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Travel Weekly
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Eating and drinking my way through Riverside Luxury Cruises' culinary program
Brinley Hineman I just spent a week aboard the Riverside Debussy, sailing the Rhine River from Amsterdam to Basel, where Riverside Luxury Cruises' culinary program was front and center. This was my first time sailing with Riverside, but after enjoying lunch on its ship the Mozart at the ASTA River Cruise Expo, I already knew that its food and beverage program shined. I had been hearing buzz during the expo about the delicious meals advisors enjoyed on the Mozart. And from the moment I stepped onto the 110-passenger Debussy, when I was handed a glass of bubbling champagne, until I departed, I couldn't stop myself from indulging. At practically all hours of the day, food is available: Heaps of meats and cheese are on display, along with fresh fruits and vegetables, assortments of pastries and freshly baked cookies. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with classic dishes like scrambled eggs and avocado toast, and more indulgent options like foie gras and a crab sandwich wrap topped with caviar. Food can be a hit or miss, as I learned when I ate my way through at least six ships at the River Expo. And to be sure, on the Debussy an occasional side dish may have needed some extra salt, or a citrus dessert may have needed extra sugar to balance the tartness. But I was impressed that Riverside's quality consistently hit the mark. Executive Chef Simeon Petkov, who worked on the ship when it was owned by Crystal Cruises, told me that under Riverside's management he could better flex his creativity in the kitchen, especially for those dining in the ship's Vintage Room. A standout dish, and perhaps the best bite I had on the cruise, was a perfectly cooked venison filet served with a jus made of dark chocolate and a truffle potato foam. Though that is closely followed by a comfort meal of spaetzle, loaded with cheese and topped with fresh chives, and a slice of fried duck paired with a cherry sauce. The dark chocolate jus was an unexpected twist on an otherwise classic dish, and not the first time I was surprised by one of the kitchen's creations. Our first night, I ordered beef carpaccio as an appetizer because of the description: It included mustard ice cream. It felt odd to eat an ice cream that wasn't sweet, but the cold tanginess worked well. Plus, the unusual pairing leveled up the fun. Ilija Marojevic, the hotel manager, led a wine tasting one afternoon as we sailed down the Rhine, passing wild horses drinking from the river. The theme was New World wine vs. Old World, and Marojevic pitted two European and two Californian wines against each other. Prior to this tasting experience, the only thing I could tell you about wine is that I like to drink it. But by the end of the hour, I was left with a better understanding of the differences between wines grown in France than California. I even grew to appreciate white wines, thanks to an excursion to a winery in France where I drank what I would now describe as my ideal glass of white: a Pinot Gris from Alsace. Until the next time I'm able to sail with Riverside, I'll be dreaming about that spaetzle.
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Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Luxury Cruise Ship Has Fabulous Suites, a Nobu Restaurant, and Some of the Best Service at Sea
Extraordinary, personalized service from a friendly crew who seem to be enjoying themselves. Nobu-caliber sushi, included in the fare. Spacious suites that you actually want to spend time in. Over-the-top activities and old-school cruise traditions done with a contemporary flair. Aboard the Crystal Symphony not so long ago, our butler was fretting about matzo balls. My husband wanted a light snack, so we'd called for some room service chicken soup—hold the dumplings. But, our butler said with some concern, we'd be missing out on something 'really good.' That's the kind of on-the-ball service you can expect when traveling with Crystal, a line renowned for its old-school service, including butlers assigned to every suite. In fact, earlier on our voyage, our suite attendant had managed to put a shine on my husband's well-worn shoes and then, much to my delight, politely pointed out another pair also needed a polish. In a way, we had been looking forward to the trademark service, since my husband and I honeymooned on this ship in Southeast Asia about a decade ago. Being back for a sail in the Adriatic Sea felt like coming home—albeit a home that had recently been spruced up. The staircase in the ship's atrium. MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE/Courtesy of Crystal Cruises That's because the Crystal Symphony was extensively refurbished and relaunched in 2023, with a look and feel that's both contemporary and throwback. Think cool kidney-shaped couches underneath the real, retro waterfall in the atrium lobby, for instance. The overhaul came after the luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent purchased the Symphony , and its sibling ship, Crystal Serenity , in 2022, after Crystal Cruises had declared bankruptcy. In doing so, A&K revived the much-loved brand and hired back more than 90 percent of the staff that helped make the line so special in the first place. One thing that is no longer retro, thankfully, is the dress code. While there are still so-called formal nights, few on our sailing showed off the tuxes, ballgowns, and family jewels which used to be a 'thing' on Crystal ships. Instead, the mostly over-60 crowd went for a more resort-y look, including a few pairs of dark jeans that would've been out of bounds even a few short years ago. That may be an evolution for the Symphony , but it's one I'm happy to see. Here's a closer look at what makes Crystal Symphony so special, including more details on the ship's suites, restaurants, and other amenities. Most guests on the ship stay in proper suites. Ours was a 430-square-foot Sapphire Suite, with a walk-on closet, couch, dining table, an alcove with queen-size bed, and a big marble bathroom with double sinks and large shower. On the 110-square-foot balcony was a cocktail table and two chairs. The suite was so comfortable we lingered there more than we typically do while on other ships. At the high end, a 909-square-foot penthouse suite with a 107-square-foot balcony suits those with deep pockets. Of course, these premium suites also come with additional perks: while we enjoyed free laundry, along with our choice of in-room bar options, fancier suites come with all sorts of extras, including the option to have Nobu 'takeout' delivered. One recent addition to the ship are a handful of 215-square-foot ocean-view cabins, which were designed (and priced) for solo travelers. Al fresco dining tables at the Marketplace. Courtesy of Crystal Cruises There are an impressive 10 dining options on Crystal Symphony , and many of them are excellent. At the top of the list is Umi Uma, a restaurant from acclaimed chef and restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa that's exclusive to Crystal ships, serving Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, sushi, and his signature miso black cod. Then there's Osteria d'Ovidio, which is named for Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, who owns Abercrombie & Kent and, by extension, Crystal. It has the kind of pasta you dream about; my favorite was a homemade casarecce with basil pesto and aged Grana Padano. Everyone gets a complimentary meal at both venues, and guests can pay an additional fee for repeat visits. Many do. But meals in the main Waterside restaurant are perhaps just as extraordinary. I found myself choosing between Alaskan crab legs, Beef Wellington, and roast pheasant. After my cruise, the ship turned its casual sit-down restaurant into a Beefbar, featuring bao buns and other global street food from the buzzy restaurant brand. The poolside Trident Grill serves tasty burgers at lunch and the Marketplace buffet impressed me by featuring local cuisine, including a full Greek buffet as we docked in Crete. The Starlight Bar. Courtesy of Crystal Cruises Many drinks and wines are included on Crystal, but there is one over-the-top experience, The Vintage Room, that comes at an extra charge. This intimate dinner party–style venue is where sommeliers show off the ship's cellar—at prices that can reach four figures. Afternoon tea is also an occasion, served as it is by tuxedo-clad waiters, with scones and real clotted cream served on bone china in the skylit Palm Court observation lounge. The ship will spend summer and the early fall of 2025 in Europe, including the western Mediterranean and the Greek Isles before heading to Africa and the Indian Ocean in late November. It will continue to Asia in February 2026, offering springtime sailings in Japan. Crystal Symphony will be in Alaska in the summer of 2026 before moving onward to Canada, New England, and the Caribbean. Crystal's excursions have gotten a boost thanks to the expertise of Abercrombie & Kent. In addition to city walks and bus tours, the line offers more intensive cultural tours and adventure activities. On my cruise, guests had the option of doing a walking tour of medieval Kotor, Montenegro—or they could opt for a via ferrata climbing experience on a mountainside track. On a delightful 'Secrets of Greek Cuisine' tour in Corfu, about 20 passengers learned to make tzatziki and moussaka at a hillside villa, the lively commentator suggesting using leftover cucumber peels as a beauty treatment while placing strips on her face. The Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi deck. MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE/Courtesy of Crystal Cruises There's something to do on the Symphony from morning to the wee hours, and that's a point of pride for Crystal: learn the cha-cha with ballroom dancers; video editing from instructors at the line's Computer University@Sea; get tips for taking better iPhone photos; take up pickleball on the ship's dedicated court; catch an enrichment lecture by, in our case, a White House correspondent who covered President Ford. My husband loved getting swing tips from a golf instructor; the ship has TaylorMade clubs to rent for play in port. On my sailing, it was a tad chilly for the pool, though some still grabbed blankets and populated the cushy orange lounge chairs and hot tub. I preferred the spa, with complimentary steam and sauna; treatments at extra cost included hot stone massage or a cryofacial. The 3,000-square-foot gym has lots of wellness diversions plus windows for views; fitness classes include yoga, Pilates, and spinning. The waiting area and salon at the Aurōra Spa. MARK LUSCOMBE-WHYTE/Courtesy of Crystal Cruises The entertainment team is large for a ship of this size and includes, in the main lounge, a big team of singers and dancers performing Broadway showtunes—and my sailing we had on our sailing both Michael Jackson and Elton John impersonators, as well as comedians and other cabaret acts. There's a resident big band that sets the tempo for dancing—there are even gentlemen hosts available for ladies—and a DJ rocks the small disco late into the night. Many guests get excited for the White Party, during which everyone is encouraged to dress in white, the champagne flows, and the atmosphere is very lively. There's also a fun, pub-like piano bar and a Connoisseur Club for cigars and cognac. A new gaming room is the first venture of the Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea, and it has both slots and table play. For more sedate vibes, there's a library with around 2,000 titles. Crystal Symphony attracts some multi-generational families with children, particularly during holiday periods. A designated, brightly furnished, staffed space is divided into a lounge area for teens and play area for younger kids. Board games, Xbox, movie nights, and crafts sessions keep youngsters occupied. Kids will also enjoy Scoops, the ship's complimentary ice cream shop. (There are 39 connecting cabins, so parents can bring the kids and still have some privacy.) The three ADA-certified and wheelchair-accessible cabins are marked on deck plans with a wheelchair symbol: two are 215-square-foot double ocean-view guest rooms; the other is an Aquamarine Suite. On its website, Crystal suggests that 'guests with limited mobility should ideally be able to navigate the ship independently. Alternatively, they may opt to travel with a companion who can provide assistance if needed.'
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Sail across the World to Japan, South Korea & Italy on a luxury cruise liner
CNA938 Rewind Play In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out about the destinations and countries that cruise passengers can discover when they sign up with Crystal Cruises, a luxury cruise liner. Evon Ler, director of sales, Asia at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, the parent company of Crystal Cruises, will talk about the activities – on and offboard – that await passengers. She'll recall travels to Busan, South Korea – eating live octopus; visiting a sake brewery in Kobe, Japan and enjoying fresh cannoli in Sicily, Italy. Ler will also describe the wellness and F&B options like curated plant-based menus and sound therapy sessions available on Crystal Cruises. CNA938 Rewind - Sail across the World to Japan, South Korea & Italy on a luxury cruise liner In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out about the destinations and countries that cruise passengers can discover when they sign up with Crystal Cruises, a luxury cruise liner. Evon Ler, director of sales, Asia at Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, the parent company of Crystal Cruises, will talk about the activities – on and offboard – that await passengers. She'll recall travels to Busan, South Korea – eating live octopus; visiting a sake brewery in Kobe, Japan and enjoying fresh cannoli in Sicily, Italy. Ler will also describe the wellness and F&B options like curated plant-based menus and sound therapy sessions available on Crystal Cruises. 18 mins CNA938 Rewind - Made for Mums by a Mum: Gisele Woon on Building Clare's Corner In 'Made in SG', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with Gisele Woon, founder of Clare's Corner – a 1700 sq. ft events space located in Kembangan, East of Singapore. Woon explains how she set up the company after struggling to find a suitable space for her daughter's birthday and some rude shocks that came after that. She'll describe how Clare's Corner is designed for birthday parties, workshops and corporate events. A TikTok personality with over 1800 followers, Woon will also share the raw realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship. 32 mins CNA938 Rewind - Paw-ssibly the Future: The Dog Grocer's Sustainable Take on Pet Nutrition In 'Made in SG', Melanie Oliveiro speaks with the founder of The Dog Grocer, a Singapore pet food manufacturer that's also touted as the country's first sustainable pet food store. Founder Soo Ming Hui, together with marketing manager Nicole Chong, will recall what jumpstarted the brand's creation, how they strive to produce optimal nutritious pet food in their AVS-licensed kitchen, how sustainable the brand is, and the different eats popular with furkids: from freeze-dried treats to marinated jerkies. 33 mins CNA938 Rewind - New Bahru's ECA Field Trip: collaborations, eats and more! In 'Destination Anywhere', Melanie Oliveiro finds out where Singaporeans can go to attend a series of design-led fairs featuring local & regional brands. Tania Chan, partner & Chief Marketing Officer of hospitality company Lo & Behold Group will talk about lifestyle destination New Bahru's Extra Curious Activities (ECA) that will bring together local creatives in unexpected ways for visitors to enjoy. Happening from 6 - 8 June, 'ECA: Field Trip' will feature over 30 clubs, societies and lifestyle brands under one roof. Shermien Koh, founder of East Coast Commune will talk about how the café is collaborating with Cruddy, a creative design unit, on a picnic-style booth featuring exclusive merch and a new kids activity book. 16 mins
Fox News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Ryder Cup captain, LPGA star team up to deliver nationwide tournament; grand prize is a 29-night cruise
If you ever wanted to feel like a professional golfer, you now have an opportunity to do so thanks to Troon and Crystal Cruises. Troon, the world's largest professional club management company, and the cruise line have teamed up to deliver the new Crystal Cup, where regular golfers have a chance to win a 29-night cruise from Singapore to Tokyo. Luke Donald, Team Europe's Ryder Cup captain, and LPGA star Lexi Thompson are joint ambassadors for the tournament and expect an unforgettable experience. "I love to travel overseas through my job. It's important with my family, we do as much traveling when I'm not on the road playing golf and try to experience new places and a lot of different cultures," Donald told Fox News Digital. "It's nice to see that Crystal is getting involved in golf to create the Crystal Golf with Troon, and they're going to set up some events where regular golfers get to play some of the best courses in the world. That's always nice to try to grow the game that way." "As golfers, we travel the world, but unfortunately, sometimes we don't get to experience it much," Thompson added. "So getting to partner up with them is an amazing experience for me. Hopefully many more great experiences to come with a company." Seven states - Alabama, Virginia, Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, and Texas, will have 10 local qualifiers, with three regional qualifiers will take place in Carlsbad, Calif., Sanford, N.C., and San Antonio, Texas afterwards. The final will be at Sea Island Golf Resort from Oct. 23-26 in Georgia. "You will get some of the most incredible experiences across the world at some of the most high-end golf courses. Partnering up with Troon, bringing two brands like that together, it's endless possibilities for those two companies being partnered up together. So, I think it'll be nothing but great things to come," Thompson said. "The fun thing is to having access to some of these great golf courses that Troon owns and operate that the general public can get to see, and everyone loves to be a competition, don't they? So having the opportunity to go to these very high-end facilities, I think that's what Crystal is all about, is creating something unique, something special, something a little bit different than what you can usually you get," Donald added. "I think that's that's very cool for the game and for these fans that will hopefully be a part of the Crystal Cup." If you come up short of the grand prize, those who finish near the top can still get rewarded. Each member of the two-person teams to qualify for the Crystal Cup Final will receive a voucher to be redeemed against any Crystal cruise booking, and runners-up will each receive a ticket to enjoy a European cruise for them and a guest with Crystal. The first regional qualifier is currently set for May 17 at Cimarron Hills in Georgetown, Texas, and all players will compete in both the gross and net divisions, regardless of handicap, in a modified scramble format. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NOAA calls for R.I. officials to fill open seats on CRMC
Crystal Serenity, a cruise ship owned by Crystal Cruises visiting Newport, is anchored in the Anchorage D area west of Goat Island on Oct. 3, 2024. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) gives top marks to the expert staff of Rhode Island's coastal regulatory agency in a new evaluation. But federal regulators remain concerned over three open seats on the politically appointed Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), calling on Gov. Dan McKee and the legislature to fill the vacancies 'as soon as possible.' 'It is essential that a quorum is maintained and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program conducts a regular and full schedule of Council and subcommittee meetings in order to implement Rhode Island's approved coastal management program,' NOAA's Office of Coastal Management wrote in its April 10 report. The 148-page document examined federal data collection, in-person meetings with staff and council members, and verbal and written public comments on the agency's performance spanning the five-year period from September 2019 to October 2024. Federal monitoring of the state coastal program is required as part of a 1972 federal law setting up coastal regulations and funding for state-level programs. More than one-third of CRMC's $6.2 million budget in fiscal 2025 came from federal funds, including roughly $1.7 million from NOAA. NOAA's latest evaluation concludes that the state is 'successfully implementing and enforcing' its federal coastal management program based on examination of its program administration, offshore wind projects, public access and protections against shoreline erosion. However, NOAA highlighted several weaknesses in Rhode Island's adherence to federal regulations, including the vacancies on the 10-member council. Seven spots are filled, with the newest gubernatorial appointee, Dr. Michael Reuter of Barrington, confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate last month. The three open seats risk canceled meetings and delayed decisions if the council can't get at least six of its sitting members to show up — a problem that has plagued the appointed body for years. Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee's office, said in an email Wednesday that the governor was seeking qualified candidates for the open seats. She confirmed candidates are now under consideration, but did not respond to follow-up questions such as how many contenders are being vetted. Council vacancies are one of many problems cited by critics, whose frustrations with the panel's controversial, and at times, unlawful, decisions have reached a boiling point. Coastal advocates have teamed up with Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha and state lawmakers to overhaul the agency, proposing to eliminate the council and reshape the CRMC as an administrative body akin to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Several versions of this proposal have been introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly this year, but not advanced beyond committee prior to the legislature's April break. NOAA took no position on the pending state legislation but noted states have flexibility to determine the structure of their coastal management programs. Of the 29 states with federal coastal management programs, only three — Rhode Island, California and North Carolina — give significant decision-making power to an appointed panel, according to a February report from the Rhode Island Department of Administration. Jed Thorp, advocacy director for Save the Bay, saw NOAA's indifference to how Rhode Island executes its coastal management program in a positive light. Save the Bay is a leading advocate for the proposed overhaul of the CRMC. 'Sometimes, opponents [of the reform bill] will point to NOAA as this sort of bogeyman,' Thorp said in an interview Wednesday. 'NOAA is basically saying, 'we don't care how you set it up. You have a menu of options available to you.'' Save the Bay ultimately wants to get rid of the council, but Thorp still wants the open seats filled in the interim. 'We need the council to be fully seated so they can function and conduct their business,' Thorp said. The CRMC issued a statement on April 10 celebrating its 'good grade' from NOAA. Jeffrey Willis, CRMC executive director, acknowledged requests for an interview but did not respond to subsequent calls and emails. The report offered high praise for the agency's 32-person staff who 'excel at defining their role as regulator and policymaker, forging strong partnerships with others who have complementary skill sets and missions.' However, the increasing scope of their work and responsibilities, from the slew of proposed offshore wind projects to disputes over public access to the shoreline and complex permitting applications, are more than the current employee roster can handle. Employees worked 60 to 80-hour weeks during reviews of proposed offshore wind projects, according to the report. 'Moving forward, a continued insufficient staffing level and strain felt by staff places the state of Rhode Island at a disadvantage in being asked to manage and analyze a significant amount of information and material required to complete additional federal consistency reviews,' the report stated. Lack of staffing has also contributed to a backlog of permitting applications, insufficient enforcement against violators such as Quidnessett Country Club, and delayed and incomplete reporting required for federal grants, the report stated. McKee has rejected calls to fund new hires for the strapped coastal agency. His proposed fiscal 2026 budget rejects the CRMC's request for money for five more employees. In lieu of more full-time workers, NOAA suggested partnerships with university law programs and use of third-party contractors. And it reiterated a requirement first made in a 2020 report to transition to an online permitting database. The original 2024 deadline has now been extended to Sept. 30, 2026. The CRMC did not respond to questions Wednesday regarding the delays in creating the online database. The evaluation comes as the Trump administration has imposed major layoffs and budget cuts at NOAA. How attempts to gut the federal regulatory agency will trickle down to Rhode Island's state coastal program remains murky, though Willis told council members during an April 8 meeting that the CRMC could lose up to 10% of its $1.7 million in NOAA funding. When incorporating additional administrative costs for the state to seek and carry out federal funding, the cuts could rise to 17%, Willis said. 'At this time of year, we usually have our federal allocation in hand,' Willis said. 'Right now, we don't know how we're going to put it in our budget and we don't know what kind of funding we're going to get. We're just in a wait-and-see period.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
