crystal cruises crystal harmony cruise review

Age: "Baby Boomer"
Occupation: Travel professional
Number of Cruises: 25+
Cruise Line: Crystal
Ship: Harmony
Itinerary: Hawaii

Preface: I just wanted to state at the very beginning of this review, that I have never been more eager to share a cruise experience, nor write a review, than I have for this cruise.

Introduction: I had only been home for 3 days from my previous Mexican Riviera cruise before it was time to once again travel west, this time to Hawaii. Now, it is unusual that I do cruises quite so close together, but after being back in Cleveland for one day, I was glad I was afforded the option. Don’t get me wrong, I really do love my hometown, it is just that this winter seems to have been unusually harsh and this sun bunny looks for any excuse to bask in its warm glow. I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to enjoy a 10 day Hawaii cruise on the Crystal Harmony, a temptation much too good to resist. I had never sailed on Crystal before and, based on its reputation, was eagerly anticipating the experience. I had invited a friend from Michigan to join me and we were to meet in Honolulu the day before the cruise.

Pre-Cruise: I flew from Cleveland to Chicago, where I caught a morning flight directly to Honolulu. I was not looking forward to the 9 hour flight, but it was a small price to pay for the reward on the other end. Of course there were times during the flight that I was not so sure. First, I was seated next to a small child who obviously was NOT happy and let us know it for over an hour of the most piercing, high pitched screams imaginable. Finally, he wore himself out and fell asleep exhausted. As a parent and a former school teacher, I am usually quite tolerant of children’s behavior, but I will admit that it was a tremendous challenge to keep myself from chiming in with some screaming of my own. To add to the discomfort of this long flight was the malfunctioning of the audio portion of the in-flight entertainment. Two movies were slated to help alleviate the monotony of the trip, but unfortunately gremlins had infiltrated the system (Ahh! Technology at its best).

My flight arrived early and within an hour of landing I was walking on the sands of Waikiki Beach. I stayed the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, which was a great value for the money. Not only was it reasonably priced, but the location directly across from the beach in the heart of Waikiki made it ideal. It was not a 5 star hotel, actually it was pretty basic, but rooms were clean, it had a nice pool and the staff was friendly. Sitting on the soft, warm, crystalline sand, watching the sunset, witnessing the ceremonial lighting of the tiki torches that line the beach, listening to the sounds of island music resonating from rooftop restaurants in the background and absorbing the beauty of my surroundings, I found myself on sensory overload. What a truly wonderful way to begin my Hawaiian holiday. My first evening was topped off by a late night meal at Tiki’s Grill & Bar, a relatively new restaurant that has opened on the patio of the hotel. Overlooking the beach, it provided an impressive view and served excellent coconut shrimp. Well worth a stop, even if you are not staying here. The next morning, I especially enjoyed the unique breakfast experience offered by the hotel. The hotel did not have an onsite restaurant open for breakfast, but instead set-up an extensive buffet poolside. Guests were provided picnic coolers which could be packed with breakfast items to enjoy on the beach. What a great idea and a great way to start the day. Our picnic breakfast was just enough to sustain us for our Waikiki Beach walk.

Embarkation: We checked out of our hotel at noon, grabbed a cab and $18 and minutes later we arrived at Aloha Towers Pier. A porter immediately greeted our cab, our luggage was checked and we were directed to the boarding area for check-in. There was no line and we were quickly processed. Our passports were held and we were issued our SeaPass and ready to board. Well, almost. We were greeted with flower leis and the ship’s photographer, then directed to the boarding ramp. It was at that point that our swift embarkation was halted. The onboard personnel were not ready to greet guests quite yet. We were informed that the coast guard was conducting its semi-annual full inspection and it was not quite completed. It was only a matter of a few minutes when we were cleared to embark, however. As it turns out, we were the very first two passengers to board the ship. Well, let me qualify that statement. We were the first two “new” passengers to board the ship. Some guests on this sailing had been on the previous cruise and were well ensconced on board. (More about this later). Once on board we were greeted by Jen, one of the hair stylists, who escorted us directly to the Crystal Dining Room. Wait! Could this possibly be right? No buffet line! At the dining room, we were greeted by a refined gentleman who politely escorted us to a table for two, by the window. Complimentary champagne flowed freely to accompany my fresh seafood appetizer, superb filet mignon and delicious New York cheesecake. Boy, this sure beat my typical Welcome Aboard luncheon buffet of which I was accustomed! Hmmm, could things possibly get any better? I was soon to discover that they certainly could!

The Ship:
The Crystal Harmony, weighing in at 50,000 ton, with a passenger capacity of approximately 940, is just large enough to be classified into the large ship category. This ship provides the intimacy and ambiance of a small ship, while its large ship amenities enhance the experience. Entering the Crystal Harmony on Deck 6, my first impression of the ship was one of understated elegance. This is not a ship that offers that “wow factor”, but it is quite impressive in its own right. It can best be described as light and airy, with hints of polished brass and touches of gleaming chrome, light woods, mirrors, wide halls, expansive windows and lots of open space. The ship as a whole exudes a luxurious, yet inviting, comfortable ambiance.

Cabins:
Cabin 9009, a deluxe verandah stateroom on deck 9, was to be my home for the next 10 days. The stateroom was not spacious, by luxury cruise line standards, but comfortable and elegantly appointed. Italian fabric draperies in warm salmon and mint green, a soft blue fabric chair and striped sofa, along with the light wood of shelves and closets made for a pleasant, tastefully furnished retreat. There was ample drawer space and sufficient closet space to accommodate two guests on lengthy cruises. The stateroom has a well-stocked refrigerator, safe and television. Outstanding beds and linens, covered by Scandinavian duvets offered a truly luxurious nights sleep. The verandah had two cushioned chairs and a table, making a perfect spot for watching the magnificent Hawaii sunsets. On the downside there is only one outlet and it is hidden rather inconveniently under the desk. Also, the staterooms were designed for queen configuration of the beds. When they are separated into twins, as they were for us, one of the light switches is located behind the pillows of one of the beds. Consequently, any pillow movement during the night resulted in cabin lights being inadvertently turned on and off. Although appointed in attractive marble, the bathroom, as noted in most reviews, is very small. Shelving space was ample for our needs, however, and I particularly liked the Aveeda toiletries that were supplied in abundance.

Public Rooms:
There are only 19 inside cabins in the entire Crystal fleet and these are all located on Deck 5 of the Harmony. One-half of Deck 5, Crystal Deck, is relegated to staterooms and the other half is the Crystal Plaza and Crystal Dining Room.

The Crystal Plaza is a tastefully appointed reception area that opens into a beautiful atrium furnished with inviting leather sofas and chairs.

It is here that you will find the reception desk, concierge and shore excursion desk ensconced along one wall.

On one side of the atrium is the Crystal Cove. The focal point of this small, but open lounge is a “crystal” piano and is a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail.

On the opposite side of the atrium is the location of the very active desks of the Crystal Society Hostess and the Cruise Sales Consultant.

This is also the entrance to the impressive Crystal Dining Room. As is the case throughout the ship, the dining room décor is a convergence of refined sophistication and casual elegance. Dark woods and light fabrics blend with etched glass partitions and soft lighting to provide a warm and intimate ambiance.

Deck 6, Tiffany Deck, is the main entertainment venue, beginning with the Galaxy Lounge Showroom. Gold and burgundy striped chairs and black and white leather sofas surround the stage, offering comfortable, unobstructed views. I have become so accustomed to huge multi-level showrooms; this smaller, one-level venue was a refreshing change and led to a more personal connection between performers and the audience. A small lobby outside of the Galaxy Lounge has both a starboard and port side egress leading to the aft of the ship. The starboard side leads to the casino, but unfortunately, on this cruise the Caesar’s Palace at Sea was closed due to state of Hawaii regulations.

The port side hall leads to the Bistro, a bright and cheery café that serves outstanding pastries and tempting little taste treats and a coffee bar that equals, if not surpasses, any Starbucks I have sampled.

This was all the more pleasant, because there was no additional charge, as is the case on many cruise lines today. This was a very popular spot for sipping a cappuccino or glass of wine while chatting with new friends. Moving aft, the walkway leads to the upper level of the Atrium. Tucked in a corner is the disco, Stars. It is relatively small, but during our cruise was never crowded, so it sufficed. It has a nice size dance floor and quality sound system.

Crystal Harmony shops encircle the atrium and spill onto both port and starboard side halls. The boutique shops offer unique, high quality jewelry and gifts, designer clothing, cruise apparel and Crystal souvenirs.

Next is the Hollywood Movie Theatre that can be entered from both the port and starboard side. In addition to the daily matinees and evening movie, this facility is used for enrichment lectures and presentations during the day.

Continuing along the starboard corridor, pictures are displayed along the walls of the Photo Shop until you reach the entrance of the Connoisseur Club, the cigar and cognac bar. From its rich wood and leather and red velvet furniture to its teak window shutters and flooring, the Connoisseur Club is truly sumptuous. Add to that the climate-controlled humidors and special ventilation system and this is a cigar bar extraordinaire. Next to the cigar bar is my favorite lounge on the ship, the Avenue Saloon. The same rich textures and plushness that is characteristic of the Connoisseur Club is present here. Deep, comfortable chairs, rich upholstered sofas and dark wood accents provide a warm and inviting ambiance to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or late night aperitif. Known as the Piano Bar, this venue is also a favorite spot of the entertainers and officers on board. At the end of the corridor is the Club 2100 Night Club. A fairly large dance floor is the focal point of this secondary venue for shows and entertainment. Dancing was offered here nightly with the Ambassador Hosts in attendance. Club 2100 can also be accessed from the port side corridor. Mirroring the starboard corridor, as you move aft of the Crystal Shops port side, you will pass by the Hotel Director’s office, the Library, Bridge Lounge and Century Lounge as you make your way to Club 2100. The Library has a nice selection of reading material, but its strength lies in its variety of videos available for use on the in-room VCRs. The Bridge and Century Lounges are used primarily for card and board games throughout the cruise. Behind Club 2100, easily accessed from exterior stairs, is the Sports Area. A golf driving net, putting green, shuffleboard and table tennis were available here.

All interior space on Decks 7, 8, 9 and 10 is relegated to oceanview staterooms and self-service laundry facilities on decks 8, 9 and 10. An expansive teak promenade encircles Deck 7 offering a perfect place for an early morning jog or a late night stroll.

The Vista Lounge occupies the most forward part of Deck 11, Lido Deck. Vista Lounge is appropriately named for the fantastic view offered from any vantage point in this serene lounge. Floor to ceiling windows overlooking the bow of the ship offer expansive views of the ocean and ports of call.

Moving to the rear of the ship from the Vista Lounge you will encounter my very favorite public room on the ship: The Palm Court. Inviting wicker furniture arranged in a number of small conversational areas, glass top cocktail tables and 270-degree views of the passing ocean beckon guests to relax and savor the moment. If there is one room that defines the Crystal Harmony experience, this is it! This is a perfect venue for classical musical performances, yoga classes, afternoon tea and the captain’s parties. It was here, at the captain’s welcome aboard party, that I fell under the Crystal spell.

As you leave the Palm Court, on the port side is Fantasia, the children’s small, but pleasant playroom. On the starboard side is the Computer University at Sea with over 20 terminals. Guests can participate in a variety of computer classes during the cruise, from basic computing to web design and photo finishing. For all of its positives, Crystal internet service leaves something to be desired. The cost of staying connected is, in my opinion, excessive. There is a $5 log-in fee, then a cost of $.75 per minute, with a 10 minute minimum. (Effectively this breaks down to $1.25 per minute or a minimum of $12.50 for every session). This in itself is exorbitant, but if the connection is lost and you must log back in, expect to pay the $5 log-in fee (again). One of my traveling companions spent over $30 trying to read and respond to one e-mail. They do offer an internet package, but at $30 a day (which must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise) this is not a desirable option.

Moving aft, doors lead outside to the space most frequently occupied by me, the Seahorse pool. A saltwater pool and two hot tubs set at perfect temperatures were flanked by comfortable cushioned lounge chairs and exterior covered space offering tables for dining, reading and relaxing.

A raised stage at the base of the pool was used during the day by the very engaging Magic Island Dancers and Musicians providing poolside entertainment.

Continuing aft, port side is the Trident Bar and Grill and the Ice Cream Bar is on the starboard side. I found the burgers, grilled chicken and fries to be prepared perfectly at the Grill. Oh, but let me tell you about the ice cream! Not only was the ice cream exceptionally delicious, but freshly made, warm waffle cones and cookies made an already decadent delight an afternoon treat extraordinaire.

Housed in this same area was the Neptune Pool. It is protected by a retractable glass dome. This area was also the location of the extensive lunchtime buffets offered in lieu of midnight buffets. Festive umbrella tables and wicker furniture made this area exceptionally pleasant and was a favorite spot for reading.

Opposite the Lido Café on the starboard side was the phenomenal Kyoto and Prego specialty restaurants.

The restaurants are actually connected and share a common reception area, but are uniquely different in décor and ambiance. Don’t miss the opportunity to try both of these restaurants.

One of the jewels of the Harmony, the totally restructured Crystal Spa & Salon and Fitness Center, occupies much of Deck 12, the Sun Deck. Emoting a sense of tranquility, the reception area beckons you to enter a world of peace and harmony (there’s that word again). There is a full service salon and 7 treatment rooms. For the ultimate in pleasure, experience the dry float bed suite for an Aroma Spa treatment, either solo or as a couple. Pure bliss! There are marvelous, private indoor and outdoor areas to relax, both pre and post-treatment. Take a sauna, or enjoy one of the fiber-optic-lit showers. The Fitness Center offers complimentary yoga and Pilates instruction, as well as new, state-of-the-art treadmills, cross trainers, life cycles and steppers. Strength equipment and free weights are also available. The fitness center was open from 6AM to 10 PM and private training sessions could be arranged with the Fitness Director. The Wimbledon Court, an enclosed paddle tennis court, and a forward observation deck were also located on this deck.

My Cruise: Now that I have described the ship, sit back, relax and enjoy a rather lengthy accounting of my Hawaiian voyage.

Day One - Friday (Honolulu):
After enjoying the gourmet luncheon feast in the Crystal Dining Room, we casually toured the ship to familiarize ourselves with our surroundings and eventually found our way to our cabin. What a welcome sight to see that all of our luggage had already been delivered. We quickly unpacked and enjoyed a cocktail on our balcony, waiting for the mandatory life boat drill at 5:15 pm. Immediately following the muster drill, we made our way to Deck 11 for the poolside Mai Tai Sail Away party.

Complimentary mai tais, entertainment by the Magic Island Dancers with our Hawaiian Ambassador Paki and the passing view of the Honolulu shoreline at sunset was a perfect way to begin our “Kingdom of Kamehameha” cruise. We had been invited to a pre-dinner cocktail party in the Vista Lounge, hosted by sales consultant, Donna Cook. It was a pleasure to be personally welcomed aboard by this charming young lady. We also met a couple from Texas and two other single ladies (one from New Orleans; one from Texas) that joined us for dinner the first night. Crystal offers open seating dining on the first night only and our group of six was assigned a table served by a wonderful waiter named Valeri. By the end of the meal, we had already established a connection and were negotiating for a way to have him join us at our assigned table for the rest of the cruise. This evening my sea bass was perfect, with service to match. Conversation was lively and we quickly discovered that the six of us were compatible and a bond of friendship was being established. After dinner, our small group split, some to see the Welcome Aboard show, while the rest of us that had not yet acclimated to the time change, chose to retire.

Day Two – Saturday (Kona):
This was Suzi’s first visit to Hawaii and although I was eager to share its diverse beauty and uniqueness, we decided this was to be our day to do souvenir shopping and explore the port area on foot. We were scheduled to anchor off Kailua-Kona at 8:00 AM, but arrived a bit early. Since we had not planned any lengthy shore excursions, we chose to start our day with an early morning, beginning yoga class, taught by Yoga Master P.J. Haring. Let me interject at this point, that I love Pilates, but my mind and body just don’t seem to embrace yoga with quite the same enthusiasm. After cleaning up and imbibing in some much needed caffeine, we leisurely strolled to the tender platform. Crystal Harmony tender service was another fine example of their efficiency and attention to passenger service and comfort. A casual, no-hassle approach to disembarking meant no tender tickets were required. So, when we made our way to the tender platform, I was pleasantly surprised to see NO LINE! With at least 4 tenders running, as soon as one tender left the platform, there was one waiting in the wings to take its place, eliminating any wait time. Unlike most tender services to which I have been subjected, the tender did not stay moored to the ship until every square foot of space was occupied, but cast off as soon as there was a lull in the passenger flow (no matter how many passengers were onboard). Exemplary!!!!

Kona means “leeward side” in Hawaiian, which is just another phrase for full on sunshine year round and today was no exception. The weather was absolutely perfect, without a cloud in the sky. The tender dropped us off at the Kailua Pier which is in the center of town. What was once a sleepy little fishing village, the center of town is now “tourist central”. Of course, since we had planned this as our souvenir shopping day that fit our needs perfectly. We wandered in and out of the numerous shops that line Alii Drive and the Coconut Grove Market Place searching for our treasures.

Along the way we stopped to visit Hulihee Palace and the Mokuaikaua Church. The palace was once the summer retreat for Hawaiian royalty and has been converted into a museum ($6 entrance fee).

The church was the first Christian Church built in Hawaii (1820) and admission is free. I must confess that during our walking/shopping tour of Kona I had a secondary mission. You see, not too long ago I began a quest for the “perfect Mai Tai”. Well, we were in Hawaii after all, so what better place to continue my search.

A big thumbs up to Cassandra’s, across the street from the tender pier, thus far on my quest they have claimed the number one spot!

Suzi wanted to attend the singles get-acquainted cocktail party, scheduled for 5:30 pm in the Palm Court, so we tendered back on board around 5:00 pm. Entertainment, dancing and complimentary cocktails were provided. We returned to our cabin to prepare for the evening. Entering the dining room this evening, we were shown to our assigned table. We were seated in the very center of the dining room, in the raised circular portion, next to the Captain’s table. Now, I know we had requested our waiter from the first night be reassigned to our station, but as it turned out Kamal, our assigned waiter, was magnificent. He was actually on one of the Renaissance ships (R7 or 8, I can’t remember which) when the ships were seized. In fact, to illustrate how small the world of cruising can be, he recognized two of my traveling companions from a Ren cruise. Engaging and delightful, Kemal helped to make every meal special. Dinner was excellent! I can highly recommend the fried chicken and vegetable spring roll and the crab cakes. The presentation alone was outstanding. After dinner it was off to the Galaxy Lounge to be entertained by comedian, Jimmy Travis, and Dance Champions, Kevin and Diane Clapson. Personally, I enjoyed the comedian, but was not impressed with the dancers. After the show, we all retired. Not only were all of us tired, but there was very little late night activity anywhere on the ship.

Day Three - Sunday (At Sea):
I awoke early this morning and spent a pleasant hour on the balcony journaling and reflecting on the activities of the day before. In lieu of yoga this morning, I opted for a power walk under the sun drenched blue sky that offered a promise of another beautiful day in paradise. My walk, followed by light, fluffy pancakes with warm syrup from the breakfast buffet provided a delicious start to the day. Comfortable, padded lounge chairs and warm sun beckoned me to the pool deck, while others in our group ventured off to engage in some of the numerous morning activities scheduled. My roommate, Suzi, chose to take hula lessons, followed by an illustrated enrichment lecture on the legends and culture of Hawaii. By the way, she was duly impressed with both. An introductory computer class, bridge lessons, flower lei making and foxtrot lessons beckoned others of our group to go their separate ways.

We met at lunch for an absolutely phenomenal poolside Hawaiian barbeque. This was no ordinary buffet, however. It exceeded any expectations I may have had. To give you some idea of the magnitude of this barbeque, here is the list of just the meat/seafood selections that were available: Suckling pig, duck spring rolls, Hawaiian beef stew, teriyaki pulehu steak, Hawaiian BBQ ribs, stir fried mahi-mahi, shrimp, grilled pork sausage, teriyaki chicken, sirloin steak, pork ribs and grilled halibut steak. Accompanied by a multitude of standard side dishes, vegetables and salads, as well as more unique fare, such as, chilled Hawaiian pineapple soup and an array of superb desserts, this was truly a feast fit for the gods. While enjoying this marvelous lunch, we were entertained poolside by the Magic Island Dancers and Musicians.

In the afternoon, I tore myself away from the pool to attend an excellent enrichment lecture on travel photography by Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck. This gifted couple, who have authored dozens of books on travel and photography, were enchanting and personable. I had the pleasure of speaking with them socially and when they discovered I was writing this review and planned to include pictures, they graciously offered their assistance. In addition to their offer, they provided suggestions and pointers that proved helpful. I thank them for sharing their talent and expertise with a novice. Complimentary wine tasting, accompanied by tips on pairing food and wine, rounded out my afternoon.

This was the first of our formal evenings, with a pre-dinner Welcome Aboard cocktail reception scheduled for 7:30 pm in the Palm Court. I loved the Palm Court, and particularly liked the small venue for this reception. This intimate and informal setting allowed for guests, lecturers, entertainers and staff to interact and mingle as if we were attending a cocktail party at someone’s home. As Captain Birger J. Vorland introduced his chief officers, it was obvious that he was proud of his entire staff and considered them family. This sense of belonging was evidenced throughout the ship. In fact, venues such as this were quickly making me feel like I, too, was part of the Crystal family. As a staff member promised, I was quickly being “Crystallized”. This ship was testament to the truth of the adage that a “happy crew makes for happy passengers”. It was apparent that the captain and his chief officers genuinely cared for their fellow staff and crew. They worked hard to maintain a happy crew, and in turn, the crew worked hard to assure that passengers were happy.

Our dining group proceeded to dinner together to be once again awed by our meal. This evening I chose the lobster tail (succulent and tender) and accompanied by wild forest mushroom soup, it was a magnificent meal. By now, our wine steward, Michael, a real cutie by the way, had our number and selected excellent wines to accompany our meals. The extensive, and reasonable, wine inventory onboard was an added mealtime bonus. This evening’s entertainment was a major production show, “Fascinatin Rhythm”. This tribute to George and Ira Gershwin was well done and enjoyable to a point. Although the singers were good and costuming was elaborate, it was much too long and my attention began to wane as one song seemed to meld into another. We had actually planned to go to the karaoke session at 11:45 in the disco, but the show had mellowed us out to the point that retiring sounded like a much better alternative. Hmmm, are you sensing a pattern here of early evenings? I promise you, if you read on, our pace pick ups considerably in the days ahead.

Day 4 – Monday (At Sea):
Ahh! I once again awoke to a glorious morning. We were on or way to Fanning Island, and the closer we sailed towards the equator, the more intense the sun became. This was certainly something that I found pleasurable. I had already decided that morning power walks were to be my major form of exercise, as long as the sun was shining. Besides, I had slept through the 8:00 AM yoga class. I enjoyed another satisfying breakfast at the Lido Buffet and had found a perfect spot to lounge in the sun.

I did have an ll:00 AM appointment with the Philip Herbert, the Hotel Director, who was absolutely wonderful, by the way. I cannot thank him enough for graciously offering his assistance with anything I needed to enhance this review as well as making my cruise as enjoyable as possible. This meeting offered a perfect respite from the sun’s rays, but now I was ready to rejoin some new friends at the pool. Speaking of new friends, I found this ship to be a perfect size to meet new people and establish meaningful contact. There were only about 700 passengers on this sailing, just large enough to offer a huge diversity, but small enough to guarantee frequent encounters with the same people. The ship itself seems to exude a friendliness that encourages new acquaintances to establish bonds of friendship.

I spent the rest of the afternoon lounging in the sun, until it was time to clean up for the Galley Tour scheduled at 4:30 PM. In addition to a very interesting tour, Executive Chef Stephan Giebels and guest chef D.K. Kodama were on hand to share some culinary secrets and sign their respective cookbooks. From there I headed directly back to the stateroom for a much needed nap. The sun had completely zapped me of any energy and I was determined to enjoy some late night activity.

Before dinner Suzi and I stopped by the Avenue Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail and I was introduced to the Crystal Society Hostess, Victoria Harris. This lounge was a staff favorite and I had to agree it had a totally inviting ambiance.

Dinner this evening was at Prego, one of the two specialty restaurants on the Harmony. We were treated to one of the most fabulous Italian meals I have had in some time. I live in a town known for its Italian restaurants, but this was outstanding, even by the most astute standards. Starting with an awesome seafood tower appetizer, followed by delicious mushroom soup in a bread bowl, leading to an exquisite main course of veal scaloppini, I was in culinary heaven. We lingered over dessert, engaging conversation and a bottle of fine Italian wine. Life just doesn’t get much better than this! The $6 gratuity that is charged for dining here is well worth the cost. Although reluctant to leave, after dinner we finally made an appearance at the disco for 70’s night. It was virtually empty, but that didn’t stop are small group of revelers in dancing the evening away. We were not quite ready to call it an evening when we left the disco, so we decided a late night hot tub session would be a perfect way to end the evening. Once again, the Crystal Harmony staff would illustrate the lengths they will go to accommodate guests. We had been told the hot tubs were open 24 hours, but when we arrived there were chains indicating they were closed. A quick call to the reception desk and we were immediately connected to the bridge, at which time we were told, “The spa will be opened immediately for your pleasure.” Now that’s what I call personal service.

Day 5 – Tuesday (Fanning Island):
I was looking forward to exploring Fanning Island as I never made it off the ship on my last visit. Part of the Republic of Kiribati, Fanning Island is an Atoll over 1000 nautical miles south of Hawaii. It is only a little over 200 miles north of the equator, thus the day would prove to be “hot, hot, hot”. Apparently weather had been an issue on the Harmony’s previous trips because the staff was ecstatic about the perfect weather conditions we were experiencing. Although it was quite hot, there was a pleasant breeze, keeping the flies I had heard so much about at bay. We tendered just outside the English Harbor about 8:00 AM, as scheduled. I thoroughly enjoyed my day on this remote island paradise. Granted the inhabitants live quite meagerly, primitive by our standards, but the awesome beauty and serenity offered here must be experienced to be appreciated.

We were greeted warmly and friendly by the residents. Smiles abound and children were quite respectful. The schools close on days when a ship is in port and they entertained us as we landed ashore.

A church group was performing local dances at the main stage, within the barbeque area to the right of the pier. The main beach area is also to the right.

To the left of the pier is an open air market offering local handicrafts of shell jewelry, woodcarvings, hand woven baskets, woven grass skirts and collectibles.

The barbeque lunch provided by the Harmony was more than ample. We had our choice of chicken, ribs, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pizza, and an array of salads, assorted fruit, cookies and ice cream. They also offered complimentary beer (Miller Lite or Corona), rum cocktails (Sex on the Beach), bottled water and iced tea. I know you are going to get tired of me sharing the special Crystal service, but here goes anyway…..We were enjoying the calm azure waters and found it difficult to have to get out of the water to garner liquid refreshment. Well, a Crystal server to the rescue. All we had to do was raise our hand while out in the water and he would deliver our beverages of choice at the shoreline. Hmmmm, have I mentioned I was getting very spoiled! After enjoying the water and a very pleasant lunch, we decided to take a walk into the village. It was quite enjoyable, but I would like to make one recommendation: wear shoes or sandals. We decided we could do it barefoot, which turned out to be a mistake.

The road gets a little rough and rocky, but it was still definitely worth the hardship.

Some of the young children we met on our walk, who did not speak English, entertained us with their rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with broad smiles and pride in their voice. It was quite sweet. I can only hope that we don’t contaminate their peaceful existence with too many of our “western ways”.

We reluctantly made our way to the tender station to return on the last ferry back to the ship. The previous late night coupled with a full day in the sun meant another late afternoon nap was in order. It was 50’s Night tonight and the centerpiece of the evening was the “Rock Around the Clock” production show performed by the Crystal Ensemble Singers and Dancers. However, the Harmony carries its theme nights to a new level. The dinner menu reflected the theme with lots of “comfort food” and the dining room staff was dressed appropriately in outfits depicting the 50’s. I enjoyed a traditional prime rib meal with all the accoutrements. After the production show, the theme night continued with a 50’s, 60’s Sock Hop in Club 2100. In fact, this was to be the only late night buffet of the cruise and the Bistro was turned into a 50’s Diner. The buffet consisted of burgers, hot dogs, popcorn and milkshakes. Now, I know I didn’t need another thing to eat, but I couldn’t resist the temptation of a thick chocolate milkshake and the enticing aroma of freshly popped popcorn. Oh well, I can always exercise tomorrow.

Day 6 – Wednesday (At Sea):
This was the first of our two day journey back to the Hawaiian Islands. Need I even tell you that once again the weather was stellar! I spent the morning taking pictures of the public rooms and then, feeling guilty about the amount of food I had consumed the day before, decided that a “Step Aerobics” class was in order (Well, actually, I didn’t really feel guilty, I just knew that I would need to resort to drastic measures if I did not balance my calorie intake with proper exercise). Following my logical train of thought, after exercising, it only seemed right to enjoy breakfast at the Lido Café (I promise it was “light fare”). By now, I could no longer resist the temptation to find my place in the sun. I “baked” until 1:30, when it was time to hear Donna Cook, the sales consultant, discuss the 2004 and 2005 itineraries and ways that one can save money by booking onboard. This is an aspect of the business that Crystal seems to do quite well. Their incentives for booking future cruises is certainly one of the reasons that they have such a high percentage of repeat business. Of course, their interesting itineraries and gracious and personalized service don’t hurt! A word about their itineraries: Many cruise destinations are in part chosen by their loyal guests. When Crystal Society Members suggest and request, Crystal Cruises listens (this Hawaiian itinerary was one example). Camera ready, after the presentation, I inspected a number of staterooms that had been opened for public viewing. What a great way to help guests decide on a stateroom selection for their next cruise.

P Suite

Cat A

Cat C & D

Cat F Cabins

One of the unique entertainment venues on the Harmony was a Repertory Theatre. At 5:30 the British farce, “Penguins” was to be performed by a troupe of 3 actors. Well, if you have read any of my other reviews, you know I love live theatre, so I was looking forward to the performance. I was not disappointed. Not only was this 40 minute farce quite comical, but the actors were exceptionally talented. Well done Anne Marie Falvey, Derek Whittaker and Bobby Wyckoff! After this exceptional performance, it was time to get ready for the second of our formal nights.

My roommate and I had been graciously invited to attend the Crystal Society Cocktail Reception before dinner. Just like the Welcome Aboard Reception, the Palm Court was a perfect venue for this elaborate affair. Greeted by the very gracious and charming Crystal Society Hostess, Victoria Harris, I was once again made to feel like I was sailing with family. It was here that I met a number of guests who sailed so often on the Crystal Harmony that they considered it home. A guest celebrating her 75^th cruise was given special recognition, but I was amazed by the number of guests who were well into double digit sailings. However, after only one cruise, I certainly knew why! A special treat awaited us this evening at our dining room table. We had jokingly mentioned to Kemal the night before that we needed a beautiful floral arrangement like the one at the Captain’s table. Well, on Crystal ask and you shall receive. He had procured a beautiful arrangement for our table. Another meal to delight my palate, followed by another production show featuring the Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers was the order of the evening. Tonight’s show was a salute to the music of Irving Berlin. Colleen Williamson and Mark Bradley Miller were both talented and had strong, commanding voices, but once again I found the show to be too long and we actually departed early. Since we had missed Karaoke the first time around, we headed for the Stars Lounge to check it out. Well, we were certainly getting a reputation! By the time we had found a spot and all got seated, the waiter was already delivering our drinks of choice. Of course, the fact that late night revelers were few and far between on this cruise might have had something to do with it. We quickly became friends with the social staff since it was often just them and us enjoying the late night venues. Some of my traveling companions (not me) even participated in Karaoke that evening. The evening ended with another very late night hot tub session.

Day 7 – Thursday (At Sea):
This morning I was on a mission. While on Fanning Island our small group had decided to put together our own Shipboard Scavenger Hunt. The six of us each came up with two questions about the ship (for which we did not know the answer). We enlisted the help of Scott Peterson, the Cruise Director, and he had promised he would garner the correct answers. We had until dinner tonight to find the answers and the winning two-some would win a bottle of wine compliments of the two losing teams. Of course it was understood that the bottle would be shared by all of us at dinner, so there were no real losers. Well, my teammate and I had been remiss in our search and now it was crunch time. I didn’t have much time because I had a meeting scheduled with the Sales Consultant at 10:30. Completing the bulk of my mission in time (I did have some inside help, but I promise to keep the identity of my source secret), I went to my meeting and then scurried down to the Crystal Cove at 11:30.

You see, the lavish Grand Gala Buffet was to be lighted for pictures and then the extravagant luncheon was to be served at noon. What a scrumptious display! The lobby area was transformed into a wonderland of culinary delights and white gloved waiters escorted us to the neighboring Crystal Dining Room to savor the delicacies. What a wonderful concept. Not only could everyone onboard view and appreciate the pinnacles of the chefs’ talents, but the overabundant waste that is the norm at Midnight Buffets was eliminated. Food, and its presentation, was obviously an integral part of the Crystal experience.

After this feast, I was able to sneak off for a few hours in the sun, before attending my second performance of the Repertory Theatre at Sea. A wonderful comedic trilogy, “All in the Timing” was performed by the same talented troupe I had enjoyed the day before. If we ever meet, ask me what it is like to “Wake-up in a Cleveland”. Definitely not a compliment, but we Clevelanders know how to take ribbing with grace.

As if I hadn’t eaten enough today to sustain me through the rest of the cruise, we had made reservations this evening at Kyoto. Japanese cuisine with a western touch perfectly described the fare. Now, I am not a fond of sushi and when they brought out a huge boat of assorted sushi as our appetizer, I was apprehensive as to how much I would enjoy this meal. Well, my fears were totally unfounded. Our appetizer consisted of eel, shrimp, tuna, salmon and California roll. I passed on the California roll and eel, but everything else was delicious. For my main course I ordered the Kyoto Signature Obon Tray. I was presented with a feast of lobster, filet steak with teriyaki sauce and vegetable and shrimp tempura which was enough to feed 3 people. Truly a magnificent meal! After a day of gluttony, a full day of activity and hours in the sun, not to mention the previous late night and no nap, my roommate and I decided to pass on the performance by the concert pianist and stopped for a nightcap at the Avenue Lounge. I have already mentioned that this was a favorite spot for the crew, and tonight was no exception. We met lead singer Mark Bradley Miller and discovered he was quite an accomplished performer. After speaking with him at some length, I was eager to view the special production of their version of Camelot. But now, it was time to retire as we anticipated our early arrival in Hilo.

Day 8 – Friday (Hilo):
We docked at Pier One in Hilo shortly before 8:00 AM., but everyone was required to pass through immigration inspection before disembarking. Although we were told that no guest would be allowed to go ashore until everyone had completed the inspection, when we completed the immigration process, we were given slips of paper indicating that we had passed the inspection. Even though there were people still going through immigration, we were permitted to disembark as long as we had that slip of paper. We wanted to get an early start as we had reserved a car and planned to visit Mt. Kilauea and Akaka Falls. Suzi and I invited two of our new friends Lanie from Houston and Karen from New Orleans to join us. I had reserved a car pre-cruise and the car rental shuttle was waiting for us shore side to take us the short distance to the airport to retrieve our car.

Without any delay we quickly hopped into our car and off we went to Mt. Kilauea. Kilauea Caldera is the longest continuously erupting volcano in the world.

Unfortunately, it was not very active during our visit, but the Thurston Lava Tube made it worth the 30 minute ride to get there. Hilo, considered by many to be the rainiest city in the United States, experiences measurable rainfall, on average, more than 275 days a year. We were blessed, however, with sunny skies and beautiful weather.

Or next stop was to be Akaka Falls. We stopped enroute for a bite to eat, drove through town and headed west to Pepe’ekee Scenic Drive. If you have car, this is a must do, particularly if you are planning to visit the falls. The scenery is breathtaking. From there we headed inland, a short way up the slopes of Mauna Kea to Akaka Falls. A paved, but rather steep scenic path carves its way through the thick rainforest. Winding our way to the falls we were surrounded by a colorful labyrinth of orchids and other tropical plants and passed by other smaller falls.

Akaka Falls is a spectacular visionary delight and worth the hike to get there. Leaving the falls, we returned to the center of town for a brief stop at the park before returning our car.

Back on board, Lanie invited us to her cabin for wine and appetizers while we watched the sunset on her balcony. It was a wonderful, relaxing way to end our day of touring. The theme for this evening was medieval, and just as with the 50’s night, the theme was an integral part of all activity. Bar staff and wait staff throughout the ship were regaled in medieval costumes and the dinner menu offered a Royal Feast. I chose the Elizabethan soup and filet mignon with braised short ribs. They weren’t kidding when they called this meal a feast! We finished dinner just in time to make the 10:30 production show, Excalibur. (As another side note, even though the showroom is intimate, we never had any trouble finding a good seat the entire cruise. I don’t know if it was because the ship was not full, or the fact that many passengers had chosen to dine early.) Well, what a show! This was by far the best performance of the cruise. The costuming was phenomenal and the singing spectacular. The show was simply dazzling (and this from someone who considers herself a musical buff)! A Jazz Jam by members of the Galaxy orchestra in the Avenue Saloon completed the evening.

Day 9 – Saturday (Maui):
I awoke early anticipating our arrival in my favorite Hawaiian island. We were scheduled to anchor off the Port of Lahaina at 8:00 am, and as was the case throughout the cruise, we arrived a bit early. This morning we chose to order a full breakfast from room service and enjoy the view of the port from our balcony. Room service was yet one more example of the exemplary services onboard the Harmony. Meals are prepared to order and delivered promptly. Everything is served perfectly as requested. Although breakfast was good, my island was calling my name and I was getting anxious to revisit it once again. We strolled down to the tender stage and made a swift departure aboard a waiting tender (once again with NO LINE). Dropped off right in the center of the compact town of Lahaina, there are numerous art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and souvenir shops all within walking distance.

We were lucky to be in port on Saturday so the local craft fair, under the banyon tree, was in full swing. As Maui has numerous artists in residence, I was able to purchase some quality crafts and unique originals for gifts and then it was off to Kaanapali Beach by local bus. It only costs $1.00 and the bus stop is located right at the pier.

Kaanapali Beach is a full scale resort area, just a few miles from Lahaina. Its three mile stretch of crystalline sand is a beach lover’s heaven.

It is always an extra treat for me to enjoy lunch along this beautiful strand at one of my favorite restaurants, Leilani’s. By the way, on my perfect mai tai quest, Leilani’s is number two on my list.

Day 10 – Sunday (Kauai):
Docking at Pier #2 in the Port of Nawiliwili at approximately 8:00 am, I was anxious to get off the ship and share the beauty of this lush, garden isle with my traveling companion. As soon as passengers were able to disembark, I left the ship to schedule a helicopter tour for our group of four. From previous experience, I knew there would be representatives dockside at the port. I reserved space for an afternoon trip with an excellent company I had used before, Ohana Helicopters.

I then returned to the ship and gathered my roommate Suzi for the short walk to the beach in front of the Marriott. The beach is directly behind the Anchor Cove shopping area, and if you prefer not to walk, they provide a continuous free shuttle service to and from the pier.

The Marriott beach is a nice, albeit small, stretch of sand and Duke’s (yes, part of the chain) is a great spot for a refreshing cocktail or light lunch. I did continue my mai tai research here, but must admit it did not make my list. Since the Ohana Helicopters office is located in the Anchor Cove shopping area, we enjoyed a leisure lunch, did a bit of shopping and met our other two companions at the office for our trip.

In my opinion, although the 50 minute ride is a bit pricey, the best way to appreciate the magnificent beauty of this island is by helicopter.

The dramatic journey, from the Na Pali coastline, to the Wailua River, from the waterfalls to the depths of Waimea Canyon, should not be missed!

Back on board we enjoyed a final sunset party on one of the verandahs and then returned to our respective cabins for the dreaded task of packing to go home.

Our Dinner Group with our Adopted Waiter Valeri,
Wine Steward, Michael and Our Waiter Kamal

Final dinners are always bittersweet and as the waning hours of our magnificent cruise draw to a close, I reflect on the many new friends I have made, the absolutely phenomenal staff and service, my elegant surroundings and the pure joy this cruise provided. Once again, I realize how truly blessed I am and how wonderful life can be when we open ourselves to opportunities when they are presented.

Disembarkation:
Planning to rent a car and tour Honolulu before our late night flights, we requested early disembarkation luggage tags. Even with early disembarkation tags, we vacated our cabin leisurely and enjoyed one final breakfast in the dining room. We strolled to the theater to await our turn to disembark. The process was swift and smooth and within a short period we were off the ship, had collected our luggage and picked up by the shuttle van to deliver us to the airport to garner our rental vehicle.

Miscellaneous Facts, Thoughts and Comments:

The Captain hosts small private parties most evenings in his quarters. Book a suite or be a frequent passenger and you will definitely be invited.

Crystal has a staffing concept that makes every crew member feel like part of a team. The mantra is “Everyone on board Crystal serves a passenger, or serves someone who does.” Basically what this means is that while your Cabin Stewardess is cleaning your room, someone is cleaning hers.

No leftover passenger food for the Crystal harmony crew. Separate crew chefs have been hired to prepare ethnic meals that coincide with their nationalities.

There is a very limited children’s program. In fact, on this cruise there were very few children, and most of those were members of the officers’ families.

There are no quads on the ship and the limited third berths are very tiny. They are designed to accommodate a small child.

If you are looking for outstanding food and service the Crystal Harmony delivers! If you are looking for non-stop nightlife, look elsewhere.

The Crystal Harmony is the only ship in the Crystal fleet that has inside cabins and there are only 19 of them.

Overall Impression:
Although I had never been more eager to share a cruise experience, as mentioned in my preface, I discovered this was also the most difficult review I have ever written. The real essence of a Crystal Harmony cruise is in its spirit. Sure, the ship is beautiful and the food superb, but it radiates a blend of perfect balance and harmony that is hypnotic in effect. Could it be its utilization of Feng Shui design, or is it the impeccable service of an exemplary staff and crew? Whatever the reason, a Crystal Harmony cruise is an emotional experience that transcends the written word. There are so many aspects of the cruise that cannot be conveyed in a conventional review. It is only after you experience cruising on the Crystal Harmony for yourself that you will understand the euphoria of being “Crystallized”. My daughter often tells me she knows she is totally spoiled, but in a good way. After sailing on the Crystal Harmony, I truly understand what she means.