If you have been reading our newsletters we have mentioned several times that Crystal is offering a limited selection of 7 night cruises in 2005 and 2006 (check our web site for dates). As some of you might be aware of Crystal's fleet of three ships, soon to become two ships, have only offered 10 night and longer cruises in the past and thus over looked by most of us in the incentive industry. If you are looking for a new 5 star option for groups or charters of around a thousand passengers you need to read this.

The Crystal Symphony and Serenity will be the two remaining ships in Crystal's fleet entering 2006. Both of these ship should be considered 5 stars, however, they are not because they do not offer a single seating dining. While this is a no, no in the FIT world it's a big plus for incentive groups. In many cases the other 5 Star ships will not allow you to have assigned group seating in the main dining, not the case with Crystal.

The Crystal Symphony is an elegant ship that revolves around a two story main entrance atrium located mid ship. Off of this atrium area you will find most public rooms on the ship making it relatively easy to locate your group at any time. The main dining room has three different areas making it easy for groups to have a sense of private space in the 500 seat room. The dining experience in this room is right up there with the other 5 smaller star ships. Food, presentation, selection and service are all excellent.

For dinner the Symphony offers a total of 4 distinctly different venues. The main dining room as mentioned above, the 72 seat Prego Italian restaurant, the Jade Garden has 78 seats with an innovative Asian menu by Wolfgang Puck and the indoor/outdoor Trident Grill is an informal dining option in the evenings. Refreshing these rooms can be taken over by your group. Last but not least is the totally over the top private dining room for a dozen or so guests where the chef creates a totally custom menu for his guest of the evening paired with right wines and lavish service. Rightfully so this room carries a $1,500.00 up charge for the entire room but the other venues are at no additional charge. The crew of 545 really shine at all meal times.

The Lido Café and Gardens is a buffet style restaurant open for lunch and dinner with excellent selections for all meals and very attentive service. The Bistro is a side walk café of sorts located around the atrium. Besides offering all of the expected coffee selections, at no charge, there is a buffet station offering an ever changing selection of food based on the time day. To round off the food service is 24 hr room service that allows you to order off of any restaurant menu during normal meal times.

It must be Crystal's home office location of LA that allows them to produce some of the best shows at sea. Each show that I saw was really great and a must see. The shows are original, fresh, with great singers, dancers and fantastic staging and costumes. No lip sync or canned music on Crystal ships. The Avenue, is a dark wood comfortable piano bar that goes late into the evening an very popular before and after dinners. The Starlite lounge also features living entertainment in the early evening hours and late night Disco.

The Palm Court is a 240 seat lounge that is on top of the ship with Panoramic views. This room is really under used during a normal cruise and is ideal for private receptions and meetings. The Hollywood Theatre plays recent hit movies daily but is also available for more formal meetings and presentations can seat 134. Of course you must have a casino on a cruise ship and Crystal offers an exclusive arrangement with Caesars Palace to create the Caesars Palace at Sea casino. Las Vegan odds and your Caesars line of credit are honored here.

During the day Crystal offers several life style classes. The most popular is the Computer University@Sea. The hands on classes offer a variety of subjects and are complimentary. The Crystal Cruises Creative Learning Institute offers a variety of interactive classes and workshops from Arts & Entertainment to Food & Wine. Crystal Cruise passengers are just as active as your participants. There are lectures in the theatre covering very diverse subject presented by professionals in their fields.

The expanded Oriental themed spa offers a generous number of treatment rooms with a very customized spa menu. The gym offers all of the latest and newest equipment and of course has panoramic ocean views.

The Crystal ships offer all outside accommodations. There are 5 basic categories on the ship and most with balconies. The standard deluxe stateroom is 202 sq ft and as with all accommodations has bath, shower, twin sinks, TV/VCR, twice daily housekeeping, nightly turndown, complimentary soft drinks and waters in mini bar, Frette bath robes, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and towels, Scandinavian down dovets, in state-room internet access and Aveda bath products.

Deluxe staterooms with balconies are 246 sq ft and have enough room to enjoy breakfast on your balcony in comfort. Penthouse with Verandas are 367 sq ft and have butler service as well as complimentary champagne, wines and liquor on embarkation. The Penthouse suites are 491 sq ft and offer all of the above plus separate shower and Jacuzzi bath. The Crystal Penthouse with Veranda is 982 sq ft offers a spacious living and dining area, guest bath, private bedroom and huge master bath with Jacuzzi with an ocean view.

The Crystal experience is truly 5 Star. Staffed by a truly professional crew who anticipate your every request and serve with style and courtesy. The ships are very group friendly as the Symphony offers many venues for private functions including dining. Do not be surprised if most guests are repeat passengers. If you charter or book a group on Crystal odds are you will be one too.