The word is out and it’s official!  Crystal Cruise lines has been voted best in the large-ship cruise line.  Crystal cruise line consistently receives "world's best" awards for its exceptional service and overall superb cruising experience. Crystal cruise ships are elegantly outfitted with teak decks, rich wood trim and polished brass. They provide a level of luxury not found on larger vessels.   Readers voted Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony the two best ships of their size in the 2006 world poll.  With itineraries including Greece, France, Italy, Croatia, and Monaco, as well as themed cruises such as Smithsonian, Crystal Wine and Food Fest – who would be bored on a voyage such as these? 

Two ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, put the luxe in luxury.  The Symphony has undergone a complete refurbishment and continues to serve top-notch amenities.  Sports lovers gravitate to the top deck, where there's a golf driving net, putting green and regulation-size paddle tennis courts. Lounge by one of two pools on the Lido.  Two reservations-only alternative restaurants supplement the Crystal Dining Room: Prego, an Italian restaurant, and Jade Garden, which serves Asian fare.  

The Crystal Cruise line has one of the highest staff to passenger ratios in the industry.  Staff trained from European nations are carefully selected.  How wonderful to have butler or maid service which knows just how you like your morning coffee.  No wonder they have been rated six star quality.

Special classes and enrichment programs from quality companies such as Yamaha, Berlitz, Sotheby’s, and the Smithsonian are some of the reasons Crystal Cruise line travelers return year after year.  Gourmet dinners and with notable top chefs are another reason why repeat consumers voted so positively for the Crystal Cruise line.  During your cruise, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, including soft drinks, bottled waters, juices, and specialty coffees are served throughout.

“The company's first ship, Crystal Harmony, took its maiden voyage in 1990, followed by sister ship Crystal Symphony in 1995. Crystal Harmony eventually joined its parent company's Japanese cruise division in 2005. Carrying 940 guests and 545 staff members, Crystal Symphony is less than half the size of mass-market mega-ships. Yet at 50,000 tons, it is large by luxury-ship standards with considerable space dedicated to innovative spa and learning facilities, exciting entertainment options, creative dining options, spacious decks, generous amenities, and sumptuous staterooms. These are features valued by luxury-loving cruisers, especially those who find yacht-like ships too cozy or limited in activity options. 

With the launch of the 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity in July 2003, the company raised the bar even higher - 655 crew members for 1,080 guests and 63 tons of space per guest, one of the highest space ratios of any luxury ship. All of the management and 80 percent of the crew are seasoned veterans from either Crystal Harmony or Crystal Symphony, offering the company's many repeat guests the opportunity to sail on a new ship with familiar faces.”

If you think that twice a day room service, turn down service, hot cookies, and your favorite beverage brought to your favorite place to relax is spoiling – then consider the “Pillow” menu.  Your choice of pillow comfort comes with your suite.  Crystal suites are fully appointed.  Penthouse guests enjoy personal butler service with a stocked bar, complimentary shoe shine and pressing, evening appetizers delivered by your butler, in-stateroom dining and after hour restaurant orders prepared just for you.

As well as the many amenities enjoyed by Penthouse floor guests, the most sumptuous accommodations - the Crystal Penthouse - feature separate living rooms, dining areas, and guest bathrooms. Larger verandahs are completely private and are furnished.  Master baths with full-sized jacuzzis have ocean views. Other enhancements include cordless phones and fully-stocked bars with Riedel stemware and Crystal champagne.

Both vessels offer additional specialty dinner restaurants: Jade Garden and Prego on Crystal Symphony.  Prego, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar can be found on Crystal Serenity.  A poolside Late-Risers Breakfast, low-carb menu, and Sunday brunch are new additions to the many choices available to guests.

Even when miles from the nearest city, guests on board Crystal Cruises can enjoy Broadway-style productions, comedy shows and the Repertory Theatre at Sea. Other entertainment choices include screenings of recently released movies, string quartets or piano music in intimate lounges, ballroom dancing with a live orchestra (plus Ambassador Hosts to serve as dance partners), and disco.  Those needing less structured entertainment enjoy  the pool or just get together with friends for a casual game of cards. 

When I get to cruise on the Crystal Cruise lines you’ll find me living in the Spa area.  With the only floating spa designed according to Feng Shui principles, the award-winning Crystal Spa & Salon offers a range of innovative face and body treatments that focus on the balance of the five elements within the body - water, earth, fire, wood, and metal - as well as other stress-relieving, chi-balancing therapies.  For ultra pampering, Crystal's Ceremony Treatments combine multiple remedies in sessions ranging from three-and-a-half to six-and-a-half hours.  Forget “Calgon” give me Crystal Cruises.   I

If you are one of those people who just can’t relax and need to feel you’ve accomplished something –latch onto one of the specialty programs such as keyboard classes, computer, photography classes, and other stimulating programs awaiting you.  Unusual on luxury ships, Crystal Cruise lines hosts activities created specifically to suit the ages and number of children on select itineraries ages three through seventeen.

Crystal's standards of quality and service extend well beyond the confines of the ship when guests go ashore. Known for unique shore excursions, Crystal offers diverse options varying from more adventurous (such as flying in a MiG fighter jet in Russia, driving in a Formula 1 race car in Monte Carlo, hot-air ballooning in Turkey, to bicycle tours and wine tastings in Europe.) 

Crystal Cruises offers extensive itineraries throughout the world ranging from six days to the 100 or more day World Cruise.   Visit the European sailings which begin in May 2007.  Signing up now just might allow you to spend your savings elsewhere – such as souvenirs for me!  Happy Cruising.