Tuning Up Symphony for West Coast Debut

The 960-passenger Crystal Symphony from Los Angeles-based Crystal Cruises set out on its inaugural cruise from New York May 4 after being christened by actress Angela Lansbury, and is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles May 29 at the conclusion of its grand maiden voyage.

The Symphony more than fulfills the promise of luxury cruising that began with the Crystal Harmony five years ago. Built in Finland at a cost of $250 million, the ship outshines its older sister in space, sophistication and style with a generous use of natural woods, mirrors, brass, glove leather and the line’s signature “crystal” piano.

On the West Coast, the Crystal Symphony will make one seven-day Mexican Riviera sailing round trip from Los Angeles May 31 before repositioning to San Francisco for a series of 12-day round-trip Alaska sailings from June 8 to Aug. 7. The Mexican Riviera cruise is priced from $2,498 to $8,690 per person, double occupancy; the Alaska sailings range from $4,527 to $15,770 per person, double occupancy.

The new ship is slightly larger than the Harmony, about 50,000 gross register tons compared to the Harmony’s 49,400, offering more width (two feet) even though it’s 10 feet shorter in length. The Crystal Symphony also has a slightly higher guest-to-crew ratio, with one crew member for every 1.8 passengers.

The vessel has all outside cabins with picture windows or sliding glass doors to private verandas. More than half the passenger accommodations--278 cabins and suites--have verandas.

Crystal has also taken its popular alternative restaurants to new dimensions, enlarging them and moving them from a top deck down to the primary public area. The Italian restaurant Prego is especially pretty, with the look of a Venetian restaurant with its red-and-white-striped pillars and high-backed blue armchairs tied with red cord and tassels. Jade Garden has a full Chinese menu, from minced squab in lettuce leaves to spicy tangerine beef and eggplant with garlic. Passengers make reservations to dine in these restaurants at no charge (except for a tip for service).

The food, in fact, is quite good throughout the ship, except for those dishes too ambitious for a dining room that serves as many as 500 at a time. A promised seared fresh ahi tuna steak one night was tough and too well done, more baked then seared, and another evening’s broiled fillet of fresh Atlantic salmon was overpowered by a thick, sweet, smoked onion and red wine sauce.

Each evening’s choices also include a lighter fare menu and a vegetarian menu, as well as some nonfat and sugar-free desserts. The wine list is extensive with some fine, albeit pricey, vintages.

The most lavish quarters aboard are the two Crystal penthouse suites, each measuring 982 square feet, with a large sitting room, dining area, private veranda, wet bar, Jacuzzi tub with ocean view, a master bedroom with king-size bed, walk-in closets and a guest bath.

Eighteen penthouse suites with verandas (491 square feet) and 44 penthouses with verandas (367 square feet) are also spacious and nicely furnished.

The most common cabin category on board is the deluxe stateroom with private veranda; 214 of these measuring 246 square feet contain a king-size bed, love seat, chair, built-in desk/dresser with plenty of storage space, a safe, mini-refrigerator, TV/VCR, plus a large closet with built-in shoe and tie racks and marble bathroom with tub/shower combination, double sinks and two hair dryers. These are priced at the mid-range level, and cost $461 a day per person, double occupancy, in Alaska.

Less expensive are the 202 cabins without verandas, most averaging $408 a day, and some cabins with restricted views due to hanging lifeboats, which cost $377 a day. Air fare is extra.

Also outstanding: two swimming pools, one a long lap pool; a 3,000-square-foot Crystal Spa and Salon operated by Steiners; a 3,000-square-foot shopping arcade; a library/business center with computers and fax machine; a deck hamburger bar and ice cream bar open much of the day; the elegant Palm Court at teatime; the Bistro Wine Bar; the Starlite Club nightclub, and the Avenue Saloon.

Following the summer in Alaska, the Crystal Symphony will cross the Pacific to visit Japan, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The line’s first around-the-world cruise, sailing from Los Angeles Jan. 17, will also be aboard the Symphony, with five segments ranging from 15 to 23 days.

To get a free color brochure, see a travel agent or call Crystal Cruises at (310) 785-9300.