Crystal Ravel Ship Review

Photo courtesy of Crystal River Cruises

Note (January 2023): Crystal declared bankruptcy in 2021. All five of its river cruises have been acquired by Riverside Luxury Cruises, a Hamburg, Germany-based company. We will be updating this review, but for now see Crystal River Cruises Reincarnated? Riverside Acquires Rest Of Crystal Fleet

Entering service in 2018, the 104-guest Crystal Ravel joins Crystal River Cruises growing fleet of luxury riverboats plying the waters of Europe. The evolution of the river cruising arm of oceangoing Crystal Cruises brand, Crystal Ravel brings the luxurious amenities of ocean cruising to the world of river cruising.

Distinguishing Crystal Ravel from her competitors is easy, thanks to her unique exterior profile that is as innovative as Viking River Cruises’ Viking Longships first were when they burst on the scene back in 2012.

With Crystal Ravel and her sisters Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Mahler, Crystal placed the ship’s wheelhouse all the way forward in the very bow of the ship, freeing up valuable Sun Deck space for niceties like a Pop-Up Bar, more seating options, and skylight windows over the ship’s entry lobby and the grand Palm Court Lounge.

Crystal Ravel Staterooms

When it comes to accommodations, the all-suite Crystal Ravel spares no expense. Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

• Category CS Suites are the largest suites onboard Crystal Ravel, or anywhere else on European waterways. These Two Bedroom Crystal Suites with Panoramic Balcony Window can sleep up to four adults (minimum double occupancy) in 759 square feet of unabashed splendor. The Master Bedroom includes a King-size bed facing the windows; a walk-in closet; bedstands that have wireless charging capabilities; an arm chair; and an interactive television system. In the bathroom, a double vanity complements the stand-up shower with wand and rainforest settings, stocked with ETRO robes and slippers. The living room features two arm chairs and a coffee table, an entry vestibule, and even a fireplace (faux) below a second mounted flat-screen television set. Butler service, naturally, is offered to guests in these suites.
• Category CP Suites are the second-largest accommodations, coming in at a healthy 506 square feet. These One Bedroom Crystal Penthouse with Panoramic Balcony Window suites can sleep up to two guests and offer all the amenities of the larger Category CS Suites, minus the second bedroom.
• Category S1, S2 and S3 Suites are smaller, but no less comfortable. Ranging in size from 237 to 253 square feet, these rooms look more like classic boutique hotel rooms than your typical river cruise ship accommodations. Impressively, these rooms also feature many of the same amenities that their larger (and more expensive) counterparts do, from full butler service to nightstands with wireless charging capabilities, king sized beds and ETRO robes, walk-in closet, an in-suite Nespresso maker, and a 40-inch interactive television set. All three River Suite Deluxe with Panoramic Balcony Window categories feature Crystal’s open-air Panoramic Balcony windows.
• Category S4 and S5 are the entry-level accommodations onboard, and can sleep up to two guests in 188 square feet of living space. Smaller but no less deluxe, these rooms still include butler service, ETRO robes and slippers, an in-suite Nespresso maker, wireless charging nightstands and a 40-inch interactive television set. Category S4 and S5 rooms lack the walk-in closet found at the higher levels, but still have sumptuous bathrooms equipped with both rainforest and wand shower options.

Crystal Ravel Public Areas

The Waterside Dining Room boasts soothing, rich nautical hues. Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

When it comes to public rooms, Crystal River Cruises rethinks what makes a river cruise ship.

By far one of the most striking rooms is the Palm Court Lounge. This is the social hub of the ship, with a full-service bar and lighter fare served here at various times throughout the day. Aside from the fantastic seating options, the first thing most cruisers are likely to notice are the floor-to-ceiling windows, which curve attractively upward to form the better part of the room’s ceiling. Not only does this provide for better views by day and night, it makes passing under bridges and through locks a real event – one that, for now, is entirely unique to Crystal’s river cruise ships.

Just aft of the Palm Court, The Vintage Room is the specialty restaurant onboard, with sumptuous cuisine paired with exceptional wines.

The spacious, airy Palm Court is one of the most innovative spaces aboard Crystal Ravel, as shown in this photo taken aboard sister-ship Crystal Bach. Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

Most meals will be taken in the Waterside Restaurant; a lavish affair with bold décor that reveals more than a hint of Crystal’s oceangoing heritage. Close your eyes, and you can almost picture being aboard Crystal Serenity.

All the way aft, you’ll find a glass-enclosed, indoor swimming pool that lets you relax in the warmth of this spa-like enclave without missing any of the wonderful scenery passing by outdoors.

River Cruisers Should Know!

• Crystal Ravel features 110/220V outlets in all staterooms and suites.
• Although Crystal Ravel has an elevator, it does not travel to the uppermost Vista Deck.

Crystal River Cruises Ship Reviews