Crystal Serenity Redesign
While calling on the Port of Los Angeles, Crystal Serenity was in port long enough for me to take a look at her $25 million dollar redesign. I was able to take a tour of the ship to see the transformation, and I liked what I saw (it’s hard not to like a luxury cruise ship).
Based on renovation norms in the hospitality field (ships are like hotels you know), Crystal Serenity was due for a makeover since her launch in 2003. The end result is a fresh and updated color palette and stateroom renovations that are chic, fresh and comfortable.
Renovation Highlights
- Dry dock took place May 8-22, 2011 at Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany.
- An international crew of 400 worked for 14 days, around the clock to complete an aggressive completion schedule.
- 531 Deluxe Staterooms, Penthouses and Penthouses Suites were updated.
- The retail areas were updated. Note: The ship’s renovated Apropos boutique — a retail space for designer clothing and accessories — has won the prestigious Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) interior design award.
New Deluxe Stateroom and Penthouse Accommodations
Renovations to Crystal Serenity’s Deluxe Outside Staterooms, Penthouses, and Penthouse Suites received new sofas, wallpaper, window treatments,headboards, bedside cabinets, pillows, and custom carpets. New modern lighting features and electronic “do not disturb” doorbell system installed.
Retail Areas
The designer, Keith Rushbrook, principal at the Toronto-based II BY IV Design Associates, was going for modern-classic-elegance (he achieved his goal).
New Pool Deck – think South Beach’s lime, azure and mango color pallet
The pool areas have new circular pod beds, plush sofa groups, and lounge chairs in a kaleidoscope of lime green, azure, and mango.
Furniture, fixtures, and lighting
The corridors throughout the ship are transformed. There is new custom-designed carpeting, updated artwork, and new lighting. Dramatic new lighting was also installed in the Crystal Dining Room, as will new furniture on all stateroom balconies.