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Travel + Leisure
9 hours 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.'
Hospitality Net
28-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Villa Copenhagen Automates over 13,700 Tasks in 3 Months Using Flexkeeping's Automated Services
Villa Copenhagen, a 390-room luxury hotel in the heart of Denmark's capital, has fully embraced automation as a way to enhance efficiency, empower staff, and scale the kind of personalized service today's travellers expect. In just three months, the hotel automated 13,778 operational tasks using Flexkeeping's Automated Services solution, freeing up time for teams to focus on what matters most: the guest. Automated Services is foolproof , said the hotel's Front Desk Manager. Efficiency and effectiveness are big value drivers for us. We know there's not going to be an error along the way, and that provides a better experience for the guest. Over 6,000 of these automated tasks were personalized services for included surprise and delight moments for AMEX customers, proactive in-room details like baby cots or extra towels, and real-time responses to late check-outs, room moves, and other guest requests. Using Automated Services, Villa Copenhagen could scale up these types of services without adding complexity or manual workload. Flexkeeping's seamless integration with Mews made it easy for the team to transition into a new workflow quickly and enthusiastically. What I love most about Flexkeeping is that it's very integrated with Mews , said Villa Copenhagen's Housekeeping Manager. Everything you see in Mews, you see reflected in Flexkeeping. Other platforms didn't offer us that option. The impact of the integration expands beyond Mews to other guest-facing apps, like Oaky. This has opened the door for Villa Copenhagen to capitalize on new revenue opportunities and ensure they are always delivered on, for improved profitability and guest loyalty. At Villa Copenhagen, Automated Services didn't just save time. It redefined how work gets done. By removing manual workload and decision-making from daily routines, the team has unlocked new levels of efficiency and boosted morale, while delivering consistent guest experiences. This is the future of hospitality. We feel the bear has been poked, and hoteliers have become aware of how operations can be automated. Our door is open to set them up for success. Larisa Deduš, VP of Customer Success at Flexkeeping About Flexkeeping Flexkeeping looks like a hotel operations platform and feels like a sigh of relief. Through smart automation and AI-driven collaboration, we power shockingly smooth experiences for hotel teams and their guests. That's why thousands of properties worldwide trust Flexkeeping to make their operations more profitable. Our mission: to change how hotels operate. For good. Will yours be next? Find out at Marieke Wisse Head of Marketing View source
Associated Press
10-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Internet Marketing Company Marketing 1on1 Has Moved to a New Domain, 1on1.marketing
Marketing 1on1, a top internet marketing company, has recently shifted to a new web address - The domain change is influenced by strong rebranding strategies and other reasons, aiming at long-term benefits for all users and stakeholders. Los Angeles, California, United States, May 10, 2025 -- Redesigning, rebranding and restructuring keep on happing in the domain of marketing, and that is what Marketing 1on1, top digital marketing company, appears to have done. In a strategic rebranding move, the company has moved to a new domain At a time when the digital landscape is evolving at a faster pace, brand visibility and clarity are more critical than ever. Succinct, relevant, and memorable, the new domain signifies the core values of the company - one-on-one attention, personalized service, and excellence in online marketing. 'We have been planning this move for some time now, and have finally gone for it,' says a spokesperson for the company, 'Basically, it is reaffirming who we are and what we offer, not just shifting to a new web address. Delivering personalized, strategic marketing solutions is what we have always believed in. With our new domain name, we believe that we are reflecting that commitment better, in a more professional way.' The new domain aligns better with the name of the company and has a better recall value. In a crowded industry, '.com' domains are now regarded as generic. Naturally, the switch to will help Marketing 1on1 stand out more easily. It reflects authority and specialization, and helps to establish industry relevance at a glance. For both existing clients and prospective partners, it will reinforce the company's focus on delivering cutting-edge, custom digital marketing services. The company had been trying to come up with a stronger brand identity, and offer a more streamlined, professional experience to its clients and partners. With this move, it is set to provide users with a renewed, stronger experience that will hit home its brand messages and what it stands for – growth, innovation and a quest for better advertising – marketing one on one, promoting direct and straightforward. While the '.com' domain is generic, the '.marketing' domain is more industry-specific. With a customer-centric digital identity, Marketing 1on1 is now poised to show itself as a leading name in the digital marketing space. For all users, the old domain will migrate smoothly. It will automatically redirect users to the new site, which means that existing bookmarks and links will continue to function without disruption. Everyone will get a seamless experience, with email addresses and all core functionalities of the site going to stay fully operational. Anyone who visits the new domain will be able to order all the core services of Marketing 1on1, including SEO, Link Building, Content Writing, Logo Design, and Web Design. All these will be available in a more polished, user-friendly online platform. Since it opened up, Marketing 1on1 has been helping startups, small and medium sized businesses and virtually any individual or business in need to grow online presence and drive measurable results. It has a vast portfolio comprising of clients who are highly satisfied with its services, transparency and performance-driven strategies. For businesses that wish to start with digital marketing and find a secure footing, it can be a trusted partner. With the digital marketing industry evolving so often, Marketing 1on1 has gone for the change with an eye into the future. For a brief period, the design and associated features will stay unchanged. Once old users and stakeholders get adjusted to the switch, its move to a new domain is likely to be followed by changes in design, theme, site navigability and other features, with an aim at improving functionality. New services and packages are also likely to be added, in an attempt to expand its offerings and global reach. 'We are also planning at updating the content, expanding our overall resources and providing users with an experience that can drive better engagement,' continues the spokesperson for Marketing 1on1, 'In the coming months, we will provide value across all touchpoints. And that is going to yield plenty of benefits for everyone in the long run.' Every year, digital marketing companies come and go, not being able to make a mark for long. Since 2012, Marketing 1on1 has been serving individuals and businesses with effective internet and digital marketing services that drive real results, contributing to the bottom line in no small way. It works with a client-centric approach and helps businesses to succeed online with one-on-one support. About Marketing 1on1 A full-service digital marketing agency, Marketing 1on1 offers a wide variety of digital marketing services and solutions including SEO, social media marketing, press releases and more. With no contracts, no set-up fees and affordable rates, it is easily one of the best names in the business. For more information, visit Contact Info: Name: Media Relations Email: Send Email Organization: 1on1 Marketing Phone: (818) 538-4805 Website: Release ID: 89159622 In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
