room service menu is right there for your use.

Crystal will be all inclusive next year.!!!!

We have sailed on both Crystal and Regent this year. Crystal 14 days on each of their ships and Regent 16 and 22 days on Voyager and Mariner....We found Crystal not to be to our liking. The Crystal board is the only one I am aware of that talks in specific cruise numbers rather than destinations and dates...If you are fully Crystalized you will know the code. It is the only cruiseline we have ever sailed on that people feel compelled to tell you how many times they have cruised on Crystal,often when first introduced....Their "Open dining by reservation" is a joke..There are many, many good things about Crystal. the lecturers etc....But they have nothing comparable to Prime7 or Signatures. If you enjoy Sushi and Sashimi then their Asian restaurant will be to your liking. Give me the relaxed atmosphere of Regent and the passenger mix that enjoys themselves and others without having their nose above all others.....:cool:

Well I guess Silversea or Seabourn will not be to your liking either.

We did open dining on Crystal and it was not an issue and this was without reservations. Table for two....no problem.

Yes, you do have a few formal nights,but most of them are casual or informal.

Very well balanced post Tersea.

Not to worry, Seabourn which we are sailing next November and Crystal are very Gay friendly. Just relax and enjoy your cruise.

TWA was taken over by American Airlines. TWA was in BK over the years but managed to survive. TWA still had cash on hand to operate. AA forced TWA to file a technical BK in order for them to defer debt to the lessors and to get rid of Carl Ichan's Caribou agreement.

Eastern and Pan Am went chapt 7 a whole different story.

Delray Beach and leaving on the Crystal Symphony Feb 11 MIA-LAX our 23rd cruise. Not all Crystal.

Delray Beach and leaving on the Crystal Symphony Feb 11 MIA-LAX our 23rd cruise. Not all Crystal.

Where we live is a bit different as well...Ft. Lauderdale. At least in the U.S. we have choices of where we choose to live. I think most Americans are more accepting of our lifestyle and more educated. I don't think we would choose to live in the back woods of N.C. or TN, unless we knew other friends that we could hang with for a social.