03 DEC 2018: As the crew greets us aboard Crystal Serenity, their faces beam with smiles even bigger than usual. They’ve got a big treat in store for even long-time regulars of Crystal Cruises. It’s been quite a journey in the past few weeks for Serenity.

On a three-week layup at a shipyard in Germany, whole sections of the ship were literally ripped out and replaced. Walls of a full deck had to be cut away to yank out dozens of suites and replace them with penthouses that are one and a half times larger.

At the same time, out went the former Crystal Dining Room, to be reimagined as the elegant open-seating Waterside restaurant. New alternative dining venues have also appeared, creating more options for a guest list that’s been pared down from 1,070 to 980. Everywhere, the look and the feel is brand new, while the refined efficient service and outstanding cuisine is as outstanding as ever.

Read it in The Cruisington Times: