Crystal Cruises
Hot Deals
- 3-night Bahamas cruise (Miami roundtrip) on Carnival from $349 for oceanview
- 7-night S. Caribbean cruise (San Juan roundtrip) on Golden Princess, from $599
- 7-night Mexico cruise (Los Angeles roundtrip) on Carnival Pride, from $579
Crystal Ships
Crystal Information
About your cruise
All details below are from Crystal Cruise Line; are subject to change by the cruise line at any time and without notice; and are for informational purposes only. Any errors and/or omissions resulting in pricing, inventory, content, or other discrepancies are not our responsibility.
Canceling your cruise
The following timetables and cancellation charges apply to the passenger's cruise fare only:
Non-world cruises
Days before departure Charges per person
76 days or more..................................................No penalty (full refund)
45-75 days..........................................................10% of total fare
15-44 days..........................................................50% of total fare
14 days or fewer................................................100% of total fare (no refund)
World cruises 42 days or less
Days before departure Charges per person
91 days or more..................................................No penalty (full refund)
61-90 days..........................................................10% of total fare
31-60 days..........................................................50% of total fare
30 days or fewer................................................100% of total fare (no refund)
World cruises 43 days or more
Days before departure Charges per person
121 days or more.................................................No penalty (full refund)
76-120 days.........................................................20% of total fare
45-75 days...........................................................50% of total fare
44 days or fewer.
Before you sail
Passengers with existing medical conditions, passengers who cannot completely care for themselves and who may require treatment by the ship's medical staff, or passengers who may constitute a risk or danger to anyone else on board, must be reported in writing to Crystal Cruises' Onboard Guest Services Department prior to departure. Crystal Cruises reserves the right, without liability, to refuse to board and transport such passengers who are in need of constant care by the ship's staff.
The passenger represents and warrants that the passenger is physically and otherwise fit to travel; that he/she will at all times comply with the ship's rules and regulations and orders and directions of the ship's officers and medical staff; that his/her conduct will not impair the safety of the ship or inconvenience other passengers.
Crystal Cruises is unable to accommodate women past their sixth (6th) month of pregnancy.
Crystal Cruises, the Captain or medical officer of the ship without liability at any time may refuse to transport or may land any passenger at any port or place, or transfer the passenger to other means of transportation, because of health or physical condition, mental disorder, failure to abide by ship regulations, failure to possess necessary passports, visas and health or vaccination certificates, or other causes rendering the passenger unfit to travel.
A trained physician and medical staff are on call 24 hours a day. The professional services of this staff, as well as certain medications, are available on board at reasonable costs. Passengers requiring ongoing medication, or having specific dietary needs, are advised to bring an ample supply of medication or dietary supplements with them, in their carry-on luggage. For safety reasons, liquid oxygen tanks are not permitted in any cabins or public areas. Oxygen concentrators may be used on board subject to cruise route and storage limitations. Crystal Cruises must be notified in writing, in advance, that a passenger desires to bring his or her own oxygen concentrator, and has made direct arrangements with an independent medical contractor who has agreed to undertake all required arrangements without involving the ship's onboard Medical Center and its personnel. The concentrator-dependent passenger must travel with a companion who is also completely familiar with the operation of the concentrator. Oxygen-dependent passengers are limited to those cruises on which they can be properly supported by equipment vendors and which have itineraries that will easily allow medical disembarkation if it should be required. Crystal Cruises has determined this includes only cruises that begin and end in a U.S. or Canadian port.
Passports/Visas: Passengers must take full responsibility for securing the required travel documents at least one month prior to departure. All passengers must carry a government issued photo I.D. in order to embark. Failure to comply may result in refusal of passage by Customs and Immigration Authorities.
U.S. CITIZENS: A passport or proof of U.S. citizenship is required for cruises beginning or ending in the United States. All U.S. citizens that travel abroad are required to carry a valid passport. Please note that some countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after the completion of your trip. In addition to your passport, you should also bring along a current photo identification card to use at pier and airport security checkpoints. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Crystal Cruises will inform U.S. citizens of specific visa requirements. Visa information may also be obtained through the local embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary visas. Visas must be obtained regardless of whether you plan to go ashore or remain on board while in ports which require visas. Everyone must be cleared by local Immigration authorities upon arrival in port, regardless of the length of the ship's call.
INTERNATIONAL CITIZENS: International passengers should contact their travel agent for details on passport and visa requirements. Please note that failure to comply with requirements may result in refusal of passage by Customs and Immigration authorities.
Requirements for inoculations often change. Crystal Cruises will inform you of the health requirements; however, it is your responsibility to have all required vaccinations with a signed International Certificate of Vaccination. We recommend that you contact your personal physician with any health concerns. Failure to comply can result in refusal of passage by international Customs and Immigration authorities.
AIR TRANSPORTATION: When making your own air arrangements, we recommend allowing a minimum of four hours between your flight arrival time and the ship’s embarkation time. The specific pier information and embarkation times are stated on your cruise ticket. Port authorities sometimes change the location of the pier or berth number, so be sure that you actually see your ship when you arrive at the port/pier.
When disembarking at the end of your cruise, do not plan to leave the ship for at least two hours after it docks at your final destination. Customs and Immigration must conduct various inspections that can take up to two hours before you are allowed to disembark. If you are making independent reservations to fly home directly after the cruise, please have your travel agent contact Crystal Cruises' Reservations for flight departure guidelines which vary based on the distance between the pier and the airport.
Flight schedules sometimes do change. We strongly suggest that you reconfirm all flight times with the airline 48 hours prior to departure. Seating assignments, special meal requests, or other flight-related inquiries should be made directly with the airline or through your travel agent.
BOARDING AND CHECK-IN GUIDELINES: There are new government regulations now in place requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing. All guests are encouraged to be checked in and onboard no less than 90 minutes prior to the published sailing time to avoid the risk of automatic cancellation. Guests are also encouraged to check-in online no later than 3 days prior to sailing.
Required information for check-in is as follows:
- Reservation number
- Ship
- Sail date
- Guest's name
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of citizenship
- Document type
- Document number
Shipboard life
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS & FACILITIES FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED: Our ships were designed to be accessible for the physically challenged, with ramp access to most decks and public areas. Ships' elevators can accommodate standard-size wheelchairs (22.5" wide) allowing access to all public decks.
Certain cabins offer extra-wide doors, fully wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and "wheel-in closets" with low-fitted hanging rods. Some suites offer limited wheelchair access to personal facilities. Please note that these staterooms and suites are subject to availability and must be requested at the time of booking.
It is strongly recommended that wheelchair-bound guests bring their own junior/adult standard-size wheelchair (22.5" wide) and be accompanied by a traveling companion for access to all areas of the ships.
For the hearing-impaired, the Hollywood Theatre is equipped with a StarsSound Infrared Hearing System. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity also offer closed-captioned programming on selected television programs. Guests can contact the Front Desk to activate this feature.
If you require a special diet or if you need special food items available on board during your cruise, please submit your dietary requests in writing to our Onboard Guest Services Department no later than one month prior to your cruise, and confirm your arrangements with the Food & Beverage staff on the day of embarkation. There may be a charge for some special requests.
Passengers with any disability, including those confined to wheelchairs or who must use service animals, must notify Crystal Cruises at the time of booking. Crystal Cruises strongly recommends that wheelchair passengers travel with someone who is able to assist them both ashore and at sea as Crystal Cruises is unable to offer special assistance. Some ports of call are anchorage ports, and physical conditions may preclude wheelchair passengers from going ashore. This decision must be made by the Captain of the ship and is binding. Wheelchair passengers must bring their own wheelchairs.
Terms and conditions
Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully. They include important information you will need to know before you book a Crystal cruise, and are some of the Terms & Conditions which form part of the Ticket contract pursuant to which you travel with Crystal Cruises. The entire Terms and Conditions that form the Ticket contract by which you are bound are available through Crystal Cruises.
Cruise Fare:
A) Cruise fare includes all normal shipboard services, facilities and port charges. The cruise fare does not include airfare, transfers, shore excursions, sightseeing or meals ashore, taxes, gratuities, liquor, wines, soft drinks, mineral water, laundry or valet service, or any item or service whatsoever of a personal nature, such as medical treatment, massage, spa services or hairstyling.
Transfers between the airport and ship on the day of embarkation and disembarkation are included for passengers purchasing Crystal Cruises' Air/Sea Program, as detailed in this Cruise Atlas.
B) All passenger fares are subject to change at any time. Crystal Cruises reserves the right to collect the fare in effect at the time of sailing.
EMBARKATION: The passenger is required to be on board the ship at least one (1) hour before departure time. At the time of embarkation the passenger is responsible for having received all medical inoculations necessary for the voyage and having in his/her possession the Cruise Ticket, valid passport, visas, medical card and other documents necessary for scheduled ports of call and disembarkation.
Baggage, Valuables & Other Possessions: Each passenger may bring aboard the ship a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects without charge, subject to airline restrictions. All baggage must be securely packed and distinctly labeled with the passenger's full name, the name of the ship, the cabin number of the passenger and the sailing date of the ship. Under no circumstances may dangerous articles such as firearms, explosives, liquid oxygen or combustible substances or illegal substances be taken aboard the ship. Any such items shall be surrendered to the Captain at embarkation, and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Captain. Pets and other animals, except for service animals as further described in these Terms & Conditions, are not allowed on board the ship.
Hand or unlocked baggage, breakable items and valuables, including but not limited to jewelry, watches, money, precious stones and metals, securities, financial instruments and/or tickets, must be hand-carried by guests on and off the ship; are the full responsibility of the passenger at all times; and may not be included with check-in baggage. Crystal Cruises is not responsible for loss of or damage to such items.
Liability Limitations for Loss of or Damage to Property: The total value of the luggage, valuables and other personal belongings of a passenger aboard the ship who does not purchase Crystal Cruises' Cruise Protection Program or who does not deposit valuables for safekeeping, shall not be deemed to exceed the amount of $200 per passenger , and Crystal Cruises' liability, if any, for loss of or damage to such belongings is limited to a maximum of $200 per passenger.
Crystal Cruises provides safekeeping for valuables aboard the ship and encourages guests to deposit any jewelry or other valuables brought aboard the ship with the Front Desk staff who will issue a receipt for such valuables. Crystal Cruises provides an in-room personal safe for your convenience. However, Crystal Cruises shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to money, jewelry, watches, precious stones and metals, securities, financial instruments, tickets and/or other valuables unless they have been delivered to the Front Desk for safekeeping and a receipt issued. The value of articles delivered for safekeeping shall be deemed not to exceed $200 unless the passenger declares in writing the articles delivered are of a higher value.
All settlements will be made on the basis of actual cash value (replacement cost, less depreciation) to the extent of the $200 limit of liability of Crystal Cruises. Claims for damaged items will be settled on the basis of cost of repair. No amount shall be paid in settlement of any claim without proof of the actual cash value, or repair cost, as appropriate, arising from the loss or damage. Such proof must be sent to Crystal Cruises. Crystal Cruises' liability must also be proven before any settlement will be paid.
Personal belongings lost while unattended in public lounges or other public areas, whether on board the ship or elsewhere, are not reimbursable. Losses due to ordinary wear and tear, perils of the sea, and other acts-of-God are not reimbursable.
Time Limits & Notice Requirements for Property & Other Non-Personal Injury Claims: A written claim for loss of or damage to baggage, valuables and other personal belongings must be made to Crystal Cruises before the passenger leaves the disembarkation area to enable Crystal Cruises to investigate any damage and to conduct a search for claimed lost articles; all other non-personal injury claims must be made in writing as soon as they arise; any suit must be filed within six (6) months from the date the passenger disembarks the ship and served within ninety (90) days from the date of filing or the passenger waives and releases any right he/she may have to make a claim against Crystal Cruises for any such loss or damage.
Itinerary/Right to Change/Detention: Crystal Cruises reserves the right at its sole option and discretion and that of the Captain of the ship, without liability for damages or refund of any kind, to deviate from the ship's advertised or ordinary itinerary or route, to delay, advance or cancel any sailing, to omit or change ports of call, to arrange for substantially equivalent transportation by another vessel and/or by other means of transportation, to cause the passenger to disembark from the ship temporarily or permanently, to tow or to be towed or assist other vessels, or to perform any similar act which, in its sole judgment and discretion, is justified for any reason.
Crystal Cruises may for any reason whatsoever cancel any sailing at any time before departure of the ship. In such event, Crystal Cruises' only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the Cruise Ticket.
Health/Pregnancy/Children/Disability/Wheelchair/ Security/Indemnification:
A) The passenger represents and warrants that the passenger is physically and otherwise fit to travel; that he/she will at all times comply with the ship's rules and regulations and orders and directions of the ship's officers and medical staff; that his/her conduct will not impair the safety of the ship or inconvenience other guests. Crystal Cruises is unable to accommodate women past their sixth (6th) month of pregnancy.
B) Crystal Cruises, the Captain or medical officer of the ship without liability at any time may refuse to transport or may land any passenger at any port or place, or transfer the guest to other means of transportation, because of health or physical condition, mental disorder, failure to abide by ship regulations, failure to possess necessary passports, visas and health or vaccination certificates, or other causes rendering the passenger unfit to travel.
C) If the passenger is refused passage or leaves the ship prior to the end of the cruise for any of the reasons described in this section or for other reasons including, but not limited to, personal, medical, or business reasons, Crystal Cruises will not be required to refund any portion of the Cruise Ticket price, or to be responsible for any of the passenger's costs.
D) Crystal Cruises is unable to accommodate children under six (6) months of age and reserves the right to restrict the number of those under three (3) years of age aboard the ship. Any child under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by an adult over the age of twenty-one (21). In addition, if the adult accompanying this child is not a parent, a "Parental Consent Guardianship Form" must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and received by Crystal Cruises prior to sailing. Children under the age of twenty-one (21) are not permitted in the ship's casino or to participate in any monetary-based games of chance (including Bingo).
E) Passenger with any disability, including those confined to wheelchairs or who must use service animals, must notify Crystal Cruises at the time of booking. Crystal Cruises strongly recommends that wheelchair passengers travel with someone who is able to assist them both ashore and at sea as Crystal Cruises is unable to offer special assistance. Some ports of call are anchorage ports, and physical conditions may preclude wheelchair guests from going ashore. This decision must be made by the Captain of the ship and is binding. Wheelchair guests must bring their own wheelchairs.
F) The passenger hereby consents to a reasonable search being made of the guest's person, baggage or other property, and to the removal and confiscation or destruction of any object which may, in the opinion of Crystal Cruises impair the safety of the ship, be illegal or inconvenience other guests.
G) The passenger shall indemnify Crystal Cruises for all penalties, fines, charges, losses or expenses incurred or imposed upon Crystal Cruises or the ship by virtue of an act or violation of law by the guest.
H) The passenger agrees that he or she shall not solicit for commercial purposes passenger or others on board the ship, or advertise goods or services on board the ship without the prior written permission of Crystal Cruises. Travel agent solicitation is strictly forbidden.
Independent Contractors/Shore Tours/Limit of Liability: Tours, including pre-cruise, post-cruise and other shore excursions, including hotels, restaurants and transportation, whether by vessel, air, rail, land or other means, not owned or operated by Crystal Cruises, are not under the operation or control of Crystal Cruises, and Crystal Cruises makes no representation of any kind as to them, and takes no responsibility for them. Crystal Cruises takes no responsibility for air or other transportation under any circumstances even if the cost of such transportation is included in the ticket price. Guests must assume responsibility for their actions while ashore and for their participation in shore activities.
Non-Liability for Medical Treatment:
A) Doctors and/or nurses are on board the ship for the treatment of crew members and may, for the convenience of the passenger and at the request of the passenger, give medical assistance to the passenger. Crystal Cruises does not undertake to treat or care for the guest medically, and the doctors and nurses, even if designated officers of the ship, are not agents for or employees of Crystal Cruises, but rather are independent contractors. Crystal Cruises shall not be liable for any aspect of medical treatment provided to the passenger, including, but not limited to, the consequences of any examination, advice, diagnosis, medication, treatment, prognosis or other professional services which such doctors or nurses may furnish the passenger . It may be necessary for the guest to obtain shoreside medical services during or after the cruise in countries other than the United States in which a different standard of medical care applies than that to which the passenger may be accustomed. Crystal Cruises makes no warranty as to the quality of any such medical services.
B) The passenger hereby consents to treatment by the ship's doctor or other medical personnel, if any, or by a physician designated by Crystal Cruises, if subsequent to embarkation the passenger is unable to request or authorize such treatment and in the opinion of the ship's doctor needs medical attention.
C) The passenger shall be charged for medical services and for medications and supplies used for his/her medical treatment. The guest shall also be responsible for the payment of any medical expenses incurred ashore.
Liability Limitation for Loss of Life or Injury:
A) Crystal Cruises hereby disclaims all liability to passenger for damages for infliction of emotional distress, mental anguish or psychological injury of any kind under any circumstances, when such damages were not the result of physical injury to the guest caused by the negligence of Crystal Cruises, not the result of the passenger having been at actual risk of physical injury where such risk was caused by the negligence of Crystal Cruises, or not intentionally inflicted by Crystal Cruises.
B) For all cruises that do not begin, end or call at a port of the United States of America, the aggregate liability of Crystal Cruises for the death of or personal injury to a passenger shall in no event exceed the monetary limitations of SDR ("Standard Drawing Rights") 46,666 as set forth in the Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, adopted at Athens on the 13th day of December 1974, and the protocol thereto adopted as of November 19, 1976 (herein "Athens Convention").
C) For all cruises that begin, end or call at a port of the United States of America and to which the damages limitations of the Athens Convention are held not to apply, the liability of Crystal Cruises for the death of or injury to a guest shall be subject to all exemptions from and limitations of liability provided in or authorized by the laws of the United States.
D) In addition to all of the restrictions and exemptions from liability provided in the Cruise Ticket, Crystal Cruises shall have the benefit of all Statutes of the United States of America providing for limitation and exoneration from liability and the procedures provided thereby, including but not limited to Statutes of the United States of America as set forth at 46 U.S.C. Sections 182, 183, 183b, 184, 185 and 186; nothing in the Cruise Ticket is intended to nor shall operate to limit or deprive Crystal Cruises of any such statutory limitation of or exoneration from liability, or of the benefits of any statute or law of any country which might be applicable providing for exoneration from or limitation of liability.
Time Limits & Notice Requirements for Personal Injury Claims: Any incident or accident resulting in injury or death to the passenger must be reported immediately to a ship's officer. Crystal Cruises will not be liable therefore except as provided by law and then only if a written claim is presented to Crystal Cruises within six (6) months of the incident or accident and suit is filed within one (1) year of the incident or accident alleged to have caused the injury or death, and served within one-hundred-and-twenty (120) days of such filing. If a written claim is not made and suit is not filed and served within the time provided in this paragraph, then the passenger waives and releases any right he/she may have to make a claim against Crystal Cruises for any such injury or death.
Written Notices: Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Cruise Ticket, all written notices required by the Cruise Ticket must be mailed, postage pre-paid to: Crystal Cruises, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 1400, Los Angeles, California 90067
Ship's Registry: Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are registered in the Bahamas.
Cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.
Cruise Critic ©2004, The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved.
