Sushi plate at Umi Uma. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)Crystal Relaunch Partnership with Sushi Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa on Revamped Cruise Ships
Sushi plate at Umi Uma. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)
(12:45 p.m. EDT) -- Within the world of luxury cruising, perhaps no cruise line had as much name recognition as Crystal. Anticipation for the brand's relaunch this month, after a 2022 bankruptcy and subsequent new ownership, has been riding high.
Both of the line's ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, are undergoing extensive revamps that include making the suites bigger. The Aurora Spa is coming back, completely redesigned. And, for sushi and fine dining lovers, Crystal has re-upped its partnership with sushi master Nobu Matsuhisa and will have the specialty restaurant Umi Uma back onboard.
Menu Items Include Famed Miso-Glazed Black Cod, Fresh Sushi and Sashimi
Miso-glazed black cod at Umi Uma on Crystal. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)Crystal unveiled Umi Uma menu items at a special lunch in at Matsuhisa's signature restaurant Nobu in New York this week. The event kicked off with specialty cocktails, such as lychee martinis and yuzu margaritas, that will be served at the onboard venue.
Fans of the old Umi Uma will be pleased that the sushi master's most famous cooked dish -- miso-glazed black cod with ginger and peaches -- is back and better than ever. The dish debuted at Nobu's restaurants back in 1994 and has become synonymous with the chef; it's served in all of them worldwide, a number that's projected to become 60 this year.
Sashimi at Umi Uma. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)
Other menu items include crispy rice squares, with spicy tuna and spicy avocado dipping sauces; sashimi salad with tuna tataki and Matshuisa dressing and what's known as "new style sashimi" with salmon and white fish.
And of course, there will be sushi. At the lunch, we were able to try tuna, salmon and yellowtail nigiri, as well as California rolls and a special "house" roll. Onboard, more options will be available, including fresh salmon rolls, asparagus rolls, soft shell crab rolls and even abalone, according to sample menus.
Even people who don't eat seafood can dine at Umi Uma and still be happy. The restaurant will serve Wagyu steak with special Nobu sauces, as well as grilled chicken breast and soba noodles.
Fruit dessert with lychee sorbet at Umi Uma. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust) Desserts included a whiskey cappuccino with espresso gelato and a warm chocolate fondant cake with sesame ice cream. But perhaps the star of the after-dinner menu was a lychee sorbet paired with a huge plate of fresh fruit.
One reservation at Umi Uma is complimentary for all passengers on Crystal cruises up to 11 days. They can purchase more reservations at $50 per person, based on availability.
Nobu Embraces the Crystal Cruise Partnership
Chef Nobu Matshuisa introducing Umi Uma menu. (Photo: Chris Gray Faust)Matsuhisa, who also has Nobu-branded hotels and clothing partnerships, in addition to his restaurants, was in Nobu's kitchen for the Crystal lunch and came out to say a few words about his decades-long relationship with the brand.
When his first restaurant Silk Road opened on the Crystal ships in 2008, it was the first sushi bar at sea, Matsuhisa said. Silk Road was rebranded to Umi Uma in 2018.
On the ships, "every year, come the same people, the same families, the same customers," Matsuhisa said. While other ships now have sushi bars, "Nobu sushi is the best on the ships."
The new owners of Crystal, Abercrombie & Kent, have a long history in luxury travel, offering luxury tours, safaris and private trips for more than 60 years. The executive chairman of A&K Travel Group, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, was the former head of Silversea Cruises, a luxury cruise line founded by his father.
Crystal Ships Start Sailing in July and September
Crystal Serenity (Photo: Crystal Cruises)
Crystal Serenity will be the first to return for the line, sailing July 31 from Marseilles. Crystal Symphony will follow, with its first cruise from Athens to Istanbul.
Cruise Critic will be onboard both ships before their debuts. Stay tuned for coverage.