Crystal Serenity Review
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Allow me to qualify the following by stating unequivocally that Crystal provides the best service, food and cruising experience one will ever have. After a personally challenging 2011, I was so ready for this cruise, I was packed a week in advance. We left a few days early to explore Lisbon which was worthwhile, but finally Thursday afternoon arrived and we readied for the cruise. Embarkation was as easy as it gets. As we walked up the gangway, we were greeted with flutes of champagne & smiling faces. Our C-category cabin was perfect since we spend minimal time there. I was amazed at the the amount of storage, drawers and shelves, especially in the bathroom. The plan was very well thought out.
The daily REFLECTIONS offered so many events, we were busy from 7:00 am and onward, starting at the gym, breakfast and then a continuum of talks, trivia, lessons and movies. OR you could just relax and watch the beautiful Crystal passengers sachay by. I must comment that the women dressed beautifully. St. John knits, Chico's and other designers were commonplace. Formal nights featured beautiful gowns and all the men looked so handsome in their tuxedos!!!
The food was consistently very good to excellent. The waiters, asst. waiters and wine steward were very attentive & always behaved in a professional manner. I was very disappointed in PREGO. They tried too hard and the Italian food was nothing like I know. Lasagne made with bechamel sauce??? I ordered osso buco & it was so full of carrots & vegetables, I sent it back. Also, our waiter seemed rather rushed. I also heard same from our table companions. People were underwhelmed.
Cabin Review
Our cabin was small but it made the most out of storage space. There were drawers and shelves everywhere. If you couldn't find room, then you overpacked. Also, they provided solid wooden hangers for clothing with bars for pants on each of them. Our cabin, 7026, was portside and towards the front of the ship. We experienced hardly any noise and the laundry facilities were a short walk away. The beds were absolutely to die for and the pillows were crisp cotton puffs. This pairing combined with the ship's gentle rocking made for a solid night's sleep. The cabin had automatic nightlights which never went out so one could find one's way to the bathroom without tripping. They also provided an alarm clock, safe, LED TV, bluray disc player,and AVEDA products. The shower had great water pressure, plenty of room in it and consistent temperature. Next cruise, we moved more midship to be closer to the action.