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Crystal Cruises has perfected the art of innovative, delicious dining at sea. Passengers can choose to dine in the Crystal Dining Room, at an alternative restaurant or in their stateroom or suite.
The menu offers an extensive selection of regionally inspired cuisine prepared in the classical French tradition. The array of tantalizing options includes “lighter fare” low-sodium, low-cholesterol and low-carb selections, plus vegetarian offerings.
New: The Crystal Dining Room offers open seating for breakfast and lunch; with their Perfect Choice Dining options for dinner. Passengers can select from Classic Main (beginning at 6:15 pm), or Classic Late (beginning at 8:30 pm). In addition, guests may choose their Dining by Reservation option (available between 6:15 pm and 9:15 pm). Keep in mind that the actual times can vary by itinerary, so once onboard double check.
Open only for dinner, Prego offers Italian pasta, meat and fish entrees served a la carte or through a tasting menu. Its signature dishes include Scaloppine Di Vitello Servite Con Capelli D’angelo and Linguine Con Aragosta E Zucchini. The mushroom soup is a crowd favorite.
Passengers who love sushi and creative twists on Asian cuisine will flock to the stylish Silk Road and its fabulous, diminutive sushi bar, located at the restaurant's entrance. The kitchen, set up by world-renowned master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, features Nobu-trained chefs preparing classically styled Japanese foods with distinct Peruvian and European influences. Highlights include salmon tartar, Tiradito Nobu-style and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Lobster with Truffle-Yuzu Sauce, Grilled Wagyu Beef Rib-Eye with Wasabi Pepper Sauce, and the signature dessert, which is a Bento Box filled with Chocolate Soufflé Cake with Shiso Syrup and Sesame Ice Cream.
Foodies who want an intimate experience will like the Vintage Room with its wine- and champagne-themed dinners in a wine cellar setting. Expect to wine and dine while tasting and discussing some of the best wines on the ship. Ask the head sommelier to make reservations.
Other choices include Tastes, a casual eatery near the Neptune Pool that's a good casual dinner option with a new global-inspired evening menu (it's closed on formal evenings though); The Bistro, an evening café for small bites, tapas, desserts and snacks, and the poolside Trident Grill and Lido Cafe.
All guests can enjoy one complimentary meal at Prego and Silk Road and The Sushi Bar at least once during their cruise. Because these venues are so popular, make sure to inquire in advance with your Cruiseable travel professional or outside travel agent or make it a priority to secure a reservation as soon as you board the ship.
Now that Crystal Cruises has adopted an all-inclusive cruise fare, that means guests no longer pay extra for wine, cocktails, soda, bottled water or specialty coffees. It also means gratuities are included in the cruise fare, which should help you plan your budget. Note that you'll still pay extra if you choose to dine more than once at one of the specialty restaurants.
The Serenity's makeover included a full remodel of its Crystal Penthouses, the coveted top accommodations on board. And you have to love the little touches throughout, from the Wedgwood bone china teacups to the Riedel leaded crystal wine glasses to the Frette linens adorning the dining tables.
Crystal offers a wide range of entertainment options from large-scale productions featuring shows from Broadway and Britain's West End, as well as performances from singers, dancers and musicians playing classical and contemporary music. In addition, there are celebrity speakers and headline magicians from Crystal's Magic Castle at Sea.
Some 85 percent of all staterooms come with balconies, compared to 65 percent of the rooms on sister ship Crystal Symphony. All rooms come with seating areas, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, bathroom with bathtub and double sink and wi-fi access — for a fee (drat!). Guests staying in a penthouse room have access to extras like Jacuzzis, nightly hors' d'oeuvres and personal butler service.
Crystal Serenity's entry-level cabin is called a deluxe stateroom with large picture window, measuring 226 square feet. The deluxe stateroom with veranda is 269 square feet and its penthouses range from 403 to 1,345 square feet. Penthouse guests get private Jacuzzis, nightly hors d'oeuvre and personal butler service.
Crystal Serenity attracts a friendly, sophisticated, uppercrust crowd with a majority age 50 and older. Depending on the itinerary, the passenger mix is often 85 percent North American (many from California) and 15 percent other nationalities. The crew and staff speaks English.
With so much to do, there is no reason for anyone to be bored on Crystal Serenity.
Crystal Cruises has done a lot of evolving to emerge on the cruise scene with a fresh new taste and feel. Most notable is the move towards a more casual shipboard environment. Put it this way, although you can still wear your long formal gowns, it is no longer required. And with the Dining by Reservation program in place, you have the flexibility to choose with whom you wish to dine as well as your dinner time (within the applicable dining hours).
Carrie Finley-Bajak sailed on Crystal Serenity on a press/blogger trip before its purchase by A&K as a guest of Crystal Cruises. See Cruiseable's Ethics & Disclosure policy.
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For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Crystal Serenity, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.
