 Crystal and Its Noble Parents:
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line)
History
Observant guests on board Crystal Harmony Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will notice the thick red lines painted on the radar mast. This marking carries on a proud sea-going tradition, which goes back more than a hundred years. Throughout this time, the ships of Nippon Yusen Kaisha, the NYK Line, parent company of Crystal Cruises, have proudly worn these same red stripes on their
funnels.
Nippon Yusen Kaisha, which literally translates to the Japan Mail Steamship Company, was first created in 1885, the result of a sensible merger between two Japanese shipping companies, Yubin Kisen Mitsubishi Kaisha (Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company) and Kyodo Unyu Kaisha (Union Transport Company). Two red stripes were adopted for the new company’s house flag, symbolizing the mutual goodwill of both companies and the hope that their combined fleets would one
day serve the entire world. In due course, NYK Line became Japan’s national shipping company. Their subsequent passenger ships were given government-authorized mail-carrying status and therefore the highest priorities. The affixation was similar to the designation R.M.S. (for Royal Mail Ship) used by the most prominent British liners. NYK Line grew and grew – their accomplishments, advances and overall success have been nearly continuous. As a worldwide
logistics company, NYK Line now operates more than 800 ocean cargo ships including large container ships, car carriers and huge tankers, warehousing services and logistics, forwarders and consolidators, plus land and air transportation services.
NYK, having managed to be stable for 35 years after its revival, showed its ambition to diversify intovarious fields, mainly related to transportation. Cruising was one of its primary goals. Others included air cargo carriers, logistics service, finance, real estate, freight forwarding and warehousing. NYK retains its ultimate policy to maintain the highest quality in all its operations. Almost a half-century after NYK’s wartime losses, the gleaming,
all-white Crystal Harmony arrived in New York for the first time in August, 1991, having been delivered at Nagasaki, and christened at Los Angeles on July 20, 1990. Amidst the festivities and formalities of the occasion in New York, there was also a historic notation to her visit: she was the very first Japanese luxury liner to visit New York in forty years, since the early 1950s. Actually, Japanese companies have never maintained a passenger service to the
U.S. East Coast much beyond 12-passenger freighters. Instead, their passenger interests were always toward West Coast ports.
When the 790-foot long, 940-guest Crystal Harmony was completed at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Nagasaki shipyard in 1990, she was the first large passenger ship to have been built in Japan in fifty years. She was also the largest Japanese-owned cruise ship to date. At New York, during her inaugural, 12-hour call, Crystal Harmony was greeted by fireboats, tugs and overhead helicopters, and then a welcoming delegation of port, cruise and other travel
officials. Sitting alongside several other cruise ships, Crystal Harmony proudly flew the flags of Crystal Cruises and NYK Line. Like the Hikawa Maru some forty years before, her visit marked a “Japanese return.”
Crystal Cruises was created in 1988 and currently operates three luxury ships. Crystal Harmony (launched 1990) and Crystal Symphony (1995) each carry 940 guests. The 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity was launched in 2003. Crystal is wholly owned by Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), the largest shipping company in the world. Headquartered in Tokyo, the firm operates over 800 ships, has offices around the globe and is renowned for its fast, reliable and economical service
to people around the world.
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CRYSTAL TODAY
Filling a niche for well-heeled travelers who can afford the tiny yacht-like boutique vessels but prefer more activities and facilities, these 49,400 and 51,044-ton vessels chart a global course, and are very successful indeed. The company's newest luxury ship, Crystal Serenity, debuted in July, 2003. The 68,000-ton state-of-the-art vessel carries 1,080 passengers giving it one of the highest
passenger space ratios in the industry at 62.9. The 14-deck ship expanded the success of Harmony and Symphony. It has a third alternative restaurant and a total of seven dining venues. Serenity also boasts a second paddle tennis court, a completely new learning center and an enlarged computer center. The boardroom has a wine cellar and there is a special lounge for repeat passengers.
The Crystal Experience:
Instead of port-a-day itineraries, Crystal schedules more days at sea due to passengers’ desire for extra pampering aboard and the extensive list of guest lecturers, food and wine festivals, theme cruises and the extensive computer classes offered as the Computer University@Sea. The 960-passenger sister ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony are the only vessels to successfully meld the services and facilities of a full-size cruise ship with sublime
luxury trappings. During a sunny day at sea, I found no one sunbathing by the pools: they were all inside, raptly engaged in lecture about global warming. But bingo and the casino were also hopping and Crystal’s floor shows are among the best at sea. A handicap of cruising aboard a full-size cruise ship, however, is assigned, two seating dining in the main restaurant, although this cruise line was the first to introduce two alternative restaurants.
One of the most luxurious experiences at sea is Crystal’s Penthouse Deck with enormous cabins and superb butlers. But even in minimum grade staterooms you’ll find mohair throws and down pillows. Symphony’s standard outside and balcony cabins are two feet wider than is found aboard her sister ship, giving Symphony’s passengers better bathrooms and more closet space.
Crystal Cruises introduced a number of onboard enhancements in 2003. Non-alcoholic beverages are now complimentary, including bottled water, soft drinks, juices and specialty coffees including cappuccino and caffe lattée. A Reserve Wine List was introduced, featuring 20 rare and special vintages. Special Wine and Champagne Makers Dinners are held with dinners themed around rare wines and featuring fine champagnes.
 Also new are the Late Risers Breakfast, available from 10am to Noon, and on Sundays at sea, Brunch will be served in the Crystal Cove. Aboard Crystal Serenity, in Tastes restaurant, features gluten-free, lactose, sugar and fat-free selections and whole grain breads.
Fellow Passengers:
Primarily 60+ passengers, well traveled and affluent. Singles who take advantage of Crystal’s single supplement program.
Shore Excursions:
Well organized and professionally run, moderately priced. Shore excursions are described online at Crystal's web site, www.crystalcruises.com and can be reserved in advance by downloading the form and faxing or mailing it to Crystal Cruises. On board the ships, a Land Program Specialist can customize your time ashore for an independent sightseeing experience which suits your needs.
Taking The Kids:
Although the Crystal Harmony's 12-day Alaska cruises from San Francisco gain the lion's share of children, there are Junior Activities counselors aboard any Crystal cruise where 10 or more children are booked. Children's play rooms are well equipped and the "Surf Runner," children's newsletter details scheduled activities. A guest naturalist comes aboard for Alaska cruises. The program also includes galley tours and "stretchercize" in the gym, paddle tennis
and water polo.
Past Passenger Program:
Crystal Society members receive Society discounts on select cruises including reservations made during a cruise; special onboard parties and activities and photo session with Captain on Society cruises; priority check-in; Society News newsletter; in-cabin wine and flowers (10+ cruises); Milestone level rewards and recognition program.
Exclusive Features that Make Crystal Cruises Unique
These are just a few of the many exclusively Crystal Cruises features which make them exceptional, and which makes them continue receiving "World's Best Cruise Line" honors year after year. These special attractions also keep their satisfied guests returning cruise after cruise.
- Full 360-degree, wraparound open-air teak Promenade Deck for walking and jogging.
- The Bistro, the popular European-style coffee bar, which offers complimentary specialty coffee and tea drinks, along with light snacks served throughout the day.
- European-trained wait staff in the Crystal Dining Room and in their unique alternative specialty restaurants.
- Classic assigned seating in the Crystal Dining Room, or open seating in the specialty restaurants, so guests can always choose where, when and with whom they would like to dine.
- The only cinema-dedicated Hollywood theatre at sea, showing recent-release feature films every afternoon and evening.
- Caesars Palace at Sea: an exclusively Crystal Cruises' association with the famed Las Vegas gaming operation, offering mini-Baccarat, dice tables, roulette, blackjack and over 100 slot machines, all governed by the State of Nevada Gaming Regulations.
- The innovative new Creative Learning Institute, offering Yamaha piano lessons and Berlitz language classes on every cruise, and on select sailings, special certification enrichment with Cleveland Clinic Wellness Seminars, Pepperdine University Business Seminars, the Smithsonian Associates, Society of Wine Educators and Sotheby's.
- The highest guest space ratio at sea, offering Crystal Cruises' unparalleled service in spacious, comfortable surroundings.
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