From timeless elegance onboard to curated shore adventures, our 10-day Crystal Symphony family cruise from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greece was the perfect blend of elevated relaxation and unforgettable family moments.
Why Crystal Symphony Stands Out
While Crystal Symphony may be considered an “older” ship, its recent refurbishments under Abercrombie & Kent have breathed new life into its spaces, especially in the suites I toured. The ship now boasts a refreshed interior, maintaining its grand legacy while feeling fresh and luxurious.
key highlights of our Crystal experience
- Thoughtful renovations: Decks 7 and 8 showcase contemporary redesigns in suites, with bright, elegant Italian furnishings and luxurious finishes like Jesurum 1870 linens and marble bathrooms featuring impressive rain showers.
- Ideal guest-to-crew ratio: With fewer than 620 guests and nearly one staff per guest, service feels personal yet unobtrusive.
- Kid-optional luxury: Crystal offers spaces like the Fantasia playroom and Waves arcade—perfect for families—without making them the focus. Our boys didn’t join in much, yet they never once said, “I’m bored.”
- Exceptional dining: Standout meals included Umi Uma by Nobu – the only Nobu restaurant at sea – and Beef Bar, which was so popular with our family that we made repeat reservations.
This Crystal Symphony family cruise truly felt like a seamless blend of sophistication and comfort for travelers of all ages. There were multiple multi-gen groups on board, and everyone was having a great time!
Spotlight on the Sapphire Veranda Suite
We are big fans of the Sapphire Veranda Suite. It is Crystal’s third-highest category, but I would consider it the best value category. Here are some of the key features that set it apart:
- Spacious 430 sq ft interiors with separate living area, dining space, and walk-in closet.
- Private, expansive teak veranda (~107 sq ft) complete with furniture—ideal for port views or morning coffee outside.
- Sumptuous spa-style bathroom, often featuring rainfall showers, double vanities, massage jets, and marble finishes.
- Seamless 24/7 butler service: in-suite dining, afternoon canapés, shoeshine, laundry, and yes—champagne and soft drinks on arrival.
- Extra touches: wet bar setup, Nespresso machine, binoculars—plus intuitive seating and storage designed for comfort.
This suite epitomizes the Crystal experience—understated elegance, privacy, and personalized service. Touring these renovated spaces helped me determine which accommodations would be best for different clients considering a Crystal Symphony cruise.
Ports of Call & Shore Highlights
What drew me to this sailing -beyond the chance to experience the iconic Crystal Cruise brand -was the itinerary itself. I’ve been to Greece more than any other country, and I never tire of it. So, the idea of a one-way itinerary that spent almost the entire cruise in Greece? Irresistible. While I had visited the first four ports before, I intentionally chose new experiences in each one. The one-way route allowed us to cover more ground without backtracking, and ending with two nights in our final port gave me the perfect excuse to explore a region of Greece that had been on my list for years. Here’s a look at what we experienced in each stop along the way:
- Athens – Departure city; smooth embarkation with a local welcome.
- Chania (Crete) – We headed to West of Chania in order to visit Balos & Gramvousa. We skipped the overcrowded ferry and chose a private RIB boat, arriving early and enjoying a crowd-free experience before the ferry arrived. We enjoyed lunch at a local beach and returned to the ship with time to spare.
- Santorini – Post-lunch tender to the bay, followed by a cable car ride to Fira (zero wait!), a scenic (and slippery) walk down, along with donkey sightings.
- Rhodes – Our family loved our private Segway tour, a perfect way to explore the old town. They even had a 4 wheel version that my dad opted to use for more stability. The boys couldn’t stop raving about it.
- Kusadasi, Turkey – Our ship overnighted here which allowed us to travel 2.5 hours inland to visit Pamukkale, an area with surreal travertine terraces and turquoise thermal pools – truly unforgettable.
- Patmos – We rented a vehicle and beach-hopped among Agriolivado where we enjoyed lunch at a local taverna lunch, pebble hunting at Lambi, and a swim at Kampos.
- Thessaloniki / Sani / Halkidiki – Our Crystal Symphony family cruise ended not in port, but in paradise. Thanks to the gracious invitation from my rep at Sani Resort, we spent a dreamy day enjoying the largest resort in Greece. More on that next week!
Luxury Cruises Are Family-Friendly
There’s a misconception that luxury cruises aren’t for kids—our journey proved otherwise. The itinerary, not just onboard activities, is what shapes a family-friendly experience. The Crystal Symphony cruise’s serene ambiance, coupled with engaging shore explorations like I detailed above, kept everyone in our family happily entertained.
Yes, the boys didn’t flock to the ship’s kids’ club, but they never complained about boredom or excess. Instead, they talked about donkeys, beaches, gyros, and Segways.
Final Thoughts ...
- Crystal Symphony offers a rare gem: grand elegance, contemporary comforts, and heartfelt service – all while being family-aware.
- A port-rich itinerary with private tours and beach days elevated this cruise. Sometimes, less razzle-dazzle and more discovery is the most profound way to travel with pre-teens.
- If you want a family cruise that blends sophistication, discovery, and ease, this route and this ship are a perfect match. Let’s chat if you’re dreaming of something similar!
