Crystal Alaska Cruises
Crystal Cruises is known for its impeccable service, over-the-top entertainment, thoughtful itineraries and world-class dining. Traveling to Alaska on a Crystal Cruise combines all of these amenities with the trip of a lifetime, seeing animals and environmental wonders up close in all their natural beauty. Whether you're going on a family vacation, celebrating an anniversary, or just traveling solo, Alaska is an exciting (and stunning) place to visit, and a Crystal Cruise is a wonderful way to get there.
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Crystal Cruises Ships
| Ship Name | Star Rating | Year Built | Gross Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Serenity |  |
2003 | 68,000 |
| Crystal Symphony | |
1995 | 51,044 |
2 Crystal Cruises Ships
Crystal Alaska Cruises Overview
Crystal Cruises has been sailing since 1988 after being founded by NYK Lines of Japan, the largest shipping company in the world. Since then, they have built a reputation of providing luxurious, value-driven experiences to travelers worldwide. Crystal has been awarded World's Best and Readers' Choice Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler many times over, and prides itself on an ever-expanding definition of the "Crystal Difference." Take part in the Crystal Experience on a Crystal Cruise to Alaska, where you can visit cities like Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau on 7- to 32-day itineraries.
Crystal Cruise Ships in Alaska
The Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail to Alaska regularly, and also happen to rank as the top two best ships in the world according to Conde Nast Traveler readers - lucky you! The two ships carry 1,070 and 922 guests, respectively, and boast some of the highest space-to-guest ratios at sea. Besides hundreds of beautiful staterooms, that space is filled with plenty of activities to keep you entertained while at sea - the ships are equipped with a driving range and putting green, pools and Jacuzzis, a Resorts World at Sea casino, a movie theater, a full-size paddle tennis court, and a 360-degree Promenade Deck, perfect for relaxing with a book or taking a stroll by the sea.
Accommodations on Crystal Alaska Cruises
Wherever you choose to stay onboard a Crystal Cruise to Alaska, be it a deluxe stateroom with a large picture window or a Crystal penthouse with private verandah, you are sure to have a comfortable, relaxing journey. Each room is stocked with Aveda bath products; Frette bathrobes, kimonos, and slippers; Schott Zwiesel stemware; and a Mohair blanket, perfect for cozying up on chilly summer nights. Other amenities include complimentary beer, wine and spirits upon request, complimentary soft drinks and bottled water in refrigerator, an in-suite satellite TV, a fresh fruit basket replenished throughout the voyage, 24-hour room service, and twice-daily housekeeping. If you embark early, you'll also receive complimentary champagne and a welcome lunch. And don't worry about staying in touch with family and friends back home - each guest receives 60 minutes per day of free Wi-Fi and internet access. Staying in a penthouse? Enjoy personal butler service 24 hours a day, available for everything from unpacking and packing, in-suite afternoon tea service, garment pressing or shoeshine, in-suite dining or pre-dinner cocktail and canape service, and confirming reservations for the spa, dining times, or shore excursions.
Shore Excursions on Crystal Alaska Cruises
When you book a Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion, you are guaranteed a high level of safety, quality, and convenience. Crystal provides top-notch, knowledgeable guides in every port, easy and well-coordinated drop-off and pick-up locations, and a flexible cancellation policy should you change your plans while traveling. Choose from dozens of Crystal Adventures Shore Excursions in Alaska, ranging from historical to culinary-focused to action-filled. With so much to explore, sometimes it's easier to leave the details to the experts.
Some of the shore excursions Crystal Cruises offers in Alaska are:
- Alaskan Fishing & Wilderness Dining - Ketchikan, Alaska
- Sitka's Russian Past & Eagle Raptor Center - Sitka, Alaska
- Dog Sledding & Mendenhall Glacier by Helicopter - Juneau, Alaska
- Skagway, Gardens & Glass - Skagway, Alaska
- Historic Gold Panning & Salmon Bake - Juneau, Alaska
Dining & Drinks on Crystal Alaska Cruises
On a Crystal Cruise to Alaska, your dining experience will combine the best parts of classic, traditional cruising with modern menus and the flexibility you may desire. Dine in the beautiful Crystal Dining Room, where each table is set with white Garnier-Thiebaut linens and Villeroy & Bosch china and every waiter is trained to meet European standards. Decide on a Classic Main seating at 6:15, or the Classic Late at 8:30; if neither of those strike your fancy, dine by reservation instead, and choose your dinner time each night. A Modern Cuisine menu is served each night alongside more traditional fare, allowing the chefs to play and you more delicious options to choose from.
Of course, there are many specialty restaurants to dine at too, including Silk Road and The Sushi Bar, restaurants designed by famed Nobu chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. Prego, an Italian restaurant with tableside service, is another guest favorite.
For more casual fare, enjoy a breakfast or lunch buffet at the Lido Cafe, or indulge in comfort food like dumplings or pizza at Tastes. The Trident Bar & Grill is ideal for a mid-afternoon snack, with pizzas, veggie burgers, and wraps served on deck, as well as a late-risers breakfast from 10 to 11:30 each morning.
No cruising experience would be complete without afternoon tea, and Crystal does it with style. Enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, and delicious pastries in the elegant Palm Court, or if you're staying in a penthouse, allow your butler to bring afternoon tea to you on your own verandah.
As part of the all-inclusive Crystal Experience, wine, beer, and spirits are included in your cruise fare. Enjoy a glass of fine wine at dinner, or grab your favorite cocktail at the Avenue Saloon, Connoisseur Club, Crystal Cove, or one of the many other bars and lounges onboard.
Activities on Crystal Alaska Cruises
Crystal Cruises offers tons of exciting entertainment options for guests to choose from while onboard. Whether you're looking forward to Broadway-style shows or enriching lectures, there's something for everyone at sea. Refocus your health with the Wellness at Sea program, or learn a new skill: piano, a language, or Tai Chi, perhaps. Take part in wine-tasting events with the ships' sommeliers, or try your hand at poker in the Resorts World at Sea casino.
The Crystal Spa and Salon is always nearby should you yearn for an afternoon of pampering, with services like facials, massages, stone therapy, and mani-pedis. A full-size fitness center is equipped with cardio and strength machines, weights, and mats, and offers fitness classes like cycling, yoga, and Pilates.
In the evenings, head to a comedy show or jazz performance, or stop into one of Crystal's many bars and lounges, which you can enjoy worry-free thanks to Crystal's all-inclusive experience. There's Pulse, a high-energy dance club, or the Connoisseur Club, a classy cigar lounge, and lots of other venues in between.
Children's Programs on Crystal Alaska Cruises
Crystal Cruises provides a luxury cruise vacation suitable for the whole family. Family friendly activities, a kid's playroom and babysitting services are available on all cruises, and dedicated children's programming is offered on almost all summer sailings, which is prime time to sail to Alaska. Junior Activities Directors lead kids' groups based on age, with activities for kids ages 3 to 17. Daily "Surf Runner" and "Teen Scene" newsletters keep families updated on all youth activities offered while on board.
At the Fantasia kids' club, there are games, arts and crafts, Sony PlayStation and XBOX 360 consoles, big-screen TVs, board games, books, and recently released movies to watch in the Hollywood Theatre. Junior Activities include scavenger hunts, pizza making parties, fashion shows, trivia nights, karaoke and more.
Babysitting services, baby food, high chairs, and booster seats are also available onboard. Kids can choose from the Junior Cruiser's menu at dinner, and the Trident Grill is a favorite for youngsters, serving complimentary hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza and more. Best of all? Children 11 and under pay 50 percent of the minimum fare when traveling with two full-fare paying adults. To make traveling together as easy as can be, the Symphony has 10 connecting staterooms and nearly 90 staterooms with a third bed available, while the Serenity has 50 connecting staterooms and more than 150 with a third bed.
Crystal Alaska Cruises Past Guests
As soon as you complete your first Crystal Cruise of at least seven days, you automatically become a member of the Crystal Society. Members of the society are treated to a cocktail party on every voyage, milestone upgrades, recognition dinners, and more. Crystal Cruises offers Crystal Society Savings on every voyage in every category, and offers exclusive "As You Wish" shipboard credits that can be used for nearly anything while on board.
As you continue to sail with Crystal, rewards increase and may include air travel credits, onboard credits, and stateroom upgrades. Let your Cruise Specialist know during booking if you are a Crystal Society member so any possible discounts and promotions can be accounted for.
Accessibility on Crystal Alaska Cruises
Crystal Cruises strives to offer an enjoyable, relaxing cruising experience to all travelers. As such, several Crystal Cruises ships, including the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, were designed to be accessible for guests with physical challenges. These ships boast ramp access to most decks and public spaces, as well as wheelchair-friendly elevators. Regular wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, and electric scooters are allowed as long as they do not exceed 22" in width. Certain staterooms with extra-wide doors are available; these rooms also feature wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and closets with low hanging rods. Some ships also offer services specifically geared toward those with hearing impairments, including closed-captioning programming and infrared hearing systems. Speak with a Cruise Specialist prior to booking about any special needs you may have.