A Quartet of Remarkable Moments

Dining at Umi Uma: Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa at Sea

Like other young adults, one of our main food groups is sushi. We love a visit to our local spot when we are at home, and we were eagerly looking forward to the Umi Uma Nobu experience onboard. We were delighted to be able to dine there on our very first night.

Stepping into Umi Uma was like walking into a modern and classic restaurant with phenomenal ocean views. Our host led us to our table for two, and not long after, we were greeted by the restaurant sommelier offering us an exceptional wine list alongside their personal pairing recommendations. We then dove into the menu. Having many friends that previously dined at Nobu in the states, we had an idea of what to order; we knew the famous crispy rice was an absolute must!

We also ordered our favorite sushi pieces, the signature mushroom soup, as well as our main courses: perfectly prepared steak and lobster. The full meal and the service was an utter delight. In fact, we loved it so much we returned and sat at the sushi bar on the last night of our cruise, where we were joined by other Nobu-loving thirty-somethings eating fabulous fish while watching the sun set over Venice.

The Personal Butler: The Sapphire Veranda Suite Experience

Our luxuriously appointed Sapphire Veranda Suite was equipped with separate living and sleeping areas, a deep soaking tub, double vanity sinks, a fully stocked minibar, a spacious private balcony, a never-ending bucket of ice (a small blessing in the Mediterranean heat), and every amenity you can think of.

All of these things were thoroughly enjoyed, but not one of these great things could compare to the best inclusion of all: our butler, Jason. Jason was our north star during the voyage and never led us astray.

He laid out beautiful breakfasts for us each morning, gave us a rundown of daily offerings that fit our personalities, offered destination information on port days, made dinner reservations, steamed our clothes to perfection, and so much more. Even his simple performance of unpacking our suitcases has forever changed our at-home closet organization. Every elegant task he completed was done with a willing heart and gracious smile.

Cruisers Who Travel: A Sophisticated Community of Explorers

With many cruises under my belt, I always thought cruisers just loved cruising. The guests I encountered on previous lines cruised because it was easy, efficient, and commonplace. It seemed to me that cruisers cruised to check a destination off of a list. They didn’t seem too interested in learning, listening, and diving deep into the ports they visited.

However, onboard Crystal, I didn’t just meet people who loved to cruise; I met people who loved to travel. Each of my fellow guests had a travel story worthy of a magazine article. One gentleman shared the raw details of his safari in Africa, a solo traveler told me of her culinary adventure in Vietnam, and another about a visit to a quaint, local winery in Italy. The list goes on about how they enjoyed not just stopping in these destinations, but truly discovering them.

Superb, Intuitive Service: The Heart of the Crystal Experience

The most unique element of the onboard experience was the service we received. It was personalized, soft, cheerful, and thorough. I believe that this level of impeccable service was a direct result of the size of the ship and Crystal’s dedication to maintaining and bringing back its workforce.

By day two, the bartender already knew our favorite drinks because he would serve us at the main lounge, Crystal Cove, pre-dinner, then would relocate to the piano bar, Avenue Saloon, post-dinner. This allowed him to learn our preferences quickly and gave us the opportunity to really feel that 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio.

We also found ourselves returning to the same table at Waterside Restaurant, the main dining room, so that we could be served by the incredible duo, Nico and Nan. Nico’s quick wit and recommendations were tailored to our personal tastes, and Nan had the perfect balance of being attentive but not hovering, allowing us to enjoy our meals. Lastly, many times we noted warm embraces between cruisers and onboard staff discussing how much time has passed and asking how each other’s personal lives are. The service is exactly why Crystal cruisers remain so passionately loyal to the brand.