Crystal Serenity to Undergo Major Refurbishment

Crystal Cruises has just announced that during a May 8-22 drydock it will be spending $25+ million dollars refurbishing its largest ship, Crystal Serenity.  This is on the heels of it spending over $50 million dollars in just the past two years on the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony.

According to Crystal Cruises there will be a “massive redesign of her 531 Deluxe Staterooms, Penthouses and Penthouses Suites; retail centers; expansive outdoor pool deck and other design projects”  with the concept to be “modern classic elegance”.   Crystal wants “Fifth Avenue – crème de la crème New York-inspired living and retail spaces that people love and look forward to spending time in.”

New Deluxe Stateroom and Penthouse Accommodation Décor – All of Crystal Serenity’s Deluxe Outside Staterooms, Penthouses, and Penthouse Suites will sport new, floor-to-ceiling tufted headboards, bedside cabinets, wallpaper, sofas, curtains, pillows, and custom carpets in contemporary lines and classic stone, silk, velvet, leather, and crisp linen textures. New modern lighting features and electronic “do not disturb” and doorbell system will allow guests greater personalization of their home-away-from-home.

New Shops – Crystal Serenity’s retail shops will receive a similar, sophisticated metamorphosis. The Facets fine jewelry store will mirror a jewelry box, with mother-of-pearl feature wall, beveled chrome vitrines, and new, private sales area. The Apropos boutique will become three-shops-in-one, with a flagship Christian Dior cosmetic/skincare area showcased amongst rich Zebrano wood and herringbone rosewood, arresting black-plum-magenta carpeting, and tufted leather seating.

New Chic Pool Deck – Inspired by Crystal Symphony’s recent transformation, the Seahorse Pool teak deck will be refashioned with circular pod beds, plush sofa groups, and lounge chairs in a kaleidoscope of lime green, azure, and mango.

New Lighting and Furniture – The corridors throughout the ship will be transformed with new, custom carpeting, inspiring artwork, and mood lighting. Dramatic new lighting will also be installed in the Crystal Dining Room, as will new furniture on all stateroom verandahs.

Crystal Cruises provides a luxury cruise experience with a larger ship ambiance.  It appears that Crystal Cruises is making a great effort to bring its standard accommodations up to the ever-improving luxury cruise category, if not in size than amenities, style and, importantly, design.

Apropos of my last article on the Oceania Marina, the experience on Crystal Cruises is truly a luxury one and these improvements on the Crystal Serenity further differentiates Crystal from the greatly improving premium cruise lines.