Crystal Serenity, from Crystal Cruises, is a 740 berth uber-luxurious cruise ship. Featuring bars, casino, cinema, gym, library, nightclub, shops, swimming pool, spa, theatre, computer university at sea and much, much more. A floating paradise of education, fun, leisure and wellness.
Serenity’s first-class facilities put many a city to shame. Guests look forward to a day at sea when they have the time to make the most of the activities on offer. On world cruises, Serenity and her equally well-equipped sister ship, Crystal Symphony, offer more than enough activities and challenges to occupy guests for months on end.
Crystal Serenity demonstrates that the days when cruising leisure meant little more than deck chairs and deck quoits are long gone.
1. Learn about your ports of call
On our Baltic cruise, seven ports of call and six countries, we had cultural anthropologist Dr Jim Rowe giving us insider guides to what made up the psyche of our hosts.
Dr Rowe introduced us to the Swedish concept of “lagom”, the Swedes’ key to living well through moderation. Never too much, never too little. A balanced society where the royal family reject grandeur and drive themselves, where a princess married her personal trainer.
It was more than architecture and cuisine as we learnt about the Finn’s pride in sisu, their inner resilience against brutal weather and long, dark winter days.
2. Head for the gym
A 3,000 square foot fitness centre features Technogym equipment and panoramic ocean views on the treadmills or rowing machine.
Raj, the Fitness Director, co-ordinates a programme of wellness that begins with early morning stretches and includes Pilates, spinning and yoga. Most guests disembark, stress-induced cortisol levels reduced and healthily nourished by Serenity’s cuisine. looking healthier than when they boarded.
3. Relax at the Aurora Spa
Roll-back the years with anti-ageing treatments provided by Dr Clare. See her presentations on holding onto youthful looks as well as hearing advice on managing your metabolism.
Use your the i-Pad in your suite to scroll through the spa’s menu: LED facials, acupuncture and an extensive menu of massages. Aurora is a serene haven of steam rooms, saunas, relaxation rooms and a beauty salon.
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4. Create at a workshop
An intriguing creative arts programme gives guests, from beginners to the experienced, opportunities to explore crafting, mixed media projects and painting.
At a tutor-led workshop, some guests decided to make necklaces, with matching earrings, for the formal evening.
5. Improve your golf
A golf professional runs workshops and provides individual lessons to help players make the most of the driving range and putting green.
The professional can also help guests with plans to play courses near to the ports of call.
6. Take in a lecture
World-class experts provide fascinating in-depth enrichment lectures. On our Baltic Cruise Westpoint-trained Lieutenant General (retired) Mark Hertling focused his global leadership experience on the war in Ukraine and the consequences of Finland and Sweden’s admission to NATO. Worryingly, in all his years of military experience, he felt that World War lll had never been closer.
Futurist Dr Jane Thomason shared her visions of the Metaverse and a world where Al was changing the nature of the world of work. Then there’s also the Computer University @ Sea, an onboard digital learning centre that helps guests to keep-up with the ever-increasing pace of technological progress.
7. Outdoor leisure
Sun-loungers are spaced around the Seahorse swimming pool and two whirlpools, with waiters on hand to take drinks orders.
Above the pools there are courts for pickleball and short tennis.
8. Have a flutter at the casino
Operating in partnership with the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) the ship’s casino brings gaming in style, including blackjack and roulette, to the ocean.
The adjoining Avenue Saloon bar, serving cocktails, wines and top-shelf spirits provides an elegant spot to unwind.
9. Play a hand of bridge
There can’t be many more elegant places to make a three no-trumps contract nor scupper your opponents’ five spades bid than the bridge room.
Experienced instructors are available to teach beginners or to literally guide veterans on new tricks.
10. Visit the library
Plush seating and panoramic ocean views make Crystal Serenity’s library a serene retreat.
This well-stocked library contains over 2,000 books, plus there are magazines and board games too.
11. Cocktails
Cocktails, often stretching to two hours or more for some guests, is a social highlight of the day.
On their way to dinner, most guests stop off at the Avenue Saloon, Crystal Cove or Palm Court for an all-inclusive cocktail, often sampling the cocktail of the day.
12. An evening show
After dinner, it is the shortest of strolls to the Galaxy Lounge for a Broadway-style show.
The tiered-seating theatre hosts live music, comedians and tributes to performers such as Billy Joel and Elton John.
Disclosure: Our cruise was sponsored by Crystal Cruises.
Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards is a travel writer from Oxfordshire, UK. Although Michael had his first travel pieces published nearly four decades ago, he is still finding new luxury destinations to visit and write on.
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