The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007 - (Page 17)

ship review For videos from Crystal Symphony, click on www.avidcruisertv.com LCD flat screen televisions. Bathrooms venue, enhanced with decorative tiles, were newly reconstructed with a contemwall finishings and fresh upholstery all porary style showcasing two oval glass sinks done in a warm palette of russets and atop granite countertops. earth tones. I found the Bistro Café While the category A staterooms are a to be a good place to pick up speciality coffees, breakfast and light snacks good value, if you go down one deck, you during the day. get an identical stateroom — category B — for an even better value. You pay more as • Computer University@Sea — Expanded just two years ago to accomyou move up the decks on this ship. Wireless internet is offered throughout, and it’s modate the increased demand for its cheap by industry standards, as low as 20 growing portfolio of courses, Crystal’s cents per minute depending on the package revolutionary Computer University@Sea was outfitted with all new you purchase (compare to an extortionate equipment. According to Thomas 75 cents a minute on some ships.) Mazloum, senior vice president, hotel Public Area Upgrades operations, 42 percent of passengers The biggest transformation, perhaps, was participate in at least one class. on Tiffany Deck. Deck 6 was completely Crystal Symphony is an anomaly transformed from stem to stern with new in the luxury cruise sector. Carrying color schemes, new construction and new contemporary lighting that creates different 940 guests, it is a larger ship than the moods as day moves into night. Among the smaller luxury ships that dominate this segment, and perhaps because it major structural changes: is a larger ship, you won’t find free • Starlite Club — Centrally located in the booze in the public areas, as you will middle of Tiffany Deck, existing walls on many of the smaller luxury ships. were removed and a dramatic round bar Nor are gratuities included. takes center stage in this open environThe 12-year-old Crystal Symphony’s deluxe staterooms also are on ment offering panoramic sea views. It the smallish side when compared to was the hub of social activity. similar accommodations on other • Crystal Casino — Dramatic black flooring anchors a sophisticated black luxury ships. That said, the larger ship and silver color palette in the completely platform allows for a wider breadth of redesigned Crystal Casino. New offerings facilities, such a spacious award-winning spa, the ever-popular Computer include The Ultimate Texas Hold-em University@Sea, a wonderful roundand state-of-the-art slots. the-ship promenade and more. • Luxe Nightclub — From its polished aluminum Phillipe Stark bar stools to the As Crystal Cruises continues to glass Bizzaza mosaics, Crystal Symphony’s invest in Symphony, the ship keeps pace new nightclub Luxe proved to be a sowith the times, rivaling newer ships. But phisticated spot for drinks and dancing. perhaps what most distinguishes the Symphony is not the hardware compo• Boutiques and Shops — The boutiques and shops aboard Crystal Symphony nent itself but the software, the 545 were completely transformed with white staff and crew who serve 940 guests. marble, black accents, clean stone finishes Crystal’s crew is the real reason that the and chandeliers. Facets features a new pri- company has for the past 12 years been vate space for guests to consider high-end named “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise jewelry purchases, and Apropos offers the Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines line’s popular logo items and resort wear. • Bistro Café — A comfortable European — the only cruise line, resort or hotel to atmosphere was recreated in this popular have achieved such distinction. http://www.avidcruisertv.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007

The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007 Contents The Poop Deck Cruising, Back to Back At The Piazza SeaDream Yacht Club Regent’s Seven Seas Voyager The ‘New’ Crystal Symphony Bay of FUNdy Long Weekend Getaway Silversea Cruises: Silver Whisper Cruising Southeast Asia ‘Awesome’ Alaska Sacred Moments In South Georgia Two Years With A Princess Of Days Gone By

The Avid Cruiser - Fall 2007

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