Crystal Cruises: An Air Of Elegance, Presence Of Beauty, Spirit Of Adventure, And A Feeling Of Tranquility!Written by William Lezubski
On a Crystal cruise it is not difficult to find what you seek. In fact, your search for a place beyond ordinary is over. “Splendidly Uncommon”! Ablaze with intoxicating color and high style, Crystal Cruises' Harmony, Symphony and Serenity are ships of superlatives that capture aura of extravagant parties, big, snazzy cars and high tea in Palm Court while Porter, Gershwin, Mozart and Bach float on air.The Experience: Six-star elegance and style personified! Accommodations include ocean-view staterooms and suites, which many are with private verandahs (Crystal Harmony offers a small number of inside staterooms as well). Full 360-degree teak promenade deck, In-stateroom Internet access, and Butler Service in categories (PH, PS and CP). Choice of classic, main, or late seating in Crystal Dining Room. Several alternatives to dining venues, 24-hour room service, and wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles (200 vintages and a special Reserve Wine List). Nights are full of life! Award-winning production shows and a host of other evening performances await where spotlight shines on Tony® award-winners, Julliard grads, Broadway and West End performers as well as Crystal Ensemble of singers and Dancers. Showrooms were custom-designed to offer perfect views from each seat and offer superior sound and lighting systems. Costumes are hand made and staging is skillfully crafted to bring every vibrant moment to life. Each cruise also has a variety of cabaret-style entertainment including vocalists, comedians, ventriloquists, instrumentalists and classical artists (you may find yourself serenaded with classical melodies during afternoon tea or whispering special requests to trio which strolls through Crystal Dining Room in evening). The Crystal Spa is first at sea to use principles of Feng Shui. Your journey begins with cultural therapies from around world all enjoyed amid beautiful Asian artifacts in a restoring, peaceful atmosphere. Crystal Cruises excels with there quite remarkable Creative Learning Institute and Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program. You can enjoy classes and workshops in fields of Arts & Entertainment, Business & Technology, Lifestyle, Wellness, Wine & Food, attend courses as diverse as successful grand-parenting and menu planning, experience lectures on latest advances in medicine and alternative medicine; take piano classes from Yamaha or language lessons with Berlitz. There's a Computer University at sea, fitness centre, golf driving ranges and putting greens (PGA golf instructors are on select sailing's), large lap pools, full size paddle tennis courts, and escorted and private Crystal Adventures (shore excursions). All Crystal Cruises ships feature Caesars Palace at Sea® Casino, which is run by world famous Las Vegas operation (the expert on board staff is employed by Caesars Palace). The facility houses blackjack tables, as well as mini-baccarat, craps, roulette and more than 85 slot machines. Accommodations: It is in your private quarters where Crystal has lavished special attention. All essentials and an abundance of extravagances turn every accommodation style into a decidedly personal retreat. Soft lighting, Aveda bath products and 100% Egyptian cotton bath towels in your marble bathroom. Scandinavian down duvets, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and feather and down king-size pillows on your bed. Ship to shore phones and personal voice mail. In every stateroom a plush Frette bathrobe awaits a cool evening or barefoot breakfast on your private verandah. Penthouse accommodation delivers highest level of comfort and can range from 360 to 1345 square feet dependent upon ship you select. Some are equipped with personal gyms, quite a number offer a separate living room, dining area and bedroom, master bath with a jacuzzi, complimentary beverage bars, flat-screen TV's, CD players, and DVD players. All, of course, have private verandahs with services of a butler. Planning to entertain a few friends at a small party? He'll arrange it beautifully. Prefer appetizers, entrées, or desserts from a variety of select specialty restaurants? He'll bring them to you, along with movie you want from library. Dining: The restaurants on board Crystal Cruises' ships are indeed worth mentioning. All ships offer: two seatings in main restaurant (Crystal Dining Room), where international and regionally inspired dishes are prepared in time-honored European tradition, and are unveiled (including "Lighter Fare" choices such as low carb, low sodium, low cholesterol and vegetarian). All ships have an excellent selection of alternative dining venues. Prego, for example, which features traditional Italian specialties plus signature fare of Piero Selvaggio of Valentino Restaurant fame (Valentino is considered by culinary critics to be best Italian Restaurant outside of Italy)is on all ships. Crystal Harmony's Kyoto features inventive Japanese cuisine, while on Crystal Symphony, Jade Garden is a culinary crossroads of Asia with menus inspired by exotic traditions and ingredients of Orient and specialty dishes from Wolfgang Puck's famed Chinois restaurant. On Crystal Serenity, eclectic cuisine of Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa(right, that Nobu) is highlighted in two restaurants, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar. In Crystal Symphony's and Crystal Serenity's Vintage Room, custom meals are paired with wine selections such as limited bottling of California's Harlan Estate and Screaming Eagle, dream vintages of great Bordeaux or masterpieces from fleetwide Reserve Wine List which reveals 20 rare wines. Consider a Crystal Wine & Food Festival sailing where guest chefs supervise preparation of a special five-course dinner to be matched with wine pairings selected by a participating wine expert. Each chef presents cooking techniques, offers tips and shares their favorite recipes at special demonstrations.
| | Silversea Cruises! Committed To Elegance, Luxury, And Gracious HospitalityWritten by William Lezubski
Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is “Ultra Plus” in elite cruise domain. Their promise is to always go above and beyond. Their passion is to exceed your expectations. Their reward is achieving excellence in your eyes. “Faultless”!Silversea offers flexible "Personalized Voyages" where guests choose length of their voyage and ports of embarkation and disembarkation. Prices are based on a simple daily rate. For as little as US$100 per person, guests on all ships may embark earlier than standard 3PM and disembark as late as 5PM. Atmosphere: Genuinely hospitable, and sociable with emphasis on excellence. Each and every special touch is introduced with such style and finesse you'll quickly feel like a preferred member of world's most intimate country club. A ceremonious white gloves greeting and flute of chilled champagne welcomes you. Available in your suite is Bvlgari toiletries and plush robes. Placed on your pillow, Godiva chocolates. Service: Silversea's mission is to deliver guest comfort and benefits at a level unparalleled in hospitality industry. Which is why crew to guest ratio is (1.34:1). Expect to be treated with loving care with your space and privacy respected (there is no ship photographer to insist upon a pose). Dining staff is handpicked from very best hotels and restaurants. Gratuities are not required. Accommodations: All accommodation is in ocean-view suites (80% with private teak (verandas). Beautifully appointed with a rare degree of finesse and refinement, every suite features a marbled bath with a full-size tub (double sinks on Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper). There are seven different types of suites ranging in size from 240 square feet (Vista Suite) up to 1400 square feet (Grand Suites). All suites include Bvlgari soaps and lotions, continuously restocked cocktail cabinets, direct dial phones, TV/VCR, personalized stationery, private safe, refrigerator, sitting area with desk, terry cloth robes, walk-in closet. Larger suites have living areas, and some offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms with jacuzzis, and even two or three verandas. The sky is limit! For families and friends, there is opportunity to travel in separate suites yet share a semi-private deck area. The emphasis on excellence is shown to impressive effect in sumptuous furnishings and fine appointments in majestic suites like no other. Spacious, classic sanctuaries, over 80% have teak verandas. Selection ranges from 240 square foot Vista Suite through to pinnacle of good living -the Royal, Grand and Owner's Suites. The latter three suite styles were designed for those whose standards for luxury are higher than most. Guests enjoy such perquisites as afternoon canapés, valet service, complimentary laundry, and dinner at Officer's Table (on Silver Shadow® and Silver Whisper®, a plasma TV and Bang & Olufsen sound system join two other TV/VCR combinations). Fresh flowers and a bottle of prestigious, award-winning Philipponnat champagne await all suite arrivals. Dining: Accompanied by an extensive selection of fine wines certain to amuse palate of most discriminating connoisseur, dining is a wondrously engaging affair with an open seating policy where guests dine with companions of their choice at time they prefer. In intimate Le Champagne (Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper) and Saletta (Silver Cloud and Silver Wind) guests will relish an incomparable gastronomic experience under culinary eye of Joachim Koerper, chef-owner of Spain's Relais & Chateaux - Relais Gourmands Michelin Two-Star Restaurant Girasol. Oenophiles and gourmands might wish to arrange a private dinner in Saletta or Le Champagne where a personalized menu is crafted by Silversea's Executive Chef and Head Sommelier (an additional charge will apply). Entertainment: In The Bar, music is live and dance floor beckons as it does in The Panorama Lounge where favorite songs of yesterday and today invite you onto spacious floor (select voyages feature gentlemen dance hosts). The Show Lounge presents a full spectrum of colorful shows, and stylish casino, alive with energy, is reminiscent of Riviera. On Silver Whisper and Silver Shadow "fine art of smoke" can be practiced in The Humidor where finest cigars and cognacs may be enjoyed (created by Davidoff it has a dedicated ventilation system). The elegant, refined Champagne Room is perfect venue for a glass of bubbly. On many itineraries a complimentary shoreside excursion is featured for your interest - "The Silversea Experience."
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