Crystal Serenity emerged from dry dock last November with a fresh look and refurbishments that match the changes that were made to sistership Crystal Symphony a year earlier. These enhancements from Crystal are largely designed to satisfy cruisers’ growing desire for more flexibility in their schedules when it comes to dining and entertainment, including open seating in the redesigned and renamed main dining room; a new category of spacious butler-serviced staterooms; fresh layouts and decor in the Palm Court lounge and Stardust Club; and the new show “Crystal on Broadway.”
As a result of the updates, passenger capacity on Serenity dropped to 980 from 1,070, providing more space for each guest — especially those booked in one of the 36 new Crystal Seabreeze Penthouses (350 square feet) or two Crystal Seabreeze Penthouse Suites (509 square feet) on Deck 10. These rooms replace the former Deluxe Staterooms With Verandah accommodations.
Clients booked in Crystal Seabreeze Penthouses receive a range of special amenities.
Credit: 2019 Crystal
The decor of these new rooms employs a palette of blue gemstone and white, with brushed-brass details. Guests also receive butler service, a stocked bar, fresh daily fruit, complimentary chocolates and a pillow menu. In addition to a large walk-in closet, a highlight of these cabins is the spa bathroom with a massive 20-square-foot shower. Guests can choose among three shower settings via a button: rainfall, handheld or a neck- and back-focused stream. Bathrooms also feature dual sinks and come stocked with Etro toiletries.
Dining Enhancements
The changes to the dining program on Serenity demonstrates Crystal’s commitment to giving clients more flexibility and choice. The ship now offers open seating in the main dining room, which has been redesigned and rebranded as Waterside (formerly Crystal Dining Room). The venue now has a capacity of 500 guests, and there are more intimate tables for parties of two or four available.
“Serenity’s new open-seating dining gives our guests the freedom to dine when, where and with whom they want,” said Tom Wolber, president and CEO of Crystal.
Waterside’s new look includes brown tones, integrated lighting, a new ceiling feature and decorative wall panels that help reduce noise and create a more cozy setting. Daily changing menus offer “modern” and “classic” choices.
The former Taste eatery in the ship’s Trident area on Deck 12 has been transformed to Silk Kitchen and Bar, which serves Chinese specialties for lunch and dinner in an alfresco setting.
Umi Uma & Sushi Bar is the new name of the former Silk Road. The restaurant, which was conceived in partnership with celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, continues to serve creative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine.
To offer even more choices, the line has added two new dining concepts to Serenity. A supper club is offered in Stardust Club on the black-tie-optional nights, and the former Lido Cafe is now The Marketplace, offering a diverse buffet for breakfast and lunch, and a Brazilian-style churrascaria for dinner (no reservations needed). Stardust Supper Club — designed to hark back to yesteryear — requires reservations, as there is limited seating, and features live music and dancing during and after meals.
Lounges, Entertainment and More
Many of the public venues on Serenity have been redone, as well. In particular, the Pulse disco and Resorts World Casino at Sea feature new carpet and furnishings. The ship’s Computer University@Sea and The Studio have been upgraded, too, with fresh carpet, new computers and seats, as well as reorganized space that is ideal for hosting group events.
Palm Court lounge underwent a major renovation.
Credit: 2019 CrystalAdditionally, Palm Court, the popular lounge at the top of the ship, received an extensive overhaul. The piano stage is redesigned to offer an “in the round” feel, and the room also has a modernized bar. The old stage area is now a dedicated culinary space for pastries and snacks during events such as the ship’s afternoon teatime.
Finally, Serenity is offering “Crystal on Broadway,” a new production show in The Galaxy Lounge in partnership with Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum. The extravaganza weaves together 11 songs from the musicals “Something Rotten,” “West Side Story” and “Rent.”
The Details
Crystal
www.crystalcruises.com
