Crystal Cruises
Contents
Crystal Cruises has a simple but all-encompassing goal: To provide its guests with the finest travel experience available in the luxury service business, not just the luxury cruise industry. This commitment is apparent in every aspect of the Crystal experience, where attention to detail and an availability of choices are unsurpassed in the world of travel. It is reflected in a feeling of spaciousness and the highest quality furnishings, including Riedel leaded crystal wine glasses, Wedgwood bone china tea service, Frette table linens, and Brown Jordan Mission teak deck furniture. Most importantly, it is reflected in the utmost care, attention, and warm hospitality.
The company's modern standard of luxury is often compared to the world's finest land-based hotels such as Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. First and foremost, however, luxury Crystal-style is neither stuffy nor intimidating. It represents the very best personal experience a cruise can deliver, from experienced captains, officers, and staff to crew and shoreside personnel who genuinely look forward to welcoming guests into the Crystal family.
The company offers worldwide cruises, from Alaska to the Mediterranean, and from Asia to the Caribbean, on two cruise ships: Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Both ships have one of the highest per-guest space ratios of any ships in their class; more than half of the rooms on each ship have private verandahs.
Crystal is wholly owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), the largest shipping company in the world. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm operates over 800 ships, has offices around the globe and is renowned for its fast, reliable and economical service to people around the world.
Any child under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21. In addition, if the adult accompanying the child is not a parent or legal guardian, the 'Parental Consent Guardianship Form' must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and received by Crystal Cruises prior to sailing.
Guests age 11 and under at the time of sailing must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older in the same stateroom. Parents can have two related children booked in the same stateroom provided one of them is at least 16 years of age. Infants 6-24 months of age who will be utilizing a crib may travel as a third berth in either a double or triple stateroom. Crystal Cruises also reserves the right to restrict the number of passengers less than three (3) years of age aboard the ship.
Crystal Cruises is unable to accommodate children less than six (6) months of age as the ship's medical facilities are not designed to provide services to very young children. On very limited itineraries where adequate medical facilities may be readily available, a waiver may be granted if approved by the medical advisor. A request for waiver needs to be accompanied by a letter from the baby's pediatrician stating that the child is healthy, uses no regular medication and is fit for travel. If approved, there is a Release of Liability that will then need to be signed and notarized.
Children occupying a double stateroom will be charged the adult rate regardless of age.
Throughout the day, Crystal guests wear a mix of active resort wear. Dining room attire is casual during the day; however, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups/robes and baseball hats are not appropriate. If you do not wish to change for a meal in the afternoon or evening, alfresco dining on deck is available.
For days in port, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes. Check with your travel agent for special items you might want to pack for your destination and the time of year you are traveling.
There are bathrobes and slippers in each stateroom for your use during the cruise. Other amenities include a clothes brush, shoe horn, hair dryer, soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, sewing kit and umbrella.
Dress Codes Defined
Each evening on a Crystal cruise has a specific dress code for dining areas that also applies to all public areas of the ship after 6 pm (except for alfresco dining on deck when available). If you choose to change your attire following the evening dinner and other festivities, please maintain a minimum style of dress in keeping with the dress code for Casual Evening Attire (described in detail below). Guests find that the occasional formal nights create a special atmosphere in contrast to the other more informal or casual nights on board.
The three codes of attire are formal, informal and casual. Typically, 10- to 14-day cruises have three formal nights. The number of informal nights is usually based on the number of days at sea, and casual nights are based on days in port or the time of departure. For your convenience, your cruise ticket lists the number of specific dress code evenings during your stay on board.
Formal Evening Attire
Formal attire is evening dresses and gowns of fashionable length for ladies, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for gentlemen. Jeans, shorts, casual slacks, sport shirts, and caps or baseball hats are not permitted in the dining room or Crystal's specialty restaurants after 6 pm.
Informal Evening Attire
Informal attire is appropriate for most evenings on board. For ladies, this is evening cocktail dresses or pantsuits. Gentlemen wear suits or sport coats and slacks; ties are optional. Jeans, shorts, sport shirts, and caps or baseball hats are not permitted in the dining room or Crystal's specialty restaurants after 6 pm.
Casual Evening Attire
On casual evenings, a more relaxed attire is accepted, such as casual dresses and pantsuits for ladies, and sport shirts and slacks for gentlemen. Ties and jackets are not required. Shorts and baseball caps are not permitted after 6pm. Casual daytime attire is not considered acceptable attire after 6 pm.
Consider enrolling in Crystal's specially designed Cruise Protection Program. Enjoy a wide range of travel insurance protection and assistance services demanded by discriminating travelers at very competitive rates.
The Cruise Protection Program not only provides reimbursement for penalties that may be assessed due to cancellations for covered reasons, but also provides medical expense reimbursement for accidents overseas when Medicare and many private insurance policies do not. And, if your claim is denied due to pre-existing medical conditions, Crystal Cruises exclusively offers its Cruise Protection Program participants a unique 'Rollover Provision' that allows you to transfer your cruise payment to a future cruise.
Highlights of the Program Benefits and Assistance Services Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
Coverage for non-refundable cancellation or interruption charges due to medical conditions of guests, their immediate family members or traveling companions. Insurance will pay benefits up to $50,000 for covered expenses.
Rollover Credit Feature
If your total trip cost and cancellation penalties exceed $50,000 per insured and you have a covered Trip Cancellation, you will be reimbursed $50,000 in cash, plus a future Crystal Cruises Rollover Credit equal to the amount by which the cancellation penalties imposed exceed the $50,000 per insured cash reimbursement.
If you do not have a covered Trip Cancellation due to a pre-existing medical condition, you will be reimbursed in the form of a future Crystal Cruises Rollover Credit equal to the amount of the cancellation penalties imposed.
In both cases mentioned above, the Rollover Credit will be valid for cruises commencing within twelve (12) months from the date of cancellation. This rollover is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
$1,000 Travel Delay
Reimburses for additional accommodations and
'catch-up' transportation expenses for covered
delays of more than 12 hours.
$3,000 Baggage
Protection/Personal Effects Protection
Provides reimbursement in the event of
covered loss, theft or damage during the entire
duration of your vacation. There is also a $1,000
Baggage Delay benefit which reimburses for the
purchase of personal items should your bags become
delayed for more than 24 hours.
$20,000 Medical Protection
Provides coverage for expenses incurred as a result
of an illness or injury that first occurs during
your cruise.
$50,000 Emergency Evacuation
This coverage applies to the reasonable cost of
transfer to the nearest medical facility qualified
to treat a covered emergency.
24-hour Worldwide Emergency Assistance
Services
Provides 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance,
including facilitation of cash transfers; pre-cruise
health, safety and weather information, travel
changes; lost luggage assistance; lost documents
assistance; medical consulting and monitoring;
legal, dental and medical referrals to overseas
doctors or hospitals; and emergency medical payment
assistance. These services are provided by AIG
Assist.
How To Enroll
For your convenience, the cost of the program, which is based on your total trip price, will be automatically included in the final balance due on Crystal Cruises invoice to your agent. Payment for this program cannot be accepted after final trip payment or commencement of the penalty period.To obtain the Crystal Cruise Protection Program, simply ask your travel agent to provide you with the Description of Coverage. The plan cost will be shown on your deposit receipt. Please ask your travel agent to confirm that your booking is correctly noted by Crystal Reservations Department. Should you decide to purchase the Cruise Protection Program, simply pay the plan cost with your final payment. The Trip Cancellation provisions take effect upon receipt of the Crystal Cruise Protection Program payment. All other provisions take effect upon departure.
If you have any questions, or would like an additional copy of the Description of Coverage, please call the program administrator, BerkelyCare, at 1-800-521-4591.
Important: This is only a brief description of the program. For complete details of the terms, conditions and exclusions, please refer to the Description of Coverage which you will receive with your travel documents. The policy provides limited benefits, health insurance only. It does NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance, as defined by the New York State Insurance Department. This insurance is underwritten by the National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, Policy No. 1257-9500185. This insurance is provided in excess of all other valid and collectible insurance or indemnity, and shall apply only after such other benefits have been paid. The Cruise Protection Program is available to U.S., Canadian and international residents.
This plan was designed and is administered by BerkelyCare.SM In California: BerkelyCareSM is a service mark of Aon Direct Insurance Administrators, CA Insurance License #0795465. In all other states: BerkelyCareSM is a division of Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. in all states other than California, except AIS Affinity Insurance Agency, Inc. in Minnesota and Oklahoma, and AIS Affinity Insurance Agency in New York. This plan is underwritten by: National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA; Executive Offices: New York, NY.
Because tipping is a personal matter, Crystal Cruises does not include gratuities in the cruise fares. Suggested guidelines for stateroom and dining service gratuities are as follows: stewardess, $5 per guest, per day (single travelers, $6 per day); senior waiter, $5 per guest, per day; waiter, $3 per guest, per day; butler (Penthouse decks), $4 per guest, per day.
Tips for the maitre d', headwaiter, assistant stewardess and night Room Service personnel are at your discretion. Gratuities may be prepaid or charged to your shipboard account.
For Crystal's specialty restaurants, Prego, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, Crystal suggests $7 per guest, per dinner. A 15 percent gratuity for all bar drinks and wines is added to your bar check automatically. We suggest a 15 percent gratuity for Crystal Spa and Salon services.
Penthouse accommodations (PH-CP)
- Deposit of 20% per guest
Staterooms (E-AA)
- Deposit of 10% per guest
World Cruise 2010 Voyages of 45 days or more
- Deposit of 20% per guest for all penthouses and staterooms
World Cruise 2010 Voyages of 44 days or less
- Deposit of 20% per guest for penthouse accommodations (PH-CP)
- Deposit of 10% per guest for staterooms (C-AA).
For all voyages, final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to sailing.
Staterooms are subject to cancellation if required deposits are not received within the specified option period. The balance of the cruise fare must be received by Crystal Cruises no later than 90 days before sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date. Reservations made within 90 days of sailing for World Cruise require full payment, due three days after reservation is made. Reservations made within 21 days of sailing for World Cruise require full payment, due one day after reservation is made.
A third person age 12 and over may travel in a triple occupancy stateroom (subject to space availability) at the minimum fare for that cruise. Children age 11 and under traveling as a third berth guest are charged 50% of the minimum fare for that cruise.
At Crystal Cruises, Crystal recognizes that some of Crystal guests smoke and others do not. Therefore, the living environment on Crystal ships is designed to satisfy everyone. Most areas of the ships are non-smoking. There are designated smoking and non-smoking tables in most bars and lounges (except The Bistro, inside the Lido Cafe, the Crystal Dining Room, Prego, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar restaurants, and the Galaxy Lounge, which are entirely smoke-free). Pipes and cigars are permitted only in the Connoisseur Club, and on the 'open decks,' except all areas of Lido Deck (deck 11 on Crystal Symphony, and deck 12 on Crystal Serenity). Pipes and cigars may not be smoked in guest Penthouses, staterooms, on verandahs or in corridors. Crystal Cruises kindly asks its guests to observe the non-smoking areas, which have been created for the comfort and enjoyment of everyone on board.
Please note: Smoking is no longer allowed in Starlite Club (aboard Crystal Symphony) OR on verandahs of all staterooms and suites aboard both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Smoking is permitted in select public areas, as designated above.
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