By
Alex Smith |
Guests stepped onboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony for the first time as they began sailing their inaugural voyages for the reborn Crystal Cruises fleet in summer 2023. Awaiting them is an entirely reimagined spa concept, Aurōra, created through a collaboration between Crystal and marine design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden.
“Both the Crystal brand and the Crystal ships are very classical in their design and that is a great foundation for creating a fresh, new concept,” says Iina Forsblom, partner and cruise design director for Tillberg Design of Sweden. “It was important that the spa would blend into the overall Crystal style but should equally stand out as a contemporary space with state-of-the art service.”
The new design has been inspired by the dawn, using light-bright neutral colours throughout the space. Materials such as Selenite, a natural salt crystal, and silk-brushed slate stone, have been used to create a peaceful and relaxing ambience, an impression added to by features such as the illuminated fibre optic starlight ceiling.
“We felt that creating a sensory experience for the guests would be appreciated,” says Forsblom. “Visiting a spa is quite an intimate experience and the design, the colours, and the materials that we chose reflect sophistication and cleanliness. As the spa is on the top deck, in the best location, it is also flooded with daylight. We wanted to take full advantage of those reflections and then balance it with more privacy in the treatment rooms.
Crystal Serenity will feature 12 treatment rooms, while Crystal Symphony will offer 10. Both ships include male and female steam rooms, saunas, and a relaxation room in the spa area. Beauty specialists will offer a personalised service in the Salon, analysing the condition of guests’ hair to provide targeted recommendations.
“Guests should hopefully feel welcome, pampered, and at ease,” says Forsblom. “The combination of excellent Crystal service and the renewed design should reflect the latest in spa design.”
Crystal Cruises has carried out extensive refurbishments on both ships in Trieste, Italy. Larger, updated suites, refreshed speciality dining venues, and a new pickleball court will be among the new features onboard.