Why has this Cruise Line been rated #1 for 20 straight years? In this video, we review the legendary Crystal Cruises (Crystal Symphony) to see if they are still the world's best luxury cruise line after their 2025 relaunch by Abercrombie & Kent
We wanted to find out if it really is the World’s Best Luxury cruise. Indeed the Best 'Ultra Luxury' Cruise.
In this full review of the Crystal Symphony, we go top-to-bottom to see if the "new" Crystal is still the king of luxury cruising in 2025. From the only Nobu restaurant at sea (Umi Uma) to the massive new Sapphire Suites, we're giving you an in-depth look at whether this classic ship is worth your time and money.
In this Episode:
The Legend: Why Crystal dominated the Travel + Leisure awards for two decades.
The Rebirth: How A&K modernized this 25-year-old classic ship for a new era.
The Dining: We test Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar, and why the Main Dining Room is a rare win.
The Space: Why "older" ships actually feel more luxurious than modern 7,000-passenger mega-ships. In this full review, we explore what makes Crystal Cruises consistently top-rated: luxurious suites, fine dining, bars and lounges, entertainment, enrichment programs, and that legendary attentive service. From the ship’s elegant atmosphere to refined yet relaxed style, we cover everything that defines the Crystal experience.
Join Ritzy Travel Guide for our full journey aboard Crystal Symphony in 2025. Including immersive shore excursions, onboard activities, and the attention to detail that keeps Crystal Cruises at the top of the ultra-luxury cruise world.
Onboard, we experienced everything from gourmet specialty restaurants and elegant bars to world-class entertainment, enrichment programs, and luxurious staterooms. Whether you’re planning your first luxury cruise or comparing top-rated lines, this video offers a complete look at what makes Crystal Cruises a leader in ultra-luxury ocean cruises.
Whether you’re considering Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity, or comparing other luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Oceania, or Azamara, this video gives a first-hand look at the full ultra-luxury cruise experience — suites, restaurants, bars, entertainment, enrichment, and service — plus how Crystal’s style compares to other five-star brands.
If you love luxury travel, luxury cruise reviews, or want a detailed Crystal Cruises experience, this video is your ultimate guide to sailing aboard the world’s top-rated cruise line in 2025.
We show you:
Waterside Restaurant Main Dining Room Specialty Dining The White Night Umi Uma by Nobu Beef Bar Osteria d'Ovidio Palm Court Observation Bar The Bistro Coffee Trident Grill Marketplace Buffet Room Service Cabins Sapphire Suite Connoisseur Club Crystal Cove Jade Nightclub Starlite Club Le Casino De Monte-Carlo
Disclosure: Our cruise on Crystal Symphony was hosted by Crystal Cruises. While we were invited on this trip, Crystal Cruises had no prior viewing, approval, editorial control, or input in this video. All opinions, commentary, and decisions presented here are entirely our own. At Ritzy Travel Guide we remain committed to proving fair and balanced reviews.
We thank Six Star Cruises for arranging the sailing.
In this video :
00:00 - Introduction to the World's Most Awarded Cruise Line 01:12 - The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Crystal Cruises 02:53 - Why We are Trying Crystal Symphony 04:00 - Embarkation. The Look & Feel 05:37 - All Inclusive - what's Included 07:22 - The Bars & Lounges 07:35 - Starlite Club 09:00 - Coinnoisseur Club 09:47 - Palm Court Observation Lounge 11:09 - Dining Options 12:02 - Waterside Main Dining Room 14:48 - Specialty Dining 15:23 - Umi Uma by Nobu 16:28 - Osteria d'Ovidio Italian 18:20 - Beef Bar Monaco 20:31 - Our Cabin - Sapphire Suite 23:37 - Ritzy Travel Guide on Social media 24:09 - Galaxy Lounge Theater 25:42 - Crystal Nightclub 26:16 - The White Night 27:32 - Afternoon Tea 28:51 - The Buffet 30:02 - The Bistro Coffee House 30:54 - The Swimming Pool & Decks 32:09 - The Monte Carlo Casino 32:33 - Hollywood Theatre Cinema 32:52 - The Library 33:20 - Our Verdict 33:55 - What We Liked 36:08 - Excursions & Tours are Not Included 36:28 - What needs Improving 38:46 - Do We Recommend Crystal? 39:36 - The Cruise Diary ------------------------------------------------- SHIPS FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO: This video features a comprehensive review of the Crystal Symphony and mentions the Crystal Serenity. We compare the boutique luxury experience to mass-market lines like Royal Caribbean and MSC to show you the difference in service and space.
For our sailing the following were aboard the Crystal Symphony: Master: Captain Nenad Willheim Cruise Director: Shane Morley Hotel Director: Herbert Jager Elton John Tribute : Rocketman CJ Marvin
