Crystal Cruises vs Seabourn

Why should we cruise with Crystal?

We asked Crystal why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...

Welcome to the exceptional world of Crystal. Together we will take the voyage of a lifetime. From the moment you step onboard our beautiful ships you will be welcomed into the warm embrace of the Crystal family. Make new friends, reunite with familiar faces, and share precious moments with loved ones on unforgettable adventures in the world’s most exciting destinations.

What destinations are Crystal exploring this season?

Our thoughts...

The low down on Crystal from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

Crystal Cruises is a luxury ocean cruise line known for it's elegant ships, generous space at sea, highly personalised service and a refined onboard experience. With butler service in every room category, acclaimed dining including Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa and an almost one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, Crystal is best suited to travellers who value polished service, fine cuisine and a quieter style of luxury cruising.

Who cruises with Crystal?

Well-travelled luxury travellers, predominantly couples, with North Americans forming the largest guest group. Families also travel on selected holiday and summer sailings.

What are Crystal known for?

Ultra-luxury cruising with highly personalised service, butler service in every guest room and suite, spacious ships, acclaimed dining, premium beverages, enrichment and sophisticated entertainment.

Are Crystal's fares all-inclusive?

All-inclusive with fares includimg accommodation, all standard dining, select wines, Champagne, spirits and soft drinks, 24-hour in-suite dining, unlimited WiFi, onboard entertainment and activities and gratuities for dining, bar and housekeeping staff. Shore excursions and spa treatments are additional.

What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?

Additional costs include shore excursions, spa and salon treatments, premium experiences, laundry or dry cleaning when it's not included with the cabin category and additional specialty restaurant reservations beyond the complimentary allowance.

Are gratuities included?

Yes. Gratuities for dining, bar and housekeeping staff are included in the cruise fare.

Are shore excursions included?

No. Shore excursions are purchased separately.

Is there WiFi on board?

Yes. Complimentary unlimited WiFi is included for all guests, with premium connectivity options available.

Does Crystal have a loyalty program?

Yes. Crystal Society rewards repeat guests with milestone benefits, recognition and exclusive onboard privileges.

Is Crystal a family friendly cruise-line?

Yes, although Crystal primarily caters to adult luxury travellers, families are welcome, with children's facilities and organised programs offered on selected sailings.

Are any onboard activities included?

Included activities include Broadway-style entertainment, live music, lectures, enrichment programs, art and dance classes, movies, paddle tennis, pickleball, golf practice facilities, fitness facilities and other scheduled activities.

Are there casinos on board your ships?

Yes. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity feature Le Casino de Monte-Carlo with slot machines and table games.

Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?

Yes. Spa and salon treatments, selected premium experiences and other personal services incur additional charges.

Are there specialty restaurants on board Crystal's ships?

Yes. Crystal offers multiple dining venues including Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa and Osteria d'Ovidio. At least one complimentary reservation in each specialty restaurant is included, with the number increasing on longer cruises.

Are there dining packages for purchase?

No. Complimentary specialty dining reservations are included according to cruise length, with additional reservations available for a per-person charge.

Are non-alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. Soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages are included.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. A curated selection of wines, Champagne and premium spirits are included throughout the cruise.

Do Crystal sell any beverage packages?

No. Select alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are already included in the cruise fare.

Do Crystal offer room service?

Yes. Complimentary 24-hour in-suite dining is included for all guest rooms and suites.

Are spa and salon services available?

Yes. Aurōra Spa and salon services are available, with treatments charged separately. Sauna and steam room facilities are also available.

Are there gyms onboard Crystal's ships?

Yes. Ships have fully equipped Technogym fitness centres that are open 24 hours.

Are fitness classes available onboard Crystal's ships?

Yes. Wellness programs include yoga, Pilates, spinning, stretching and aerobic instruction.

Do Crystal offer personal training?

Yes. Personal training and personalised fitness consultations are available.

Are there self-service laundry facilities?

Yes. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity both provide complimentary self-service laundry rooms with detergent.

Do Crystal offer a laundry service?

Yes. Laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services are available, with complimentary services included in selected suite categories.

Why should we cruise with Seabourn?

We asked Seabourn why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...

Seabourn welcomes you to all-inclusive, luxury cruising refined to its purest form. Where hand-selected itineraries take you to places beyond the reach of larger ships. Cruising on a Seabourn ship is unlike any other form of travel. The experience is luxurious, yet relaxed - elegant, yet casual - sumptuous, yet understated. Our intimate ships visit the most desirable destinations worldwide, sailing to the heart of landmark cities, as well as to hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow.

Our ships attract interesting people, who seek to share read more experiences beyond the expected in places beyond the ordinary. Our acclaimed staff offers a unique style of heartfelt hospitality that is sincere, thoughtful and personal.

What destinations are Seabourn exploring this season?

Our thoughts...

The low down on Seabourn from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...

Seabourn is best described as boutique ultra-luxury cruising: small ships, all-suite accommodations, and an onboard experience built around included dining, premium drinks, Wi-Fi packages, and service-led luxury. For cruise-lovers who value a refined, uncrowded onboard experience, high-touch service, suites as standard, and luxury inclusions that reduce onboard bill shock, Seabourn is one of the strongest choices in the ultra-luxury category.

Who cruises with Seabourn?

Well-travelled couples and solo travellers from around the world, particularly the US, Canada, UK and Australia. Guests generally favour intimate ships, personalised service and a relaxed luxury atmosphere.

What are Seabourn known for?

Ultra-luxury small-ship cruising, all ocean-front suites, highly personalised service, complimentary premium drinks and caviar, all-inclusive dining and expedition cruising to remote destinations.

Are Seabourn's fares all-inclusive?

Seabourn's inclusive fares include all dining venues, premium wines and spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, in-suite dining, gratuities, entertainment and unlimited Surf WiFi.

What extras will we need to pay for, on top of the cruise fare?

Additional costs include shore excursions, premium wines and spirits outside the complimentary selection, spa and salon treatments, upgraded Stream WiFi, professional laundry and valet services and selected premium expedition experiences such as kayaking and Image Masters.

Are gratuities included?

Yes.

Are shore excursions included?

Seabourn's traditional ocean cruises charge extra for shore excursions. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit include a programme of expedition experiences such as Zodiac cruises and landings, guided walks, hikes and selected shore excursions, with additional optional experiences available for purchase.

Is there WiFi on board?

Yes. Unlimited Surf WiFi for one device per guest is complimentary. An upgraded Stream package supporting streaming, internet calling and additional devices is included for eligible premium suites and loyalty members or can be purchased as an upgrade.

Does Seabourn have a loyalty program?

Yes. Seabourn Club has Club Member, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Elite levels, with benefits including WiFi upgrades, shore excursion discounts, laundry, spa benefits, premium wine discounts and complimentary cruises for qualifying members.

Is Seabourn a family friendly cruise-line?

Children are permitted, but Seabourn is primarily designed for adults. Families are more commonly seen during school holidays, and expedition cruises have stricter minimum-age requirements.

Are any onboard activities included?

Included activities include Seabourn Conversations lectures, live music, theatre and cabaret performances, movies, trivia, cooking demonstrations, fitness activities and signature events such as Marina Day, Caviar in the Surf or Caviar on the Ice where offered.

Are there casinos on board your ships?

Yes on Seabourn's traditional ocean ships. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit do not have casinos.

Are there any onboard activities that cost extra?

Yes. Spa and salon treatments, selected premium fitness or wellness services, The Retreat cabanas on Seabourn Encore and Ovation, and some optional expedition activities incur additional charges.

Are there specialty restaurants on board Seabourn's ships?

Yes, but unlike many cruise lines all Seabourn dining venues are complimentary. Restaurants vary by ship and include The Restaurant, The Colonnade, Earth & Ocean, Solis and other ship-specific venues.

Are there dining packages for purchase?

No. Dining packages are unnecessary because all onboard dining venues are complimentary.

Are non-alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. Soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees, teas and other non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes. Premium spirits and fine wines are complimentary throughout the voyage, including an in-suite bar stocked to guest preferences. Selected ultra-premium wines and spirits cost extra.

Do Seabourn sell any beverage packages?

No. A beverage package is unnecessary because premium wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages are already included.

Do Seabourn offer room service?

Yes. Complimentary in-suite dining is available 24 hours a day, and guests can also dine privately in their suite from selected restaurant menus.

Are spa and salon services available?

Yes. Full spa and salon services are available for an additional charge, with an 18% gratuity added to optional treatments.

Are there gyms onboard Seabourn's ships?

Yes. Ships have complimentary fitness centres with cardio and strength-training equipment.

Are fitness classes available onboard Seabourn's ships?

Yes. Yoga, meditation, stretching, TRX and other classes are offered, although programmes vary by ship. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit have more limited traditional fitness-class programmes.

Do Seabourn offer personal training?

Yes on Seabourn's traditional ocean ships for an additional charge. Personal trainers are not available on Seabourn Venture or Seabourn Pursuit.

Are there self-service laundry facilities?

Yes. Complimentary self-service launderettes with washers and dryers are available.

Do Seabourn offer a laundry service?

Yes. Professional laundry and valet services are available for an additional charge, although complimentary laundry is included for certain Seabourn Club levels and selected premium-suite guests.