April 14, 2008

The ship is operated by Crystal Cruises Inc., a U.S. based subsidiary of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koji Miyahara). The eagerly anticipated restaurants will join two other celebrated restaurants opened by "Nobu" – as the critically-acclaimed chef is known worldwide to customers – on sister ship Crystal Serenity in 2003.

Nobu’s restaurants are famous for using a creative style of cooking that fuses traditional Japanese cuisine with influences from South American and European cuisine. His 21 fine-dining venues are scattered throughout countries such as the U.S., U.K., France, and Hong Kong. In 2005 he was selected an "Asia’s Hero" in the Times magazine article, as well as rated among the 10 best chefs in the U.S. in Food and Wine magazine. Both publications lauded his masterful cooking talents.

This renovation of the restaurants on the Crystal Symphony was conducted on the cruising route from Los Angels to Hong Kong. While docked in Hong Kong on March 22, the two new restaurants held a Japanese style opening ceremony in the ship’s lounge that was attended by Nobu Matsuhisa, Crystal Cruises chairman Mitsutoshi Nawa, and its president Gregg Michel. Guests enjoyed Japanese rice wine in a masu (wooden box-like cup) bearing Nobu’s autograph.

The addition of the popular Nobu restaurants to Crystal Cruise’s second ship is testament to the company’s unflagging commitment to high-quality and consistent customer service.