Crystal Symphony – the pinnacle of high-class cruising

Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony is fresh from a renovation, and is the pinnacle of high-class cruising, writes Teresa Ooi. Alas, there is no David. Instead there is Raja, a bright-eyed butler from Madras. Resplendent in his evening attire, Raja immediately makes me feel welcome as he shows me to Seabreeze Penthouse 9099, which is to be my … Read more

Top Korcula Island Cruises: Travel Guide & Best Things to Do

The beautiful historic Croatian town of Korcula

According to legend, the tiny Croatian island of Korcula was founded by the Trojan hero Antenor, a councillor to King Priam of Troy who ruled during the events of the Trojan War. This picturesque island, which was once completely overrun with thick, rugged pine forests, has been inhabited by waves of different settlements – from … Read more

The intrepid cruiser: George Negus

kirsty-and-george-in-venice

“I was in Mother Teresa’s house where people went because they had nowhere to die. She had this gigantic tent full of hundreds and hundreds of camp stretchers full of the dying…not only did people not have homes for living, but they had nowhere to die. “India is now well and truly more than a … Read more

Are these the most opulent suites at sea?

The Regent Suite on Seven Seas Splendor

As more Australians are jumping aboard luxury ships, Teresa Ooi takes a look at what money CAN buy. They are bigger, smarter and ever more indulgent. Lines are vying for the luxury dollar with suites that are more extravagant than ever before. So if you have some spare cash and want to book the best … Read more

How to get luxe at low prices

Crystal Serenity

Australia’s love of luxury lines has meant the upcoming cruise season is about to see more competition than ever before. And while lines which sport white-gloved butlers and free-flowing champagne would like you to believe money is no object, it certainly is – for passengers, at least. Suddenly the rise of choice means passengers can … Read more

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Seven Seas Mariner emerges from multi-million-dollar drydock

Ultra-luxe cruise line Regent Seven Seas has just completed its multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Seven Seas Mariner.

The stunning ship has just completed a 20-day drydock in Marseille and has emerged with new dining options, elegant and opulent suites as well as completely new guest spaces.

The newly updated steakhouse on Seven Seas Mariner®, Prime 7, has new interiors and fixtures which give the dining area modern and sleek appeal.

The flagship restaurant Compass Rose offers its guests personal customisation and choice, as well as a stunning new look with grand crystal chandeliers, rich wooden accents and celestial blue furnishings.

Replacing Signatures is Chartreuse, already a guest favourite aboard Seven Seas Explorer® and Seven Seas Voyager®.

The restaurant boasts new furnishings, china, flooring and décor, along with a completely new menu that highlights modern French cuisine.

Seven Seas Mariner’s pool deck also received a redesign, with a new open layout and teak flooring throughout. The centrepiece is a new mosaic-tiled pool, featuring a broad ledge for lounging in shallow water and surrounded by plush, white daybeds.

Guests can enjoy expanded lunch selections at the outdoor Pool Grill, including steaks, chops, salmon, chicken and sausage, all prepared to order from new infrared barbeque grills.

Inside, all public spaces received new carpeting, world-class art, furniture and décor, creating a new look throughout the ship.

The Reception area, featuring new marble desks and original gold leaf accented artwork by Atlanta-based artist Tom Swanston. The grand spiral staircase in the atrium is crowned by a new large-scale blown glass art installation designed by Canadian studio Tsunami Glass.

The completely remodelled and relocated library has dark-wood bookshelves with plenty of books to choose from and with doors that can provide a quiet retreat, guests will enjoy relaxing and enriching their minds in the new library.

The previous library space makes way for expanded seating at Coffee Connection and the internet café is now conveniently located at the back of Coffee Connection where guests can make use of the free unlimited internet access.

Outside on deck 6, there is all new teak decking and new sun loungers where guests can soak up the ocean breeze at sunrise or sunset.

The ship’s Canyon Ranch® Spa was also redesigned, featuring pebble-stone tiles and light-wood accents in the treatment rooms. The adjoining fitness and aerobics centre has new state-of-the-art machines and equipment.

Regent has also redesigned all guest suites. The elegantly appointed retreats feature new Elite Slumber™ Beds framed by plush, padded leather headboards, sitting areas furnished with comfortable sofas, accent tables and new artwork, as well as private balconies where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal blue sea and passing landscape.

All suites feature walk-in closets and oversised, marble-accented bathrooms with L’Occitane® amenities. Plus, guests of Penthouse Suites enjoy additional in-suite bath amenities by Guerlain, and Distinctive Suite guests also receive Bottega Veneta.

With her renovations complete, Seven Seas Mariner is repositioning to the Pacific Northwest to take travellers on 15 seven, 10- and 11-night immersive, Alaska itineraries, which alternate departures from Vancouver and Seward.

 

Seabourn Ovation is one step closer to her April launch

Seabourn Ovation is one step closer to her April launch

The new Seabourn Ovation is a step closer to launching with the cruise line confirming their latest vessel has just completed her first round of sea trials. She’ll debut in April 2018 and will have multiple dining venues, bars and lounges. “We’re now weeks away from delivery, and I’m very pleased with the progress and … Read more

Crystal Symphony turns on the sparkle

Crystal Symphony turns on the sparkle

The luxury sector has never been move competitive, with new contenders and pretenders everywhere.

Crystal Cruises once held centre stage, winning awards for more than two decades.

Now, the line is fighting back.The Crystal Symphony has emerged from an expansive multi-million dollar make-over looking chic and contemporary as she sails on her 114-day world cruise from Capetown to Fort Lauderdale. She is now currently cruising in French Polynesia, where Cruise Passenger joined her for an inspection.

The ship has introduced a new open seating concept in her revamped main dining restaurant called the Waterside. Instead of the formal two seating arrangement where dinner is promptly served at 6pm and 8.30pm, now guests can simply walk in without any reservations.

There’s a new Silk Kitchen and bar restaurant on deck 11 serving dim sum and other Asian favourites including Hainanese chicken rice. For lovers of Brazilian food, there is the new Churrascaria, a stylish casual eatery for tapas, ceviche and grilled meats.

Celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant has been renamed Umi Uma serving fine Japanese cuisine and has retained its popular, seven-seater, Sushi Bar.

A total of 40 new Seabreeze penthouse suites have been added on deck 9. Restyled in a soothing palette of beige, white and silver, the suites are elegant and spacious. The Seabreeze penthouse suites with verandah at 367 sq ft has a comfortable sofa with geometric  designed pillows in white and dusky pink.  Bigger penthouse suites at 491 sq ft have a separate lounge room, two flat-screen televisions and a built-in washer-dryer.

The drinks cabinet in light wood has subtle touches of gold. There is a Julius Meinl coffee machine with similar branded cups and saucers.  The white and grey marble bathroom has double washbasins, a shower room big enough to fit two people and the water pressure from the Hansgrohe shower is heavenly. There are ample supplies of Etro bath products and fluffy Egyptian cotton towels.

All penthouse suites come with their own butler.

Crystal Symphony has also upped its internet offering giving passengers unlimited complimentary WiFi connectivity on any Crystal voyage. All public areas feature high-definition, interactive flat-panel televisions.

And the Starlite Club, the hub for evening dancing and cocktails has also been refitted.

Sister ship, Crystal Serenity is due for a major facelift later this year.

Plans for the new Dream Cruises 5,000 passenger ship to head Down Under

Plans for the new Dream Cruises 5,000 passenger ship to head Down Under

Asia’s first luxury cruise line, Dream Cruises has started construction of its first Global Class cruise ship in Germany. The ship, which will accommodate up to 5,000 passengers, will be the largest in the Dream Cruises fleet. The ship will offer some unique features including a Cineplex, theme park, Asian spa, multiple authentic Asian dining … Read more