What It's Like Sailing the World in the Ultra-Luxury Cruise Ship 𝘊𝘳𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺

As a guy who struggles to even swim properly and with previouly untested propensity for sea sickness, luxury cruising was an unknown that only saw background information from endearing family comedies from my youth.

Nothing would have prepared me for the oasis that engulfs you aboard the storied vessel that brings the unparalleled comforts of a five-star luxury hotel for the adventurous spirit.

Esquire Philippines got to sail aboard and voyage aboard a snapshot of cruisin' the seven seas (well not in their entirety) for four nights, from Manila to Hong Kong. If you're willing to shell out some serious dough for a nearly year long intercontinental adventure, then you should keep reading.

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The Crystal Serenity, which was refurbished in 2023 to allow for bigger suites and verandas

Before we recount our voyage with the Crystal Serenity, we first have to get into where the Philippines and the greater Asian market fits into the luxury cruising space that previously had a predominantly Western clientele.

Crystal Cruises was revived under the luxury travel operator Abercrombie & Kent in 2022 after its previous owner declared bankruptcy.

A&K acquired the brand, both the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony and even 90 percent of the ethnically diverse crew, who are essentially family to returning cruise customers and the brand as a whole.

According to Michelle Mickan ,VP for marketing at A&K, the Philippines is Crystal Cruise's third biggest market in Asia because of a growing interest from Filipino luxury travelers who are willing to fly out to South America for the annual Crystal Cruise world tour aboard the Serenity or its sister the Crystal Symphony.

"There's definitely a strong interest (in luxury cruising). People are curious and you're seeing more and more investment in those markets," Mickan told journalists aboard the Serenity. "You've got big ship amenities, but it's a small ship feel."

So what was it like constantly feeling the gentle rocking of the sea as you sleep, casually looking out to open seas as you have breakfast or hit the gym, and being completely detached from whatever patch of green earth you hail from?

Our quick journey aboard the ship was a snapshot of a period of bliss and peak human comfort you can't really get at a conventional five-star hotel. The sensation of feeling every turn of the ship and the therapeutic swaying of the vessel is something you could definitely grow accustomed to, and it isn't really a barrier to enjoying life aboard a floating resort.

Travelers new to cruising might find it a challenge to navigate the ship initially, but trust us when we say it won't take long for you to get the hang of it. Finding your way also won't be a problem since there'll always be the friendly faces of the extremely hospitable crew who will be your family for however many days you spend aboard the Serenity.

Sunlight spilling into the Palm Court lounge, where you can get the best views of the open seas

Don't count on going on an actual diet when you're on these excursions, but I went on the classically humorous "See Food" diet on the four nights I called the Crystal Serenity my home.

Crystal Cruises has the best cuisine and gastronomy choices guests can possibly ask for on board, led by a three-Michelin-star Italian restaurant Osteria d'Ovidio, the only Nobu at sea with Matsuhisa Nobu's Umi Uma Japanese restaurant, and the Monte Carlo-born Beefbar.

My first night on the ship—whose godmother, by the way is the one and only Julie Andrews—was my introduction to a Michelin experience at sea at the Osteria d'Ovidio. A definite highlight was the beef tartare with black truffles and the egg pasta with smoked butter.

A few of the Italian dishes at Osterio d'Ovidio

A taste of Japanese goodness at Umi Uma or the only Nobu restaurant at sea

Smash burger sliders, Fillet Mignon, and the Basque Vanilla Cheesecake from Beefbar

The Crystal Serenity's golf driving range and putting course

There's no opportunity to get bored or run out of things to keep yourself busy on board. If you peg yourself as a modern day renaissance man, sportsman, or even someone who can bury his nose in a good book like us, then here are our favorite nooks on the ship that we could lose ourselves in for months at a time.

The Serenity is equipped with a quaint, Victorian-era-looking library that houses all the classics you could ask for. We spent a good two hours rifling through a vintage copy of Jane Eyre — because why wouldn't a grown man read trailblazing feminist literature on a cruise?

Next, we hit a few balls atop the ship on the driving range, Wimbledon-grade tennis and pickleball courts for those who want to sharpen their swings and strokes while on holiday.

After every dinner, we made it a point to visit the Connoisseur Club, the designated cigar and smoking room, to ruminate on the day's happenings. And while we don't smoke nicotine receptacles of any kind, there's just something about an imposing room that makes you feel like you're landing major business deals or debating world philosophies.

There's also no shortage of wellness options on board the Serenity, with truly unique spa and hair care experiences — once you factor in the views you get to soak in. The Aurora Spa offers top-tier facials, massages, and any hair care treatment you could possibly need while you're away.

The holistic luxury Crystal Cruises offers will no doubt cost you an arm and a leg, with the 135-day world cruise starting at about $133,000 and a 23-night Mediterranean cruise running each guest $16,330. If you have the means and the time you're willing to set aside to embark on this cathartic getaway, this is the ship to do it on.

The rustic Library on the Crystal Serenity which houses a lot of classics, audiobook stations, and foreign language literature selections

Wimbledon Tennis Court for a cheeky game of Padel or Pickleball

The Connoisseur Club/ Cigar Room

The Avenue Saloon

The Fitness Center onboard

The Aurora Spa with its in-house salon and sauna room

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