Crystal's Asian Cruise Winds Down in Singapore

Last Days for Luxury Dining, Spa, and Gaming Aboard Symphony

Aug 24, 2009

After sailing for more than 2,600 nautical miles on board Crystal Symphony, the final sea day before arriving in Singapore leaves time for last minute luxuries.

From glamorous Hong Kong to glorious Singapore, passengers aboard Crystal Symphony find the final sea day is one of mixed emotions. Is there time for just one more spa treatment before packing? Is there time to book just one more dinner at Prego or Silk Road? Is there time for just one more swim before the Captain's Farewell Dinner? Should we go for afternoon tea in the Palm Court just one more time? Or grab some last minute jewelry bargains at Facets or a designer handbag at Apropos?

While the 11-day voyage, with ports-of-call in Vietnam and Thailand, was one of fantastic experiences, the last day of this cruise (and probably most others) is filled with a mixed bag of emotions and a suitcase filled with memories. Cruise director Paul McFarland puts it best: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!"

While most cruisers were thoroughly satisfied with chef Markus Nufer's nightly offerings in the main dining room -- who could complain about Chateaubriand, rack of veal, broiled lobster, or wok-fried scallops -- more than half of the passengers enjoyed at least one dinner in Prego, serving Northern Italian-inspired specialties of Piero Selvaggio, and Silk Road or The Sushi Bar, featuring Nobu Matsuhisa's signature Asian cuisine.

Two special occasion luncheons were also "presented" around the Neptune Pool during the cruise, an "All American" meal featuring everything from southern BBQ to New England seafood, and "Asia Café," offering specialties from this part of the world. The "Grand Gala Buffet" transformed the Crystal Cove and athe Atrium into a culinary and artistic extravaganza, with chefs from all of the culinary departments pulling out all the stops on elaborate presentations, including ice carvings and seafood "towers."

An exciting concept in food and wine, The Vintage Room is available on both Crystal ships for private, themed dinners for up to 12 guests. Connoisseurs can choose menus such as "A Wine Tour of Europe," "Best Wines of Napa," or "New World and Old World Comparisons" with reserve wines specially chosen by head sommelier Pasquale Gubitosa.

Another big question for this final night was whether or not to go ashore to Singapore or enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner. Having only docked at 4 p.m., many of the passengers disembarking the next day opted to stay aboard and hope to return to Singapore at another time. Many, however, were staying on for the next cruise (Singapore to Dubai), so they headed ashore to tour Singapore by night (including a stop at Raffles Hotel where the legendary Singapore Sling drink was invented in 1915) or to visit the Safari Park for an unusual evening visit.

Crystal Announces 2010 Itineraries and World Cruise

Loyal Crystal fans, or members of the Crystal Society (guests who have sailed with Crystal Cruises before) were spending their last night already looking ahead to 2010 and the 61 itineraries in Europe, North America, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean, South America, Asia, Alaska, and the Amazon. Cruises range from six to 100 or more days on the World Cruise (Crystal Serenity sails for 108 days -- January 11 to April 29 -- fromfrom Miami to London) with ports of call in South America, South Africa, the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe. For complete details on all Crystal sailings, visit Crystal Cruises.

For more on the ports visited on Crystal's "Exotic Asian" itinerary check out Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Thailand.

The copyright of the article Crystal's Asian Cruise Winds Down in Singapore in Singapore Travel is owned by Margaret Johnson. Permission to republish Crystal's Asian Cruise Winds Down in Singapore in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.