Crystal Serenity

The Seahorse Pool is the heart of Serenity's top deck, with a pool large enough for morning laps, two whirlpools and a bandstand for live music at sail away. Loungers, tables and chairs wrap all the way around, with drink service throughout. Just inside, the Trident Grill serves a late riser's breakfast and made-to-order burgers, melts and salads into the afternoon, and Scoops Gelato Bar serves Badiani gelato from Florence.

Perched all the way forward at the top of the ship, the Palm Court is a bright observation lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and sweeping forward views. Afternoon tea is served here with live piano music, and the dance floor and bandstand come alive later in the evening. There's seating at the bar and tables for two and four, plus a small outdoor deck for photos when the ship sails through Alaska or the Norwegian fjords.

The Marketplace is the casual buffet for breakfast and lunch, with a salad bar, hot entrées, made-to-order eggs at breakfast, a rotisserie and plenty of seating along the windows. Step outside to the aft terrace to dine al fresco with the sea right behind you. Serenity has no aft-facing staterooms, so the decks below step down with guest space, daybeds and wake views on every level.

Umi Uma & Sushi Bar is Crystal's restaurant by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Crystal says it's the only Nobu restaurant at sea. The Japanese-Peruvian menu runs from soups, salads and appetizers to entrées like wagyu and black cod, with a full sushi bar and window tables for two. Dining is included, with a set number of reservations per sailing based on voyage length. Guests in the penthouse suites can dine here without limit.

Osteria d'Ovidio is Serenity's Italian restaurant, named for Crystal's owner, Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, with a menu created in collaboration with the Michelin-rated Alajmo brothers. Expect handmade pastas, classic appetizers and creative entrées, served at tables for two and four, in booths and along the windows. Like Umi Uma, it's included, with a set number of reservations per sailing. Danny counts it among his favorite restaurants anywhere in the cruise industry.

Waterside is the main dining room, with a daily changing menu of classic and contemporary dishes served à la carte. Since the refurbishment cut capacity to 740 guests, there's a seat for everyone whenever they want one, at tables for two, four or up to ten along the windows. Nearby, The Bistro is the ship's café, with specialty coffees, teas and light bites throughout the day, made by some of the best baristas in the business.

The Aurōra Spa offers massages, facials, wraps and medi-spa treatments, along with acupuncture, a full-service salon, a barber, and manicure and pedicure stations. The steam room and sauna are complimentary for all guests. The nearly 3,000-square-foot fitness center has Technogym equipment, treadmills facing the ocean, free weights and spin bikes, with yoga, Pilates and spin classes plus personal training sessions available.

One of Serenity's signatures is a teak Promenade Deck that wraps all the way around the ship, something few ships still offer. It's the place for a morning walk or jog, or fresh ocean air on a sea day. Up top, two Wimbledon courts host pickleball and padel tennis, plus yoga and stretch classes. All the way aft on Deck 6 are golf driving nets, a putting surface and table tennis.