Crystal Cruises Adds Black Sea Voyage in 2010

Posted on Tuesday, February 16, 2010

 Due to strong demand, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises has expanded its 2010 European cruise collection to include two Black Sea voyages this summer.  The two new itineraries feature a maiden visit to Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as calls in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey.  Steeped in artistic, military and architectural history, the 12-day cruises sail from Venice to Istanbul on July 19 and August 24 aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity.

Beginning with overnight stays in Venice, the itineraries visit Katakolon (birthplace of the Olympics) and Navplion, Greece; Nesebur, Bulgaria; Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa, Ukraine; and conclude with an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey.  Other highlights include the sail from Venice, the cruise through the Dardanelles and the Bosporus Straits.

Distinguished speakers on world affairs, architecture, science and culture add rich dimension to the voyages,  including Newsweek's Chief Political Correspondent, Senior Editor and Deputy Washington Bureau Chief, Howard Fineman;  Dr. David Davenport, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and former president of Pepperdine University; and Dr. Bulent Atalay, a compelling expert on art, archaeology and the sciences.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $6,470 per person, and include $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive – As You Wish' shipboard credits.  Free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways – Business Class air for Penthouse guests – is also included.

Crystal Cruises is the winner of the hospitality industry's most coveted awards, including being voted World's Best Large Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure (for 14 consecutive years), Best Large-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine (for 16 years), and Crystal Serenity is the highest rated large ship in the latter magazine's February 2010 issue.

Crystal Cruises 2010

Posted on Monday, September 21, 2009

Crystal Cruise Line announces extended values for 2010.

Effective today, the luxury specialist is introducing:

• Two-for-one fares for all destinations
• All Inclusive - As You Wish spending credits for all destinations - up to $2,000 per couple
• Free round-trip air with most cruises
• Business class air for Penthouse categories in Europe
• Price Guarantee

With these new promotions, offered in conjunction with Crystal's 20th Anniversary of luxury cruising, 2010 cruises will be as much as 15-20% lower than comparable cruises in 2009 - whether one takes advantage of the free air/sea package, including transfers, or opts for the cruise-only credit.

2-for-1 Cruise Fares

Crystal's recent consumer travel research confirmed that travelers are most attracted to the "two-for-one" pricing message. More than twice as many responded to two-for one pricing than 50% off or even greater savings messages. With this in mind, all Crystal cruises - in every category - boast two-for-one pricing, and, for most destinations, fares are lower than previously published.

All Inclusive - As You Wish spending credits of up to $2,000 per couple

Consumer research also indicated that luxury travelers appreciate the luxury of choice and Crystal's spending credits, which offer a truly customized all-inclusive experience. All 2010 cruises will offer 'All Inclusive - As You Wish' shipboard spending credits of either $500 or $1,000 per person, including every segment of the World Cruise. Guests can use these credits toward just about any conceivable shipboard purchase, including any custom Private Adventures, any spa treatment, personal training, one-on-one golf instruction, boutique purchases, rare wines, and/or Vintage Room experiences.

Brand New Free Air Program

With few exceptions, Crystal is offering free economy air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways for cruises through Australia/New Zealand, Mediterranean, Baltic, and New England/Canada. New fares also include round-trip Business Class air transportation to Europe for guests in Penthouse accommodations. Research reflected consumers' strong response to the free air value equation. Even Crystal's World Cruise, which is endowed with hundreds of enrichment opportunities and special events, will enjoy a new air bonus for any two back-to-back segments. As always, Crystal includes round-trip airport/ship transfers with all of its air/sea programs. Guests can opt to deduct a credit for cruise-only fares.

Price Guarantee

Research confirmed that Crystal Cruises' Price Guarantee resonates more than ever with travelers who feel they might be penalized for booking early. For 2010, Crystal Cruises will retain its Crystal Assurance Plan (CAP), which means that guests are assured they will get Crystal's lowest published fares, even if the line reduces fares. With the new 2010 fares, Crystal guests will enjoy lower air/sea and cruise-only fares for just about all of Crystal's 2010 cruises.

Birthday Bonus

In celebration of Crystal's 20th anniversary in 2010, the line is retaining its Birthday Bonus promotion. If travelers book by December 31, 2009 and sail on their birthday in 2010, they can save 50% off a second cruise-only fare taken before their 2011 birthday. In addition, birthday guests can celebrate their 2010 birthday with a special champagne breakfast and a Captain's Quarters birthday party, as well as enjoy the pampering Crystal experience.

Crystal Family Memories

Another program in place for all 2010 cruises is Crystal Family Memories, which supports the huge trend for reunions and multi-generational travel. For as few as six full-fare guests traveling together (three staterooms!), guests will enjoy pre-paid gratuities, $100 per person, shipboard credit, in addition to the All Inclusive-As You Wish spending credit, a group family photo, kids under 17 sail free in a third berth and a $500 credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure. For 10 full-fare guests, the group will get all of the above plus free cruise berth (no air).

About Crystal Cruises

In 2010, Crystal Cruises celebrates 20 years of luxury cruising. Its cruises to six continents range from seven to 108 days. Among the highlights of the year is the World Cruise, which can be enjoyed in individual voyages of 12 to 21 days, and the annual Presidents' cruise, which in 2010 travels from Dubai to Piraeus.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are the two highest rated ships in the world, ranked #1 and 2, respectively. Aboard the ultra-luxurious vessels, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by warm, gracious service, abundant space, extensive choices and superior quality.

Crystal Cruises was most recently honored for a record 14th( )consecutive year as "The World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Attesting to the consistency of its reputation and product delivery, Crystal Cruises was also awarded "Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" for a record 15th year by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Crystal ratings topped all small-ship lines as well. In fact, Crystal has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.

Crystal Cruise Antarctica

Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009

Crystal issued a press release today that they would be offering 6 holiday travelers a new 2-day excursions to the windiest, coldest and least populated continent on the planet: Antarctica.

In below freezing temperatures, the brand new rugged and rare overland excursion will take Crystal guests to King George Island, Antarctica. Brave adventurers will trek through remote villages and a petrified arctic forest once covered by glaciers, to scientific research bases, and to the breeding and stomping grounds of three species of penguin, elephant seals and fur seals. Available with Crystal Symphony's 19-day Christmas/New Year cruise departing December 20 from Buenos Aires, the "Extreme Overnight Adventure in Antarctica" is limited to only six guests. Among other destinations, the voyage features three days cruising Antarctica en route to Valparaiso, Chile.

"Brace for a once-in-a-lifetime excursion that literally exemplifies the type of highly unusual, off-the-beaten-path experiential adventures our guests are seeking," says John Stoll, director, land programs. "Only a handful of people will ever have the chance to see this remarkable region so intimately."

The adventure departs from Ushuaia, Argentina and rejoins Crystal Symphony in Punta Arenas, Chile. Highlights depend on weather conditions, and include:

• Travel by King Air beach craft from Ushuaia to King George Island;
• Overnight accommodations at the Chilean Antarctic Institute;
• Visits to the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base and the Uruguayan Base Artigas;
• Snow coach trek to Collins Glacier, which once covered 90 percent of the island;
• Zodiac excursion to Ardley Island and a penguin breeding ground; and
• Two-hour hiking expedition to observe elephant and fur seals, and Villa Las Estrellas.

Other adventures ashore include a helicopter ride to a humpback whale sanctuary, a 4 x 4 expedition to a King penguin colony, and trekking the mountains of Chile. Fares for the "Extreme Overnight Adventure" start at $9,774 per person, double occupancy.

In addition to Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, the cruise visits Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Punta Arena and Puerto Montt, Chile. Cruise fares start $8,995 per person, double occupancy.