When Crystal Cruises was created in 1988, the 'Crystal Difference' was but a distant concept. Today, Crystal Cruises ranks at the top of the industry. For more than thirteen years, the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler have accorded Crystal Cruises World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line. Crystal Cruises currently operates two luxury ships: the 940-guest Crystal Symphony (launched in 1995) and the 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity (launched in 2003).
For all of us at Crystal Cruises, Six-Star quality means more than just awards and accolades; it means the constant pursuit of a single goal: to create the best, then make it better. At Crystal, we are not just aiming to provide a fabulous vacation, we are aiming to create “the Crystal Experience” that will enrich the lives of our guests and provide memories to cherish forever.
Working at Crystal Cruises means that you will be expected to contribute to the line’s pursuit of excellence, for our guests and crew. In order to maintain the high level of service we expect, our employees know that they are responsible to ensure that everyone on board the ship is happy and satisfied, including themselves! A positive attitude, or what we like to call “the Crystal Attitude,” is essential when working at Crystal Cruises.
As an employee with Crystal, you will not only have the opportunity to sail to the world’s most exotic and timeless destinations, but you will do so in style: proudly serving the world’s most experienced travelers. They demand the best and so do we. Teamwork and understanding are the keys to success since you will be working alongside an international crew from over 50 different countries and along the way, making lifelong friendships. As with most cruise ship positions, it is essential to have patience, consideration and understanding as you will be living together with fellow crew members with limited free space.
Crystal is known industry-wide to provide:
- Award-winning service that is neither stuffy nor intimidating. All employees - both shoreside and shipboard - strive to maintain the highest standards possible by practicing the Six-Star Crystal Basics, a 6-point credo for anticipating and fulfilling guests’ needs. And, with one of the most impressive crew to guest ratios (almost two service staff to every guest), Crystal Cruises has become the benchmark against which guests and travel agents now judge all other cruise lines.
- Recruitment of the highest caliber employees to offer superior service.
- Impressive benefits package for crew members ensures a low turnover.
- Continuing professional education is provided by world-renowned hoteliers to maintain the highest standards.
- One of the highest rates of returning crew in the industry.
If you have a passion for international travel and are prepared to provide the world’s most experienced travelers with the superior service they have come to expect with Crystal, we invite you to apply for a position with Crystal Cruises today.
News
Crystal Symphony to enjoy a major makeover
LOS ANGELES, August 3, 2009 – This September, following a $25+ million makeover, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is unveiling dramatic new interiors and deck spaces for its sophisticated and stylish Crystal Symphony. The 922-guest, 50,000-ton ultra-luxury ship will boast redesigned Penthouses (including its uber-plush Crystal Penthouses), pool areas, Prego Italian restaurant, Lido Café as well as guest elevators and numerous of behind-the-scenes upgrades.
Penthouses
Crystal Symphony’s two 982-square-foot Crystal Penthouses with large verandahs will be stripped and completely transformed into the feel of elegant residential apartments with luxurious fabrics, details and finishes. Internal space will be extended to enlarge the living spaces and bedroom. While both the master and guest bathrooms will feature rare marbles and designer fittings, the master bathrooms will boast a sunken Philippe Stark Duravit Jacuzzi bathtub with 90-degree ocean views, glass mosaics and recessed televisions, among other features. The suites also offer an entrance lobby, his and her walk-in closets, private study area, living room, state-of-the-art audio-visual system, and dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Crystal Symphony’s 61 butler-serviced Penthouses and Penthouse Suites will be redesigned in soothing taupe and sand tones, accented by citrus or icy blue, one of two color schemes. New custom cabinetry will sport stone countertops and flat screen televisions, while new bedding, stone-topped end tables and bedside reading lights will be framed by new headboards, carpeting and window treatments. All bathrooms will feature new tile with mosaic accents, glass showers, contemporary hardware and lighting, and a fresh white and neutral color palette.
Lido Café
This popular breakfast and lunch cafe will be transformed into an upscale dining spot with a completely new Crystal dining experience, designed to showcase Crystal’s freshly cooked fare as well as add intimate seating and improve flow. Inspired by the endless skies, surf and sand dunes of the Hamptons seashore, the room will be infused with light through a new glazed indoor/outdoor extension and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural tones of seashell, sand and weathered timber provide a soothing backdrop for sparkling polished metal accents and sea grass screens. New food and drink service islands, each with different choices, will enable guests to enjoy what they want in their order of preference. New bread oven, grill, woks and other culinary equipment will provide an even greater array of freshly cooked to order choices.
Seahorse and Neptune Pool Areas
Befitting an upscale chic resort, Crystal Symphony’s pool areas will be redefined with new spaces, water features and furniture providing more indoor and al fresco dining, plush conversational seating and varied sunbathing options. Sophisticated limestone tile will offset the azure pool and the new, larger whirlpool, while deck furniture offers a harmonious combination of antique white and neutral taupe accented with colors of sunshine and tropical fruit. In the retractable roof-covered, mid-ship area of the Lido Deck, the Neptune Pool will be removed and replaced with teak decking and al fresco dining and lounging options around the Trident Bar. While the calming neutrals of the Lido Café open to brighter outdoor colors, the unifying theme is natural and relaxed.
Prego
Since its debut, this critically-acclaimed, intimate Italian specialty restaurant has been inspired by Venice. Open only for dinner, the new design will be moody and dramatic, retaining elements of traditional Venetian architecture and portraiture presented in a fresh and modern way. Luxuriously padded, dark chocolate fabric walls frame delicate chandeliers, art by famed Venetian artists and richly upholstered seating.
All Crystal staterooms, all of which were redecorated in late 2007 and feature sitting areas, will receive new sofas to provide more seating and add third berths for families. This year, all accommodations on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity received new plush Simmons’ mattresses with healthful sanitary protectors.
For a record 16th year, CRYSTAL CRUISES voted best CRUISE LINE
by CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS
LOS ANGELES, October 16, 2009 – For a record 16th year, Crystal Cruises has once again been voted the “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for 2009 by the readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.). Crystal’s overall score of 92.7 is one of its highest in the survey’s history. The luxury line’s 16 “wins” is unprecedented by any cruise line or hotel in the world.
“With just months until we celebrate our 20th anniversary of cruising in 2010, we are especially honored to be voted the very best by the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler,” says Gregg Michel, president, Crystal Cruises. “As the competition intensifies and our guests’ expectations increase, this award is an outstanding measure of achievement and a testament to the consistency of the Crystal experience. I am very proud of our exceptional staff and their commitment to providing so many global travelers with a dream vacation that exemplifies the highest standards of hospitality.”
Considered one of the highest honors in the travel industry, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies and islands. More than 25,000 subscribers voted in the 2009 survey. Travelers evaluated cruise lines on their Activities/Facilities, Cabins, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries and Shore Excursions to determine the overall score. The full list of travel awards are published on the magazine’s website and in its November 2009 issue.
Attesting to the consistency of its luxury travel experience, in August 2009, Crystal was voted the 2009 “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure (U.S.), as well as top honors internationally and from trusted travel agent consortiums.
Renowned for their service, space, quality and choices, Crystal Cruises’ two stylish ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, were voted number one and two, respectively, in Condé Nast Traveler’s February 2009 World’s Best Ships issue. The ultra-luxury line has been recognized for innovative partnerships with Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, stimulating Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea, Feng Shui-designed spa, and a myriad of culinary, cultural and fitness-oriented enrichment. Itineraries of seven to 108 days are available throughout the world.
For more information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit crystalcruises.com
Crystal ships voted best in February 2010 CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER
LOS ANGELES, January 25, 2010 – The ships of Crystal Cruises have once again earned top honors from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, who named the ultra-luxury vessels the best large ships in the world. Of 90 worldwide ships, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were voted #1 and #2 with overall scores of 93.0 and 92.4, respectively. Crystal also earned the top scores for Service, Food and Design/Layout. In its February 2010 issue, Condé Nast Traveler calls its polled readers, “the savviest travelers in the world.”
The honor comes a few months after Crystal Cruises was voted “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by readers of the same magazine, as well as earning the “World’s Best Large-Ship Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2010, we are so honored that discerning, experienced travelers have found Crystal Cruises to be such a consistently perfect choice,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises.
Renowned for its service, space, quality and choices, Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a myriad of fascinating worldwide itineraries and extraordinary value. Promotional highlights include Two-for-One fares, generous ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard spending credits, Free Air Transportation from more than 20 North American gateways for most cruises, Crystal Family Memories group program, Kids Sail Free on two summer dates, and with Crystal’s 2010 Price Guarantee. Guests sailing on their birthday in 2010 can celebrate with the Captain and enjoy a champagne brunch, as well as other 20th Anniversary festivities.
Following the redesign of Crystal Serenity’s Cove Bar, casino and other spaces, guests, travel agents and industry critics have been touting Crystal Symphony’s recent major $25 million remodel. Adds Michel, “Whether it’s a new sushi bar featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, a land program to Wimbledon, a technology concierge service or a filmmaking program with The Travel Channel, our services and features are infused with innovation and style. I am so pleased that the ongoing investment in the Crystal product is so appreciated by veteran travelers.”
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.
