Crystal Cruises provide a fascinating mixed style of cruise experience. It is definitely fashionable, but its ships, unlike its luxury niche rivals, are large ones, each shipping 940 or more passengers. Crystal has two ships in its fleet: the 940-passenger Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-passenger Crystal Serenity, which established new Crystal name features, which include a sushi bar; second paddle tennis court; boardroom with wine cellar; and indoor/outdoor pool (plus the standard centerpiece pool). The children's facility, Fantasia, is modern, and keynote facilities, such as the Computer University at Sea and the spa, have been introduced. And there are balconies at 85% of its oceanview cabins.

The main feature that differentiates the line over smaller-ship luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is that with bigger ships carrying more passengers, it successfully offers exemplary service, outstanding cuisine, and freedom of choice on such a large scale. And it as a rule manages. In addition to the company’s inventive programming and ship features, the line has one of the industry’s highest guest-to-staff ratios, guest space ratios, and, perhaps not accidentally, one of the most loyal repeat passenger bases afloat. The huge plus to Crystal’s biggest-ships-in-luxury-class type as well is that there are just far more options in terms of entertainment, socializing, spa and fitness facilities, activities, and enrichment options than can be found on the smaller but luxury option.

Crystal's biggest challenge is its size, as bigger ships carrying more passengers do not usually offer exemplary service, outstanding cuisine, and freedom of choice. But its ships manage such large-scale feat.

One more problem facing Crystal Cruises is the fact that, of all the luxury lines, it’s the only one that still has the two set dinner sittings in the main dining room, which, although a basis of the mass-market lines, doesn't necessarily stands for the eat-when-we-want attitude of the upper-end cruiser. The line does provide such dining - it was the first cruise line to embrace the idea of boutique restaurants - and the Italian and Japanese dining facilities onboard all its ships are excellent, though they are also normally in high demand. Passengers should reserve the sittings as early as possible. There is also an ultra-casual Pool Deck dining available at The Trident Grill on designated nights during each voyage.

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