Crystal Serenity Completes $17M Makeover

Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity emerged from a $17-million redesign with new Crystal Penthouses and transformed indoor/outdoor casual dining spaces, including the Trident Grill, Scoops ice cream bar, Tastes Bar, Lido Cafe and Tastes restaurant, with a brand new evening menu.

Cruise industry-firsts include a chef’s herb garden as part of vibrant “vertical walls” of greenery and 70 new Pure hypoallergenic staterooms.

London’s Adfecto architectural interior design firm was inspired by Santa Barbara’s “California Riviera” vibe for the “Extreme Makeover” of the ship’s Lido deck.  The existing Lido Café was demolished and extended forward to increase space for all new service and seating areas. As with Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity’s Lido Café has been redesigned with modern food islands (instead of long buffet counters), more tables for two, and a live, open kitchen, which includes a bakery.

In total, the remodel saw the installation of 17 counters, all new WMF coffee machines, Citrocasa orange juicers, EuroCave wine refrigerators and two Sveba Dahlen ovens (one in Lido Café for baked goods, one in Tastes for pizzas), enabling Crystal chefs to enhance the preparation and presentation of fresh hot and cold food selections, as well as support beverage service.   

Adfecto’s major remodel saw the removal of the indoor pool and all of its surrounding galleys and eating areas to create new indoor/outdoor casual dining and lounging spaces with expansive ocean views. The Lido Café’s theme is continued, but this space opens up into a airy courtyard with a retractable glass roof. Crystal white granite table tops, natural stones, white wicker, tan sofas and an array of blues with pops of tangerine set the resort-like tone. 

Mid-ship dining spaces on Lido are all new, including a Tastes restaurant with another open kitchen, Scoops ice cream bar, Tastes Bar and Trident Grill. The angled living walls, planters and sculpture are used to subtly divide and bookend various seating groups and dining concepts. The lines of the teak decking, sleek stretched taupe canvas ceilings over the waterside tables, and angled blocks of light and dark stone, ceramic and mosaic tiles help define the space.

The Trident Grill and Scoops ice cream bar area on the port side of the wall has large sofa and armchair groups suitable for laid back relaxation and conversation. All new counters, digital signage and toppings display showcase what is on offer.

The starboard side has Tastes restaurant, bar and custom-built open kitchen that allows guests to watch the food being prepared. While Tastes is open during the day for a “Late Risers Breakfast” and full lunch menu, including specialties such as Chinese noodles and dumplings, after 6:00 PM, the restaurant is transformed into a cool and casual evening eatery with dramatic lighting that showcases the trees, plants and decorative screens.  

On the opposite end of the deck, Palm Court -- the ship’s evening spot dancing -- was refreshed with a new cherry wood dance floor.

Toronto’s II BY IV, the firm that won major design awards for its previous remodel of Crystal Serenity’s staterooms, redefined the ship’s four top suites with clean lines in a dramatic ultra-contemporary remodel. Interiors of the butler-serviced, 1,345-square-foot Crystal Penthouse residences were gutted and spaces completely reconfigured. The dining area moved closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the private outdoor deck, while the former dining room now holds a den/library/media room with a sleeper sofa and closet. With a new shower added to the guest powder room, the space can function as a second bedroom. A butler’s pantry with private entrance is also available.  

Seventy deluxe veranda staterooms were transformed into hypoallergenic luxury accommodations offering a chemical- and odor-free indoor environment solution. PURE Marine Solutions, a sister company of leading allergy-friendly hospitality innovator PURE Global, implemented a seven-step patented and proven air and surface purification process in each room to remove allergens and reduce the risk of irritants.  

Crystal Cruises also created 19 new “Crystal Getaways” in Asia and surrounding region for 2014. The Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages range from five- to ten-days. Carved out from longer sailings, the “Getaways” start as low as $1,520 per person, double occupancy, if booked by Jan. 3's “Book Now” deadline. 

RELATED: Crystal Cruises Offers 19 New Crystal Getaways to Asia in 2014

Crystal Cruises’ newest Boutique Adventure includes a hands-on “Rhino Conservation Experience” in Africa. Offered with Crystal Serenity’s March 10 voyage from Singapore to Cape Town, the excursion makes guests a part of the local tracking and protection efforts that are fighting to keep the animal from extinction.

RELATED: Crystal Cruises Offers Limited "Rhino Conservation Experience" Boutique Adventure

For more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.