Crystal Serenity Baltic Cruise. Enjoy Uber Luxury On The High Seas.

Michael Edwards discovers astounding loyalty at sea on the uber-luxurious Crystal Serenity Baltic Cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen

“One guest took 430 cruises with Crystal,” Scott, the Serenity’s Hotel Manager, told me.

“And some of our staff have been with us since Serenity’s first voyage, 35 years ago. I’ve done 24 years with Crystal myself,” he enthuses.

As a small ship with a warm soul and a maximum of just 740 guests, there’s a friendly atmosphere on board Crystal Serenity. On an average Crystal cruise around 40% of guests are returnees.

Also, for a cruise line, Crystal has a remarkably low staff turnover, partly because staff know what they’re getting; gratuities are included in the price, they’re not dependent on the whims of guests. Sometimes, it’s like a family reunion of hugs, when returning guests meet long-service staff.

Another surprise comes when we learn that some guests have taken cruise after cruise after cruise. “I got on a month ago in Lisbon and I’ll be getting off after 39 days,” one tanned passenger tells us over pre-dinner cocktails to the soundtrack of the grand piano. Next, he tells us that there’s a couple on board on their 135th Crystal Cruise. Pre-dinner cocktails, covered by the all-inclusive offering, is a highlight of the Crystal day. Guests are sociable, exceptionally well-travelled and eager to talk over their day sipping a martini or mojito

On the one hand, such guest loyalty is quality reassurance. But on the other, experienced guests know the ropes; booking prime times in the three speciality restaurants of Beefbar, Osteria d’Ovido and Umi Uma with the Maitre d’ of the Speciality Restaurants. On our eight-night voyage guests are only permitted one visit to each of the speciality restaurants, so getting table reservations isn’t a problem. They’re just later than we had intended.

Similarly, regulars, who have been “Crystalised”, have booked for the 1960s nostalgic Supper Club, in the 140 capacity Stardust Club, before some guests have even boarded. Fortunately, our butler gets us on the wait list, and eventually we get a table for a menu that includes caviar, velvety artichoke veloute, lobster and chocolate mousse. All to a silky soundtrack from a seven-piece band and talented singer.

Crystal Serenity is more spacious than most ships sailing the oceans. In 2023, a $150 m refit doubled the size of many of the suites as capacity was reduced from over 1,000 to a very comfortable 740. It gives guests around 90 square feet in which to luxuriate.

Finding a table in The Bistro for morning coffee or in Palm Court for a traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches and cakes is never a problem. For breakfast, without giving prior notice, guests can choose between a la carte service at the Waterside Restaurant, a help yourself buffet at Marketplace or a breakfast for late-risers at the Trident Grill. From dawn pastries at the Bistro through to late night snacks the quality of the food is astounding – and matched by exceptional house wines too.

The range of Stockholm excursions demonstrates how choice has broadened since A & K Travel Group took over Crystal. The choice extends from a free shuttle bus, from the docks to Stockholm’s central Opera House, through to booking a private car with English speaking tour guide for the day. Amongst the trips on offer are Panoramic Stockholm, the Vasa Museum and Stockholm by boat, Stockholm by land and boat, a City Art Walk and for foodies a four-hour walking tour taking in the flavours of Sweden’s culinary diversity.

Similar trips are on offer in our other ports of call of Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, Visby and Warnemünde (for nearby Rostock). When the Crystal Serenity docks in our final destination of Copenhagen, guests with late flights can also book a tour of the Danish capital which concludes at the airport.

Surprisingly, even though they are Baltic jewels, Stockholm the Venice of the north and Helsinki the Athens of the north, aren’t the stars of the cruise. Serenity and the crew are the real stars; especially the 260 involved with Food and Beverages.

When rough seas make docking at Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland, too hazardous, guests almost seem pleased to have a sea day. They can book treatments at the Aurora Spa, head for the gym, or take a consultation with Raj, the Director of Fitness: he advises on body composition, foot posture, metabolism or guests can hear his lecture on gaining a flat stomach. For anti-ageing treatments, which could take 10 years off your appearance, it’s no surprise that the youthful looking Dr Clare is an enthusiastic practitioner.

Lt General (retired) Mark Hartling gave fascinating insights into Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the war in Ukraine and Leadership. Worryingly, he fears that the world is closer to a major war than at any time since he graduated from West Point.

More optimistically, Dr Jane Thomason looked to the digital future, unravelling Bitcoin and the Metaverse for guests, whilst there were also workshops on using Adobe’s Firefly, to improve holiday photographs, and also utilising the iPhone’s latest features.

For other guests, on sea days, the priority is the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which is an elegant collaboration with the

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, dropping into the neighbouring Avenue Saloon for drinks and cocktails.

On sea days, brows are furrowed at breakfast as guests make tough choices: dance or golf lessons, hot tub or afternoon film, bridge or jewellery-making class. Then there’s the choice of where do you lunch – Waterside for a light a la carte lunch, Trident Grill for burgers and wraps, Marketplace and its immense buffet or global street food fusion at the ultra-cool Beefbar? And do you try the Cocktail of the Day at lunch or later??? That’s all before Broadway-style shows in the evening.

So many choices. Almost too many choices. It’s easy to understand why Crystal guests keep coming back for more. One guest onboard already had her next 24 cruises booked.

Tell Me More About this Crystal Serenity Baltic Cruise

Crystal Serenity Baltic Cruise prices start from £4,500 pp for a double guest room with ocean view and from £6,900 pp for a Sapphire Veranda Suite. Price includes all meals and drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities.

T: 0808 178 3396 E: salessupport@crystal cruises.com

Crystal Cruises global itinerary is continually developing, and the next comparable cruise will be a nine-night Southampton to Copenhagen cruise departing 27th July 2026 on Crystal Serenity.