The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
And the Crystal Serenity certainly sails the Seven Seas, from Alaska to Zanzibar, circumnavigating the globe on world cruises. Stepping into Serenity’s grand atrium, a mosaic glass case of soft Mediterranean hues, guests are welcomed aboard with champagne.
Serenity is a ship with a soul. Where the service, butlers unpacking for you and serving early evening canapés to suites, has the feel of a stately country home. The staff who provide a staff to guest ratio of 1.3 to 1 are warm, friendly and respectful.
Intensely, fervently loyal guests readily admit that they’ve been “Crystalised”. They would never consider sailing with another cruise line. Some guests on board had put together a summer odyssey of back-to-back cruises, along Europe’s Atlantic coast, through the Med and then into the Baltic. For the record, the most Crystal Cruises taken by a loyal regular is 430.
In 2023, the Serenity underwent a total $150 m refit. Often two cabins were converted into single spacious Sapphire Veranda Suite with dining area, lounge, lengthy veranda and walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom is well-lit, well-stocked with Ortigia toiletries and supremely well designed.
Throughout these sumptuous suites there are soft tones of creams, greys and gentle pastels. Relaxing on the lengthy veranda, with chilled wine from the mini-bar and canapés from the butler was was a cruise highlight.
The voyage begins in Stockholm, the Venice of the North, named for its cultured canals bisecting the city. Then the Serenity cruises towards the Lands of the Midnight Sun, through chilled seas where Czars and Vikings once sailed. Over 8 nights, the cruise takes in Helsinki, Tallinn, Visby, Riga, Warnemünde – which is the port for Rostock – and finally Copenhagen.
Each guest creates their own take on these jewels of the Baltic. Some book an individual driver and tour guide for a port of call. Others opt for the free shuttle from ship to city centre.
Stockholm exemplifies Crystal’s choice. Amongst the many excursions on offer is a visit to the three Vasa Museum which hosts the restored 17th century warship, a city art walk, a foodies’ walking tour through Sweden’s culinary diversity or a panoramic coach tour of the capital’s highlights. Though for one dedicated group, with arrangements made by the Serenity’s golf professional, Stockholm provides the first of the half-dozen golf courses they will play over the coming week.
In 2024, Crystal’s Umi Uma, a unique Japanese / Peruvian fusion, curated by sushi master, Nobu Matsuhisa, picked up the F & B award for the best restaurant at sea.
At Umi Uma food as art meets food as religion. Four chefs slice with millimetre precision as they create at the sushi bar. Departing oriental guests, who know their sushi and sashimi, bow their gratitude to the chefs, like devotees bowing to their deity at a sacred temple.
Yet, Crystal’s Osteria d’Ovidio is mounting a strong challenge with a new menu, celebrating North Italy’s cuisine. It’s designed by Massimiliano Alajmo, the youngest chef ever to be awarded three Michelin stars, and his restaurateur brother Raffaele.
Beefbar, with its cosmopolitan menu inspired by street-food from across the planet, brings Monte Carlo chic to Serenity’s clutch of specialist restaurants. Wagyu and Kobe beef star on BeefBar’s menus. Though this eatery with a Côte d’Azur ambience also fulfils its “Beef, Reef and Leaf” credo.
For classic, crisp white tablecloth fine-dining, the Waterside Restaurant offers a new menu every evening. Classic and contemporary dishes sit side by side, with the cheese sommelier’s selections always a favourite.
From the early morning stretch sessions, through dance class lessons or Aurora spa treatment, to dancing at the Pulse Night Club there is never a quiet moment. Unless you settle on a sun-lounger or relax in the whirlpool or find a book in the library. A Crystal Cruise is all about the “or” moments.
Dr Jim Rowe, a cultural anthropologist, gave fascinating presentations on the ports of call, particularly on Finland. Telling us that despite the bleak, brutal winters, the Finns say, “I didn’t ask to be Finnish, I just got lucky”. They take immense pride in “Sisu”. That’s the inner blend of perseverance and resilience that sees them through the long dark days of winter.
Exemplifying, the quality of the presentations, Westpoint trained Lieutenant General (retired) Mark Hartling spoke on the war in Ukraine. As well as the consequences of Finland and Sweden joining NATO.
We say that we are cruising the Baltic, the Caribbean or the South China Sea. But there are times on the best luxury cruises where a ship, like the Crystal Serenity, almost matters more than the ports of call.
Stepping back on board after an excursion, there is a “Welcome home” sign. If only home had a pianist playing a piano while cocktails were served, gourmet cuisine and a spa with anti-ageing treatments.
No surprise then that as we disembark from our Baltic luxury cruise one guest announces that she has her next 24 Crystal Cruises booked through into 2028.
