Cruises - Crystal Harmony to become Asuka II

Crystal Cruises has just released the news that the Crystal Harmony will join the Japanese parent company in December 2005 and become Asuka II. While the Crystal Serenity's announced 2006 cruises are unchanged, the Crystal Symphony's schedule has been revamped. The Harmony will be replaced by a new ship. See this press release. (http://www.crystalcruises.com/mc_release.aspx?PR=298)

The Harmony was our first Crystal cruise; she will be missed.

And her last sailing as the Crystal Harmony is Nov 18, to Mexico R/T LAX.
Great rates starting at $1450, too!

The news release mentioned that the parent company would be "refitting [the Harmopny] for our Japanese guests." I was just curious as to what that means. Might anyone know? Also, I thought the Symphony was essentially a duplicate of the Harmony. If so, why does the news release note that the bathrooms are larger on the Symphony? Are there other significant differences between the two?

If nothing else, Harmony is the only Crystal ship to have inside cabins. While Harmony and Symphony are very similar, they're far from being sisters - having been built by different yards many years apart.

The news release mentioned that the parent company would be "refitting [the Harmopny] for our Japanese guests." I was just curious as to what that means. Might anyone know? Also, I thought the Symphony was essentially a duplicate of the Harmony. If so, why does the news release note that the bathrooms are larger on the Symphony? Are there other significant differences between the two?

The Harmony does have its original deep bathtubs which many older non-Japanese passengers objected to as they are difficult to get in and out of. Yes, I will miss her, but perhaps can cruise on her in Japan.