As a first-time cruiser on Crystal Symphony, what stood out to me the most was the immersive journey through Europe’s breathtaking and picturesque cities. From Bordeaux to Porto and Ferrol, this voyage takes travellers through an unparalleled trip of opulence and cultural discovery. Rarely does a ship have the opportunity to dock directly in the heart of a city like Bordeaux, where the bustling centre stands just a stone’s throw away.
The true luxury is in the ease of access to these locations. Whether it’s through quaint, intimate ports or a swift chauffeured drive, I could immerse myself into the local culture, savouring each destination’s essence. With the cities’ offerings conveniently right beside the cruise, I spent my days exploring different hotspots, then unwound in my luxury suite to refresh, split into the evening’s attire, and be ready just in time for a sumptuous dinner.
The Ship
Crystal Symphony, a six-star luxury cruise ship, stands out for its grand interiors. As you walk inside, you’re transported into the lavishness of a royal household with impeccable service and exquisite amenities. I also enjoyed extraordinary food with ten distinct dining options, including the convenience of 24-hour in-suite dining.
The moment I stepped onboard, the crew members of Crystal welcomed me into a warm, friendly atmosphere — you can tell how dedicated they are, attentive to the tiniest details. It felt as if I’d been invited into a glamorous private members’ club with sophisticated visitors from all over the world. From families, to couples, and even solo travellers, everyone was embraced with genuine hospitality.
Beyond dining, the crew’s attentiveness is top-notch, with nearly one staff member per traveller, ensuring a personalised service that anticipates every need. The ship’s capacity accommodates 606 passengers, boasting an impressive space-to-guest ratio of 84.2 cubic feet per 480 visitors. Newly refurbished and expanded, Crystal Symphony features 312 elegant staterooms and suites, award-winning specialty dining venues, and expansive public spaces designed to elevate your cruising experience — the atmosphere radiates with its tranquillity and sophistication.
My Junior Suite
In collaboration with the renowned architectural firm GEM, Crystal invested millions to revamp Crystal Symphony’s rooms and suites, making them larger and even more luxurious. My room, the Sapphire Veranda Suite, exemplified these lavish enhancements, spanning up to 430 square feet. The exquisite suite featured a stylish living area, elegant furniture, and my very own walk-in closet. Of course, there’s the pièce de résistance: a private veranda opening onto breathtaking ocean views. The space’s decor truly elevated my stay, showcasing a beautiful palette of neutral shades and gentle pastel tones, reminiscent of the ocean’s colours.
Beyond the interiors, the Sapphire Veranda Suite has indulgent amenities, including a laundry service completed efficiently for the next day. Travellers staying in this suite also enjoy the extravagant benefit of an attentive butler service, ensuring a personalised and seamless experience. Staying in this suite felt like a dream, with every need meticulously catered to.
Dining
The onboard dining experiences aboard the Crystal Symphony were the true highlight, with each restaurant serving unique specialties and local recipes, enabling me to explore diverse cultures from the comfort of the ship. Every evening, I looked forward to discovering new and exciting cuisines.
The restaurant Umi Uma truly impressed me, marking the return of the legendary Master Chef Nobyuki “Nobu” Mathusia’s acclaimed dining concept. As the only Nobu restaurant at sea, I indulged in award-winning Japanese-Peruvian cuisine while sipping on the restaurant’s own speciality wine.
For the main course, I had Nobu’s renowned Alaskan Black Cod, a dish which has earned its iconic status. The cod’s succulent sweetness, cured in Den Miso for 72 hours, amazingly melded with its rich and delicate texture. The dish’s exquisite sweet and savoury blend confirmed its well-deserved acclaim, becoming a personal favourite on this trip.
Another exceptional venue was Osteria D’Ovidio, named after Crystal’s Executive Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio. The restaurant prepares a traditional Italian dining experience with a four-course meal featuring starters, pasta, a main course, and dessert — an authentic taste of Italian cuisine.
Known for its precious and rare flavours, the Tortelli di Stractotta di Manzo features rich braised beef stracotto in an exquisite tortellini called Tortel D’Oro, and elegantly finished with a fig vincotto sauce. For the main course, I had the Petto d’Anatra, an expertly cooked tender duck breast paired with the bold flavours of beetroot and a sumptuous red wine sauce.
Last but not least, Crystal’s main dining room, The Waterside Restaurant, served upscale dishes with open seating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant hosted an elegant formal evening where everyone dressed in black to dine with the captain and senior staff.
For a refreshing and sophisticated start, I had the White Sturgeon Caviar, elegantly served over a delicate blend of Light Velouté and Sour Cream. As for the main dish, I enjoyed a broiled fresh cold-water lobster alongside an asparagus and leek-truffle risotto — a timeless cruise tradition. These two dishes really stood out for me, kudos to the chef!
Drinks
Every evening before dining, I explored the ship’s diverse selection of bars, each offering a special atmosphere and decor. The Greek-inspired Palm Court at the ship’s bow set the scene for my first vanilla vodka-based Jade Martini, a dangerously light cocktail with pineapple, lime, and lemon sour.
The space’s elegant oval layout is adorned with Roman clay sculptures and grand furnishings, creating a lavish and original ambiance. My favourite bar was the Avenue Saloon, evoking an exclusive club in New York with its cosy, dimly lit atmosphere, and best of all, a witty pianist entertaining us with our song requests — all the seats faced the grand piano.
Between cocktails, I delighted myself with a selection of non-alcoholic drinks and premium wines. The Hibiscus Hero was an outstanding and beautifully presented virgin cocktail. Another was the exquisite zero-alcohol champagne, which redefined my idea of alcohol-free luxury drinking.
Wellness
As part of its renovations, Crystal Symphony unveiled new luxurious spas and sports’ areas to elevate travellers’ wellness. I enjoyed the full-sized paddle tennis and pickleball court, as well as the new state-of-the-art fitness centre. However, I must say, the crown jewel of these enhancements was the Aurōra Spa, a stunning new concept that promises unparalleled relaxation and rejuvenation.
Aurōra’s design is a masterpiece of modern elegance. From being greeted at the desk under the illuminated fibre optic starlight ceiling, to the relaxation lounge with light sea waves’ sounds, the ambiance helped me calm down and relax. I opted for Aurōra’s Stone Signature Massage — the ship’s slight rocking, combined with the beautiful natural scenes from the Elemis products and the warming hot stones, all culminated in a harmonious blend of nature and luxury.
Entertainment at Crystal Symphony
One of the most important parts of any cruise is, of course, the excitement of enjoying your day onboard while the ship travels to its designated destinations. Even though we had minimal sea days, Crystal organised a thoughtfully curated schedule of activities and performances to engage and delight all types of visitors.
Highlights included two grand Broadway-style productions. The DIVA showcase celebrated the iconic songs of legendary women in music. Crystal’s original production, ONE, featured a cast of highly trained dancers and singers who transported everyone to the heart of a West End theatre. During the day, there were also golf masterclasses, jewellery-making workshops, and water colouring classes. These diverse entertainment options catered to everyone’s different interests onboard.
Excursions and Activities
The ship provided exquisite excursions through some of Europe’s most enchanting destinations. From the charming canals of Aveiro to the historic allure of Ferrol and Bordeaux, each stop promises unforgettable experiences filled with culture, history, and beauty.
On day 2, our excursion began in Porto, followed by a scenic drive to Aveiro, known as the “Portuguese Venice” for its beautiful canals. We enjoyed a serene cruise on a traditional ‘moliceiro’ boat, savouring ‘ovos moles’ pastries and sparkling wine as we explored the waterways of the city. The day continued with a guided walking tour through Aveiro’s centre, highlighting the elegant Art Nouveau architecture. We then headed back to the ship for a quick lunch, with enough time to hop off again for some leisure and relaxation in Porto, capping off this delightful day.
On day 3, we arrived in Ferrol where we had the chance to choose from a range of captivating excursions; exploring the stunning Romanesque architecture of mediaeval cathedrals and embarking on the Pilgrims’ Path: Camino de Santiago Walk. This picturesque journey led us through verdant landscapes to Monte do Gozo, where pilgrims first glimpse the majestic towers of Santiago Cathedral.
On the last day of the voyage, we awoke in Bordeaux, and docked in the city’s heart. We explored historic landmarks such as the Roman Amphitheater and St-Andre Cathedral, then completed the “two bridges boucle” for panoramic city views. For more intimate sightseeing, we visited the Château de Boutinet — a taste of Bordeaux’s rich viticultural heritage. In this 17th-century winery, we finished with a tour, tasting exquisite wines and tapas with its owners Jérôme and Nathalie.
Staff and Community
Throughout the cruise, the staff meticulously attended to every detail. Personalised touch points included cards in my rooms and on dining tables, identifying my dedicated staff members by name — from private butlers to housekeepers. This bespoke service ensured that every crew member knew visitors personally, offering tailored recommendations to enhance their journey.
My private butler demonstrated this commitment to personalised service by preparing and delivering specially curated starters to my room based on my culinary preferences. He also recommended excursions to me, and took care of all my formal attire once unpacked. These thoughtful gestures were just a few of many that distinguished my stay, ensuring that each moment aboard was uniquely tailored to my liking.
Sustainability
Crystal earned the prestigious Green Award certification, setting new standards for sustainable luxury travel. The cruise line has implemented eco-friendly innovations, such as eliminating single-use plastics in favour of reusable alternatives, drastically cutting down on plastic waste. Additionally, advanced propulsion systems and innovative hull designs improve fuel efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
The company’s dedication to sustainability is further exemplified by advanced positioning technologies designed to protect underwater ecosystems and coral reefs from damage. Through these initiatives, Crystal not only elevates the luxury cruise but also ensures that its operations contribute positively to the planet, offering travellers a guilt-free journey through some of the world’s most breathtaking seascapes.
The Luxurious Experience of a Lifetime
The five-night trip on Crystal Symphony offered an unforgettable first experience of the luxurious ship. Sailing directly into city ports created a continuous connection with the culture and rich heritage of every city we visited. If you want to be treated to the highest standard and given quality on and off the ship, Crystal certainly exceeds expectations.
For the rest of 2024, the ship will explore Oceania, visiting breathtaking destinations like Sydney, Auckland, Papua New Guinea, and Bali, catering to the adventurous and refined tastes of Crystal’s discerning clientele.
Alongside the return of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Crystal has announced a collaboration with esteemed advisors, lenders, and export credit agents to finalise a memorandum of agreement with two prestigious European shipbuilders. This agreement will usher in the creation of four exquisite new ships over the next six years, including two classic luxury liners and two state-of-the-art expedition vessels.
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All imagery courtesy of Crystal.