Crystal Cruises Plans to Refurbish Both Ocean Ships

by  Kayla Becker | Apr 21, 2017
Crystal Symphony's Seabreeze Penthouse
Crystal Symphony's Seabreeze Penthouse / Crystal Cruises

Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises announced plans today for multi-million dollar renovations to Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in 2017 and 2018. The refurbishments will include new dining options and updates to public spaces, but the biggest news is the decision to replace the smallest cabins onboard with luxury penthouses. 

Crystal Symphony will get two new penthouse categories: 12 new 491-square-foot Seabreeze Penthouse Suites with Verandahs, and 28 new 367-square-foot Seabreeze Penthouses with Verandahs. Crystal Serenity will get 36 additional penthouses and two new penthouses. 

Because there will be fewer cabins, the passenger capacity on Crystal Symphony will drop from 922 to 848 and from 1,070 to 980 on Crystal Serenity.

The dining change aims to make the line more modern, rather than traditional: There will be no more assigned seating in the dining room. Instead, passengers can eat anytime they want between 6 and 9:30 pm. 

The main dining rooms will be renamed Waterside, and Silk Road and the Sushi Bar — the line’s Japanese dining venues from celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa — will get a new name: Umi Uma, which translates to seahorse (the line's logo) in Japanese. Umi Uma will continue to serve dishes inspired by the renowned chef, and he’ll still personally train the chefs. 

Both ships will also get a Chinese-inspired restaurant called Silk, where guests can help themselves to dumplings and a soup and noodle bar during the day, and sit down for plated service at night.

In addition, the space used for the breakfast and lunch buffet will turn into Churrascaria by night, featuring Brazilian-inspired tapas, ceviche, and meat served on skewers.

Changes will roll out on Crystal Symphony first, which will go into dry dock in September and October. Crystal Serenity will follow from October to November 2018.

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