Crystal Cruises unveiled the itineraries for its five new luxury river yachts and announced voyages from 2016 through 2018 are now open for booking. The newly acquired and redesigned Crystal Mozart will sail in July 2016, and the four newly built vessels, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Bach, Crystal Ravel, and Crystal Mahler will embark in June and August 2017.
The luxury river yachts will maintain the Crystal Experience, featuring all-inclusive amenities, elegantly-appointed suites and six-star service for which the luxury cruise line is renowned. Crystal River Cruises’ itineraries will focus on longer and overnight stays and daytime cruising, in addition to sailing less-traveled routes to avoid congestion of other vessels in port.
Crystal Mozart – The Danube River
Currently being redesigned, the Crystal Mozart will launch in 2016 with two itineraries of 10 and 11 nights along the Danube River, as well as a special 10- to 13-night Christmas and New Year’s Eve voyage. Maiden Voyage July 13, 2016.
Danube’s Capital & Wachau Valley will take travelers through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Austria’s Wachau Valley, visiting Dürnstein, Melk, Linz and Vienna, Austria; Passau, Germany; and Bratislava, Slovakia.
Countries of Eastern Danube will explore the eastern section of the river, including Vienna, Austria; Esztergorm, Kalocsa, Budapest, and Mohács, Hungary; Vukovar, Croatia; the Iron Gate; Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia; and Bratislava, Slovakia.
Classic Rhine will visit the aforementioned overnight ports, as well as Antwerp, Belgium; Nijmegen, Holland; Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, Speyer, Kehl, and Breisach, Germany. This voyage also allows for additional stays in Frankfurt to explore the 2,000-year-old metropolis.
Crystal Debussy – The Seine River
On the Seine, the Crystal Debussy will sail five-, seven- and 10-night voyages, each exploring Paris with multiple overnights. Crystal said that the ship’s smaller size (with a capacity of 84 guests) will allow it to access berths near the Eiffel Tower for guests to extend their stay in Paris. Maiden Voyage June 4, 2017.
Best of Paris, Seine River & Normandy will highlight the villages and valleys that inspired impressionists like Monet and Van Gogh, including the garden at Giverny, Auvers-Sur-Oise and the gardens of Versailles. A double overnight will leave guests within walking distance of Honfleur and position travelers closer to the surrounding areas’ popular attractions, including the beaches of Normandy and Deauville.
Paris & The Arts will see guests visiting the Musée d’Orsay and d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, as well as the Louvre, before traveling to Rouen in Normandy before returning to Paris.
Pre-Christmas Shopping in Paris will allow travelers to get their holiday shopping done in the Marché de Noël outdoor bazaar and enjoy street performances along the Rue du Gros Horloge in Rouen.
Crystal Bach – The Rhine River
The 110-guest vessel’s 14-night itinerary boasts overnight stays in cities including Amsterdam, Netherlands; Basel, Switzerland; and Ruedesheim, Germany as it travels along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. A special 10-night voyage explores the region’s Christmas markets. Maiden Voyage June 18, 2017.
Classic Rhine will visit the above overnight ports, as well as Antwerp, Belgium; Nijmegen, Cologne, Cochem, Koblenz, Mainz, Speyer, Kehl, and Breisach, Germany. The voyage also allows for additional stays in Frankfurt.
Christmas Markets along the Rhine will visit two of Switzerland’s loveliest markets – Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz in Basel – plus historical abbeys and cathedrals. Guests can also enjoy an overnight in Cologne, which has one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Europe.
Crystal Ravel – The Garonne & Dordogne Rivers, and Gironde Estuary
The 84-guest capacity Crystal Ravel explores the UNESCO-designated cultural site of Bordeaux and the wine regions of France. Maiden Voyage August 8, 2017.
Bordeaux, the Wine Region & Beyond begins with two nights in Bordeaux, before cruising on to Cadillac (overnight), Pauillac (overnight), Blaye and Libourne (overnight), France, then back to Bordeaux (overnight). The extra nights in Bordeaux afford guests the chance to visit Arachon in southwestern France for the city’s oysters, white wine and the popular Dune du Pilat, which is Europe’s tallest sand dune.
Crystal Mahler – The Rhine, Main & Danube Rivers
The 16-night “Grand Europe” itinerary on the 110-guest Crystal Mahler is the longest offered by the Crystal river fleet. Maiden Voyage August 29, 2017.
Grand Europe will transit the Rhine-Main-Danube with its many locks that connect the continent’s two mightiest rivers (the Rhine and the Danube), to explore the treasures of each. From the iconic windmills of Holland to the fairytale villages of Germany’s countryside, guests will have ample opportunity to immerse themselves in the charm of the destinations, with overnights in Budapest, Vienna, Passau and Amsterdam.
Fares for Crystal River Cruises collection from 2016 through 2018 are now open for booking and are subject to change without notice. Maiden voyages will be exclusively available to members of the Crystal Society – the line’s repeat guest program – from November 30 through December 15, 2015.
