Celestyal Crystal Review
Couldn't fault this cruise - great value for money
Rating by category
Additional details
I couldn’t fault this cruise line and I have cruised on Viking, RC, NCL and Celebrity lines in the past.
Reading other reviews I was expecting the ship to be worn and tired and found this not to be the case.
Whilst it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the larger ships, being a smaller ship made it a much more personal trip and very good value for money. It was spotlessly clean, with excellent food in variety, freshness, presentation, and taste. The staff were fantastic with exceptional service and good to see them enjoying themselves and their work. The evening shows were spectacular – considering it’s a small stage the choreography was brilliant to utilise the space.
Cabin Review
A cabin with a balcony is a junior suite on this ship which means you get priority check in, and a special dining service for breakfast and lunch which included self serve buffet with waiter service and chefs specials. And no queuing at the omelette station. Only 1 USB and plug socket so take an adapter. Small but adequate shower room with beautiful shower gel and body lotion, shower caps, tissues and hand soap. Towelling robe also provided. Plenty of space for hanging and 8 drawers. Room under bed to store suitcase. Hairdryer and safe both did the job
Port Reviews
Athens (Piraeus)
Stayed at the Acropolis View Hotel - great location and excellent for price. Great roof top. Watch out for pick pockets and items being lifted from tables eg phones. Metro is very clean and easy to use. Get your ticket from the machine before joining the queue to enter the Acropolis. Had excellent meal at Strofi - well recommended.
Crete (Heraklion)
– follow the yellow line on the pavement to walk from the port to the town – Watch out for dog mess. Hop on off bus available from port.
Kusadasi
if you have a currency card make a Turkish Lira account – items cheaper if paying in TL than Euros but they do accept Euros. Ships excursion which is included in the price was fantastic.
Milos
Nothing really to see where you dock other than boats. I joined a group for a private boat tour of the island with food on board which was lovely but the ships own tour did much more and was cheaper - in retrospect the ships tour was the better option
Mykonos
beautiful but busy town. Nearby beaches were dirty with lots of rubbish. Drinks and food expensive. Approx 20 euros a drink. We walked to the town from the port approx. 25 mins but should have taken the complimentary bus – no pavements on most of the road.
Rhodes
the old town is beautiful. Lots of small tavernas. Reasonable food and drink prices. Hop on off bus and Le Petit Train available from the old town. Map available from the information booth at the port.
Santorini
overrated – long queues for the funicular so got a boat to go round to Oia. 30 Euros per person which included a bus from the port of Oia up to the town and then a return bus at 8pm from Oia to Thira. Taxi from Oia to Thira was 50 euros. Meal was lovely that we had at Dimitris Ammoundi Taverna but expensive at 130 Euros per person for 2 courses and drinks. You are better off waiting on the ship till the line is quieter at the funicular and doing the public bus then returning to the ship to watch the sunset and eat in my opinion.
Thessaloniki
easy to walk along the promenade to the parks, tower and statues. Hope on off bus available. Map available from the port office