Crystal Serenity

The vessel (STX France Chantiers de l'Atlantique yard/hull number H32) has volume 68870 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 10810 tons, max draught 7,6 m. The powerplant is based on 6x Wartisla marine diesel engines (model 12V38B) with combined output 52,2 MW (70000 hp). The propulsion is diesel-electric and based on 2x Rolls-Royce Mermaid podded propulsors/thrusters with combined output 27 MW (36210 hp). The registered shipowner is CRYSTAL SERENITY LTD, while the registered manager is CRYSTAL CRUISES LLC (the previous owner was SERENITY HOLDINGS LTD/until 2023).

The vessel's physical construction started on June 13, 2002, with the keel laying ceremony held at Chantiers de l'Atlantique (St Nazaire, France). The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on August 10, 2002, completed/delivered on June 30, 2003, and christened on July 3, 2003, in Southampton England by godmother Julie Andrews (UK actress-singer, 1935-born as Julia Elizabeth Wells). On July 7th started the Inaugural Cruise (14-day itinerary roundtrip from Southampton to Northern European/Baltic ports).

On January 14, 2004, the ship started its first "Around The World Voyage", leaving roundtrip from the USA (Los Angeles). The 106-day itinerary (January 14th through May 5th) ended in NYC.

In summer 2016, Crystal Serenity became the world's 3rd cruise ship with a Northwest Passage Cruise - after the 2013 voyages of Ponant's superyachts Le Soleal, and Le Boreal. The 32-day itinerary was from Seward Alaska to NYC New York (August 16 to September 16), with ports of call Kodiak Island Alaska (Aug 17), Dutch Harbor Unalaska (Aug 19), Nome Alaska (Aug 21), Victoria Island Nunavut Canada (Aug 27 and 29), Baffin Island Nunavut Canada (Sept 4), Ilulissat Greenland (Sept 7), Sisimiut Greenland (Sept 8), Nuuk Greenland (Sept 9), Bar Harbor Maine (Sept 13), Boston Massachusetts (Sept 14) and Newport Rhode Island (Sept 15).

Serenity's second Northwest Passage transit was in 2017. The 32-day itinerary (Seward to NYC/August 15 through September 15) included the same call ports - Kodiak Island (Aug 16), Dutch Harbor (Aug 18), Nome (Aug 20), Victoria Island (Aug 25-28), Baffin Island (Sept 3), Ilulissat Greenland (Sept 6), Sisimiut Greenland (Sept 7), Nuuk Greenland (Sept 8), Bar Harbor ME USA (Sept 12), Boston MA USA (Sept 13) and Newport RI USA (Sept 14). Prices started from around USD 22,000 per person (double occupancy rates).

During Northwest Passage 2017, Crystal Serenity navigated in the Arctic Ocean on the Arctic route (500 mi north of the Arctic Circle) and the cruise ship was escorted by the icebreaker Ernest Shackleton. Ernest Shackleton was equipped with two helicopters (for emergencies), tools for oil pollution containment, high-tech communications equipment, survival rations. For the voyage, Crystal Serenity was upgraded with an ice detection radar, ice navigation system, forward-looking sonar. The Navigation Bridge team received ice navigation training, and ice pilots boarded both vessels (Shackleton and Serenity) for the crossing. Icebreaker's crew also assisted with Crystal Cruises' "Unexpected Adventures" tours - like helicopter flightseeing, Zodiac boat wet landings, speedboat rides, kayaking.

Crystal Serenity drydock refurbishment 2023 review

In 2023, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were drydock refitted and fully refurbished at Fincantieri's yard in Trieste. The US$150 million project was undertaken by Crystal Cruises' new owner Abercrombie & Kent (A&K Travel Group).

The refits resulted in stateroom reduction (larger suites, new categories) as well as reduced passenger capacity and enlarged and redesigned public spaces and venues. During the drydocks, Crystal Serenity's cabins were reduced from 525 to 347 (passenger-per-space ratio from 54 to 62), and the pax capacity changed from 980-1254 max to 740-794 max.

As part of the refurbishments, on both ships (Serenity and Symphony) were introduced two new cabin categories - "Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite" and "Single Guest Room with Ocean View" (bookable without single supplements).

Crystal Serenity's Prego Restaurant was redesigned and renamed Osteria D'Ovidio (offering traditional Italian cuisine). The new Crystal Spa Aurora is a luxurious wellness complex offering various treatments, including Aurora LED, Cryo Facial Experience, Biotec 2.0 Ultimate Facial.

All passenger staterooms on Crystal Serenity were redesigned/enlarged and their categories were changed - Deluxe Oceanview (40x) to Double Guest Room with Oceanview (40), Deluxe Balcony (298x) to Double Guest Room with Veranda (46), Seabreeze Penthouse (36x) to Aquamarine Veranda Suite (86x), Seabreeze Penthouse Suite (2x) to Sapphire Veranda Suite (151x), Penthouse Suite (33x) was redesigned/enlarged to Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite (6x), the Penthouses (72x) were redesigned into other cabins and were created single cabins (14x) forward on Deck 7.

According to A&K, the replacement of the engines and other machinery on both ships cost the company US$50+ million. The machinery repairs and upgrades (below deck 4) were needed as the equipment was old and poorly maintained.

Crystal Serenity refurbishments review (2013-2020)

Crystal Serenity's drydock in 2020 (April 13-23, in Singapore) was a USD 10 million project for conducting mainly regular technical and general maintenance works, plus minor upgrades to passenger staterooms and public areas (new carpets, furniture, repairs).

The ship's drydock refurb in 2018 (October 18 - November 6, done at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven Germany) reduced the passenger capacity in order to enable single-seating dining. Following the dry-dock, Crystal Serenity offers to all its passengers free Wi-Fi (regardless of cabin category).

• On deck 9, two new balcony cabin categories were introduced - Seabreeze Penthouse Suite (12 new suites added) and Seabreeze Penthouse (28 new suites added). The new staterooms have the same size as the existing Penthouse (365 ft2 / 34 m2) and Penthouse Suite (490 ft2 / 46 m2). Seabreeze Penthouses are connecting cabins (sharing an entryway).
• All Penthouses offer enhanced all-inclusive amenities, including butler service, in-cabin dining, complimentary specialty restaurant dining).
• Cabin conversions reduced the ship's capacity from 1254 to 980, thus increasing the guest-to-space ratio to 70,3.
• Stardust Club (deck 6) was redesigned and upgraded with new accent lighting, upholsteries of banquettes, new loose seating (replacing the dance floor).
• Crystal Dining Room (deck 7) was renamed "Waterside" and upgraded with additional 2- and 4-seat tables. New open-seating dining (between 6-9:30 pm) replaced the old assigned seating and required dinner reservations. Breakfasts and lunches are served as usual. Dining room changes also included new marble flooring, new screen dividers, new seating configuration (increased 2-4-seat tables), new chandelier.
• Lido Cafe operates as Marketplace (during the day) and as Churrascaria (steakhouse, by night). The restaurant features an open kitchen and made-to-order dishes. Marketplace serves buffet breakfast and lunch, while Churrascaria serves casual dinner (between 6-9 pm). The Brazilian-themed Churrascaria restaurant features Caipirinha (welcome cocktail event) and selection of Brazilian dishes (grilled seafood and meats, tapas, ceviche, salads). Meats are served by "gauchos" (dedicated staff) on traditional meat skewers.
• On Deck 12, Tastes restaurant was redesigned (with Asian-themed interior) and renamed "Silk Kitchen and Bar". The menu was upgraded with modern Chinese fare (family-size dinner plates) served throughout the day. Self-service is available at breakfast and lunch, and also includes traditional Chinese food (dumplings, Chinois salad, soup, noodle bar). Dinners at Silk Kitchen are open-seating (reservations-recommended) and served between 6-9 pm.
• Trident Bar and Grill serves casual grilled food (including fast food - burgers, sandwiches).
• Silk Road and The Sushi Bar (both specialty restaurants by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa) were renamed "Umi Uma". Umi Uma offers Nobu-inspired dishes prepared by Nobu-trained chefs.
• "Umi Uma" and "Prego" restaurants reservations are complimentary for Penthouse passengers. To all other cabin categories, 1 complimentary specialty dining is offered (additional reservations are available at a surcharge).
• "Computer University at Sea" (enrichment workshops) were updated and redesigned.

The new free-of-charge Wi-Fi is shipwide, and the result of the company's investment in new hardware and software for expanded onboard connectivity and faster (doubled) satellite Internet speed. Crystal Connect is the ship's new onboard portal for internet connections and various shipboard info (menus, news, scheduled activities, shore excursions, itinerary ports, international digital news media, movies library, lectures, etc). Crystal Connect (mobile app) is available for personal devices.

All passenger cabins were upgraded with new 42-inch smart TVs with interactive panels (infotainment system). Among the redesigned public spaces is the fore-located Palm Court (observation lounge on deck 12), where was added more intimate seating. The Lounge's stage was relocated, and the former stage area was transformed into a dedicated "Afternoon Tea" space offering fresh leaf teas and house-made pastries in the afternoons. Palm Court's bar was also renovated.

Along with all Lloyd Werft workers, the refurbishment project also involved several hundred crew and sub-contractors. Almaco Group (1998-founded company) was the project's supervisor.

During the 2016 drydock (May), the ship received overhauls of all Penthouse Suites. Also renovated were the Lido Deck's Trident Grill, Lido Cafe, and Tastes restaurant. The 2016 drydock (at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz Spain) also included general maintenance works.

Deckplan changes after the November 2013 drydock included:

• general maintenance work, including propulsion upgrade (left-side Rolls-Royce Azimuth thruster replacement), new hull coating, air-duct cleaning, reverse osmosis plant inspection.
• Introducing new "Deluxe PURE" category of staterooms (hypoallergenic cabins)
• Redesigning the Tastes buffet and the Lido area (deck 12)
• New LED lighting in public rooms.

Drydock 2013 refurbishment project's total cost was USD 17 million.

Maiden Voyage (2023)

The next table shows Crystal Serenity's inaugural cruise (for the relaunched Crystal Cruises under the A&K Travel (Abercrombie & Kent) following the extensive refurbishment in 2023.

The 12-day voyage was priced from US$ 7200 per person ($600 pp per day) with double occupancy.

Crystal Serenity's World Cruise 2026

On March 19, 2024, was opened for booking Crystal Serenity's World Voyage 2026.

Leaving from Los Angeles, the 135-day itinerary visits 72 ports/destinations in 27 countries, ending in Civitavecchia-Rome.

The ex-USA westbound route passes through regions like the South Pacific (Marquesas, Bora Bora, New Zealand, Australia), Asia (Hong Kong China, Mumbai India, Dubai UAE), Suez Canal (transit), and Southern Europe/Mediterranean.

Exclusive events and early-booking benefits include Business Class flight allowance or credit, US$1500 in OBC/’ shipboard credit per person, unlimited specialty dining (at Osteria d’Ovidio and Umi Uma /onboard restaurants), themed onboard events, private land transfers, Luggage Valet services.

Crystal Serenity's World Cruise 2025

On August 30, 2023, was opened for booking the ship's "2025 World Cruise".

The 123-night/124-day itinerary departs from the USA (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and ends in Europe/Mediterranean (Barcelona Spain). The voyage visits 64 ports/destinations in 31 countries and features 17 overnight port stays.

Leaving from Florida on January 7, 2025, the World Voyage visits Caribbean destinations (Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Colombia), then continues around South America (Ecuador, Peru, Chilean Fjords/Patagonia) then crosses the Atlantic to Africa (Namibia, South Africa).

Signature destinations (at extra cost) include Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu/from Cusco, Serengeti/from Zanzibar, India's Ranthambore NP.

World Voyage 2025's pricing included Business Class Airfare per person - allowance (up to USD-EUR 5000/ AUD 8000/ CAD 7000/ GBP 4000) or credit (up to USD-EUR 3000/ AUD 5000/ CAD 4250/ GBP 2500).

The cruise fares also included US$1500 in OBC (onboard credit per person, with double occupancy), private transfers (to/from the airport and the hotel), Luggage Valet (2x pieces per person/4x per stateroom), unlimited specialty restaurant dining (Osteria d'Ovidio and Umi Uma), themed shipboard and exclusive onshore events, complimentary laundry, free-of-charge initial Infirmary medical visit (medications and treatments not included).

Crystal Serenity's World Cruise 2024

In April 2023 was announced World Cruise 2024 scheduled for Crystal Serenity.

The 141-night/142-day itinerary (roundtrip from Miami) visits 70 destinations/ports (8 overnight ports) in 35 different countries and features a Panama Canal transit, a Transpacific crossing (USA to the South Pacific), and a Transatlantic crossing (from Europe to the USA/Miami).

An alternative option allows the voyage to be booked as a 125-night segment from California USA (San Diego/Feb 3-Jun 8) to Miami, as well as a 141-night roundtrip from San Diego (Feb 3-Jun 24).

Prices for the full/roundtrip voyage started at US$67800 (EUR 61280/GBP 54190) per person with double occupancy.

World Cruise 2023 (canceled)

Crystal Serenity's "World Cruise 2023" prices started from just USD 43360 per person (USD 310 per day).

The 140-day itinerary (westbound out of Miami Florida USA) included ports and island destinations in the Caribbean, South America, South Pacific Ocean, Southeast Asia, Africa, Southern Europe (Mediterranean).

Also available for booking were shorter itineraries (World Voyage 2023 segments) including 128 days (Miami to Venice, USD 39000 pp) and 119 days (Miami to Piraeus-Athens, USD 35670 pp).

Crystal Serenity ex-Nassau Bahamas cruises 2021 summer

Following the Coronavirus crisis, Crystal Ocean restarted passenger shipping operations with the Serenity ship.

The Europe-UK program was entirely canceled and a new Caribbean program (July 3 through October 17, 2021) was planned.

The company operated two 7-night Caribbean itineraries roundtrips from either Nassau (New Providence Island) or Bailey Town (North Bimini Island).

7-day "Luxury Bahamas Escape - Nassau Roundtrip" itinerary

Prices started from USD 2000 per person with double occupancy.

7-day "Luxury Bahamas Escape - Bimini Roundtrip" itinerary

Prices started from USD 2450 pp.

World Cruise 2024 (canceled)

In mid-September 2021 was announced Crystal Serenity's 105-night "World Cruise 2024" (January 5 thru April 20) leaving from PortMiami and ending in Civitavecchia-Rome.

Crystal's 27th World Cruise (themed "Celebrated Cultures & Treasured Temples") itinerary visits 49x ports (in 22x countries), 14x overnights, access to 45x UNESCO sites, signature destinations like the Caribbean, Panama Canal, South Pacific Islands, Australia-New Zealand, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka), Arabia-Red Sea, Suez Canal, Europe-Mediterranean islands (Crete, Cyprus, Sicily).

All bookings on the canceled "World Cruise 2022" enjoyed an exclusive booking window (September 21-30, 2021), while general public bookings opened on October 1st. Early bookings received 2-for-1 fares plus Book Now Savings (up to USD 17250 per person with double occupancy).

The Grand Voyage was also offered in shorter itinerary segments - ranging from the 89-night World Cruise (Los Angeles to Rome) to 7x short itineraries (13- to 18-night in length).

World Cruise 2022 (canceled)

In September 2021, Crystal announced Serenity's "2022 Grand Voyage" (132-night "Caribbean Idylls and Mediterranean Masterpieces" itinerary) starting in PortMiami (January 17) and ending in Los Angeles (May 29).

The Grand Voyage was offered as 3x full-length itineraries (102-night, 117-day, 132-night) plus 11x smaller itinerary segments (9- to 16-night).

The 132-night/133-day itinerary visits a total of 82x ports/destinations (including 45x islands) in 32x countries and features 19x Caribbean and 6x Canaries destinations, as well as 11x overnights in large port cities and two Transatlantic Crossings.

Some of the visited islands were in the Caribbean (19 total), Spain's Canaries (6), Portugal's Azores-Madeira-Cape Verde, Mediterranean (France's Corsica, Spain's Balearics, Itali's Sicily and Sardinia, Malta, Greece's Cyprus, Crete, Greek Isles), Bermuda.

However, on January 19, 2022, the voyage was canceled (all passengers disembarked in Aruba) after the GHK-owned MV Werften filed for insolvency/bankruptcy protection. Next table shows the originally planned 116-day "World Voyage 2022" as call ports and times.