CrystalCruiseValues.com

Crystal Expands “Experiential” Shore Tours in Europe

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:37:27 +0000

Crystal Cruises expanded the number of active outdoor excursions offered on its 2008 Europe cruises, including bicycling in Barcelona, cliff climbing in Croatia, and a self-driven off-road Jeep adventure in Mykonos. From May through November, the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will operate 28 voyages in Europe. New options include a scenic cycling expedition along a forest path in RÃ¸nne, Denmark, to visit a round church and a smokehouse for herring, fresh bread, and cold beer; a sea caves expedition in Corfu, Greece; a diving expedition in Dubrovnik, Croatia; and four-wheel or Jeep adventures in Sintra near Lisbon, Mykonos, Split, and Mount Etna in Sicily. Crystal’s 2008 European cruises are seven to 14 days with departures from London, Rome, Venice, Athens, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Lisbon, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Fares begin at $2,995 per person, double occupancy.

Crystal’s Cocktails Get a Fresh Twist in Makeover

admin — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:53:57 +0000

Crystal Cruises is now offering cocktails with a taste of fresh mango, muddled raspberries and the spicy zest of ginger. The luxury line has teamed up with celebrated “Modern Mixologist” Tony Abou-Ganim to completely remake its bar menus to feature only fresh ingredients, premium liquors, inventive combinations and a signature drink designed to complement the mood of different lounges. Joining classic cocktails are such specialty drinks as the Bow Thruster, made with Maker’s Mark whiskey, Grand Marnier, fresh peach puree, fresh orange juice and fresh lemon sour; the Mango Caiparoska, made with Chopin vodka and fresh mango muddled with simple syrup; the Sakeberry Martini, made with Nobu sake, fresh raspberries, fresh lime juice, simple syrup and Chambord; and the Smooth Ginger, made with Mount Gay Rum, fresh lime juice, Galliano, ginger ale, Angostura bitters and fresh ginger.

Abou-Ganim is renowned for creating the cocktail experience at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and is also featured on the Fine Living Network program “Raising the Bar: America’s Best Bar Chefs.” He first dazzled Crystal guests aboard a Wine & Food Festival cruise where his personality and cocktail-mixing talents garnered higher ratings than any other lecturer on the voyage. Key to the program was Abou-Ganim’s involvement in furthering the training of Crystal’s bartenders. The new bar menus will be introduced aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in January.

Crystal Cruises Wins 12 Consecutive Years of Travel + Leisure’s Readers’ Poll for ‘World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line’

kelsea — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:43:04 +0000

Crystal Cruise Values, a CruiseMatch.com division congratulates Crystal Cruise
for a record 12th consecutive year in which Crystal Cruises has been voted the “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise
Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. While there are several
new winners in the various travel categories, Crystal Cruises is the only
cruise line, resort or hotel to have won the prestigious award each year
since the awards’ inception.
Based on a first quarter 2007 survey to thousands of world travelers,
the World’s Best Awards are featured in the magazine’s August 2007 issue.
Subscribers, who were allowed only one vote each, were asked to rate cruise
lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and
value. Crystal’s 2007 World’s Best score topped its winning rating for
2006.
“We are honored and gratified that Crystal’s attention to detail and
extraordinary staff is consistently recognized by the discerning,
experienced Travel + Leisure readers,” says Crystal Cruises’ President
Gregg Michel. “This is a tremendous validation of the investment we’ve made
in our ships, the meaningful personalized programs we’ve introduced and
Crystal’s winning formula of superior service, choices, space and quality.”
Crystal Cruises’ luxurious, award-winning fleet consists of the
940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal
Serenity, which cruise worldwide on itineraries of seven to 108 days. In
the past year, the luxury line completed a stylish and sophisticated
redesign of Crystal Symphony and expanded the opportunities to personalize
one’s experiences ashore with an increased collection of boutique Crystal
Adventures(R) and thoroughly customized Crystal Private Adventures
throughout the world. Earlier this year, Crystal’s spas were singled out
for their service, facilities and treatments, while its Creative Learning
Institute earned accolades for inspiring programs. The line’s glamorous
casinos, array of evening entertainment and creative culinary venues and
menus — such as the cuisine of master chef, Nobu Matsuhisa — rate high
among those seeking quality choices on their floating luxury resort.

For More Information, or for Reservations on Crystal Cruise Lines, Contact CrystalCruiseValues.com toll-free: 800-925-8572

Crystal Cruises Sets 2008 Value Collection

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:17:31 +0000

LOS ANGELES, July 10, 2007 - Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises has announced its 2008 Value Collection sailings, allowing savvy travelers the opportunity to plan ahead and realize extraordinary savings of up to 52% off regular cruise fares aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Crystal’s 2008 Value Collection features 11 diverse sailings of 10 to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Caribbean and a Trans-Pacific voyage from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.

“Value Collection sailings provide seasoned and first-time Crystal cruisers an opportunity to experience Crystal’s award-winning service, space, quality and choices at up to two-for-one savings,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Unlike last-minute travel deals, with our Value Collection, travelers can plan a 2008 Crystal vacation in advance and know the value is exceptionally compelling.”

Typically offered during shoulder seasons or on repositioning cruises, the Value Collection for 2008 reflects a sampling of closer-to-home to exotic voyages aboard each of the line’s luxury ships. A total of five are scheduled for Crystal Symphony and six for Crystal Serenity. The itineraries listed below offer savings of up to 50% except where noted.

Panama Canal/Caribbean

* February 11, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days. Fares from $3,145 - up to 52% savings (Crystal Symphony)
* November 10, Miami to Los Angeles, 13 days. Fares from $2,995

(Crystal Symphony)

* December 1, Miami to Costa Rica, 11 days. Fares from $3,550 (Crystal Serenity)
* December 12, Costa Rica to Miami, 11 days. Fares from $3,550 (Crystal Serenity)

Western Europe

* May 7, London to Rome, 12 days. Fares from $4,595 (Crystal Serenity)
* May 25, Athens to London, 7 days. Fares from $3,995 (Crystal Symphony)

Mediterranean

* October 18, Rome to Barcelona, 12 days. Fares from $4,445 (Crystal Serenity)

Canary Islands

* October 30, Barcelona to Lisbon, 12 days. Fares from $4,445 (Crystal Serenity)

South America

* December 7, Los Angeles to ValparaÃso, 15 days. Fares from $3,450

(Crystal Symphony)

Trans-Pacific

* March 3, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days. Fares from $3,395 - up to 49% savings (Crystal Symphony)

Trans-Atlantic

* November 21, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days. Fares from $3,145 - up to 51% savings (Crystal Serenity)

Fares quoted are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

Crystal Cruises enjoys an unparalleled reputation for excellence, anchored in 11 consecutive years of “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” awards by the readers of Travel + Leisure and CondÃ© Nast Traveler magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.