Crystal Symphony visit

Visited Crystal Symphony today in NYC.

Very clean ship, one of the cleanest I've been aboard. Very upscale
furnishings. Attentive and timely service in the dining room for the
luncheon. Quality food. Quality stemware and silverware.

Lots of lounges of various sizes, good amount of deck space with teak
decking, library full of books and extremely well stocked. Largest
staterooms that were plushly furnished. Lovely ambiance in Prego dining
room (alternative, but not casual alternative).

Yes, it does stand out but it a quiet way over premium ships. Service
style is Celebrity like but seems more refined. International staff,
Steiner's, shops have most of the stuff as most cruise ships, didn't see
any evidence of pushing drinks in souvenier glasses and I don't think it
happens, ship probably has very high passenger space ratio.

I'd sail it. I like the size, I like the intimate lounges and how they
are laid out and how they have individual conversation and gathering
areas, I like the 2-deck atrium, I like the feel of the service and how
the music in lounges was at a low level (and it was Sinatra, Billy
Holiday, that sort of stuff). It seems to have what my wife and I are
looking for in a cruise. It's sort of Celebrity without the mass market
compromises. As a ship in some ways it resembles NCL ship interiors, but
stepped up quite a bit.

And, the ship entered service in 1995. And, in some ways it is a bit
dated. But it probably has less wear than some 2 year old ships.

Ben S.