Crystal Symphony & 12 Million Dollar Refurbishment

Jason · March 11, 2004

Press Release Source: Crystal Cruises

Brand New Feng Shui-Designed Spa, Vintage Room, and Expanded Computer University@Sea Highlight Major Construction Projects

LOS ANGELES, March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Cruises is investing $12 million in the award-winning Crystal Symphony with a completely new Feng Shui-designed spa and fitness center, an expanded Computer University@Sea, and a brand new Vintage Room highlighting the major construction projects slated for the luxury cruise ship's scheduled drydock this April. Other areas to undergo complete refurbishment include The Crystal Dining Room, The Library, Photo Shop, public restrooms and all penthouse and penthouse suite accommodations, as well as staterooms and soft goods.

The refurbishment marks Crystal Cruises' most extensive interior drydock to date. More than 750 shipyard workers, contractors and designers from all over the world, supported by more than 400 of Crystal's international shipboard crew, will be working on the 150+ individual projects. Crystal Symphony's 21-day drydock begins April 12 and will be completed in Lisbon, Portugal at Lisnave shipyard.

"As Crystal continues to earn the highest awards and accolades from noted travel experts and a very discerning clientele, we remain committed to exceeding our own standards of excellence. This significant financial investment demonstrates our commitment, as well as our parent company's support, to ensuring that the Crystal fleet maintains its international reputation as the finest afloat," says Gregg L. Michel, president, Crystal Cruises. Crystal Cruises is owned by NYK, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the successful Japanese shipping company that operates more than 800 ships.

Crystal Symphony's renowned status continues to shine with its 2004 Conde Nast Traveler "World's Best Mid-Sized Ship" award. For this refurbishment and to further enhance Crystal Symphony's casually elegant ambience, the Six-Star rated line secured the finest luxury fabrics and stylish accouterments from prestigious design houses, including furniture from Andrew Martin, Cabas and Battaglia, fabrics from Pierre Frey and Rubelli, lighting from Porto Romana and carpets from Brintons.

Crystal Spa & Salon and Fitness Center

A completely reconstructed and enlarged Crystal Spa & Salon with sweeping ocean views completes the luxury line's fleetwide spa expansion initiative. Following the design principles of Feng Shui, the ancient practice of balance and harmony, the new facility will feature eight new treatment rooms (expanded from six), a new relaxation area, a private canopied teak sundeck, a new state-of-the-art steam shower and sauna area. Other highlights include custom-designed manicure/pedicure areas with sunken foot bowls, ideal for the "Sole Delight Foot Ritual" with warmed aromatherapy oils and massage prior to a full pedicure. A luxurious new dry float bed suite, appropriate for singles or couples, will contain a sensory bed to create a feeling of weightlessness, ideal for "Aroma Spa" and other treatments.

The enlarged Fitness Center redefines existing space and will boast a separate room for the line's complimentary yoga, Pilates, aerobic and personal training instruction, and an expanded gym with state-of-the-art fitness equipment featuring cardio theater TV, LifeFitness treadmills, cross trainers, recumbent and upright life cycles and stepper, all with heart rate sensors.

The reconstruction will increase the spa and fitness facility to almost 6,000 square feet.

The Vintage Room

A classic boardroom with access to Crystal Symphony's extensive wine cellar, The Vintage Room debuted to rave reviews aboard the new Crystal Serenity and will be recreated aboard Crystal Symphony in a totally new constructed space at the heart of the ship's main entertainment area on deck 6. Designed for the line's exclusive Wine & Champagne Maker's Dinners, The Vintage Room will accommodate intimate groups of 12 in a luxuriously inviting enclave of deep green colors and rich polished woods.

Computer University@Sea

Since its debut in 1997, Crystal's innovative Computer University@Sea has expanded yearly to offer 24-hour email capability and in-stateroom internet access, but it is the complimentary computer instruction and popular classes that have garnered the most demand and praise from guests. To accommodate a dedicated 25-seat classroom adjacent to a separate area reserved for e-mail and web surfing, the facility aboard Crystal Symphony will be expanded to 1,087 square feet, nearly double its present size. A marble entry will welcome guests into a room of rich, warm woods and soft green colors housing comfortable executive chairs.

The Crystal Dining Room

Fostering an ambience of warmth and intimacy, The Crystal Dining Room will be handsomely redesigned with rich dark paneling offsetting a bronze and peach color palette. The completely new decor includes new carpeting, chairs, lighting, window treatments and a new acoustically-designed, elegant ceiling.

Suites, Penthouses & Staterooms

In keeping with Crystal's established position as a leader in luxury travel, each year the line excels in the innovative design and enhancement of its ships, and every penthouse and stateroom aboard Crystal Symphony will be updated with new decor during the spring drydock.

The completely refurbished Penthouse (category PH) and Penthouse Suite (category PS) accommodations will be redecorated with new carpeting, window treatments, custom lamps, bedspreads and new hydraulic tables for in-room dining. Italian-made fabrics in blues, peaches and lavenders, and Yamaha CD players and DVD televisions complete the refurbishment. Deluxe staterooms will feature new bedspreads, carpeting and televisions with DVD and CD capability.

The Library

To accommodate the Computer University@Sea expansion, The Library and its more than 1,400 titles will relocate to a brand new facility in Crystal Symphony's spectacular atrium amidship. The extensive collection of VHS tapes has been replenished with DVDs, with all books and movies offered complimentary. A door with brushed bronze finish opens to an inviting room of warm woods, stylish lights and Andrew Martin leather chairs.

Photo Gallery and Public Restrooms

A brand new Photo Gallery will find a new home on deck 6, featuring new decor and an easy-access location. Throughout Crystal Symphony, public restrooms will be redone with new stone flooring and granite countertops.

Following the successful refurbishment of Crystal Harmony in November 2002, Crystal has again selected prestigious design firms with proven experience to oversee Crystal Symphony's renovation. The Syntax Group, celebrated for spa projects including Thailand's Chiva-Som resort, the One Health Club & Spa in Edinburgh, and Hampshire's Forest Mere, will supervise the Crystal Spa & Salon expansion.

London-based SMC Design, an affiliate of the Tillberg Design group renowned for its 40 years of expertise in the cruise and marine industry, will manage the refurbishment of the Computer University@Sea, The Library, and all suites, penthouses and staterooms, while London-based Clixby Associates will supervise the design and construction of The Vintage Room.

Following the drydock, Crystal Symphony will make two Mediterranean cruises followed by a summer season of cruising the Baltic, North Cape and British Isles.

At 50,000-tons and carrying only 940 guests, Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising the world. Its unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated floating resort is home to grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, the only Caesars Palace at Sea Casino afloat, and the innovative Creative Learning Institute offering progressive curriculums in the arts, finance, wellness, lifestyle and food and wine. The ship features expansive decks, two pools, gourmet dining, including Japanese and Italian specialty restaurants, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.