After an incredibly traumatic year overcoming serious illnesses, David has made an amazing recovery. With intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy, he has regained sufficient mobility to start thinking about taking a holiday again. It has been a long road, and getting to this point has been a real achievement.
As many people who have experienced serious illness, either personally or through a family member, will appreciate, travelling again requires rather more thought and preparation than it might previously have done. There are practical considerations at every stage, from the journey to the airport or port, getting around the accommodation and managing mobility, through to making sure that there is sufficient flexibility to take things at a comfortable pace.
I was particularly keen to avoid the additional pressures of airports, check-in procedures and flying, so I was delighted when I discovered a cruise with Crystal that departed from and returned to Lisbon. David lives on the Algarve, making this a relatively straightforward drive from Faro, and the prospect of boarding a ship close to home, rather than negotiating an airport, made it an extremely attractive option.
One of the great advantages of cruising is being able to visit several destinations without the need to repeatedly pack and unpack, change hotels or navigate unfamiliar transport arrangements. In this instance, the combination of a no-fly holiday, a convenient departure port and the facilities of a smaller ship made it an excellent way for David to enjoy a holiday whilst still taking account of his recovery.
Of course, for UK-based travellers, there are similar opportunities with cruises departing from Southampton, Dover, Portsmouth and Tilbury. Being able to drive to the port, rather than fly, can make a considerable difference, particularly when travelling with someone who has additional mobility requirements.
Getting to the ship
The journey from the Algarve to Lisbon was surprisingly straightforward. I had pre-booked car parking at the port and, importantly, arranged wheelchair assistance directly with Crystal in advance. This meant that, on arrival, we were met and helped from the car park, with both the wheelchair and our luggage taken care of. We were swiftly escorted through the port formalities and on to the ship, arriving directly at our suite without the usual complications of embarking on a cruise.
It was a very reassuring start to the holiday. Having someone take responsibility for the luggage and wheelchair, rather than having to work out where to go and how to manage everything ourselves, removed a considerable amount of potential stress.
It is worth remembering that assistance of this kind needs to be arranged in advance, and that individual requirements should always be discussed with the cruise line before booking. Nevertheless, the experience demonstrated how much difference a little forward planning and good communication can make.
Getting to know Crystal Cruises
For anyone unfamiliar with Crystal, the cruise line has a long-established reputation for high standards of accommodation, dining and personal service. It has been operating for more than three decades and has traditionally attracted travellers looking for a more intimate, refined style of cruising, with an emphasis on the quality of the onboard experience rather than simply the number of facilities or attractions.
Following its acquisition by A&K Travel Group, Crystal returned to service in 2023 with a renewed focus on its two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The ships underwent substantial refurbishment, with redesigned accommodation, refreshed public spaces and improvements to the overall onboard experience.
Crystal Serenity is the larger of the two ships, accommodating a maximum of 740 guests. Although this is not a small ship in the expedition-cruise sense, it is considerably more intimate than the large resort-style vessels that now operate with several thousand passengers.
That distinction is important. There is a noticeably different atmosphere when there are fewer guests, more space per passenger and a much higher level of personal attention. The ship feels more manageable, public areas are less overwhelming and there is less of the sense of having to navigate a vast floating resort.
Crystal also has a particularly generous crew-to-guest ratio, with nearly one member of staff for every passenger. This is reflected in the level of service, where staff have more opportunity to recognise individual guests, understand their preferences and offer assistance without everything feeling like a formal request.
For someone returning to travel after a serious illness, these details are more than just nice touches. Being able to move around the ship without constantly negotiating busy public spaces, having staff readily available and knowing that assistance is there when needed can make the whole experience considerably more relaxing.
Crystal Serenity – the ship
Crystal Serenity is an elegant, well-proportioned ship, with a capacity of approximately 740 guests and a generous amount of space throughout. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2023, giving it a refreshed contemporary feel whilst retaining the more traditional character that Crystal’s loyal guests have come to appreciate.
The accommodation is particularly spacious, and the ship has a good selection of restaurants, lounges, bars and entertainment areas. There are nine principal restaurants, including Umi Uma by Nobu, offering Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, and Osteria d’Ovidio, which specialises in Italian dining. Other options include the Waterside restaurant, The Bistro, Trident Grill and Marketplace, providing plenty of choice throughout the day.
There is also a swimming pool, spa and fitness centre, library, theatre, casino and a variety of comfortable lounges. The entertainment programme includes live music, performances, talks and evening shows, although the overall atmosphere is generally more sophisticated and relaxed than that found on many larger cruise ships.
One of Crystal’s strongest features is undoubtedly its service. Every suite and guest room benefits from dedicated butler service, which is a particularly impressive inclusion. This is not simply a matter of having someone available to deliver the occasional request; it is about having a team who take an interest in making your stay as comfortable as possible.
The butler can assist with unpacking and packing, arranging shoeshines, organising refreshments, managing in-suite dining and helping with the many little details that make a difference to a holiday. There is also 24-hour in-suite dining, so should you prefer a quieter meal or simply not feel like going out, there is no need to compromise.
Crystal’s all-inclusive arrangements also include a selection of wines, champagne, spirits and soft drinks, unlimited Wi-Fi and gratuities. There is a complimentary reservation at selected speciality restaurants, including Umi Uma and Osteria d’Ovidio, subject to the applicable arrangements.
For me, this combination of space, choice and personal attention is what distinguishes Crystal. It manages to provide a considerable range of facilities without losing the feeling of being on a ship where people know who you are and where individual needs can be accommodated.
David onboard in the Sapphire Veranda Suite
Our accommodation – Sapphire Veranda Suite
I booked a one-bedroom Sapphire Veranda Suite, which was an excellent choice for our circumstances. At approximately 430 sq ft, it provided a generous amount of living space, making it particularly comfortable for a longer stay and giving David plenty of room to move around.
The suite comprised a large bedroom with a super-king-size bed, a separate sitting area, an entrance and reception space, an en-suite bathroom with an accessible shower, a walk-in wardrobe and a private double veranda.
Having a separate sitting area was particularly useful. It meant that we did not have to spend all our time in the bedroom, and there was plenty of room to relax without feeling restricted. The veranda was another lovely feature, providing somewhere to sit and enjoy the sea views without having to leave the suite.
The bathroom facilities were also an important consideration. Having an accessible shower rather than having to negotiate a bath made things much easier and gave David greater independence.
The Sapphire Veranda Suite also comes with the benefit of dedicated butler service, laundry services and afternoon canapés. These are the sort of details that elevate the experience, but in our circumstances they also had a very practical benefit. Having someone available to assist with everyday requirements meant fewer things to organise ourselves.
Overall, we felt we had a very comfortable private space, with the reassurance that additional help was available whenever we needed it.
Our itinerary – Lisbon to the Canary Islands and back
Crystal Serenity sails itineraries across a variety of regions, including the Mediterranean, Europe and further afield. The choice of destinations is one of the attractions of the cruise line, with voyages combining historic cities, interesting cultures and beautiful coastlines.
Our cruise was a six-night itinerary departing from Lisbon, heading south along the Portuguese and North African coast, crossing the Atlantic, and returning to Portugal.
The itinerary included:
- Lisbon, Portugal: Our embarkation and disembarkation port, making the cruise particularly convenient given David’s home on the Algarve.
- Portimão, Portugal: A particularly amusing stop, as David lives only a few kilometres away! It was rather unusual to be cruising to a destination so close to home.
- Casablanca, Morocco: An overnight sailing brought us to Morocco, with the opportunity to experience one of its best-known cities.
- Agadir, Morocco: A coastal destination offering a different perspective on Morocco, with its beaches, markets and surrounding landscapes.
- Lanzarote, Canary Islands: Our final port of call before heading back across the Atlantic towards Lisbon.
We also had one full day at sea, which turned out to be particularly welcome. It gave us the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the ship and explore some of the facilities without having to think about getting ashore or fitting in an excursion.
This is something worth considering when choosing an itinerary for anyone with mobility challenges. A cruise does not necessarily need to be packed with destinations and excursions. Having a balance between port days and time at sea can be just as important, allowing you to enjoy the holiday without feeling that you have to be constantly on the move.
Getting around the ship
One of my initial concerns had been how easily David would manage getting around Crystal Serenity. Although he had regained considerable mobility through his rehabilitation and physiotherapy, he was still using a walking stick, and I was conscious that a ship can present its own challenges.
In practice, I was pleasantly surprised by how manageable it was. Crystal Serenity is a relatively compact ship compared with the much larger cruise vessels, and the layout, handrails and comprehensive lift system made getting between the various decks relatively straightforward.
David was able to walk around the ship using just his stick, which was a real achievement and something that he might not have felt confident doing only a few months earlier.
Of course, a little forward planning helps. We quickly learnt which lifts and routes were most convenient, and it was useful to familiarise ourselves with the layout rather than simply wandering around. Having a suite with plenty of space also meant that he could rest whenever necessary.
The smaller scale of the ship was undoubtedly an advantage. There were no enormous distances to cover between venues, and we did not have to contend with the crowds that can sometimes be associated with larger ships. It made getting around feel much less daunting and allowed David to enjoy more of the ship independently.
It is important to stress that every individual’s mobility requirements are different, and a smaller ship is not automatically an accessible ship. Cabin layouts, bathroom facilities, thresholds, lifts, gangways and shore excursion arrangements all need to be considered before booking. However, in our particular circumstances, Crystal Serenity proved to be a very comfortable environment in which David could enjoy being on holiday again.
