Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity mooring in Antwerp
Career
Name:	Crystal Serenity
Owner:	Crystal Cruises
Operator:	Crystal Cruises
Port of registry:	Bahamas[1]
Ordered:	7 November 2000[2]
Builder:	STX Europe Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France
Cost:	$350 million[1][3]
Laid down:	9 July 2002[4]
Christened:	3 July 2003[5] by Dame Julie Andrews
Maiden voyage:	7 July 2003
In service:	7 July 2003
Identification:	Call Sign: C6SY3[6] IMO: 9243667[6] MMSI: 311536000[6]
Status:	In Service
General characteristics
Type:	Cruise ship
Tonnage:	68,870 GT
Length:	820 ft (249.94 m)[7]
Beam:	106 ft (32.31 m)[7]
Draught:	25 ft (7.62 m)[7]
Decks:	13 decks 9 decks passenger accessible[1]
Speed:	service speed: 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) maximum speed: 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)[7]
Capacity:	1,070 passengers
Crew:	655

Crystal Serenity is a cruise ship, owned by the cruise line, Crystal Cruises. Crystal Serenity was built in 2003 in STX Europe in St. Nazaire.^[8] She operates together with her older fleetmate, Crystal Symphony, offering around the world voyages.

Concept and construction

By March 2000, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, parent company of Crystal, started negotiations with the French shipyard, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, for the construction of a third ship for Crystal Cruises.^[4] Crystal Serenity was then ordered in Chantiers de l'Atlantique (now STX France Cruise SA) in 7 November 2000, together with the signed Letter of Intent.^[2] In 12 December 2000, the official contract was then signed by NYK and Chantiers, for the construction of Crystal Serenity, with an expected delivery by June 2003, which was 6 months ahead of the original plans.^[9] By March 2001, Crystal Cruises unveiled the designs for the upcoming Crystal Serenity.^[10] The keel of Crystal Serenity was laid on 9 July 2002^[4] in Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. She was then christened in 3 July 2003, by Dame Julie Andrews, in Southampton, United Kingdom.

The lead designer of Crystal Serenity was Robert Tillberg of Tillberg Design.^[1] The other designers were the Italian Garroni Designers Company, Japanese Okada & Associates, American Nix Firestone Associates and II by IV design Associates, British Stephenjohn Design and was internally designed by Brennan Beer Gorman Monk (BBGM) of New York.^[1]

Operational history

The maiden voyage of Crystal Serenity was on July 7, 2003, 4 days after her christening. It was a 14-day round-trip cruise, departing Southampton and cruising Northern Europe. During her inaugural season, Crystal Serenity held summer cruises in Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and a transatlantic crossing. It was followed by two Caribbean/Panama Canal voyages and a combined Christmas/New Year Mexican Riviera cruise, round-trip from Los Angeles.^[5]

On January 14, 2004, she embarked on her first world cruise; a 106-day voyage departing Los Angeles, which concluded on May 5, in New York City.^[5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Crystal Serenity Fact Sheet. Crystal Cruises. Retrieved 9 May 2010
2. ^ ^{a b} Crystal Cruises Orders New Build. Press Release. Crystal Cruises. 7 November 2000. Retrieved 10 May 2010
3. ^ Crystal Serenity cruise review and photos ShipParade. Retrieved 8 May 2010
4. ^ ^{a b c} Crystal Cruises Announces Commitment to Build Third Ship. Press Release. Crystal Cruises. 8 March 2000. Retrieved 10 May 2010
5. ^ ^{a b c} Dame Julie Andrews Christens Crystal Serenity Amid a Flurry of Color. Press Release. Crystal Cruises. 3 July 2003. Retrieved 10 May 2010
6. ^ ^{a b c} Crystal Serenity - 9243667 marinetraffic.com. Retrieved 8 May 2010
7. ^ ^{a b c d} Luxury Cruises - Travel Cruise Deals & Vacation Packages Crystal Cruises. Retrieved 8 May 2010
8. ^ Technical information - STX Europe AS - Crystal Serenity STX Europe AS. Retrieved 8 May 2010
9. ^ Crystal Cruises Signs Contract for New Ship. Press Release. Crystal Cruises. 12 December 2000. Retrieved 10 May 2010
10. ^ Crystal Cruises Unveils Design Plans for Third Ship. Press Release. Crystal Cruises. 6 March 2001. Retrieved 10 May 2010

Further reading

• Crystal Serenity ship reviews Retrieved 8 May 2010
• Integrated Automation System for cruise vessel Retrieved 8 May 2010

External links

• Crystal Serenity Deck Plans & Details at Crystal Cruises site
• "Dance With the Crystal Stars - and the Glenn Miller Orchestra - on Big Band Transatlantic Voyage" - PRNewswire
• "Jeddah’s blend of old and new wows Western tourists" - Arab News
• "Relishing routine on board and off Crystal Cruises' Serenity" - Mercury News
• "On Crystal Cruises attention to detail, luxury are crystal clear" - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette