A visit to Dover by Crystal Symphony on August 10 noted the first return of Crystal Cruises company to the port since 2015. Meanwhile, in 2016, Crystal was experimenting with Portsmouth and Tilbury.
On her latest UK cruise, the Symphony ship sailed from Liverpool on Friday, August 18, on the first of a trio of 6- and 7-night “Crystal Getaway” sampler voyages running down to Iberia. The present cruises, derived from splitting longer itineraries, are: August 18, 7-day Liverpool to Dover; August 25, 6-day Dover to Bordeaux; August 31, 6-day Bordeaux to Lisbon.
An overnight Dover call is planned this Thursday, August 24. More visits to Dover have been booked for 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Crystal Symphony is scheduled for drydock refurbishment this November. Ship's capacity will be reduced by nearly 12%, to 848 lower berths. Passengers will receive unlimited complimentary WiFi.
Symphony's Crystal Dining Room will be transformed into Waterside, with more tables offered for 2 and 4. A new open sitting concept will let guests dine between 6:00 and 9:30 p.m. and eliminate the previous assigned seating.