CRYSTAL SERENITY EXPANDS ON CRYSTAL CRUISES' AWARD-WINNING FORMULA - Crystal Press Release Serenity (se•ren•i•ty; n). Webster’s defines it as “the state or quality of being serene; peaceful.” Crystal Cruises, the world’s leader in luxury cruising, brings new meaning to the word and to the travel industry. Reflecting the sublime onboard experience for which the luxury cruise line is known, Crystal Cruises selected Crystal Serenity as the name for its third ship, launching in July 2003. With increased dining options, a greater number of staterooms with verandahs and exquisitely-appointed penthouses, as well as expanded venues for entertainment, fitness and educational pursuits, the long-anticipated Crystal Serenity will build upon the best of the fleet. With Crystal Serenity, Crystal Cruises not only meets the expectations of its valued guests but anticipates them, providing innovative additions to an award-winning formula of luxury choice, unparalleled quality and unwavering service. Crystal Cruises was formed in 1988 with the mission to give its guests the best large-ship, luxury cruise experience in the world. Its two ships, Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, have earned the industry’s highest accolades, from discerning critics and guests alike, for exemplary attention to detail and warm and friendly personal service. This pampering combination -- which Crystal conveys in the name of its third ship -- creates an environment for the ultimate luxury vacation experience. “The name and the ship speak to what people desire now more than ever -- a soothing, yet rejuvenating travel experience,” says Gregg L. Michel, president, Crystal Cruises. “Crystal Serenity will expand on the best of Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony with innovations that will complement the brand consistency valued by our guests and travel agents.” At 1,080 guests and 68,000 tons, Crystal Serenity will reflect the fusion of the talents of the world’s largest shipping line and Crystal Cruises’ parent company, NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), with the world’s finest luxury cruise line. Leading the ship’s design is esteemed naval architect Robert Tillberg of Tillberg Design, supported by a team of world-leading designers. Currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, Crystal Serenity will be a floating sanctuary of pampering with state-of-the-art amenities. Crystal Serenity will boast an even greater space-per-guest ratio than her sister ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, two of the most spacious ships afloat. PERSONAL ACCOMMODATIONS The accommodations aboard Crystal Serenity, 548 in all, will reflect more size and choice with 85% of all outside staterooms and suites offering private verandahs. On a deck and a half, 100 Penthouse accommodations (56% more than sister ship Crystal Symphony) will include four, 1,345 square-foot Crystal Penthouses, at least 37% larger than those in the existing fleet (and two more than Crystal Symphony). The new ship will also offer nearly double the number of Penthouse Suites (32 vs. 18 on Crystal Symphony), and more Penthouses (64 vs. 44 on Crystal Symphony). In addition, Crystal Serenity boasts a completely new category of penthouse accommodations, the Penthouse stateroom with verandah, which will increase butler service by 300% over sister ships Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony. In keeping with Crystal’s successful approach of offering a range of luxury accommodations, there will be 366 outside staterooms with verandahs, 80 outside staterooms with large picture windows, and eight specially designed wheelchair accessible staterooms and penthouses in a range of accommodation levels. DINING While Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony have two alternative specialty restaurants, Crystal Serenity will have three: an Italian restaurant Prego, reminiscent of northern Italy and offering a seasonally-changing “Valentino at Prego” menu alongside its own, featuring the cuisine and wine offerings of the revered Los Angeles Valentino restaurant; Silk Road, an elegant pan-Asian restaurant, and for the first time, The Sushi Bar which will exclusively feature menu selections by the famed Nobu Matsuhisa. There will be a total of five evening dining venues, including the main Crystal Dining Room and an indoor/outdoor poolside area for casual evening dining. Crystal is also retaining its popular daytime dining venues on the new ship, with some new additions. Tastes, a new permanent hot food counter aft of the ships’ second pool will offer international fare throughout the day, as well as service themed luncheon buffets and casual evening dining. Also, the line is featuring stylish versions of The Bistro, the popular European-inspired coffee and wine bar, for morning and afternoon snacks, the country-club style Lido Café for breakfast and lunch, the Trident Bar & Grill for casual poolside lunches throughout the afternoon, and Scoops Ice Cream Bar, in addition to 24-hour complimentary room service. SPA, SPORTS AND FITNESS At more than 8,200 square feet, the sybaritic Crystal Spa, designed according to the principles of Feng Shui, will be 60% larger than the Spas aboard Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, with more treatment rooms, a larger Fitness Center and separate Weights Room and Aerobics Studio for high and low impact classes, including complimentary yoga and Pilates instruction. Due to the popularity of the Wimbledon Court on Crystal’s fleet, the line is adding a second paddle tennis court on Crystal Serenity. In response to the positive feedback from guests, the ship will retain its Seahorse Pool, an outdoor lap pool, flanked by two outdoor Jacuzzisr; a second indoor/outdoor Neptune Pool covered by a magrodome roof; a full Promenade Deck around the exterior of the ship for walking and jogging; and a Sports Deck with a golf driving range for complimentary instruction by PGA pros, a shuffleboard court and table tennis area. ENTERTAINMENT AND LEARNING LOUNGES Crystal Cruises’ entertainment and enrichment programs have earned the line numerous awards and the highest ratings from its guests. The line is promising a rich entertainment and social experience aboard the new ship, along with increased opportunities for stimulating learning activities. The Galaxy Lounge is the main entertainment venue for the line’s distinctive award-winning production shows, featuring more intimate seating arrangements, improved sight lines and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The Stardust Club, a second cabaret lounge, provides another venue for day activities such as dance classes and wine tasting, as well as evening dancing and cabaret entertainment. The Palm Court/Sunset Bar is the line’s signature top deck lounge for afternoon tea, evening dancing and entertainment, special events and for simply enjoying the changing scenery, with floor-to-ceiling 180° panoramic windows and new room extensions that offer unique views of the glass-enclosed bridge wings one deck below. Two completely new spaces aboard Crystal Serenity include The Studio for a variety of creative and educational hands-on classes and The Vintage Room, a new classic boardroom with wine cellar. The new ship’s Computer University@Sea classroom will be more than 50% larger than the large computer rooms on Crystal’s current fleet, with 24-hour Internet access and an area for private instruction. The 4,123-square-foot Caesars Palace at Sea Casino continues the exclusive alliance between Crystal Cruises and the famed Las Vegas gaming establishment and offers one of the largest luxury casinos afloat. Other rooms include Avenue Saloon, Crystal’s signature cocktail and piano bar with intimate, “clubby” atmosphere; Connoisseur Club, a refined cigar lounge with a private club atmosphere; Crystal Plaza and Crystal Cove, lobby area with two-story atrium, comfortable seating arrangements and a Crystal piano bar; Pulse disco and nightclub for late night dancing and karaoke; and Hollywood Theatre cinema and conference center with theater seating in arena for day and evening movies, lectures and religious services. The Bridge Lounge will accommodate Crystal’s avid bridge players and the Century and Constellation Suites may be used for meetings and informal get-togethers. The Library will house thousands of books, videos and DVDs and Fantasia will be the main venue for the supervised Junior Activities Program, while Waves offers a teen center and video arcade. The Photo Shop offers an area of services including digital processing. The Avenue of the Stars shopping arcade comprised of Apropos, Captain’s Choice and Facets boutiques will sell upscale clothing, jewelry and specialty items. SERVICE Exceptional service is another Crystal Cruises hallmark. Earlier this year, the line received the “World’s Best Service” designation in a survey that asked tens of thousands of Travel + Leisure magazine subscribers to select the hotels, spas and cruise lines that they believe treat customers the best. Crystal’s service score outshines all cruise lines large and small, as well as spas throughout the world, putting it in an enviable league with some of the world’s most prestigious names in travel -- The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas; Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Tucson; Hotel Cipriani, Venice; The Peninsula, Hong Kong; The Oriental, Bangkok; and Ritz Carlton hotels and resorts worldwide. The line's European-trained staff consistently win praise for their professionalism, attentiveness, and friendliness. Personalization is assured by one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in cruising, as Crystal Serenity boasts 635 staff members to serve 1,080 guests. The personnel plan for Crystal Serenity will include one-third staff from Crystal Harmony, one-third from Crystal Symphony, and one-third new hires. As all shoreside staff does, Crystal Serenity’s team will undergo an extensive training program. Designed for worldwide cruising, the ship will be powered by environmentally-friendly diesel engines and an azimuthal pod propulsion system to enable greater maneuverability.