We sailed aboard the Crystal Symphony, the cruise line rated #1 for 20 years in a row — to see if it really is the World’s Best Luxury cruise? Indeed the Best ‘Ultra Luxury’ Cruise
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
Avenue Saloon
Galaxy Lounge
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 – Ultra Luxury Cruising
01:12 – Introduction to Crystal Cruises
02:53 – We Cruised 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
————————————————-
For our sailing the following were aboard the Crystal Symphony:
Master: Captain Nenad Willheim
Cruise Director: Shane Morley
Hotel Director: Herbert Jager
Vocalist: Anna Alonso
Violinist: Inga Marcel
Pianist: Gordon Porth
Pianist: Dan Davies
Comedian: Mark Palmer
Duo Esencias
Elton John Tribute : Rocketman CJ Marvin
Contact us, and FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Email : ritzytravelguide@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/ritzytravelguide/
Drone Credit:
Grande Roue de Montreal
ABOUT ME:
Hi, my name is Bill. The aim of this channel is to give interesting, and helpful insights into travel. We do not sell vacations. The information provided in this video, and all other videos on our channel, is for general entertainment purposes only. While I strive to offer helpful travel tips and advice, I am not a professional, and the content should not be considered as professional or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional, travel, or legal advisor before making decisions related to travel, legal matters, or any specific circumstances. I am not responsible for any actions or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided in this video. Please contact your travel agent, hotel, representative, or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
21 Comments
Also I know it was my first Crystal cruise. But nothing will ever beat the Crystal Harmony.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Ritzy. We’re giving your video a solid 9 out of 10 — deducting just one point because watching it made us seriously consider selling our house to fund a world cruise. (Our financial advisor is still recovering). In all sincerity, despite being hosted by Crystal Cruises aboard the elegant Symphony, your review was refreshingly balanced, insightful, and delightfully candid. The constructive critiques were especially appreciated — it’s rare to find such honesty wrapped in such charm. Eagerly awaiting Part 2 — our passports are already twitching in anticipation!
Crystal did not shut down because of pandemic problems affecting it. It’s parent company, which was a large shipping conglomerate it failed.
Royal Caribbean International carried the most passengers among individual cruise lines in 2024, with an estimated 9.5 million travelers. Crystal Cruises carried an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 passengers in 2024. 9.4 million people disagree with the premise of what is the best cruise line
Which itinerary on crystal cruises was rated the best?
Nice little peek into what Crystal Cruises has to offer, thanks for the tour Bill and Co. ! <3
I wasn't going to say anything again. But 2 things you mentioned were on the old Crystal. A bar was pool side. They were next to areas that had ice cream and a grill. It seems meat market took that area away. Also a trio played at the pool area most afternoons until around 3
Great Video! As Usual! 😊
Why is it that when I watch your videos you always throw a spanner in the works. I narrowed my 2027 cruise down to Explora or Azamara and now Ive got another line to ponder. Thanks to you I’ve booked an Aft Queens grill suite on Queen Anne next and can’t wait. So in your opinion as a solo traveler in his late 60’s but feels 30 which of the three would you recommend. Thanks Tony.
Really enjoyed your video, so wonderful to meet you and your lovely wife. Now I want to book another Crystal Cruise.❤
Crystal looks lovely, though I doubt I would ever choose the line. A quick look at their sailings reveals prices of about $600 per person, per night. Meanwhile I'd be almost as happy on Princess or Holland, which can be obtained for as little as $100 per person, per night. I'm likely not upscale enough to really appreciate the differences among those lines.
I won’t go on an expensive cruise ship where buffet lunch close at 1:30pm. No Way 👎
Love your videos Bill and family x
We’ve just come from 14 nights on EXPLORA II and looking to book another. Crystal seems to be very similar option. (Excluding the obvious kids on EXPLORA ll we would be going out of season so hopefully not a problem) I would love to hear how you compare them Bill as I know you enjoyed EXPLORA too.
Your wife dresses so beautifully, such a lovely sense of style 🙂 Lovely video, what a beautiful ship.
We’ve really enjoyed many of your vlogs — they’re always beautifully filmed, and I genuinely appreciate the honesty and transparency that this trip is paid for/supported by the cruise line. That openness is important and does you credit.
That said, I personally struggle to fully engage with sponsored or complimentary content. No matter how much freedom the creator is given, there’s inevitably an awareness — even subconsciously — that the experience wasn’t under the same conditions as a paying guest. It can make it harder to see the line between an honest review and a promotional one.
So while I’ll continue to watch and support your independent content, I’ll probably give the sponsored trips a miss in future.
What a great review!!! Thoroughly love what you do and how you do it. I also appreciate you were upfront that this was an invited cruise and I know you gave us your same straight up review.
I’m left thinking this is a cruise line that would suite me and wanting to take a trip!
Back in the 90s we traveled 4 times on Crystal. 2 on the Harmony and 2 on the Symphony. Nothing ever compared. Time went on… I lost my dear husband and really couldn’t afford the luxury anymore as a single passenger. Suddenly, Crystal disappeared.
Now! It’s back…. This would be a last hurrah for me. But, with single supplement, I can only dream
Bill, do any of the suites have a balcony?
Go Bill! So happy to see the Jade! I worry about this category of ships and customers they cater to rolling up the carpet at 9/10pm. That’s not me😁
Bill y’all are so awesome! We completely enjoyed your entire presentation😊 So glad you pointed out the opportunities for consideration or improvement because I believe it’s much better for folks if they know in advance what they are and are not getting versus being surprised during the cruise😉It is a bummer about the buffet hours but at least knowing we can plan accordingly until hopefully they change that up. Also very correct about lack of poolside bar but, I’m thinking maybe some of these decisions may have been made due to age demographic of majority of clientele they are catering to??? Were many people using/enjoying the pool deck? All very curious indeed😊Thank you so very much for what you do and, how you do it!
What a beautiful ship. First class like it used to be. I long for the smaller, more elegant ships. Hopefully, cruise lines will listen to countries that they don’t want these supersized behemoths littering their ports. It would be great if the US and the Caribbean would join the increasing European countries in their desire to reduce the amount of huge ships invading their ports.