I Paid A Fortune to Cruise On “New” Crystal Cruises. Was It Worth It?

Editorial Summary

The creator evaluates the relaunch of Crystal Cruises following its acquisition by Aponia in Kent, specifically testing the Crystal Symphony on an eleven night voyage from Tokyo to Manila. After paying approximately $177,000 for the experience, the reviewer examines whether the renovated ship meets the standards of the ultra luxury category. The assessment covers several key areas including ship layout, dining quality, enrichment programs, and service levels. The creator highlights the spaciousness resulting from reduced passenger capacity and praises the exceptional food quality, particularly the Japanese Peruvian Umi Uma restaurant and the daily afternoon tea. While the reviewer notes some drawbacks, such as dated entertainment themes and smaller entry level cabins compared to competitors, the service is described as a standout feature due to the high percentage of returning crew members. Ultimately, the creator concludes that the experience was highly positive, noting that the depth of enrichment and personalized service made the cruise worthwhile, leading to a subsequent booking on the Crystal Serenity.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.