In keeping with its reputation for excellence, Crystal Cruises has won Travel + Leisure magazine's eighth annual service poll for "World's Best Service" for cruise lines.

Of the dozens of worldwide luxury hotels and resorts that placed highly in the magazine, Crystal's record score of 96.94 distinguishes the line as having the sixth highest hotel service in the world. Results of the survey are recorded in the June issue.

"Our mission has been to be the best in the luxury service industry and not just the cruise industry," says Gregg L. Michel, Crystal's president. "To be recognized by sophisticated travelers for service excellence is the highest praise to be awarded to any travel company and speaks to the consistency of the experience."

The basic tenet of Crystal's service philosophy is that serving fellow employees is given as much importance as serving guests. To maintain the highest services standards, Crystal Cruises makes a significant investment in staff recruitment and training. Through an intensive educational program, the ladies and gentlemen of Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are taught to implement the Six-Star Crystal Basics, a multipoint credo that addresses attitude, communication, competence, style, safety, environment and execution. Staff members address guests by name from the time they are introduced and quickly identify and focus on their personal preferences. The line boasts a low staff turnover (just 9%) and a high staff-to-guest ratio of at least 1.70 to 1.

"From the faces you see to the faces you don't see, all are working together to exceed our guests' expectations and even surprise the most discerning travelers," adds Michel.

The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony, and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity are three of the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising the world. In addition to service, the line continues to earn the highest accolades for its spa, entertainment, enrichment, cuisine and overall design from consumers, travel agents and respected critics.