KCR Spring 2025 Magazine - Flipbook - Page 80
Crystal Symphony Cruise - Venice to Athens
A winter cruise in Europe would not at 昀椀rst thought be everyone’s choice
when choosing a holiday. However the time on board Crystal Symphony
turned out to be a memorable and magical experience.
Beginning in Venice the ten day voyage, journeyed through the Croatian
ports of Split and Dubrovnik then on to the beautiful town of Kotor in
Montenegro and 昀椀nally through the Greek Islands of Kefalonia, Corfu
and Crete to Athens. The embarkation process was smooth and well organised. Crystal arranged my transfer from the local airport to the port
of Venice and I arrived relaxed and ready to board. From the airport to
lunch on the ship took just one hour.
Crystal Symphony is a modern luxury vessel; perfectly maintained
and designed for the utmost comfort. No expense has been spared to
guarantee an unforgettable experience, whether a seasoned traveller or
on your 昀椀rst cruise.
The Casino
One of the key reasons for my attendance onboard was the opening of a
brand new Casino on CrystalSymphony. Stepping inside it’s hard to believe you’re not actually in one of the world famous MonteCarlo gaming
emporiums. The Casino designed in partnership with the Monte-Carlo
Societe des Bains de Mer (SBM) is the very 昀椀rst Casino de MonteCarlo
at sea.
After the opening I had the pleasure of meeting Executive Chairman of
A&K Travel Group Manfredi Lefebvre. He said of the new onboard Casino:“There was no better choice for a gaming partner thanMonte-Carlo
Societe des Bains de Mer, founded more than160 years ago it remains
a global leader in the casino industry. I’ve known the team for many
years and, like Crystal, they are fully committed to delivering upscale
experiences that cater to the discerning tastes of travellers from around
the world. The future is bright for both of our brands.”
Accommodation
As with its sister ship, Crystal Serenity, the accommodation onboard
Crystal Symphony encompasses what can only be described as alternate
levels of luxury. There are in all, six classes of cabin; Ocean View, Veranda, Aquamarine Suite, Sapphire Suite, Junior Crystal, Penthouse
and Crystal Penthouse. Whether choosing to stay in one of the elegant
but slightly smaller Oceanview guest rooms, or the ultimate in comfort
Crystal Penthouse, the attention to detail within the design guarantees
an immensely pleasurable journey.
The Sapphire Veranda suite I occupied was exquisite. Spacious and
tastefully appointed, with a large living area, sofa and dining table,
separate to the bedroom. The large double bed was one of the most comfortable I have slept on, ensuring a perfect night’s sleep to prepare for
the following day. Two sliding patio style doors lead on to a generously
sized balcony, perfect for sunning yourself on as the ocean rolls by. The
bathroom is equally luxurious, with ‘his and hers’ basins and a large
welcoming waterfall shower.Room service is available 24 hours a day,
served by a personal butler for whom it would seem nothing is too much
trouble.
Dining
The food onboard met the highest standards and the two specialty dining venues on board did not disappoint. Umi Uma Restaurant and Sushi
Bar by Nobu Matsuhisa Is just one of the onboard specialty restaurants.
A partnership between Crystal and acclaimed sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa who’s created a sumptuous menu of Japanese fusion cuisine that’s
not to be missed. The restaurant’s interior is beautiful and understated,
with greens and greys creating a wonderful aesthetic that truly complements the dining experience.
Menu highlights include Rock Shrimp Tempura, Spicy Seafood Soup,
Grilled Australian Waygu Beef Fillet, and Nobu’s signature Black Cod.
Each dish combines to create a dizzying culinary array of 昀氀avours that
remain long in the memory.
Another of Crystal Symphony’s specialist restaurants is Osteria d’Ovidio.
In a tastefully elegant setting,I had the pleasure of sampling authentic
Italian delights such as Tortello di Stracotto di Manzo and Risotto Agli
Scamp while the attentive sta昀昀 helped to match our food preferences.
As well as the specialist dining venues, there are many other dining
options throughout the ship. The Marketplace bu昀昀et and the Tastes
restaurant are both available for breakfast and lunch without booking
ahead or at any extra charge. These spaces can occasionally become a
little crowded during peak times, but seating could always be found.
Overall each of the dining venues provided an atmosphere that made
each visit a real treat.
Entertainment
A wide range of quality entertainment Is available on Crystal Symphony.
From Broadway-style shows to live music to karaoke, there is something
for everyone. The onboard cinema screens new movies throughout the
day, and if you feel like some quiet time reading or browsing online, the
library and internet cafe are there for you. Sports activities such as golf
and archery are available on deck as well as swimming in the generously
sized pool located mid-ship.
CrystalSymphony has two main swimming pools, one of them heated,
allowing a dip at anytime in any weather.There were also a seemingly
endless list of optional activities available throughout the day, from
learning how to use your phone, to photography and dance classes.
Lectures are also o昀昀ered where guest speakers share tales and impart
wisdom gleaned during their extraordinary lives. For me the musical
highlight was the Elton John tribute act that got everyone singing along!
Spa and Wellness
The Crystal Aurora Spa is located on the top deck of the ship and
provides a welcoming atmosphere and opportunity to relax and be pampered even further. Soothing soft lighting and gentle background music
quickly make you feel at home. Whether you choose to enjoy a massage
or healing acupuncture session or sauna, you’re guaranteed to leave
feeling rejuvenated. The spa is equipped with state of the art facilities including a peaceful sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge to unwind
post-treatment. I used this space on my second visit and left the spa
completely refreshed with mind and body in perfect harmony.
Excursions
At each port, guided shore excursions organised by Crystal were available. These are not included in the price of the cruise, but are de昀椀nitely
worth the extra and serve to enhance the whole experience
These enjoyable and fascinating trips a redesigned to cater to a wide
range of tastes. I particularly enjoyed a trip to the ancient palace of
Knossos on the Island of Crete, just a few miles from the port of Heraklion. Of course one also has the option of exploring each port of call
independently, and enjoying the sites at your own pace.
Beyond Expectation
It was hard to believe on arrival in Athens that I had been onboard
Crystal Symphony for ten days. The time had 昀氀own by in a blur of sweet
memories and heightened experience. The disembarkation itself and
transfer from the ship to the airport was once again quick and easy.
Overall the service on board was beyond expectation. Everywhere you
go you’re greeted by friendly welcoming smiles from sta昀昀. From the
waiters in the dining rooms to the housekeeping team, everyone did
they’re very best to make you feel at home. I must also give a special
mention to Goran, who introduced me to many varieties of wine on
board, and made sure the dining experience at the Tastes restaurant was
truly memorable.
I couldn’t recommend a cruise with Crystal highly enough. From start
to 昀椀nish, the itinerary, the entertainment and the hospitality combined
to create an experience you really should have at least once in your lifetime. Once onboard you feel transported to a di昀昀erent and exceptional
reality you will never forget.
Visit: https://www.crystalcruises.com/ship/symphony
By Ian De Sylva
