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CRYSTAL SERENITY joined the Crystal Cruise fleet in July 2003. Her construction was at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France. The 68,000-ton, 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity, raised the standards of Crystal Cruises to even greater heights. She has an expanded space-to-guest ratio greater than that of her spacious sister ships. Appointed elegant staterooms are all oceanview, with more than 85% having private verandas. All views are completely unobstructed. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, five separate and very distinctive evening dining venues, a Caesar's Palace at Sea casino, a disco, Hollywood Theatre cinema offering award winning entertainment, a conference center, and The Connoisseur Club. This ship is also host to the Avenue Salon, a lavish spa. The Crystal Serenity sails worldwide itineraries.
Public Areas:
The public areas aboard the Serenity are attractive and very well planned. The entrance to the Serenity greets guests through the glittering Crystal Plaza atrium. There are several levels of glass and chrome stairs, hand-cut sculpture, a waterfall, and a piano bar. Avenue of the Stars, a 3,692 sq. ft. shopping arcade with three shops, offers upscale clothing, jewelry and specialty items. The lounges include the Stardust Club for dancing and cabaret; Avenue Saloon cocktail and piano bar; and the Connoisseur Club, a very intimate, refined cigar lounge. The 10,410 sq. ft. Galaxy Lounge is the ship’s main show room, where guests will find most of the entertainment. The University@Sea classroom and instruction lab offers 24-hour Internet, e-mail access and private work areas. The Bridge Lounge offers complimentary Bridge classes and an area for card playing. The Palm Court is a tropical paradise with large skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows. This is the perfect place for enjoying beautiful ocean views during the day, and music for dancing and classical concerts at night. The Studio, exclusive to Crystal Serenity, is a new learning center. Here guests can experience a variety of creative and educational hands-on classes. The Vintage Room, is a new classic boardroom with a wine cellar that can only be found on the Serenity. The library features more than 2,000 books, videos, and DVDs. There is also an Art Gallery on board that showcases artwork for sale.
Restaurants/Cuisine:
Five evening dining choices are offered. The Crystal Dining Room is an elegant 500 seat dining room with stained glass ceilings, murals and beautiful views of the sea. Guests can expect the very highest level of cuisine on this full-size cruise ship. Classic European menus are offered in the main dining room along with regional specialties inspired by the ports visited. There are 2 seating times that are open for dinner as well as breakfast and lunch. Two alternative restaurants that require reservations are: Silk Road for exceptional Japanese fare; and Prego, featuring gourmet Italian selections. There is no charge, however a gratuity of $6 per person is requested. Other dining venues include The Bistro, a social coffee and wine bar serving snacks and specialty coffees: Lido Cafe, a country-club style cafe that serves breakfast and lunch; Trident Bar & Grill offering casual poolside lunches throughout the afternoon; Scoops Ice Cream Bar for complimentary frozen treats and fresh-baked cookies; and Tastes, a food counter featuring international fare. Guests can also find daily afternoon tea served in the Palm Court, as well as 24-hour complimentary room service.
Service:
The hotel and dining staff are European and provide excellent service in all areas.
Entertainment:
Crystal consistently earns first-place for their diverse and sophisticated entertainment. Multi-talented performers with experience on Broadway and The Bolshoi Ballet make up the team of entertainers. Cabaret performances are offered at the Stardust Club. Here guests can find pre or post-dinner shows including top name cabaret stars and accomplished pianists. For unescorted females, Crystal's "Ambassador Host" program assures you a dance partner. The Caesar’s Palace at Sea casino is one of the largest luxury casinos afloat at 4,123 sq feet. Guests can stay busy all night long with a disco, piano bar, karaoke lounge, classical music performances or a movie in the Hollywood Theatre.
Accomodations:
All accommodations on the Crystal Serenity are large, the "smallest" being 226 square feet. There are four Crystal Penthouses, the largest of which is the Crystal Penthouse at an amazing 1,345 sq. ft. including a veranda, separate living room and dining area. Guests in penthouses receive complimentary service bar, complimentary soft drinks, personal butler service, a CD player, flat-screen televisions in bedrooms, living room, and bathroom, cordless phones, a guest bathroom, pantry, library, workout station, large bedroom with king-size bed or twin beds, master bath with whirlpool and bidet, separate shower, and walk-in closet. There are also 32 Penthouse Suites with verandas at 538 sq. ft., 64 Penthouses with verandas at 403 sq. ft., 82 Penthouse Staterooms with verandas at 269 sq. ft., 286 Outside Deluxe Staterooms with verandas at 269 sq. ft., and 80 Outside Deluxe Staterooms with verandas at 225 sq. ft. Large unobstructed picture windows with a seating area, queen-size bed or twin beds, well-stocked mini honor bar, and full bathtub/shower combination are offered in all staterooms without balconies. All staterooms or penthouse accommodations offers a seating area or living room, data port for laptop computer hook-up, remote television and DVD, a refrigerator, and a security safe. Wheelchair accessible accommodations are also offered on this ship.
Fitness/Spa:
The pool deck offers plenty of relaxing teak lounge chairs. There are two pools, Seahorse pool, an open-air pool with two outdoor Jacuzzis and the Neptune Pool, an indoor/outdoor pool covered by a retractable roof. The Crystal Spa & Ftness center is 8,234 sq. ft. offering treatment rooms, an expanded gym and an aerobics studio. The gym offers additionally offers yoga classes. Guests will also find "Wimbledon" paddle tennis courts. The design alone of the Crystal Spa incorporates the principals of Feng-Shui, ensuring that guests maximize the flow of "chi" (essential life forces) through their bodies. For the golf enthusiast there are 2 driving nets, a putting area, PGA golf pro instruction on most cruises, and Calloway equipment that includies right and left-handed clubs for men and women. There are also Golf clinics on many cruises.
Gratuities:
Crystal's guidelines suggest the following grauitity guidelines: Per passenger per day: $4 room steward(ess), $4 waiter; $2 assistant waiter and $4 for butlers within the Penthouse Suites. Gratuity to the Maître d', Headwaiter and night snack personnel are at the guest's discretion. For Salon or Spa personnel we suggest a 15% gratuity. All bar drinks, sodas and wines by the glass will have a 15% gratutity added to the bill.
Children's Program:
Children have a variety of great activities to choose from on every Crystal cruise! There is a children's playroom as well as babysitting services on all cruises. During holiday cruises and select sailings, additional children's activities will be offered under the supervision of experienced Junior Activities Directors. Crystal Cruise Junior Activities Program is divided into 4 groups: 3-7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, and 13-17 year olds. Counselors oversee the games, Sony Playstations, big screen television shows, inventive educational programs, teen get-togethers, dances, etc. Toys and planned activities such as diving for pennies in the pool are offered for the younger children. Children under six months are not permitted to cruise without a signed waiver by parent(s). The activities are determined by age and the number of children on board with a detailed schedule of events that is created at the beginning of each cruise. Once on board, children will receive "Surf Runner," the daily newsletter for kids with details for the following day's schedule and other pertinent information. The Library offers children's books and children's videos for television/VCRs available in all staterooms. Children can also choose to dine from the Junior Cruiser's menu. A favorite is the Trident Grill serving complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza and more. Baby food, high chairs and booster seats are all available onboard. In-stateroom baby-sitting is offered at $7.50 per hour for one child, $10 per hour for two, and $12.50 per hour for three. Guests should make babysitting arrangements at least 24 hours in advance with the purser's desk.
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