Reborn in the wake of a tumultuous few years, Crystal now delivers an enhanced onboard experience—one that makes even a storm feel like a luxury affair.

A view of the Seahorse Pool aboard Crystal Symphony. — A view of the Seahorse Pool aboard *Crystal Symphony*. (All photos courtesy of Crystal Cruises)

Death’s door loomed—or at least it felt that way. With each pitch and list as our captain navigated the vessel through a gale sweeping the Ionian Sea, my insides were threatening to spill out. I heard soft footsteps and pried my eyes open to see my suite attendant, Rapunzel, and butler, Raj, peering at me with concern. Despite my abject bout of mal de mer, I almost burst out laughing at this caricature of a Victorian scene of me reclining weakly in bed while attendants fussed about fretfully.

At the same time, I was thankful to have such attentive caretakers in this moment of misery onboard the Crystal Symphony, something I have not experienced on previous cruises where I had to ride out seasickness on my own. Rapunzel clucked around like a mother hen, fluffing pillows and tidying the bathroom while Raj set down sliced green apples, ginger candy, and tea—home remedies to soothe queasiness after pharmaceuticals failed me. Raj positioned the in-room phone within arm’s reach, saying, “Just in case.”

The next morning, I awoke to bright blue skies and calm waters as we docked at Heraklion in Crete. When I delicately ventured to the ship’s buffet venue, Marketplace, for the only chow I could stomach (a light rice congee), I slowly pieced together the extent of the carnage. It turned out that many other guests had been just as incapacitated by seasickness as I was. And all of them received the same level of tender loving care from a crew who had heroically managed to stay upright throughout the uncommonly violent storm.

At that moment, I understood why the return of Crystal Cruises had been so highly anticipated. Shuttered after the line’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong, declared bankruptcy in 2022, the Crystal brand and two ocean ships—the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity—were subsequently acquired by global tour operator Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group in a move spearheaded by the company’s executive chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, formerly the owner of Silversea Cruises.

The dining room at Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Umi Uma, one of only two Nobu restaurants at sea.

Both ships underwent a US$164 million refurbishment before returning to service in late 2023. There are also five more vessels under construction, an indicator that Crystal’s new owners are serious about growing their slice of the luxury cruise pie. Geoffrey Kent, the founder and chairman emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, envisions more immersive shore excursions by leveraging A&K’s land expertise. This could include small-group helicopter tours to extend the reach of day trips, as well as pre- or post-cruise itineraries for deeper exploration—potential game changers in an industry often limited to traditional tourist hot spots.

Having heard glowing reviews from cruise enthusiasts about their pre-pandemic experiences with Crystal, I cleared my calendar for this 10-night sailing from Venice to Athens late last year. Many of the guests—a cosmopolitan mix of Americans, Europeans, Hong Kongers, and Singaporeans—turned out to be Crystal regulars, and their common refrain for being loyal to the line was “the crew!”

Throughout the trip, I too enjoyed the warm, personalized service that comes with a 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, from having my suite’s minibar stocked with my preferred sparkling water, to conversations with Raj about the best way to press my dinner outfit of the day. But it was really my illness that made me see the light. Impressively, as much as 90 percent of the original staff returned when the cruise line was relaunched. When I asked Rapunzel why she came back, she simply said, “Crystal is family, and the ship is home.”

Home, indeed, if one’s idea of home is a lavishly refitted luxury cruise ship. Led by Tillberg Design of Sweden, the Symphony’s overhaul has given its restaurants, spa, theater, and other public spaces a lighter, more contemporary look. Together with a sleekily revamped pool deck and a host of other amenities (pickle ball, anyone?), it hardly felt like a 30-year-old ship. But what really stood out for me was the reimagined sense of space. The guest capacity has been significantly reduced—from 916 to 606—by combining a number of smaller staterooms into expansive suites, each featuring distinct living and sleeping areas. The end result is one of the most spacious ships afloat.

The bedroom of a Sapphire Veranda Suite aboard Crystal Symphony. — The bedroom of a Sapphire Veranda Suite aboard *Crystal Symphony*.

Sapphire Veranda Suites measure up to 40 square meters.

Take my Sapphire Veranda Suite, a generously proportioned 40-square-meter hideaway with a bar counter, dining table, and plush three-seater sofa in the living room. The refreshed decor was a study in understated elegance, with soft grays and warm beiges accented by delicate pastel tones that echoed the shifting hues of the ocean. (For longtime Crystal guests who prefer a classic aesthetic, several signature suite designs have been retained with their original handsome dark-wood furnishings.)

The food is another unanimous draw. There are 10 dining options aboard the Symphony, headlined by superstar chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma, one of only two Nobu restaurants at sea (the other being on the Crystal Serenity). The lobster tempura was a crowd-pleaser; I also loved the authentic Edo-style sushi and sashimi by the sushi bar’s Japanese chefs.

The midship coffee bar Bistro, with all-day light bites, became my favorite haunt for a double espresso macchiato while fitting in a power work session. Crystal also recently introduced Beefbar, a global street food–inspired venue by Monte Carlo restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, with outposts in Mykonos, Hong Kong, and Paris.

After-hours entertainment ranged from a splashy Elton John tribute show to late-night revelry at the Waterside restaurant and Crystal’s legendary White Party. But as always, it was the unscripted moments with the people of the ship that created the most memorable interactions. One evening at the Avenue Saloon—a moody, wood-paneled piano bar known for late-night martinis and impromptu post-show jam sessions—I struck up a conversation with guest entertainer Andrew Bateup after his jazzy rendition of Sinatra’s “It Had to Be You.”

A former semifinalist on The Voice UK, he shared that his upcoming set list, tailored for the cruise’s older demographics, included Motown, jazz, and classic show tunes.

I quipped, “Any songs from this century?”

I had to wait for my answer. During his next show, Bateup revealed a new addition to his lineup: Adele’s “Skyfall,” from the James Bond movie of the same name. The year of its release? 2012. Now that’s what I call progress.

Crystal Symphony underwent a full revamp in 2023, after being bought by the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent. — *Crystal Symphony* underwent a full revamp in 2023, after being bought by the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent.

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2025 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Smooth Sailing”). Buy a single issue or subscribe here.

At Home on the Waves with Crystal

Stay inspired with our DestinAsian newsletters