Crystal · A&K Travel Group · All-suite luxury lines
Crystal came back in 2023 under new owners with two rebuilt ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The refit removed cabins to make larger suites, so the ships now carry far fewer guests than they were built for. Caribbean sailings sometimes start in Miami; most of the year the ships are elsewhere. I have not sailed Crystal, before or after the relaunch.
Crystal Penthouse, Sapphire and Aquamarine Suites
- Crystal Penthouses are the largest, with a separate living room, a dining area and a butler. A few have a private hot tub on the veranda.
- Sapphire Veranda Suites and Aquamarine Veranda Suites are the bulk of the ship after the refit. Both are larger than they were before 2023.
- Butler service comes with the Penthouse categories. The rest of the ship is served by suite attendants.
- Both ships have a full-size casino, a lecture program and a large spa, which is unusual on ships this size.
What comes with it
- All dining, including Umi Uma and the steakhouse
- Open bars and premium spirits
- Gratuities and Wi-Fi
- Butler service in Penthouse categories
From Florida
Crystal has run winter Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries from Miami in some seasons but not every year. Check the current deployment before planning a drive. Most sailings begin in Europe, Asia or South America and are reached by air from Fort Myers or Miami.
The ships
Crystal Serenity · Crystal Symphony
Old-school American luxury. Big-band evenings, a proper show lounge and a loyal crowd that sailed Crystal before the 2022 closure and came back.
Crystal in pictures
Butler serving a guest a meal in a Crystal suite
Who it fits
- Repeat Crystal guests who want the line they remember.
- Travelers who want a mid-size luxury ship with real entertainment, not just a pianist.
- Anyone who wants a casino and a lecture series on the same ship.
Who should look elsewhere
- Families. The ships are built for adults.
- Anyone who wants the newest hardware. Both ships date from the 1990s, however good the refit was.
Questions about Crystal
Also all-suite luxury lines
Thinking about Crystal?
Kathryn will price its top tier against the suites she has stayed in and tell you where it wins.