Crystal Cruise PNA

With so many cruise lines laying claim to being luxury these days, how can we be sure that our holiday at sea will be extraordinary? Well, Crystal is here to clear it up. Sail with this cruise line, now working in tandem with leading travel company A&K Travel Group, and you’ll enter a world where only the very best will do. Crystal’s vision can be summed up in the phrase “exceptional at sea” – and whether we’re talking about the line’s cuisine, service, accommodation, decor or the memorable experiences that await guests as they sail around the world, Crystal makes a watertight case. The Mediterranean, Baltic, Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, you name it – Crystal’s two ships will take you there on a selection of fantastic voyages, including an epic 123-day world cruise. With itineraries for 2024 and 2025 already on sale, now’s the time to start planning – it would be a shame to miss out.

With butler service, Michelin-class dining and itineraries including a four-month world tour, this luxury cruise line believes in doing things differently, but always to an exceptional standard, says Lee Beaumann

Exceptional ships

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Treasure island Crystal Serenity visits Moorea in French Polynesia; below, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity

For more information or to book, contact Mundy Cruising on 020 7399 7670 or visit mundycruising.co.uk

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Magical Med

Illustration or photography credit runs at bottom. 12pt Montserrat, normal, 10 kerning

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are beautifully appointed ships that embody that word “exceptional”. The vessels, which have recently been refurbished at great cost, hold just 740 and 606 guests respectively, although they were built to accommodate many more, so an unrivalled amount of space to stretch out in comes as standard. Their suites come with every comfort, including butlers, and most have private balconies. It’s tempting to not leave them, but that would mean missing out on their wonderful restaurants, bars and lounges, not to mention what is surely the most serene hideaway ever to hit the high seas. Welcome to Aurōra, Crystal’s spa named after the goddess of dawn, where guests are pampered with treatments designed to energise and refresh the mind, body and soul. Fancy kicking things up a gear? There’s a fitness centre with Technogym® exercise equipment, complimentary fitness classes, even pickleball courts (for those insufficiently in the know, pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court, with ping pong-like bats and the sort of net that’s used in tennis).

If there is one magical ingredient that sets this line apart from the competition, it’s the service which, you will know by now, is exceptional. Many of its crew have worked for Crystal for two decades or more and take pride in delivering a service that is endlessly agreeable, super-efficient and yet wholly unobtrusive. With nearly one member of staff to every guest, there is always someone on hand to anticipate their every wish, whether that be pouring a perfectly chilled glass of champagne, mixing a favourite cocktail or serving a morning cappuccino. No wonder guests delight in getting to know the crew by name and look forward to seeing familiar faces when they inevitably return.

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Exceptional service

Crystal’s new relationship with Abercrombie & Kent means it now has a wealth of destination knowledge to call on – the ability to provide experiences that take guests on a deep dive into the world’s myriad cultures and cuisines, and its history. You could be tasting street food in Izmir, enjoying an exclusive evening of classical music in the Roman city of Ephesus, exploring catacombs beneath Palermo, venturing into siege tunnels in Gibraltar’s rock or crewing an America’s Cup yacht off the coast of Newport. Learn about Greek viticulture, past and present, in a winery before tasting its reds and whites over lunch; or discover Cretan food, drink and music on a day out on the island. You can be in Rio de Janeiro for Carnival or set sail on a stupendous 123-day world voyage to 31 countries, with long stays in exciting cities such as Buenos Aires, Cape Town and Mumbai. Whatever appeals, let Mundy Cruising be your guide. The company has worked with Crystal for more than 30 years and specialises in finding itineraries to match people’s deepest desires. Exceptional service at sea and on land? You wouldn’t expect anything else from Crystal and Mundy Cruising.

Exceptional voyages

taking the kids to the marvellous Pirates Adventure dinner show for its thrilling acrobatics, dancing, comedy and gymnastics.

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Crystal’s claim to have the most exceptional ships at sea is no idle boast, but a promise of what guests can expect when they sail on Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony, back in service after multimillion-dollar refurbishments. All suites have private balconies, and butlers too, and new solo cabins with no singles supplement cater for guests travelling alone. If even more space appeals, Crystal Penthouse and Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites have it in spades, with separate living and dining quarters – a truly exceptional treat.

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Serenity calls Crystal’s Aurōra spa offers relaxing treatments including salt scrubs – with a view

Crystal wouldn’t be Crystal without Nobu, so no wonder the line has renewed its partnership with legendary chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, enabling guests to dine at Umi Uma, Nobu’s only restaurant concept at sea. His innovative fusion cuisine – a delicious blend of Japanese and Peruvian influences – is pretty much the definition of fine dining. To satisfy our craving for healthy food, the company has also brought in nutrition expert and former elite athlete Dalila Roglieri to help put together balanced and healthy menus. Umi Uma is one of up to nine places to eat on the ships, with other options ranging from globally inspired tapas to burgers and salads. There’s fine Italian cuisine in Osteria d’Ovidio; and in the Vintage Room multi-course dinners paired with superb wines from the ships’ own cellars. With all dining bar the Vintage Room included, along with drinks and tips, see what you fancy each evening and prepare to be amazed.

Exceptional dining

Life on board

Taste bud treats Crystal’s ships have up to nine eateries and a wealth of bars to choose from

If you please… Attentive staff anticipate guests’ needs and provide impeccable service

Places to be Exciting shore experiences await at Crystal’s ports of call the world over

Meet the fleet

Take it easy Enjoy life on the open wave from sumptuous suites, many of which have balconies

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Living the high life on

the ocean wave