My first time on a cruise ship was when I was five. I only remember bits and pieces of the trip, but I do recall clearly the immense feeling of awe as my family and I pulled into Port Klang, our port of departure in Malaysia, and the ship came looming into sight. Five-year-old me must have thought it was the largest thing I had ever seen!

It took 30 years before I got to experience another cruise ship – Crystal Symphony, one of two luxury vessels operated by Crystal Cruises.

Those familiar with luxury cruising will know the brand, which was founded in 1988 by a Japanese company. In fact, Crystal Symphony is the cruise’s oldest vessel, which started sailing in 1995. However, this age does not show, as it was refurbished in 2025 by the cruise line’s new owner, luxury travel operators Abercrombie & Kent.

At 238 metres in length, Crystal Symphony is considered a mid-sized liner. It can carry over 600 passengers with a crew of 530; an almost 1:1 ratio. There are 310 guest cabins in various categories, including suites that are suitable for couples and families, and smaller rooms for solo travellers.

Popular routes include the Carribean and the Bahamas, the Americas, and Europe, with itineraries paired with ground trips by A&K. Short cruises can last just three days, while longer, more immersive voyages, months.

My trip on the Cyrstal Symphony was part of a longer itinerary from Mumbai, India to Cape Town, Africa, spanning 44 days. While I was only onboard for three, it was enough to get a taste of the experiences this luxury vessel has to offer.

DEPARTURE AND CHECK-IN

We departed from the Port of Mumbai, where there were dedicated lanes set up to help Crystal Symphony guests onboard. There was a hiccup through customs as there was a typo on my visa, but I was ultimately able to board (last!)

Once onboard, guest passports are collected and secured by cruise reception; this helps them expedite clearance processes when you go for onshore excursions. I was given an electronic keycard for my suite, with my name printed on it. My luggage was also sent to my room, having been tagged at the port of departure.

ROOMS AND ACOMMODATION

I stayed in a Sapphire Ocean View Suite, which was decked out in calming shades of blues, greys, and creams. At around 40 sqm, it has a living room complete with sofa and TV, dining area with minibar, a walk-in closet, rain shower, and a plush queen bed in the bedroom, also with TV. Guests can enjoy a bottle of welcome champagne upon arrival, which sets the mood for the rest of your stay.

The bed was uber comfy; the comforters and bedsheets were soft and silky to the touch, and the mattress was medium firm (prefer this compared to overly soft beds). Meanwhile, the bathroom sports marble countertops and premium amenities – the rain shower area might even be larger than what you find in some homes.

I often picture cruise rooms as small and cramped, but this has plenty of space and would suit a couple travelling with a young child. As mentioned, A&K refurbished all the rooms and suites onboard when they bought over Crystal Cruises, so everything looks new, but it retains that elegant, classic touch that the cruise is known for.

Each suite also features butler service, plus other bells and whistles, from complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, soft drinks, and afternoon canapes, to laundry services. Some suite categories even come with their own washing machines and kitchenette areas.

PUBLIC AMENITIES

The heart of the ship is the Atrium, a vast, double-storied space where you will find the concierge and the shopping arcade selling designer bags, jewellery, watches, clothing, and other branded goods.

Was told that this is one of the areas where the original design is mostly retained. It has that vintage, grand 90s aesthetic to it – from the waterfall feature to the grand, sweeping staircases – which is nostalgic as it takes me back to my first time on a cruise ship. For a spot of chilling, Crystal Cove lounge offers a space for light bites and drinks.

Book lovers rejoice, as Symphony has a small but well stocked library, located at the Atrium. Borrow a book to read in the comforts of your suite, or hang around and sink into a cosy couch with views of the sea behind you. [I managed to finish a Stephen King and Richard Chizmar novella called Gwendy’s Button Box.] Most of the books are fiction, but there are a few non-fiction titles as well.

WELLNESS

The whole point of being on a cruise is to rest and relax, which is why Crystal Symphony comes equipped with a slew of wellness-centred amenities as well. These include an open-air pool on the top deck, a spa, a fitness centre, golf driving centre, and even pickle and paddleball courts.

I (unfortunately) had not packed for swimming, so I wasn’t able to utilise the Seahorse Pool. The pool is just the right size for a couple of laps, and there are plenty of loungers for you to lay out on to catch some rays.

Another space I did not utilise (out of choice) was the gym, which includes a weight room and Aerobics Studio. The fitness centre has both cardio and weight machines, and the floor to ceiling windows provide panoramic views of the sea and sky. Yoga, mat pilates, and spinning classes are also available.

The Aurora Spa is extremely popular with the ladies and was almost fully booked throughout my stay. I was only able to snag a slot for a manicure / pedicure as all other packages had been taken. It was a pampering session nonetheless, as the mani-pedi was done in the main salon area with a gorgeous view of the ocean. If you’re able to book an appointment early, there are various treatments to indulge in, from aromatherapy and aqua meditation, to exfoliation, reflexology, and Swedish massage. Alternatively, make use of the sauna and steam room facilities.

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment options aplenty onboard, with exciting programmes scheduled almost every other day, from singing and dancing to Bingo and quiz nights.

I was able to catch a cabaret performance at Galaxy Lounge, which hosts Broadway-like productions and headline entertainers. The Hollywood Theatre shows recently released movies, while the Jade Night Club is where you can go for drinks, dancing, and a spot of late-night karaoke. For a quieter, more intimate evening, Avenue Saloon is the ship’s signature piano bar, perfect for a cocktail to wind down after dinner.

Also peeped into the Le Casino de Monte-Carlo, which offers a range of slots plus table games.

DINING

One of the best things about being on a cruise is the food, which is usually quality and offers a lot of variety. Crystal Symphony has nine dining experiences to choose from, including three speciality restaurants by some of the biggest names in the culinary world.

UMI UMA

Specialising in Nikkei cuisine (a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian ingredients and influences), Umi Uma by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa (of the Nobu chain of restaurants) is the only Nobu at sea. Open for dinner by reservation only, which can be done 180 days in advance, guests receive one complimentary visit to the restaurant as part of their stay below 11 days (more if you’re booked for longer).

The restaurant’s interior is elegant yet cosy, with a sushi bar where you can watch the chefs in action slicing fresh cuts of sashimi. Our group sampled an assortment of Nobu specials, sushi and sashimi as well as entrees.

Everything was excellent, but some notable highlights included the Nobu-style Black Cod, featuring black cod marinated in Saikyo miso with baby peach and young ginger, which is one of Nobu’s signature dishes. The sashimi was expertly cut and fresh, and I also really enjoyed the Tuna Tataki with Cilantro Sauce, where the tuna is quickly seared, leaving the centre raw, and then drizzled with a tangy, piquant dressing which opens up the appetite for the mains.

BEEF BAR

As someone who likes meat, Beef Bar by Ricardo Giraudi was easily my favourite restaurant onboard. First conceived in Monaco, the brand currently has close to 40 locations worldwide, and is served on planes and high-end cruises, Crystal Symphony included (they’re also onboard the Crystal Serenity, Symphony’s sister ship).

Quality is a cornerstone at Beefbar as Giraudi, an experienced food consultant and businessman, hails from a family that runs one of the leading companies in meat import and export in Europe. Expect a modern menu that revolves around Beef, Reef, and Leaf (meat, seafood, and vegetables). The beef takes the form of classic steaks, stuffed into tacos and bao buns, or served as prosciutto or as tartare.

Beef Bar boasts a more casual and fun vibe – the plates they serve the food on are adorable, as they feature cute icons tied to the restaurant’s location. For Crystal Cruises, they bear nautical themes like seahorses and ship’s wheels. (PS: You can actually buy them online! – albeit at a hefty price tag)

My favourite of the night was the Angus rib eye steak, done medium rare. A lot of steakhouses claim to cook steaks well but the doneness is always either over or under – happy to say that Beefbar did my steak exactly as requested. Although the portion was generous, it did not feel too heavy. The seasoning was light, which allowed the natural flavours of the meat to shine through.

Beefbar aboard the Crystal Symphony is open for lunch and dinner, with reservations required for the latter.

OSTERIA D’OVIDIO

Last but definitely not least of Symphony’s speciality restaurants is Osteria d’Ovidio, named after A&K’s owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio. Helmed by the Alajmo brothers, comprising three-Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano and celebrated restauratuer Raffaele, Osteria presents traditional Italian cuisine elevated with modern touches.

Expect starters like baccala (steamed cod with potato foam, rosemary, and trout roe) and melanzala (eggplant confit, smoked tomato sauce, Mozzarella di Bufala), paving the way to heartier mains of pasta, risotto, and dishes like Petto d’ Anatra (duck breast, red wine sauce, cashew nuts, beetroot).

It was hard to pick just one dish as the clear winner as everything was executed to high standards – but I did enjoy my main of Costoletta ala Milanese (veal loin) which was very tender with a crisp batter, served with lime mayonnaise and saffron citronette for some acidity.

A lovely end to the meal was Strawberry, Balsamic, Mascarpone, with the balsamic balancing out the sweetness of the strawberry confit and the creaminess of the mascarpone.

Osteria d’Ovidio is open for dinner and by reservations only.

MARKETPLACE

Breakfast most mornings found me at Marketplace, which serves buffet-style breakfast and lunch. I love how airy and bright the space feels, even indoors, and the buffet line is not dissimilar to a five-star hotel on land. If weather permits, you can dine al fresco on the deck and enjoy the sea breeze.

Tucked on the same floor is Trident Grill, the American-style grill dishing out burgers, chili con carne, sandwiches and melts, and breakfast classics like omelettes and pancakes.

Just next to it is Scoops Gelato, which serves authentic Italian gelato in more than 20 signature flavours. Sounds like every dessert lovers dream – free flow of slow-churned gelato and sorbet, all day.

I might have eaten five throughout my stay. Or ten. Or 20. Maybe.

Other dining experiences I wasn’t able to try (a girl can only eat as much in three days) include Waterside (essentially like the Marketplace, but located near the Atrium) and The Bistro, a cafe serving teas, coffees, and light and savoury snacks.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I would like to think of this as my ‘first’ proper cruise experience (since I was too young to remember my initial cruise trip) – and I’m glad it was with Crystal Symphony.

Personally, the food was a real highlight: the speciality restaurants all offered superb fine dining fare, and the all-day dining spots were quality as well. Rooms are plush and comfortable, amenities like the fitness centre are outfitted well, there is plenty of entertainment for those who enjoy socialising, and for more introverted personalities such as yours truly, I really enjoyed being able to borrow and read books at the library, explore the ship and the shops, and just chill at the cafe and eateries.

That being said, Crystal Cruises’ primary demographic is a more mature, affluent crowd – aside from the crew, I think I was one of the youngest guests onboard. If you’re looking for a lively, vibrant sort of atmosphere, Symphony might not be the right fit – but for luxury R&R, coupled with tailored itineraries for their onshore excursions, it stands to say that Crystal offers a top notch luxury cruise experience.

Bookings can be done at https://www.crystalcruises.com/.

*The author’s stay on Crystal Symphony was part of a media trip organised by Abercrombie & Kent. All views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not constitute an endorsement or criticism of any business, establishment, product, or service mentioned. Every experience is personal and may not reflect the views of others.

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