Suite

Outside

Balcony

Atlas Ocean Voyages

Aurora Expeditions

Australis

Azamara

Celebrity Cruises

Crystal Cruises

G Adventures

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Heritage Expeditions

Holland America Line

Hurtigruten

Lindblad Expeditions

Noble Caledonia

Oceanwide Expeditions

Ponant

Princess Cruises

Quark Expeditions

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Scenic

Seabourn Cruise Line

Silversea Cruises

Swan Hellenic Cruises

Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Viking Expeditions

Luxury Cruises

Family Cruises

Gay & Lesbian Cruises

Romantic Cruises

Singles Cruises

Cruises for the Disabled

Senior Cruises

Fitness Cruises

Gourmet Food Cruises

Expedition Cruises

Buenos Aires

Reykjavik

Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego)

Miami

Africa

Alaska

Antarctica

Arctic

Asia

Australia & New Zealand

Bahamas

Baltic Sea

Bermuda

British Columbia

Canada & New England

Canary Islands

Caribbean - All

Caribbean - Eastern

Caribbean - Southern

Caribbean - Western

Cruise to Nowhere

Europe - All

Europe - Black Sea

Europe - British Isles & Western

Europe - Eastern Mediterranean

Europe - River Cruise

Europe - Western Mediterranean

France

Greece

Hawaii

Italy

Mediterranean

Mexican Riviera

Mexico - All

Middle East

Norwegian Fjords

Pacific Coastal

Panama Canal & Central America

South America

South Pacific

Trans-Ocean

Transatlantic

Transpacific

World Cruise

Excellent

Very Good

Crystal Endeavor

Crystal Symphony

An Amazing Cruise On Crystal Endeavor

I am honored to have been part of this voyage , being privileged enough to make it to Ushuaia and board the ship as an independent traveler this means that you arrive by yourself to the ship which in Covid times it’s not a simple task after flying from Santiago to Ushuaia and arriving on the same day with embarkation it was not simple task since my travel agent or the vendor do not inform the procedure to boarding on a cruise ship work today you must go to an assigned hotel where you will be screened for Covid via antigen or ocr test priority boarding the ship

Once in all all procedures done we were allowed to embark through a shuttle from the hotel 

Once I’m bored life-changing mediately presented by a A private butler assigned to your floor cabin who will instruct I’ll procedures during your Voyage, my cabin was located on the eighth floor known as the penthouse suites deck , Although there’s two cabins on this floor there in that,  penthouse  And one of these was ours right next to the captains cabin , our cabin being a balcony room had ample space comfortable bed , Very well appointed but I was surprised there was no tub in the bathroom as to other shifts of the size, going to Antarctica means cold weather Very nice too and surprisingly to have the bathroom floors heated , unfortunately on our Voyage on the second day arriving to Teniente  March Chileans base Captain closest deck number seven because of one Covid case therefore we missed two days waiting for the evacuation process of this passenger, in today’s cruise travel things have become more delicate we were handed in on arrival a wrist watch which is to monitor who do we socialize with therefore if any passenger came in contact with a positive Covid passenger this could be alert it through the system ,, what I felt it was an invasion of privacy but very effective therefore two passengers had to quarantine because socialized with the Covid passenger, It was and excitement in gourmet dining having the possibility to have a discipline Japanese chef in umiyama restaurant was incredible touch to the dining options , The shipping you I expected to have bit more drastic innovation, I must say I was disappointed in the top ninth floor viewing salon or piano observation lounge there were one clum in each side one with plasma and the other corner the piano , I thought this was poor design, the piano salud have been in the center as the bar and have unobstructed view , this is very well appointed in the SeabourQuest ,,  service was exceptional  the ratio on ynrrip wqa with. Only 140 guest : maximum is 200 the ship , finally the pool in the rear , rarely used but the JaccuZzy in the bow was superb for 8 people …

The New galant lady In Antártica 

Rarotonga

OVERVIEW

We sailed the third voyage of Endeavor which was a 10 day R/T Reykjavik, Iceland voyage commencing on August 6, 2021.  Our overall experience was outstanding both on and off the ship.

The ship and many of the itineraries combine an on-board luxury experience with an expedition experience off the ship as well as expedition related enrichment on-board such as the talks given by the expedition team.

I don’t believe every itinerary is for everyone and certainly there are some itineraries oriented to more active guests and others which would offer options to those not into active excursions.

The ship was not completely ready when we boarded. We received an e-mail about a week before the voyage detailing what was not available (no helicopter or sub and the Solarium and Marketplace were not open) and because of this they included a 25% future cruise credit.  This means 25% of what you paid for the actual cruise could be applied to a future cruise including one you already booked if it has not been paid for in full.

There were some rooms with leaks. While on the prior two voyages some rooms had A/C issues I am not sure whether this was an issue on this voyage.  It was not for us.  

EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION

With the COVID-19 protocols embarkation is not like it’s been before as we had to go to a hotel for check in and to take the COVID-19 test.  There was a lot of staff there from the third-party company Crystal use on land.  Plenty of food and drink too.  

Endeavor was docked at the old port which is in the city which is nice since we also had an overnight.  In many ports such as this one the gangway involves walking up and down many steps.  As soon as we got out of the vehicle there were people there to carry on our carry-on piece of luggage for us.  We checked in and had our photo taken and were given our shipboard cards.  After a tour of the ship we were escorted to the room with our carry on luggage and immediately met our butler and also the head of housekeeping who we know from Serenity.  Most recently our butler has been on two of the River Cruise vessels and prior to that Ocean.

Disembarkation was the best we ever experienced.  We did book a private transfer from the ship to hotel.  We met the Chief Concierge at the appropriate time and the Office Manager was very visible as she plays a key role in the turnaround of the ship.  When our vehicle was ready the Chief Concierge informed us.  He took our two pieces of carry-on luggage and when we got to the area to debark another person took our backpacks and once on the ground, we could see our two piece of checked luggage being brought out by two other people and then all of us walked to the vehicle waiting for us.  I always think it’s important to leave on a high note and this is what happened.

THE SHIP

We have sailed only two ships not as large as Endeavor; Crystal Mozart River Vessel and Seabourn Pride (two sailings) which was a 206 passenger vessel. Crystal Endeavor is larger than the Pride with larger suites, verandahs (Pride didn’t have those and a few rooms had the ability to open the slider), much more public space and a far larger crew.  The crew on board Endeavor is over 200 including the expedition team.

A lot of thought was put into where the venues are located keeping in mind logistics and the ship is easy to learn.  By the day after we boarded, we knew where everything was located and never needed to use the ship layout little guide provided in the holder which we placed our shipboard card into.  

The Bistro is conveniently located on Deck 5 adjacent to the reception area and in the other direction is the Fitness Center, Shops, Fitness Center, Salon Spa, the Solarium including Seahorse pool and two-level seating for Marketplace.

One deck below on Deck 4 you will find the rest of the dining venues including Umi Uma, Prego and Waterside along with the Crystal Cove.  The Crystal Cove has more characteristics of Star Dust and Starlite on Symphony and Serenity than what we think of as the Crystal Cove.  It is used for lectures, entertainment, enjoying a drink, and for meeting just before the start of an offshore expedition.  As to the latter it is conveniently located to Deck 3 where the lockers are located which store each guests zodiac life vest and on voyages where boots are needed those are stored right next to each locker.  In addition to the guest laundry this deck is where you get the Zodiacs and Tenders from and also where Boots can be cleaned.

The vast majority of the deluxe suites are located on Decks 6 and 7 with a few on Deck 5.  The largest of the suites are located on Deck 7 towards the bow of the ship and the next largest ones PS category are on Deck 8 starting close to mid ship and going toward the bow where the Captain’s Lounge followed by the Bridge are located.  

The ship is beautiful, and the color scheme and décor has some of the characteristics of what you find on the Crystal River Vessels.  It’s no surprise based on where the vessels were built.

A nice wrap around deck where one could walk and run is located on the top deck and one could walk part of the way on the deck below it.

They have a good sized library using an honor system as there is no full-time librarian.

On a related note no computer university but if you have IT issues you just call Reception and they can have someone help you.  

ENRICHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT

The lectures were terrific with the focus as it should be on the places we were to visit and the expedition experience.

We didn’t go to the entertainment because of our own set of protocols we developed with respect to COVID-19 but listened to some of the evening shows from adjacent to the Crystal Cove and enjoyed the music and singing albeit for a few minutes at a time.

CUISINE & DINING VENUES

The food was terrific.  Dishes were moister and served at temperatures reflecting that in not only Prego and Umi Uma but in Waterside dishes were being prepared to order and when ready were brought out directly to the table avoiding food warmers.   Although Waterside and Prego have somewhat fewer dishes than you would find on the Ocean Vessels since Endeavor’s guest capacity is 20% of the Ocean Vessels we always found items to order and enjoyed every meal.    The dinner rolls at both these venues are the same ones found at Prego on the Ocean Vessels and they were much tastier and softer as they don’t require the heat warmers. 

One could see the influence that the Executive Chef has at Waterside and every dish we had for dinner was creative in its look and  very tasty and cooked to perfection.  

Umi Uma is a different menu from the Ocean Vessels and my preference for the cuisine at Umi Uma is the Ocean Vessels over Endeavor for the cuisine portion of Umi Uma as the cuisine is different.  Service is great with a wait staff from Symphony and Serenity and the Chefs are Nobu Trained and I believe came over from Symphony.

We didn’t eat at The Bistro but the food looks similar to what you would find on the Ocean Vessels and the proximity of the ice cream is what you find on the River Vessels.  Lots of tables and larger in proportion to the Ocean Vessels given the number of guests each vessel counts.

This leads me to the dining venues.  They are beautifully decorated and appreciated the location offering really nice views in Waterside no matter where you were seated.  There were several larger tables in the center for family and those traveling together or for guests wanting to dine with other guests  If you were seated at a table by the window at Umi Uma, it offered beautiful views.  Prego had seating in two areas; one was inside the actual restaurant but for those who wanted a window view there were tables near the windows.  I think the downside of the table window was people passing your table as the majority likely making their way to and from Waterside with some visiting the Connoisseur Club.

Deck 9 has the Pantry which under normal circumstances would have light food 7x24 but due to COVID-19 protocols the food was not available.  They did have hot and cold beverages.  

The only downside is a couple of times in the early morning the control panel on the machine was locked. The first time this happened I called the reception, and she sent the one butler who was covering the guest suites but he didn’t know how to unlock it.  He did get me coffee from the Butler’s Pantry.  A minor item and hopefully a simple solution for the machine.  

TECHNOLOGY 

I have never seen a bridge with as much advanced technology as Endeavor has.  It had some characteristics of an aircraft and the Space Shuttle but much nicer and spacious.  Two chairs where the ship is controlled are next to one another and all the controls are in arm’s length and just like on a commercial airline the two people in control have to work together.  Two other chairs behind them are for the captain and if needed the Pilot.  Navigation maps for the entire world are on computer. While on a much larger screen than an iPad you can drill down as you would an iPad. 

As you see on the Ocean Vessels there are monitors in places around the ship with information for the guests.  There are computers in some locations for the guests but I didn’t try them out.  They were not Apple Computers.  

As you find on the River Cruise Vessels iPads are in each guest room including many capabilities including the daily activities program.  The difference is  there are no paper copies of the activities so you just have to get used to looking them up on the iPad or one of your own devices.  It took us a couple of days to get used to this and then we made it part of our regular routine.

I was pleased that the night before on a relatively consistent basis both the daily activities program and Waterside menu for the following days was available and more consistently available than I have found the Ocean Vessels to be.

We were in a PS so I can’t comment on the outlets for the other room but I have never seen as many electrical outlets in one room as this. You could plug in 30 or more devices at once.  LOL.  The only issue is for those traveling say from the USA you would need adapters as these were European outlets with only a few exceptions and the ship didn’t have any on-board at the time.  I had several with me for our pre-cruise stay so we were fine and if need be, we could have managed without them, but it was a big plus for us.

There are TV’s on the top deck which were being installed as was various lighting so we didn’t get to experience them.

The suites have key card readers so no need to swipe the cards.  You just tap them for entry and this can be sone with the card holder closed and you do the same when you leave or return from the ship.

THE INTERNET

Overall, the best experience we have had on any vessel ever.  It was reliable and up most of the time.  I could easily do mail the blog, post lots of photos and upload other documents and use the internet for placing calls and doing video chats using Face Time and WhatsApp

ACCOMMODATIONS

We were in a PS suite and I assume it gets its name from the Ocean Vessels.  I found it to be larger than the Ocean Vessels and better laid out.  

The lighting in the main area of the suite and in the bathroom was superb.  As I have gotten older and my eyesight even with glasses is not what it used to be I truly appreciated the light.  I could read the labels on the bath products which I often can’t do on other vessels or even hotels if bathroom lighting is poor.

There was a lot of storage space and a great closet for this length of cruise.  There was an entranceway closet where our expedition jackets, hats and waterproof bag was stored.  

The bathroom featured the rain shower which we love and there is another door to close of the toilet area from the rest of the bathroom.  There is no bathtub which we prefer not having.  Only issue is where to hang wet clothes since there is no laundry string which you have over a bathtub and no place to place used towels other than neatly on the bathroom floor.

Again, not sure how it compares but I would say when the door is closed to the toilet that the toilet area might seem very snug for some people.  Also, the water level in the toilet seemed to low (I never asked about it) and trust me it is a problem at times.  I should have asked about it.  I will the next time.

I liked the desks we each had which to me had similarities to the PH on Serenity which up until Endeavor I thought was the best layout between desk space and storage.  

A nice full-length mirror on the closet and I appreciated that the light in the closet comes on automatically with motion so no need to turn a light switch on and off.  Safe was at a good level.  

They could add another level to hand clothes and if you are not of an average heigh I could see people struggling to hang clothes on the rod at the back of the closet.  I think you would need a step stool.

The bed was very comfortable. Also, we brought our larges of the luggage which was two 29” pieces on rollers versus the 28” ones.  Even when they are empty on say Symphony and Serenity we cannot fit them under the bed, but we could on Endeavor.

EXPEDITION EXCURSIONS

At every location you could choose from excursions which were included in the cruise fare or select ones at a cost.  We were very pleased with ours which included several Zodiac Cruises and a hike which I went on.  We learned a lot from the expedition guides/zodiac drivers.  Everything was very well organized and these were some of the highlights of this adventure as they should be.

THE CREW AND OVERALL SERVICE

The crew was simply amazing as was the service.

I am reminded that when Serenity entered service many who had sailed Symphony and Harmony thought the crew was not at the performance levels they experienced on Harmony and Symphony.  I think one of the reasons is the ones from Harmony and Symphony had some different practices and there was a good percentage of crew new to Crystal.  It took more time but eventually this worked its way out.

On Endeavor if you said the crew was working together for three years versus this being the third voyage I could believe that.  They worked as one cohesive team and the service levels were outstanding. I do believe they benefited from only 100 guests on board versus if they were at full capacity based on all rooms filled with two which would take the count up to 200 guests.

Kudos the crew and senior officers for all they have accomplished acting as one team.  On the challenging side they took crew from Symphony, Serenity, five River Cruise Vessels and Esprit with different practices and they formed one team following one set of practices for Endeavor.  

I believe they went through a lot as most do when a new vessel is being launched but even more so on Endeavor giving many items not finished at the ship building site and in the weeks they were in Germany and then at sea and then getting things into operation they all went through a lot while developing a close bond.  You could see the bond in the way they helped out one another and in their laughs.

I do think they were wise to only staff Endeavor with those who worked on other Crystal Vessels, so you had no new people.  I think their approach where pretty much everyone has a primary job and a secondary job is great and that almost everyone came over in laterally from the positions they formally held on their last contract on one of the other Crystal Vessels.

Some of the crew we have known since sailing Harmony in 2002 and others from sailing Symphony, Serenity and Mozart.  At the same time some of the crew we had never sailed with before.  We quickly felt at home which says a lot.

I had mentioned that most crew members do multiple jobs and that includes the Butlers.  On Ocean Vessels you have runners who get the food from Galley to Pantry.  On Endeavor, Butlers do both.  

I suspect some jobs will be tweaked as they gain more experience.

SUMMARY

We had an amazing time on Endeavor.  We plan to return and have other cruises booked.  

For us it provided an amazing on-board luxury experience while providing an equally impressive expedition experience.  I realize the per diem cost is much higher than Ocean Vessels and if you said Endeavor you will understand why.  

Yes, there is more work to be done.  We didn’t get to use the Solarium and Market Place as those who came on for the next voyage did.  There is other work to be done some of which we could tell what is needed and other work which is transparent to us.  Any leaks in the suites and/or A/C issues need to be resolved and the addition of the Sub and Helicopter are both important for those itineraries benefiting from them.  

As was the case with Serenity this is a challenging time getting fully stocked so a few items were not available day one; some showed up while others didn’t. In time, this will work its way through to resolution and is clearly attributable to COVID-19.  I mention this should you be on board any of the vessels and say you find that your favorite soda or sweetener is not available or some other item.   Just like on land sometimes there are shortages.  In addition, some countries have slowed up the process of allowing items to be shipped from their country as others have slowed up the process of allowing items to enter their country.  

I believe for those who want a combined luxury and expedition experience Endeavor provides both and more.  I also think some of the itineraries are more expedition oriented while others are less so and Endeavor would be great for both as well.

We have cruised on ocean vessels across several cruise lines for many years with the vast majority with Crystal Cruises.  Crystal has introduced us to River Cruising and to Expedition Cruising and we love all three.  As such we have cruises planned on all three types of Crystal Vessels and look forward to each one.

We find small ships are very intimate and provide a nice opportunity to get to know fellow guests even more than larger ships.  This happened to us on the Pride and also on Mozart.  If not for COVID-19 I am sure this would have happened on Endeavor as we knew one couple from a prior cruise and we also met others who under normal circumstances we would have had drinks and/or dinner with. 

Finally, as I often say no two cruises are the same.  Many factors including weather and itinerary, guest count, along with other items can change up the experience.  Also, we all are human so we are different than one another and therefore we could all read the same book, and some will love it, some will say its average and some will not like it.  We all have different expectations, desires, interests and how we spend our waking hours when we cruise, and we all bring to a cruise different experience, and therefore each of us doesn’t see each cruise in the same light.  

I focus on the positive. I recognize those things that might not be as good as we would like and if they are big deal I will let those in charge know.  However, on the minor things, I don’t focus on them and focus on all the things we enjoy.

We pinch ourselves each time we cruise because we never would have thought in our wildest dreams starting our lives together shortly after graduation from University that we would sail on a cruise line as luxurious as Crystal  just once let alone all of the times we have sailed. We never forget this and yes it is part of what shapes my half glass is full approach along with understanding our time here is relatively short so best to make the best of everything and enjoy the moment.



My husband (DH) and I had the pleasure of cruising on the Endeavor around Iceland, 10 days, Reykjavik to Reykjavik.  This was only its second voyage.  It was a port intensive cruise with no sea days.

We have cruised previously on a variety of mostly luxury lines, so we compare our experience here with those. However, we are in a Covid environment, and the Endeavor is a new ship, so those are variables.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Passengers were, on average, fitter and a bit younger than on regular luxury cruises. I would call this cruise expedition "light", because you could easily do many of the same things you do on non-expedition ships without feeling like you are missing out.  Excursions out of ports are available that are easy (bus tours), moderate (bus tour which incorporates stops and light to moderate walking at different sights)  or more strenuous (hikes over 2 miles, some with elevations and irregular paths, plus kayaking), when it comes to physicial activity capacity requirements.  There were understandably no pax with wheelchairs, and I only saw one with a cane and one who was very unsteady on her  feet getting in and out of the bus, and who probably should have had a cane and not chosen certain excursions because she required physical assistance to stay safe.  Some of us were slower-moving than others, but that was fine, as you are typically not rushed.

There were reportedly  only 93 pax on board, plus at least 15 people from Crystal who were overseeing completion of some areas of the ship.  About a third were Spanish-speaking, including a couple large groups.  There were more crew and expedition team members on board than there were pax.  

EMBARKATION

Due to Covid, we had to go to a rendez-vous hotel (the Grand), then got sent over to a medical lab for testing, then due to equipment malfunction we waited 90 minutes for results.  Then we went back to the hotel, and then to the pier, then we boarded.  It was 5 hours from leaving our hotel to getting into our suite, where we were welcomed by a bottle of champagen that retails for $70, and it was quite welcome, as we were exhausted.  Covid creates challenges for all in the travel industry.  

SHIP ENVIRONMENT AND SUITES

The ship was quiet and steady in the serene waters around Iceland.  We were also blessed with excellent weather after our pre-cruise rainy days in Reykjavik, which likely helped.  Interior spaces are beautifully designed, with simple elegance and subtle sea themes and colors.  As we were not full, there were always more than enough public spaces to sit and relax in the bars, and in the restaurants.

Part of the ship (the Solarium, where the pool and Marketplace restaurant will be) are not yet completed, but pax got a sneak preview of the beautiful space.  

There were several technical glitches we encountered, likely due to this being a new ship still getting its sea wings.  We had to change suites due to non-functional AC, (and even after that the AC was a bit erratic on days when the sun shone and it was over 60), and we also had more minor issues with the TV, a broken suite phone on the last day, closet lights not working properly, some power outlets not working, and bathroom doors banging into each other due to the design.

Our base suite on deck 7 had plenty of storage, and  a small balcony with a table and 2 upright chairs.  The bed was comfortable and soft but still supportive.  The bathroom has a spacious shower with a seat, and instant hot water for either a rain shower or a hose you can adjust. The toilet and a small sink are in a separate but adjoining area to the main part of the bathroom, with 2 entry options, which is a handy design we liked, but would have liked better if we did not have to keep the door locked on the smaller section to prevent it from banging around against the other door.

For Covid precautions:  all staff wore masks indoors, pax only had to wear masks when on buses or in indoor buildings at ports.  Temperatures on foreheads are checked before entering the dining room, and there is sanitizer everywhere.  All pax had to be vaccinated and test negative, as did crew.  We did not have daily testing, just on boarding and a couples days before leaving.

SERVICE 

Personnel were very responsive, as best as they could be, to quickly addressing maintenance and technical problems, or trying to.  The suite was serviced twice a day and kept very clean by assorted housekeepers.  Each suite has an assigned "butler", whose main job is to take care of food and beverage service to the suite.  You can customize your mini-bar contents. For various reasons we unfortunatley landed up with butlers covering for other butlers who were then covering for yet another guy, so we had contact with about 6 of them.  We never knew who we were going to be dealing with and did not develop a relationship with any of them good enough to ask them to do more, though in theory they can help you with excursion booking.

Where the ship really shone, however, is in the Waterside dining room service, and the two smaller (reservation only) dining rooms, Umi Uma and Prego.  We were told that Crystal had tried to get its "A" team on this set ship, and they have succeded.

This was the BEST DINING SERVICE we have ever experienced on any luxury ship!.  Every wish was timely fulfilled and then some.

FOOD

The food in Waterside (MDR) was consistently spectacular.  Fish and meat dishes and creative, beautifully presented appetizers and desserts, were equally delicious.  Even the included daily wines were very good (and we are from California), with other fine wines available for a fee. This is the best food I have ever had on an English language luxury line, and it rivals the quality on the German Berlitz 6-star line Hapag Lloyd.

Lunch was also available at Waterside, and excellent, but it was actually the only venue one could have a sit-down service lunch at, 12-1:30. There is a Bistro snack area on deck 5, with personnel picking what you want and point at from a distance onto a plate, due to Covid precautions.  But offerings there are very limited (one daily soup, a couple cheeses, cold smoked salmon, crackers, olives, fruit, no entrees, no fish entree, no stew,  no burgers, no hot dogs).  Once the Marketplace venue opens up, there will be a welcome third venue. One can also order room service for lunch or any other time from a very, very limited menu which includes hamburger, pasta (vegetarian or non-vegetarian), pizza, and French onion or tomato soup.  I had limited success trying to order a simple room service sandwich early before an excursion, e.g.,  at 10:30 AM, suggesting at least some of the butlers taking the orders are not quite ready for custom orders off schedule, even if they are simple.

We ate breakfast in our suite, and breakfast delivery off the menu was always fine and on time.  There was an espresso machine in our base suite, and it was very nice to have that as most luxury lines do not have in room coffee of any kind unless you are in a higher level suite.

PORTS  AND EXPEDITION set-up: We had one port a day, where either half or full-day excursions were available to book pre-cruise, plus kayaking and 90 minute Zodiak rides. I was pleasantly surprised that the Zodiak was easier to get into than I thought it would be (step-in mat, sailor's grip with support from crew on 2 sides, and you're in).  There were some frustrating and confusing  inconsistencies between excursion information on timing, duration, and what to expect, provided on the in-room ipad, the Connect app, on-line pre-cruise information, and several other sources.  Though the expedition team has 16 people, only 2 can do actual bookings and rebookings, the others do a lecture (photography, geology, history, marine biology) that is videotaped and you can also watch in your suite, and they accompany pax on bus tours.  Plus there is a hardcore of very healthy and fit young people on the team who run the Zodiaks and kayak trips and do a short recap of the day's activities and the next day's offering the night before they are to happen in the lounge (those are not taped, it would help if they would be).  Also be aware that on some of the excursions, there are periods of 2.5-3.5 hours where there is no WC access of any kind, (and you are not warned about that on the written descriptions because most people don't care).  This is because Iceland is so sparsely populated that where we go simply often has no comfort access, other than squatting in a treeless field.  On one trip we were supposed to have access at 2.5 hours, but were inadvertently locked out by a turnstile, so we were told to crawl under it.  Just plan ahead if you do not have a bladder the size of a large melon, especially if you are female.

Grimsey Island hiking (mid-cruise) to the Arctic Circle and puffin areas,  and the RIB boat ride/cave tour out of Heimay, the last day, were our favorite excursions, but we also greatly enjoyed the Herring Museum and the Whale Museum tour in Husavik.

There were also 3 musical groups on board, surprising for such a small ship -- a lovely folk/rolk duo Azalea, a more traditional lounge music duo, and a solo multiinstrumentalist Salvatore Hasard.  We hear them all, and appreciated their talent.

DISEMBARKATION  was by group.  We stayed in our suite until 9 as we had late flights.  We were bused to the Grand hotel again 10 minutes away, got there close to 10, then we were bused at 12:30 to the airport for flights leaving between 4 and 5:15 PM.

Some pax were surprised at the early 12:30 departure, as they thought they would have had more time to go into town.  I personally like to go to the airport early in case of checkin surprises, security delays, etc. 

I rate this cruise overall 4.6 (subtracting 0.4 for the excessive though understandable technical glitches and the difficulty we had, as moderate activity pax who do not kayak or like to go to early evening briefings, in getting consistent and timely information about what to do when, what attire is best for which excursion, WC information etc.) -- but that rounds up to 5!  We would cruise the Endeavor again, but not in very hot areas, as even in Iceland, we had trouble keeping our room cool (even after the switch) when the ship was not moving and in port.  

If you are interested in more details, and some pictures, you can visit my thread on the Crystal forum of CC, and you can also ask me specific questions and opinions there.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2793599-semi-live-from-the-crystal-endeavor-reykjavik-reykjavikjuly-27-august-6/

Fantastic food and dining service around Iceland on Crystal's new luxury expedition ship!

San Francisco

I chose this itinerary because I wanted to see Antarctica, experience sailing the Drake Passage, Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel, and specifically on this ship. In addition we saw the Falkland Islands, sailed through some of the fjords in Chile and made several stops in ports along the way. I had wanted to get back to Buenos Aires and also not having ever been to Santiago, this itinerary was perfect because we left from Buenos Aires and the trip ended in Valparaiso from where I then went on to the Chilean capital. Buenos Aires and Santiago are each wonderful cities with a very different character to one another. 

Antarctica was extraordinarily beautiful, unforgettable and must be seen since the experience is truly indescribable. From sailing among giant icebergs, tabular and otherwise, to witnessing the landscapes and wild sea life all in weather that kept changing dramatically every 15 minutes, the entire experience was as visually dazzling as it was thrilling.  Sailing through the Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel and Chilean Fjords (parts of each) provided endlessly beautiful scenery and extraordinary climate-enhanced views.

The Crystal Symphony is an elegant spacious ship with a very great and extraordinarily dedicated staff, consistently stellar service, wonderful cuisine and a 360 degree open Promenade Deck close to the sea that remains one of the ship's most remarkable features, in addition to the usual surrounding open deck space at the top of the ship. Even when full, the ship feels at all times very uncrowded and exudes an intimacy despite its size.

It warrants repeating on its own: the staff and service on the Crystal Symphony are extraordinary.

Embarkation and debarkation procedures were amazingly simple and confusion-free.

Note: In the Ratings below I left Entertainment blank only because I did not attend any of the evening shows. There should be a separate category for lectures which were beyond excellent*** as usual on Crystal, and the movie offerings constituted a good range.

"Amazing Antarctica" on the Crystal Symphony

This was our 3rd cruise on the Crystal line and our 2nd on Symphony (which is our favorite).  We had so much trouble getting to the cruise due to a blizzard in the NYC area.  The two days we booked in Buenos Aires were lost to us and we arrived in the city only a few hours before our boarding time. What a relief it was to walk into the Crystal environment after such a anxiety filled experience.  Embarkation took a little longer than usual due to a large number of people showing up at the same time, but Crystal still handled it well and we were through the lines in no time.

Our room was ready before 3.  Some people think the rooms are too small, but we find them to be just fine.  I asked for ginger ale to be stocked in the mini bar and for a different type of pillow for my husband and our stewardess complied quickly.  We have never had a bad stewardess or even a mediocre one, they are all excellent. 

Dinner in the main dining room was wonderful as always.  Our waiter and headwaiter were the best yet.  So was the sommelier.  I didn't care for the particular white wine served that evening, and he suggested another type that I loved.  He would always offer it to me at every dinner in case I didn't want the type served.  (Different types of red and white wines are offered every night, but I noticed many people ordering different types).  It's all included unless you get into the really pricey area of wines.  

I have to say something about the itinerary.  It was the most spectacular and exciting trip I have ever taken, and my husband and I have traveled extensively.  We LOVED the penguin colonies in the Falklands.  If you have the chance, you have to take one of the excursions out to the colonies.  Ours took 3 hours each way but it was worth it.

The icebergs and the wildlife in Antarctica were unbelievable.  We ran into some wild weather while there, but it just added more adventure to the trip. We loved seeing where Ernest Shackleton landed with his men on Elephant Island.  There were several lectures on board: one on Shackleton  and some on wildlife and Antarctica itself.  All well worth attending.  The most beautiful evening of all was at sunset while sailing through the icebergs.  The ship gets quite close to them.  Crossing the Drake passage was especially exciting with 30 foot waves.  I took Less  Drowsy Dramamine and had no problem with sea sickness.  Next were the.Chilean fjords and the Strait of Magellan.  Absolutely stunning and all wild.  No houses, towns and only a couple of small fishing boats were seen in the whole day.

As usual we met some great people and  just had a wonderful time. 

As far as the downside, the only thing I can complain about was that the movies were kind of old.  Not as up-to-date as our first cruise.  

Would I go with Crystal again?  Absolutely.  We are now planning our next adventure for 2017.

Amazing time in the Falkland Islands and Antarctica

Voyage No. 6202 on Crystal Symphony was aptly named Antarctic Discovery: though a very brief discovery it was, a 14-day cruise with only about one day's time on Antarctic waters often at foggy weather. 8 out of 14 days were sea days, mostly rough, but to me, even the limited time at Antarctica was rewarding enough, with spectacular scenery unseen anywhere and it will linger in my memory for life.

We sailed from Buenos Aires on 13 January at 6pm and it was not until the fifth day that we set foot on land. Even on the Argentina coast from day one the sea could not be described as smooth. The first port of call was Ushuaia, the southernmost city on a Sunday and there was nothing to see. The four full days at sea passed well though, that is if you can take the sea. Passengers were allowed four dinners at specialty restaurant without supplement and I took full advantage of this. Both Silk Road (Japanese fusion cuisine by Nobu) and the Italian restaurant Prego were really good, the Italian Maitre d' particularly friendly. This voyage was not full, so that booking at the two restaurant was easier, and it allowed me to decide where to dine after studying the main dining room menu. 

Barely about a year ago I sailed on Crystal Serenity, and this time by the third meal in the main restaurant I noticed the marked change of cuisine style. The waiter confirmed that there was indeed a change of the Group Executive Chef.  Crystal offers two full menus to choose from, one traditional one modern. The new modern menu was very much molecular cuisine.  Excellent presentation of course and restaurant staff service was to Crystal's usual high standard. Together with the best high tea at sea: the Palm Court formal tea is almost a real ceremony everyday, and these made each day a culinary experience of some sort, even though personally I prefer the previous style of more traditional cooking.

On the third night I was told that my PH stateroom was infected with insert even though I did not see anything. I reluctantly agreed to move a few cabin away, and helped by my butler, stewardess and porters, the move takes no time and there was not even the need to pack and unpack.

For this inconvenience I was surprised that an additional credit of USD250 was added to my account. What happened was an indication of Crystal's meticulous attention to hygiene of a highest order, and I appreciate the generosity of the unexpected offer for compensation.  I believe most if not all other cruise lines would not do so as it was not really necessary.

We sailed at 9pm towards Drake Passage. The Captain had already announced that due to weather condition we would not be able to sail around Cape Horn next morning. He also warned that passengers should expect rough sea condition near midnight and should take safety caution. Indeed the sea was rough (Beaufort 9) by midnight. I can take any sea condition, and I believe passengers should have the correct expectation as one sails across Drake Passage.

Arrived in Antarctic waters about 8:30 am and the sea turned smooth. The incredibly beautiful and spectacular scenery sent everyone shivering on the deck in very strong wind and around zero degree temperature. We arrived Palmer Station about 1pm and the Palmer crew were on the ship to give a very enlightening presentation of their research work, then they answered questions.  The following day was supposedly another day of Antarctic scenic cruising but misty weather condition precluded any good sighting. We passed Elephant Island without view of the island, but there was a brief glimpse of sunset at Antarctica that was simply breath-taking.

Negotiating Drake again for another not very comfortable sea day, we arrived Port Stanley at Falklands. The best excursion was the visit to the penguin colony, and this turned out to be excellent as we get really close to penguins. Part of the drive was by 4x4, 4 in a car,  which accounts for the higher cost, but it is worthwhile.

After Falklands the South Atlantic was also rough. There was little interest as a destination for Puerto Madryn.  But after another sea day Montevideo was a good port of call, as of course the embarkation port Buenos Aires that I stayed three nights post-cruise.

If this cruise is not for the average cruiser and not really an expedition, it is nevertheless a trip for real travellers rather than for tourists. It takes a real traveller to take in so many rough sea days and three uninteresting ports of call to 'discover' Antarctica (and in my case I needed to fly more than 30 hours just to arrive for embarkation).  But what an experience to last a lifetime! A souvenir to take home was an Antarctica Certificate bearing my name signed by the Captain. I am not bored during sea days as I enjoyed the ship's food, the pamper, and not least the entertainment.  The evening with the singer Kristen Hertzenberg, a 'real' soprano, was one of the best shows I have seen at sea. If the time spent in Antarctic waters was too short, it was simply memorable.

Antractica Discovery

Just returned from a near-perfect cruise and journey in all aspects. This was our fifth cruise overall (Seabourn, Azamara, and Celebrity previously); and our second cruise with Crystal. Crystal knows how to do it right! Celebrating the holidays on a 6* ship plus experiencing Antarctica at the same time does not get any better. We were constantly amazed at how incredibly well Crystal provided for nearly 900 passengers + 500 crew, cuisine-wise, entertainment-wise, and service-wise. Exceptional quality and variety! We also like the demographics of fellow passengers: from all over the world and of all ages (we are 61 and 77 respectively). There were nearly 70 well-behaved children, ages
Itinerary: Buenos Aires to Valparaiso
Dec 20/21 - BA - we did on our own; we stayed at Caesar Park Hotel (excellent) and dined at NY Times recommended restaurant Tarquino's in Recoleta (seafood), a short walk from our hotel. Tarquino is for those who are not fans of beef or lamb. It is very stylish and non-traditional, if you are looking for the latest in dining adventures in BA!
We did a Milonga tour in the evening and city tour the next day, both very expertly provided by Cultura Cercana Tours, in addition to airport/port transfers. (Andres and Mirta expertly navigated us through the city maze to Milonga venue; Flavio was our awesome guide for the city tour).
Dec 21 - Embarkation in BA was flawless: well-signed, organized, and efficient, even though we had heard that BA embarkation facilities were not the best.
Dec 22 - Montevideo - we enjoyed our day here, again pre-arranged with Cultura Cercana; we knew that Sunday the shops were closed, but we knew the Sunday market was in full swing (colorful and very local). Crystal had cancelled their Jewish sites shore excursion here well ahead of time via their website due to closed venues), so we advised CC ahead of time we were interested in seeing some Jewish sites. We had a great time with our 22-yr old novice guide, Emiliano, protege of CC's Bruno; he loves history and his city so we really got the most out of it, including a great seafood lunch at the seaside. Later back on the ship, we found most folks had not enjoyed their experience here. With a little pre-planning and research, one can get the best out of any place!
Dec 23 - at sea - marvelous! Love the service and staff onboard! And the cuisine is divine!
Dec 24 Puerto Madryn - this was the only Crystal shore excursion we took, because we were a little worried about making it back in time for departure. We should not have worried. We did the Punta Tombo excursion. The destination and the amount of Magellanic penguins (mixed with guanacos!) you could walk amongst did not disappoint. The drive there and back (2.5 hrs each way) isn't pleasant any way you slice it, but unfortunately the guide on the bus did not have the best command of the English language, so she was very difficult to understand. Had we arranged a private tour through CC, we could have easily asked our guide to repeat and explain better in the more intimate setting of a small vehicle. Next time.... The town of PM is not anything to write home about, but is only a jump off point for the Valdez Peninsula, Punta Tombo and other Patagonia wildlife areas and Welsh towns. Other folks we talked to onboard enjoyed their excursions to Valdez Penn. to see the sea lions etc.
Back onboard, Crystal put on a beautiful Christmas Eve dinner. BTW - The decorations that Crystal had all over the ship were astounding and were all managed/maintained by 'Santa's Elves'. Very smart. And I don't think any cruise line tops the entertainment quality that Crystal does. Their in-house ensemble cast of singers/dancers/entertainers together with guest entertainers provide night-after-night quality and variety. Really impressive.
Dec 25 - Christmas at sea - wonderful with Santa handing out presents to the children; Crystal's signature Christmas brunch with ice sculptures and phenomenal variety of cuisine was a huge WOW.
Dec 26 - Boxing Day - Falkland Islands - this was a highlight for me (not so much for my husband); I love remote, expansive, unique places and interesting geology, fauna, and flora, so I was in heaven. We were lucky to be able to tender into this sometimes inaccessible place (40% of the time ships can not tender in due to weather/seas). We pre-arranged thru Nyree at Estancia Excursions a 4WD tour to Volunteer Point King Penguin colony. VERY bumpy ride to and from over non-existent roads, but amazing scenery, history, local commentary, and loads of King and Magellanic penguins. They should sell "I survived the ride to Volunteer Point" t-shirts! Do not miss this experience if you are waffling. Bring British Pounds with you to pay for the tour, as no ATMs in Stanley and only one bank. We were there on Boxing Day and also one of the days of the Stanley horse races, so again we knew some shops would be closed. But cruise business here is big, so some tour operators were working and a few tourist/handicraft shops and cafes were open. Cold and windy, but not rainy. Bring your warmest clothes!
Dec 27 - Drakes Passage southbound - relatively calm seas so we were very lucky
Dec 28 - arrived at Elephant Island at tip of Antarctic Peninsula; weather mixed but first glimpses of Antarctica were surreal; continued down to King George Island; amazing sunset tonight (11pm or so)
Dec 29 - sunny weather with gorgeous white clouds for perfect photos; King George Island to Esperanza Station and Hope Bay in Antarctic Sound; AMAZING humpback whales and Amelie penguins everywhere with lots of icebergs; photo ops were continual. Hate to go to sleep, as the scenery is epic 24hrs a day (although the sun technically sets btw 12midnight and 2am, it is always light).
Continued to Deception Island - again a gorgeous day with amazing Antarctic backdrop scenery; huge colony of chinstrap penguins at the deceptive Deception Island (so named because it looks like a round solid island from a distance, but is actually hollowed out with a narrow channel inside.)
Dec 30 - to Gerlache Strait and through the very narrow Neumeyer Channel to Anvers Island. Again, picture-perfect weather and amazing scenery. We were lucky to transect this channel, as it was too full of ice the week before. If we were successful in getting through, we would be the first ship of the season to do so. We made it and continued to the U.S. Palmer Station on Anvers Island where we were able to pick up two zodiac loads of researchers and scientists there. They gave a great presentation on board and Crystal thanked them with lunch onboard and boxes of fresh produce and other goodies to take with them. A class-act all the way.
At the end of the day we headed north into Drakes Passage once again. A bit heavier seas this time, but not bad.
Dec 31 - New Years Eve bash onboard - another out-of-the park Crystal celebration - great entertainment, dining, and NYE party. One of our best, land or sea!
Jan 1/2 - Ushuaia - 6pm arrival; clearing from some earlier rain; we disembarked to walk around this fun adventure-seekers town; beautiful backdrop mountain scenery. We were both down with minor sniffles and purposely did not pre-book any excursions here, as we knew the weather could be unkind. The next day, it was pretty overcast and drizzly and as others went off for 'scenic' shore excursions, we chose to take the morning off and then independently went through the wonderful Maritime and Prison museum, well worth a look.
Jan 3 - Punta Arenas - again we did not pre-book any excursions here, again due to iffy weather, and we still had our colds, so we walked the town for several hours, using our guide book and had a wonderful seafood (King crab!) lunch at Sotito's near the port/water. A good way to spend the day if you are not excursioning.
Jan 4 & 5 - at sea in the Chilean Fjords; cold, blustery and cloudy, but still amazing scenery with waterfalls and glaciers down to the sea. Many folks stayed inside behind salt-sprayed windows, but if you braved the outside decks you were rewarded with some interesting color and clouds for photos.
Jan 6 - Puerto Montt - we pre-arranged an excursion here with Cultura Cercana to Petrohue Falls, Osorno volcano, and Puerto Varas. Our guide was the very good Claudio, who with his wife, Ingrid (an English teacher), are the guides here for CC. Claudio was very informative and responsive and whisked us away from port ahead of the excursion coaches and smartly headed directly to Petrohue Falls first. This was a gorgeous site with glacier-green waters. We then headed to Osorno volcano, which was shrouded in low clouds. The drive up was interesting for me from a geologic and flora perspective (beautiful native flowers in bloom), but the whole point of going to the top of the volcano is for the view, which was non-existent. Claudio probably should have had us go back to Puerto Varas first to walk around and have lunch, then go up to the volcano as the day cleared, as it usually does. Still, all in all, it was a pleasant day and we are glad we did it privately.
Jan 7 - at sea along volcano alley; gorgeous weather as we progressed up the coast with one-after-another impressive volcano; again a photographer's dream with interesting cloud formations. And of course we enjoyed a final sun-drenched day by the pool to work on our tans!
Jan 8/9 - disembarktion Valparaiso + Santiago - Valparaiso is a big, non-user-friendly port, but Crystal bussed us from ship to terminal and our luggage was ready there and very organized for quick retrieval. We again arranged transfer and tours through Cultura Cercana. This is the only time CC has let us down, but they quickly redeemed themselves. Leonardo (CC has 3 Leo's there, one of whom is the boss) was our guide for Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, and the Casablanca wine valley en route to Santiago. This Leonardo's English was sub-par, he was a bit late to meet us, and his greeting sign was pretty bad, so we were not pleased. He was not organized in how he toured us through Valp. and it is important when you do this crumbling heritage city that you have a good introduction, otherwise you come away frustrated and disappointed. It was very difficult to get any information out of him, so we didn't.... We did have a good visit at the winery Casa des Bosques and had a great lunch (on our own) there. We continued to Santiago where Leo left us at our hotel (arranged on our own). We stayed at the boutique Le Reve in Providencia, which we like a lot - quiet street amongst some of the best restaurants and cafes and near other upscale areas, such as San Sebastien. We had dinner at the hotel's recommended seafood restaurant a few blocks walk away, Aqui esta Coco. Outstanding cuisine as well as decor. Highly recommend this.
I also contacted Cultura Cercana re our guide Leo, and they immediately remedied the situation by having the owner of their local office take us on a complimentary city tour the next day. Very smart and we had a great time, so we ended our trip on a high note.
All in all, a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime trip. Nothing but the best regards for Crystal. The only exception is that from here out they will be charging a supplement for more than one dining reservation at each of their fine dining venues, Silk Road and Prego. Perhaps they will reconsider after a year and resolve the special dining venue demand differently.
FYI - we used LAN Airlines, business class and were very impressed.
FYI - Our cabin (Deluxe with veranda Cat A) we knew was not on the large size, as cruise ships go, but because Crystal Symphony's public areas are so spacious and inviting, we do not feel cramped in our stateroom. I do recommend the balcony even in cold destinations, because access to fresh air and unobstructed views for photos is important. Also we purposely chose a starboard cabin for this departure which definitely did afford the best immediate views during our right-to-left journey from BA to Valparaiso.
AND one final important note - the onboard destination expert, Ed Larson, and the other enrichment lecturers, as well as our 'ice pilot' were all excellent additions to our experience. It would not have been half as interesting without their involvement!
 

Excellent South America and Antarctica experience

On December 30th my thoughts usually turn to plans for New Year's Eve. This date in 2009, however, found me leaning over the rail of Crystal Symphony's promenade deck, waving goodbye to Paul Queior and his colleagues from the US Palmer Research Station as they sped back to their icy home in Antarctica in their zodiac. It had been fascinating to talk to them earlier about their work (and play) in their remote workplace. I had learned, for instance, that every year the South Pole moves around 30o - that's how fast the glacier it's on is moving - so every year the geographical South Pole is measured, and repositioned, in a ceremony held on New Year's Eve. 
Unusually for me, I had been up, dressed and out on deck by 7.30, witnessing the breathtaking scenery as we passed through the Neumayer Channel, with great views on either side, followed by Port Loch Roy and Anvers Island. I was ready for the welcoming complimentary glass of gluwein when I returned inside, several hours later. That day we sailed to 65o South Latitude and experienced 22 hours of daylight. The previous day Captain Ralf Zander had navigated the Symphony along "Iceberg Alley" to Deception Island and the day before that we'd sailed past Elephant Island, and the marker that indicated the point where Ernest Shackleton's men were rescued to South Shetland Islands. Throughout the voyage the sun had shone and the seas remained calm; even "rounding the horn" had proved an anticlimax as the legendary huge waves had failed to materialise. 
The voyage through Antarctica had been the real draw of this cruise for me, but I knew that, with Crystal, I would witness the grandeur while being cocooned in the lap of luxury and not have to endure the rigours of zodiac landings, which suited me perfectly; my days of roughing it have passed. The cruise had commenced in Buenos Aires, so I took advantage of a pre-cruise trip to Iguazu Falls, which everybody had told me is a "must". I was not disappointed, although I did become the main course for the mosquito population. 
Back in Buenos Aires, I was able to take advantage of an Argentine Tango lesson + milonga, and invested in two new pairs of tango shoes - at half the UK price. Our first port of call was Montevideo, where I attended a performance of a play specially commissioned for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate. The next port was Puerto Madryn, where I took a bus out to the Eco Centre and looked around the pretty little town. After a day at sea we arrived at the Falkland Islands where I took a trip out to Volunteer Point to see the largest colony of King Penguins. They were a source of constant amusement and waddled right up to us; some hobbling along, encumbered with a large egg under their skirts. Our ex-Liverpudlian guide, Dave, had married a local girl and was living there during the war, so had many tales to tell. The mine-clearing programme is progressing slowly and there are still many no-go areas. It was very sad to see the war memorial in Stanley. 
The new year commenced with an overnight stay in Ushuaia, so were able to sample dinner in a typical local restaurant. The following day was spent in the National Park, followed by a chairlift to the Martial Glacier. I had nothing planned for Punta Arenas, so took the shuttle bus into the main square, Plaza des Armes. Suddenly I was surrounded by TV cameras and photographers. Had my fame swept so far south, I thought to myself? Eventually the crowd parted and I saw that it was not I who was the object of interest, but former President Eduardo Frei, who was seeking re-election as President after an absence of 10 years. He seemed to have quite a following, judging by the reaction of the crowd in the square, but, as I couldn't understand what the Christian Democrat Party were promising, I retreated to a local hotel. Much to my surprise, he turned up there shortly afterwards, followed by the media frenzy. I hastily returned to the ship and relaxed as we cruised the Chilean Fjords for the next two days. 
Puerto Montt was a delightful port. I took a full day tour, driving around Lake Llanquihue to the attractive Bavarian-style town of Frutillar, then on to Puerto Varas for a pit-stop. On to view some llamas, then a delicious lunch of locally caught wild salmon, washed down with several pisco sours (I had been acquiring a taste for this local brew over the last few days in Chile). After lunch I drove to some magnificent falls at Petrohue, on Lake Todos los Santos, and a sleepy drive back to the ship. One more lovely sea day and we arrived at our final destination, Valparaiso, where Santiago Airport beckoned. 
During this amazing cruise, I was lucky enough to attend lectures which enhanced the experience considerably. Crystal prides itself on engaging the very best speakers, and this is one of its strengths. The Destination Lecturer on this cruise was Professor David Drewry who had served as Director of the British Antarctic Survey and Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute and had led scientific expeditions in both the Arctic and Antarctic. He also proved to be a very amusing and entertaining tablemate; the first I've had who has a mountain and a glacier named after him. The Special Interest Lecturer was Rex Ziak - what he didn't know about James Cook wasn't worth knowing. Dr Bridget Buxton, deputy director of the Institute for Archaeological Oceanography told riveting tales of the numerous underwater sites she had excavated, unfazed by the fact that all her luggage had failed to turn up on the ship. As a contrast, we also heard stories from Tom DeFrank, an award-winning journalist who has covered the White House since the Nixon administration, and Herb Keyser, who related entertaining stories about the lives and music of geniuses of the American musical theatre. 
Add to this the extensive Crystal Creative Learning Institute, and there's no excuse to be bored on a Crystal cruise. I'm already looking forward to my next, with a Big Band theme....maybe I'll get a chance to practice my Argentine tango moves? 


Winter Wonderland

Wellington

Since there has not been a current review of the Symphony since her Fall of 2009 dry dock, I felt that an update was called for. My background includes over forty cruises in the past ten years, including a World Cruise on the Serenity in 2008. I had last sailed on Symphony in 2006. Since that time, Crystal has upgraded this ship significantly during two major dry docks, investing nearly $50M in improvements and renovations. The result is a new and improved vessel that belies her fifteen year age. Every cabin has been reworked with the appearance and amenities of a boutique hotel, featuring stylish new furnishings and modern baths with granite counters and glass vessel sinks. Most every public area has been updated, with special attention to the Lido and pool areas. The Lido is now more a sit-down eatery than buffet, with separate work stations for a wide variety of cuisine. No lines and no trays result in a more upscale look, similar to that of many brand new ships. Outside at the pool, the look is more resort than ship-like in appearance and function. New plastic wicker furnishings have replaced outdated webbed chairs and colorful cushions in orange and teal lend a very contemporary look. This is not your Father's cruise ship; Symphony looks as modern and chic as any ship at sea. 
During my World Cruise in 2008, Crystal announced a new Grand Americas Voyage doing a complete circumnavigation of South America and Antarctica, sailing from Miami roundtrip. As I enjoy longer sailings and hate to fly, this was an ideal itinerary and I signed up immediately. My two previous Symphony cruises had taken me up both coasts of South America, but I had yet to visit Antarctica, the Amazon or round the Horn. This trip was a 62 day journey visiting 25 ports of call, including such favorites of mine as Rio, Buenos Aires, Valparaiso and Lima. One could book the entire journey, or a segment or two, much like a mini World Cruise. The Miami to Manaus segment was popular due to promotional pricing. From Manaus to BA was lightly booked, with only 300 guests. The BA to Valparaiso sailing, a Holiday Cruise, was popular with families, despite the premium pricing. The final leg from Valparaiso to Miami was oversold, again due to aggressive pricing and the presence of two groups; Roberta's Bridge Group and Jazzdagin. Neither group caused any disruption of the usual Crystal pleasures, and, in fact, the Jazz music was well liked by most all of the passengers. Throughout the voyage, service never varied due to passenger load. As always, everything onboard was top notch. 
Living in Fort Lauderdale gives me easy access to the two largest passenger ports on earth. As of this year, FTL has taken over as number one with the arrival of Oasis, but even prior to that, Crystal was squeezed out to Miami by the large number of megaships home porting here. On November 22nd, my Partner drove me to the Port of Miami for embarkation. This was a breeze, taking less than twenty minutes, after which he came on as my guest for lunch and then assisted me in unpacking and settling into my cabin. Sailing solo, I had booked an E Category cabin, #7035, on the Promenade Deck. At 200 square feet, there was plenty of room for me and all my belongings for this two month journey. My Stewardess, Marija, came by promptly to introduce herself and learn about my dining arrangements and special requests. By 2PM all was attended to in the cabin and we took a tour about the ship. While the layout was familiar, every aspect of Symphony looked fresh and new, other than the Main Dining Room and Theater. This is my favorite size of ship, being large enough to have all of the big-ship amenities, but small enough to be intimate and easy to get around. The dEcor is, at once, classic with lots of wood and polished brass, as well as modern and up to date due to loving care and the recent renovations. 
Dining on either Crystal ship is always something that I look forward to. I am an early riser and head up to the Lido for freshly squeezed juice and coffee around 6AM before heading to the Computer Lab to check E-mails and write my popular reports that I send back home. If you are interested in more details of my trip, you can find them posted on the Boards under 9227C Grand Americas: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1087761 . There, I posted over ten pages covering food, dining, service, hospitality and ports of call during our journey. Suffice to say, the Crystal Experience onboard the Symphony was excellent, as always. Breakfast and lunch in the Lido have achieved new heights with more freshly cooked choices and unmatched service from the Lidoboys. Dinners in the MDR are always special with a wide variety of offerings and menus that seldom repeated, even over a sixty two day cruise. Prego, Silk Road and the Sushi Bar are as outstanding as always, giving a pleasant break from the traditional continental fare served elsewhere. What really sets Crystal apart from any other cruise line is consistency. Meal after meal, crewmember after crewmember, and the desire to fulfill your every wish with outstanding service make Crystal the World's Best. We were particularly fortunate to have Captain Ralf Zander in command as we navigated Antarctica. To summarize briefly, this was an amazing journey on a wonderful ship with the finest crew and officers one could possibly hope for. The ship absolutely sparkles and the service is beyond compare. The itinerary was ideal, other than our stop in Manaus, and we were blessed with perfect weather. Our trip up the Amazon was marred by low river levels; the rainy season had not yet started and the air was foul with acrid smoke from the ongoing slashing and burning of the rainforest. Manaus itself is worth a visit, but not for the three days and two nights we spent there. Our time in Rio was a teasingly short day visit. Buenos Aires remains one of the World's great cities, but has become more commercial and homogenous than my previous visit there. Antarctica was everything and more than I had hoped. If you have never been, put it high on your list! We were amazed by the scenery, the thousands of icebergs and, of course, the Penguins. Rounding the Horn and transiting the Drake Passage were surprisingly calm, more resembling a lake than the treacherous place it is known as. The Chilean Fjords were not as spectacular as I expected, but the rest of our ports were impressive and much improved since my last visits to South America. All said, this was another trip of a lifetime for me and a journey well worth taking. Antarctica was the definitive highlight, surpassing any experience of my World Cruise. 


Grand Americas - All Around S. America and Antarctica

Filters

1-9 of 9 Crystal Antarctica Cruise Reviews

Find a cruise