Cruise ship tours: Louis Cruises' Cristal

The Cristal was built in 1980 as the ferry Viking Saga for Viking Line’s Helsinki to Stockholm service.

In 1986, the Viking Saga was transferred to newly formed Sally Cruises and renamed Sally Albatross for Baltic cruising from Helsinki. In 1988, it was rebuilt with an enlarged superstructure.

After suffering a major shipyard fire, the Sally Albatross was completely rebuilt in 1992, taking on the streamlined appearance it has today. Only the engines and portions of the original hull remain.

In 1994 and early 1995, the ship was taken to Genoa and further rebuilt for full time cruising and subsequently chartered to U.S.-based Norwegian Cruise Line. As their Leeward, it was deployed on short cruises from Miami to the Bahamas.

The Leeward had a double occupancy capacity of 952 guests and was a popular member of the NCL fleet before the advent of its new generation of Freestyle ships with multiple dining and entertainment venues.

In 2000, the Leeward was switched to a new cruising base in Asia as the Superstar Taurus for NCL’s parent company Star Cruises.

In 2002, the ship returned to Baltic waters as the Silja Opera.

In 2007, Silja Opera was sold to Louis Cruises and renamed Cristal. Since that time, it has been engaged mainly in Mediterranean cruise service. The name was modified to Louis Cristal for several years but will revert to Cristal for the 2015 cruise season.

Cristal has nine passenger decks, beginning at the top with Deck 10, the farthest forward portion of which is an observation platform.

Deck 10 continues on either side of the radio mast with sheltered sunning platforms.

The midships portion of Deck 10 features an open sunning area that overlooks the pool.

The al fresco Helios Bar is just forward of the pool on Deck 9.

The pool on midships Deck 9 can be covered by a sliding steel and glass dome in inclement weather

On either side of the pool, there are tables and chairs.

Cristal has terraced afterdecks with open and shaded seating.

On Deck 5, there is a promenade that fully encircles the ship.

The aft portion of Deck 5 is lined in teak and home to the popular, al fresco Caruso Terrace Bar as well as a large whirlpool tub.

The Stars Disco is a 360-degree observation lounge and nightclub at the base of the ship’s funnel on aft Deck 10. On the port side, there is a dance floor and DJ booth.

The starboard side of the Stars Disco is terraced with booth seating on its inner side.

The aft portion of Stars features a long bar and a great view over the ship’s stern.

The double deck Metropolitan Show Lounge is located on forward Decks 9 and 8. The balcony is accessed via a staircase in the lounge and seats 94.

The lower portion of the Metropolitan Show Lounge begins a full deck of public spaces on Deck 8. It seats 344 guests and features a dance floor and large stage to accommodate production shows, guest singers, lecturers and even cooking demonstrations

The Sana Spa is located on forward Deck 9 and offers a wide range of massage treatments and skin therapies.

Several rooms provide unique treatments, including a hydro therapy bath.

This treatment room is equipped with a thalassotherapy tub and a private hamam or Turkish bath.

Men and women have their own dressing and steam areas in the Sana Spa. This is the men’s sauna

A compact but well-equipped gym is on the starboard side of Deck 9. It features 3 treadmills, an elliptical, 5 climbers and a small arsenal of free weights.

The Beauty Salon is located between the Sana Spa and pool area on Deck 9, offering hair styling and coloring as well as manicures and pedicures.

Located directly aft of the showroom, the forward portion of the Casino features black jack, roulette, poker and slots.

More slots share space with the Casino Bar, which is located on the starboard side of Deck 8.

The 131-seat Rendez Vous Lounge is aft of the showroom on the port side of Deck 8. It is used for a language lessons and other scheduled events by day and features live music at night.

The aft portion of the Rendez Vous Lounge has comfortable seating with a nice view of the sea through large picture windows.

A trio of small rooms called the Symposium is located on the starboard side of Deck 8, beginning with the 12-seat Library.

Accommodating up to 20 guests, the Kid’s Room is next to the Library on starboard Deck 8.

The Conference Room on starboard Deck 8 can seat up to 35 guests.

Two stairtowers and four lifts provide vertical access aboard the Cristal. The midships stairtower features an eight deck tall, backlit acrylic mural.

The midships to aft portion of Deck 5 is also dedicated to public spaces, beginning with the photo gallery.

A large duty free shop is located along the midships Deck 5 passage.

Eight computer terminals form a small internet center in the reception area on Deck 5. The Cristal also has wifi (accessed for a small fee) in most public spaces and key deck areas.

The Reception area is near the midships staircase on Deck 5.

The Shore Excursions desk is directly across from the Reception area on Deck 5.

Two dining venues occupy either side of Deck 9. On the port side, there is the casual 112-seat Traviata Buffet.

On the starboard side of Deck 9, there is the 76-seat Rigoletto, which transforms into the Alberta Steakhouse at night.

At breakfast time, there is a special station by the pool that makes daily specials such as freshly cooked waffles and pancakes.

The buffet dining venues have excellent Greek specialties, including a salad bar with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The Cristal’s dessert selections include honey-drenched, flaky baklava and other homemade Greek treats.

The larger of two traditional dining venues, the 392-seat La Scala Restaurant is located on the port side of Deck 8. While there is a self-service buffet, lunch and dinner also feature a la carte menu service.

There is a small private dining room near the entrance to the La Scala Restaurant.

The Caruso Restaurant can accommodate up to 248 guests and is located on the port side of Deck 5.

This is a port-facing view in the aft portion of the Caruso Restaurant.

Tables in both the La Scala and Caruso Restaurants are set with bottles of extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

Among the most popular courses served aboard the Cristal is the delicious horiatiki or Greek villager’s salad with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, kalamata olives and feta cheese.

Every day there are different Greek courses on the menu, including this Eggplant Imam Topped With Onion Ragout, which is drizzled in olive oil.

Two Category S1 Imperial Suites are at the top of the Cristal’s accommodation tier. Measuring 468-square-feet, they are located at the forward end of Deck 6. This is the living room and dining area of Suite 6200.

Imperial Suites have separate bedrooms with a queen-sized bed.

Imperial Suite bathrooms are especially large and feature a shower and full tub.

Forward facing Imperial Suite balconies are lined in teak and feature a dining table as well as deck chairs and a Jacuzzi tub.

Eight Category SB Balcony Suites are located on Deck 7, measuring 388-square-feet. This is the living room, which features a sofa bed and a dining nook.

SB Balcony Suites have separate bedrooms with a queen-sized bed that can convert to two twins.

SB Balcony Suites have small, triangular teak-lined balconies.

All staterooms on the Cristal are stocked with shampoo and shower gel dispensers and soap bars. In suites, shampoo, gel, conditioner and moisturizer are provided.

Category XF, XE and XD Outside Staterooms are located on Decks 7, 6 and 5 and measure 161-square-feet. They feature picture windows, twin beds, a sofa bed, flat screen television, refrigerator, phone, individually controlled air conditioning, a writing desk and plenty of storage space.

Bathrooms in Category XF, XE and XD staterooms feature tiled floors and wedge-shaped shower compartments with sliding glass doors.

Category XC Outside Staterooms measure 118-square-feet, have four berths in addition to a sofa bed and feature large picture windows.

Category XB Outside Staterooms measure 108-square-feet and have two lower beds.

This is a wheelchair-accessible Category XB Outside Stateroom with a different bedding configuration to provide extra floor space.

Wheelchair-accessible staterooms have wider doors and modified bathrooms.

Category XBO Outside Staterooms measure 108-square-feet and have up to four berths. All feature picture windows with an obstructed view.

Category XA Outside Staterooms measure 118-square feet and have portholes instead of picture windows. They can accommodate up to four guests.

Category IE Inside Staterooms measure 108-square-feet and feature two lower beds.

Category IB Inside Staterooms measure 108-square-feet and can accommodate up to four guests.

The Cristal is based in Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic cruise service during the summer for Celestyal Cruises.