Revel in the Caribbean with Crystal Cruises
Shelley Heyman
Whether or not you have been to the Caribbean is not the question. The real question is how you got there! Shelley Heyman - one of our top advisors - recently enjoyed the tranquility and beauty that is the Caribbean but experienced it in a whole new way aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal Serenity.
Fine touches and a relaxing atmosphere await you on the Crystal Serenity. Known for their dazzling entertainment, culinary delights and unparalleled service this luxurious ship boasts a staff full of friendly faces who believe in meeting their passengers’ every need.
What did you enjoy most about the cruise experience?
With its stylish but muted color schemes, this ship has a quiet, understated elegance and personifies why Crystal is the finest experience in luxury travel. Serving just 1,070 pampered guests (including lucky me) Crystal Serenity maintains one of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea, so you'll never feel crowded.
Tell us about the ports/cities you visited with this itinerary.
We stopped in Grand Cayman, Curacao, Martinique, Guadalupe, St. Barts and Grand Turk - each destination more beautiful than the previous one.
Did you do any pre- or post-cruise activities?
I spent two nights prior to the cruise at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans - the ship's departure port. We didn't partake in any fun activities, however, as it rained so hard in New Orleans that we couldn’t walk out of the hotel.
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for someone going on a similar trip?
- Take some good books to read. Days at sea and beach days are better with a great novel.
- On Crystal Serenity, go to the library - it's awesome. (And buy tickets for the Magic Castle At Sea show.)
- Bring a lot of sunscreen and mosquito repellent, the Caribbean can get both muggy and buggy.
What did you like most about Crystal Cruises?
Everything! What's not to like? The crew's attentiveness, the culinary experiences, epic entertainment and general ambiance of the ship - all are next-level!
Onboard you should check out the Seahorse pool with its plush seating and The Vintage Room wine cellar. There are lots of options for dining from the classic Bistro Restaurant and Main Dining Room to the Silk Road Restaurant created by famed sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
What are 3 things one can expect from this cruise line?
- Great Food (2 fabulous specialty restaurants, Prego and Silk Road)
- Very sophisticated clientele with many repeat guests
- Attention to detail and a very clean ship