CRYSTAL SYMPHONY REVIEW: LUXURY CRUISING FROM ATHENS TO THE AEGEAN

Sailing with Crystal Cruises:

An Honest Review of Crystal Symphony

At Select Travel Holidays, we’re proud to bring you first-hand insights from our award-winning team. Rachel, our Managing Director, has over three decades of experience in the travel industry and has personally sailed with many of the world’s leading cruise lines. Her in-depth knowledge, combined with genuine passion for travel, ensures you’re getting an honest, expert perspective you can rely on.

In this Crystal Cruises review, she shares her experience on board Crystal Symphony, giving you a true taste of what to expect — from dining and entertainment to the destinations that make a Crystal cruise so special.

By Rachel Wright, Managing Director at Select Travel Holidays, Bedford

Embarkation and First Impressions

Smooth Check-In at Piraeus

We stayed in Athens the night before and jumped in a taxi to the port of Piraeus, the following day. Check in was from midday, we arrived a bit earlier as we couldn’t wait to get on board. We were greeted by the lovely Crystal staff who labelled our cases and whisked them off to our suite. Inside the port, we had only just sat down when we were called to embark, very impressed how quick this was. Check in is done on board, love onboard check ins they work so well, we were sitting by the pool just twenty minutes later, glass of Fizz in hand.  

Atmosphere on Board Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony doesn’t have a pool bar however the bar waiters were always visible and on hand to take refreshment orders. What we noticed immediately, the crew were friendly, smiley faces and very relaxed with guests, not robotic, if that makes sense.

As we had skipped breakfast at the hotel, we enjoyed a lush lunch in the buffet restaurant, ‘Market Place’ so much choice, impossible to list!

Accommodation and Butler Service

Our suite was ready after lunchtime, we were on deck 5, in their lead in grade, an ocean view suite, with large picture window. Our butler, Earl, came and introduced himself, followed by Mourhene our suite attendant. You can call your butler any time, ask for your favourite drink, stock your minibar with your choice of refreshments and if you wish a bottle of your favourite wine can be delivered to your suite, every night if you want.

To be honest, we didn’t call upon Earl, he did pop by to check to make sure everything was ok and if we needed anything.

The suite was well laid out, the bathroom had an amazing shower, toiletries were Ortigia from Sicily, very nice indeed. 

Dining Experiences on Crystal Symphony

Dining, where to start! We experienced all the speciality restaurants plus the main dining restaurant, Waterside’, ‘Market Place’ the buffet restaurant and The Trident Grill (burgers, wraps, pizzas) and Beef Bar for lunch, our favourite spot for lunch. Highly recommended their ‘KFC’, KFC will never be the same again!

Waterside Main Restaurant

Waterside Restaurant (main dining room) is open for breakfast 0730 until 0900, generally when in port it doesn’t open for lunch. Evening opening hours were 1830-2130, turn up when you wish, they can accommodate any table size, we always opted for a table for two. We enjoyed impeccable service, ever changing menu and delicious food with complimentary wine, of course! We rarely made it to desert course! Handy tip, you can ask for any dish as a ‘small plate’, we kept forgetting!

Speciality Restaurants – Nobu, Osterio d’Ovidio & Beef Bar

Speciality restaurants – book as soon as you can, before your cruise. Ours was an 11 night cruise, so we could book each restaurant once, there is an option to make further reservations which carries a charge of $50 per person.

Osterio d’Ovidio

Osterio d’Ovidio, Crystal’s Italian Restaurant, some wonderful signature dishes and a Venetian menu. 10 out of 10

Beef Bar on Crystal Symphony

Beef Bar in the evening, it transforms into a speciality restaurant. Theme Reef, leaf and Beef, a great choice of Waghu Beef, from Striploin to Tomahawk, fish dishes and creative ‘leaf’ dishes to choose from. 10 out of 10

Umi Uma by Nobu Matsuhisa on Crystal Symphony

 The menu is created by the renowned Master Chef, Nobu Matsuhisa. I must be honest, some years ago Bill and I ate in a Japanese restaurant, which we didn’t enjoy, the menu was chosen for us, it didn’t appeal and put us off eating Japanese again. We were pleasantly surprised at the menu here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Starters we had Nobu style lobster and wok fried shrimp and scallops, entrée Bill had the famous Nobu- Style Black Cod and I had grilled Australian Waghu steak. We did manage a desert, just!

For Sushi lovers there is a separate menu. Everyone we spoke to on the ship raved about Umi Uma, we now know why. 12 out of 10!

Snacks, Scoops & In-Suite Dining

Scoops. Confession time! We kept saying we must try one of the many flavoured ice-creams, we saw so many people devouring them daily, we were always either too full of lunch or didn’t want to spoil our dinner, we regret not trying them. Oh well, we will just have to book another Crystal Cruise!

• The Bistro. Although we didn’t use this facility, it was very popular, late risers’ coffee and Danish Pastries
• In suite dining - We didn’t make use of this however the in suite dining has an impressive menu
• Late night snacks – Canapes are offered around the various venues late evening; they were delicious and a work of art too

Entertainment and Nightlife

Live Music and Performances

Crystal Cruises offer a varied entertainment experience all around the ship. Crystal Cove you will find a Violinist and Pianist, Palm Court, is where solo travellers can get together with dance hosts. Starlite Club, dancing, Jade Night Club, Karaoke, we didn’t participate and DJ Viviano spinning the discs.

Le Casino de Monte Carlo, a small venue, we didn’t visit, Hollywood Theatre if you fancy watching a film/documentary. The Galaxy Lounge presented various artists, we enjoyed vocalist, Steve Charles with soul and Motown.



Other acts during our cruise were tributes, one being Elton John. I just must highlight, Martin Kaye, extremely talented piano player, not your typical pianist, he could play upside down, jumping on and off his seat, remarkable, thoroughly enjoyed every minute. 

Avenue Saloon on Crystal Symphony

Our favourite evening haunt was Avenue Saloon, with Neil Fullerton, born and bred in London, a truly excellent pianist and guitarist and tip top entertainer with an excellent sense of humour. During his breaks he didn’t disappear, he would sit and chat with everyone, it was clear he enjoyed his job. As word spread, some evenings were ‘standing room only’.

White Night Party Atmosphere

White Night, or should I say, my kind of night! I knew all the words… for once! Excellent singer backed up by the talented ‘Crystal Showband’. Crystal Plaza area was adorned with a white theme, it was very well attended, and guests made the effort to wear white, whether it be, a white top, trousers or all out white from top to toe, it was a great atmosphere, loved it.

Exploring Ports of Call

Hydra – A Charming Island Escape

 First time here for us and what a beautiful port call. Hydra is a tender port, just a ten minute ride, it’s very hot at 30 degrees and very windy! The only motorised vehicles allowed on the island are fire trucks and delivery vehicles. The mode of transport is either a water taxi or donkeys. Hydra is one of Greece’s Saronic Islands with a population of just over 2000 people.

The port area is a crescent shape full of upscale shops, art galleries and tempting jewellery shops. Leading off the main walkway are delightful side street to wander through. Taking centre stage in the marina is Hydra Cathedral. Fancy a beach, the nearest beach is roughly a mile away which can be reached by foot or water taxi. If a mile isn’t a long enough walk you can do a two hour steep hike to the Monastery Profitis Ilias

Kavala – Culture and Coastal Beauty

Sailing into Kavala was nothing short of breathtaking, a new port of call for us.  The centre is just a ten minute stroll from the port before you reach restaurants and shops. It was extremely hot, no breeze, no shade so we stopped at the first bar with shade to have a drink whilst I negotiated Google maps to find Freedom Square to pick up the toy train to the old town.

The train goes on the hour from 9am with last one going at 2pm. It’s free of charge and mainly used by locals, I could see why, as the alternative is walking up very steep cobbled pathways with bags of groceries!! You need to be there 15 mins before as it gets busy. It only takes 15 minutes round trip, if you wish to get off at any point, simply press a button for the driver to stop.

Although only a short ride it gave us the opportunity to discover how picturesque this part of Kavala was. Back at Freedom Square, (Eleftherias Square) we strolled through the many side streets, which are filled with bars, tavernas and a huge variety of shops.

We stumbled upon a tiny taverna, with just two tables, thankfully in the shade!

We enjoyed a lush Greek Salad and kebab, freshly prepared in the tiniest of kitchens. We would love to come back here to explore more but not in the summer months! There is a lot to see, Kavala offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and coastal beauty, all easily explored on foot.

 Istanbul – An Overnight Highlight

Sailing into Istanbul is gorgeous — especially mid-morning. Much better than those dreaded “red eye” arrivals, when you drag yourself up at some unholy hour just to squint at the scenery.

Passports in hand, barcodes printed (thank you, Crystal Cruises), we disembarked in Istanbul’s brand-new cruise terminal — the world’s first underground one.

The traffic outside the terminal is manic and hardly moving, I don’t suggest getting a taxi as you won’t get far! We planned on taking the tram, the tram stop was a couple of minutes’ stroll from the terminal. Here we navigated the ticket machine, after a three-round battle with the ticket machine. (We won.) Five stops later we were in the Sultanahmet area wandering around and getting our bearings for the next day. Top tip: book a cruise that overnights in port — you’ll thank me later.

The following day we headed out after lunch, we had plenty of time as Crystal Symphony doesn’t leave until 11pm. Having been to Istanbul before, we wanted to see the Blue mosque, as the last time we came it was a disaster, short story my head covering kept slipping off and out of respect I didn’t go into the Mosque. This time, I was well prepared and had my head cover securely in place and another wrap to cover knees. I looked hilarious, but I got the photos and videos I wanted. It’s a beautiful Mosque and a must see when in Istanbul, of course there are many must see places to visit, such as the Grand Bazaar.



We took the tram back but forgot to look at the front of the tram to see how far along the line it went, we only went two stops before the tram went back to our starting point! Note to self, look at the front of the tram before leaping onboard!

Kusadasi – Gateway to Ephesus

Kusadasi is a charming coastal town on Turkey’s western coast, known for its rich history and beautiful beaches like Ladies Beach and Long Beach. It’s a lovely seaside resort on the Aegean, with sparkling waters, sandy stretches, tempting shops, and gorgeous hand-woven carpets.

It’s also the gateway to Ephesus – the UNESCO-listed city that’s over 4,000 years old – along with the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), the Basilica of St. John, and the House of the Virgin Mary.

At the port there’s a great duty-free area full of clothes, leather goods, watches, and, of course, plenty of “genuine fakes.” We made our way to the Old Town Bazaar and wandered through its little side streets, lined with shops and quaint restaurants.

Unlike our visit ten years ago, we were pleasantly surprised that we weren’t hassled or dragged into stores this time. After a bit of retail therapy, we stopped for lunch and some people-watching.

On the walk back to the port, we stumbled across a beachside restaurant, where we sat with a cold drink, listening to the waves and watching two fishermen at work, they only caught one fish between them!

Rhodes – Ancient History and Sunshine

A Greek paradise in the Aegean Sea that enchants visitors with its stunning natural beauty, ancient ruins, and charming old town. Rich with natural beauty and colourful history, Rhodes represents one of the most architecturally varied locations in Europe.

Hellenistic, Byzantine, Medieval and Turkish influences intermingle with abundant sunshine and dry air to cast a magnificent light over the island that the ancients dedicated to Apollo, the God of Light. High on a cliff, the ruins of the Temple of Athena sit amidst the beautifully preserved Acropolis at Lindos

Santorini – Iconic Views and Practical Tips

Beautiful Chaos. Sailing into Santorini’s caldera is like sailing straight into a postcard, whitewashed villages clinging to the cliffs, blue domes sparkling in the sun.

Getting ashore, though, is where the fun begins. Cruise ships can’t dock, so we had to be “tendered” in.

You have three choices to get to the town of Fira.

• Cable car – fast, scenic, but with queues longer than some Disney rides. Costs €10 per person each way
• Donkeys – adorable but tragic they still offer this mode of transport
• The Steps – 588 uneven, donkey-scented steps. Years ago, when our kids were little and our knees still worked, we walked them. This time… no way!

We joined the cable car queue (because we’re British, and queuing is practically a national sport). One hour later we were soaring up the cliff in four minutes flat. At the top it was very crowded as we hadn’t eaten, we ducked into a rooftop restaurant—best decision of the day. Food, cold drinks, and the kind of views that made it worthwhile.

After a little exploring along the cobbled streets (very pretty, very little shade), we headed back. Guess what? Another hour-long queue for the cable car, this time in the blazing sun. By the time we got down and back on the tender, we were practically sun-dried tomatoes.

Grateful to be on a smaller ship (Crystal Symphony, only 606 guests), because watching the large-ship queues was enough to make us need another drink!

Select Travel Holidays Tip! As an alternative there is a speedboat service to Oia which leaves from the port taking around 20 minutes to Ammoudi Bay, from here there is a bus waiting to take you to the top of the village of Oia, spend as much time here as you wish, there is a bus on the hour every hour to get you back to Fira town, you will still need to get the cable car down to the port. Next time we visit Santorini, we will definitely use the speedboat service.

Chania – Venetian Charm in Crete

First time here and will not be the last, for sure. Crystal laid on a shuttle bus which only took ten minutes; however, it can take up to 30 minutes depending on traffic. We made our way to the Venetian port area, built when the Venetians ruled the island. Heaving with restaurants with a view and ample people watching. Lots here for shoppers too. If you wish to visit a beach, it is walkable but a long walk, a taxi would be a better option. We thoroughly enjoyed this port of call.

Final Thoughts on Crystal Symphony

Bye, Bye Crystal Symphony. Disembarkation in Piraeus was a breeze, for ease we opted to use the Crystal transfer to Athen’s airport at $40 per person, in my opinion good value.

Why We’ll Be Sailing with Crystal Again

Honest opinion We fell in love with Crystal from the moment we stepped on board and will be booking another one, hopefully next year.



• Relaxed atmosphere on board
• Crew was outstanding
• Food was first class
• Mixed age groups
• Nationalities, a great mix of Europeans, Americans, and far more Brits than I anticipated
• Ship was very clean and well maintained throughout
• Great choice of bars and entertainment
• Plenty of activities during the day

Ready to experience the luxury of Crystal Cruises for yourself?
Call our award-winning team on 01234 326 758 or email sales@selecttravelholidays.co.uk and let us help plan your perfect voyage.