Serenity refurb a breath of fresh air

By Tom Stieghorst

Outside the Galaxy Lounge on the Crystal Serenity.The Crystal Serenity’s $17 million makeover is notable as much for what was subtracted as what was added.

After emerging from a drydock in Cadiz, Spain, the most noticeable change to the 2003-built ship is the complete disappearance of one of its pools.

The space that had been devoted to a pool area with a retractable roof for shelter in inclement weather has been turned into another restaurant, called Tastes. The area, now filled with wicker seating, is also home to the Trident Grill and Scoops ice cream bar.

“It’s great to say we have two pools,” said Crystal President Edie Bornstein. “But the reality was it was really never used.”

Tastes, which has an eclectic menu that runs from Alsatian tarts to California street tacos, opens in the early afternoon for lunch and then is transformed after 6 p.m. into a casual eatery with what Bornstein called a “summer-in-the-Med feeling.”

The Serenity’s other pool remains, as do other fitness facilities such as a 360-degree outdoor promenade for walking, a golf driving range and putting green and two paddle tennis courts.

Another focal point in the makeover was the four penthouse suites.

In an ultracontemporary remodel, interiors of the 1,345-square-foot suites were gutted and the dining area moved closer to the outdoor veranda. The former dining room became a den/library/media room. The color scheme has been lightened to light gray and creme with purple accents.

Another change during drydock was the addition of air- and surface-cleaning equipment to 70 cabins, meant to reduce the irritants that cause allergies.

The so-called hypoallergenic rooms, an industry first, are a boon to passengers who have allergies or other sensitivities that can disrupt a vacation. Now a state-of-the-art, medical-grade air purifier filters out 99.9% of all airborne impurities on an ongoing basis.

A new cherry wood dance floor in the Palm Court gives that area a fresher, richer feel. And the Lido Cafe area has been remodeled with more tables for two and food stations replacing older-style buffet counters.

Crystal to raise prices on most cruises

By Tom Stieghorst

Crystal Cruises said it would raise fares on 94% of its 2014, 2015 and 2016 cruises on March 1, reflecting strong demand.

Under its “Book Now” program, the luxury line assesses its fares every 60 days and raises them on itineraries that are selling sufficiently well to support it.

Crystal said fares would increase on more than 120 cruises for the next “Book Now” period ending April 30.

The line said 2014 is already 78% booked, and 2015 bookings are 42% ahead of this same time last year for 2014.

Crystal Cruises limits dining at specialty restaurants

By Tom Stieghorst

Crystal Cruises said it will limit the number of times guests can dine in its speciality restaurants, Prego and Silk Road, starting with voyages this week.

On sailings of under 14 days, one reservation per guest will be honoured at each restaurant for the voyage. For longer voyages, two reservations per guest will be allowed at each restaurant.

Each restaurant seats about 100 people and there is no dining charge.

Crystal said that additional reservations can be made based on availability and will carry a $30 fee.

Crystal said the changes were made “in order to ensure that each Crystal guest has the opportunity to experience every dining venue on board.”

On Crystal’s world cruise, which begins Jan. 18 in Los Angeles, the fees for speciality dining will be waived, but only one reservation per segment can be made prior to cruising.

Penthouse guests can order room service from the two restaurants as often as they wish, and the sushi bar in Silk Road remains first come, first served, Crystal said.