Crystal Cruise Lines

The difference is Crystal clear

This luxury cruise line has a distinctive Californian approach, combining pampering with personal growth. With the highest staff-to-guest ratio of all the cruise lines, you can expect to be treated like royalty.

Passenger Profile

While children are welcomed, most passengers are well-traveled and in their 60s. The single supplement program attracts many singles in their 40s and 50s, most of whom are female. To address this imbalance, Crystal hires 'carefully screened gentlemen' as Ambassador Hosts.

Why Go?

• No interior rooms
• Focus on art, self-improvement and fine food makes this ideal for people who want a mainly adult cruise

Staterooms

Crystal Cruise is one of the few lines without interior staterooms, which means every accommodation has at least an ocean view. Even better, most have verandas. Unlike many other cruise lines, bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees are complimentary. Rooms also include slippers and bathrobes.

Dining

An exclusive wine list, including rare reserve vintages, elevates any meal. With round-the-clock room service, specialty restaurants, and afternoon teas and cafes in addition to the main dining room, you won't go hungry. World-class chefs draw upon regional inspirations and traditional gourmet fare to produce their eclectic menus.

Onboard Highlights

• Activities - Crystal Cruise's onboard activities set them apart from other lines. The first cruise line to offer computer courses, they lead the way in innovative and stimulating programs. Their Creative Learning Institute brings expert guest lecturers who share their knowledge about arts, lifestyle, food, wine, business and technology. Past speakers include Buzz Aldrin, Walter Cronkite, Kirk Douglas and Doris Roberts.
• Nightlife - While you can continue to learn at night with dance lessons, you can also sit back and be entertained. Their highly-rated floor shows are tops in the industry. You can watch feature films in their comfortable cinema, sip cocktails in the piano lounge or dance the night away.
• Theme Cruises - Unlike most cruise lines that are destination-driven, Crystal Cruise Line has embraced theme cruises. Whether you want to watch the tall ships race, explore the mind-body-spirit connection, improve your golf technique or indulge in the arts, there's a theme cruise designed for you.

Shore Excursions

Since most Crystal passengers have been there and done that, they seem more interested in the lectures and computer classes than shore excursions. After all, they've likely explored the ports of call on their own more than once. While Crystal offers fewer stops than other lines, their excursions are impeccably organized and reasonably priced.

Pre-book your tours with this downloadable form or get the wheels in motion for a customized private adventure. The concierge will arrange everything for you.

Need to know

• Dress Code - Like most cruise ships, Crystal has a dress code. While theirs incorporates formal, informal and casual wear, the number of days per attire varies with each cruise. To avoid confusion, the dress code evenings are printed right on your ticket. Suggestions on how to meet the dress code are detailed online. Formal wear includes evening dresses for women and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit with tie for men.
• Tipping - Gratuities can be prepaid or charged to your account. While Crystal Cruises considers this a personal matter, they suggest appropriate tips for good service. Fifteen percent is automatically added to all bar drinks and wines. Although tipping at the Crystal Spa & Salon is voluntary, a 15 percent gratuity is suggested.
• Smoking - Restaurants and the main entertainment areas are smoke-free. Smoking is permitted in marked open areas. Pipe and cigars are permitted only in the Connoisseur Club and all open decks except the Lido.
• Internet - Although rooms don't have Internet services, e-mail is available round the clock through the ComputerUniversity@Sea for a fee.