Crystal Symphony

The Seahorse Pool is the center of Symphony's open deck, and it's long enough to swim real laps, with a shallow end and a deeper end. A large whirlpool sits close by, and loungers, love seats and shaded sofas ring the deck. Danny never had trouble finding a lounger, in the tropics or in Alaska. Trident Grill is steps away for a late riser's breakfast, burgers and salads, and Scoops Gelato Bar serves Badiani gelato from Florence.

Up top, Symphony has a full-size Wimbledon Court for padel tennis and pickleball, plus golf driving nets and a putting green. A golf pro sails on most cruises, and TaylorMade clubs are available from the sports director, so there's no need to pack your own. It's an easy way to stay active between ports, with the ocean and the breeze all around you. The fitness center one deck below has Technogym equipment and classes.

Above the Palm Court, the Forward Observation Deck looks straight out over the bow, with deck chairs set out for scenic cruising. Symphony also has a feature Danny calls rare: on some decks you can step out to open forward decks right from the passenger hallways, just below the bridge. His family ran out there, bundled up, when the ship reached the glaciers in Alaska. There are similar open decks at the back of the ship.

The Palm Court sits forward on Deck 11, with skylights overhead and a 270-degree view through floor-to-ceiling windows. It hosts afternoon tea, live music and dancing, and it's a relaxed place for a cocktail before dinner or a coffee in the morning. Danny found it quiet early in the day, which made it one of his favorite spots to read or work while the scenery slid past the windows.

Crystal leans toward adult travelers, but Symphony has dedicated spaces for young cruisers: Fantasia for younger children and Waves for teens, with arts and crafts, games and video games. The Junior Activities Program runs on select voyages when enough children are aboard. Danny sailed with his young family and credits the counselors, more than the rooms, for making it special. On his sailing, even the guest magician came up for a kid-sized show.

Symphony's teak Promenade Deck wraps all the way around the ship, something not every ship can offer. Danny loves it as a piece of classic ocean-liner style, with lifeboats overhead and short stairways along the way. It's ideal for a morning walk, a jog or simply watching the sea go by, and it's one of the places where the ship's 1995 heritage shows in the best possible way.

The Galaxy Lounge is Symphony's main showroom, with Broadway-style productions, headline entertainers and Crystal's well-known enrichment program. Lecturers come aboard to match the destination, covering history, culture, geography and food. Nearby are the Hollywood Theatre for recent movies and live sports, the Avenue Saloon piano bar, and Le Casino de Monte-Carlo, which has replaced the casino seen in Danny's tour. The Starlite Club adds dancing and cabaret on selected evenings.

The Bistro is a Parisian-style café with sea views, serving specialty coffees and teas with light sweet and savory bites throughout the day. Danny used it all the time on his cruise, starting most mornings there. Across the ship, the Library holds more than 2,000 books, plus magazines and board games, with comfortable chairs for a quiet afternoon. Together they make a calm, social corner that suits long voyages.