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Crystal River Cruises is sailing into 2019 with a renewed focus on its award-winning product. The line’s four newest vessels (Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel) have earned a steady stream of accolades since their debut.
The all-suite, all-butler, all-balcony ships feature king-sized beds that face Panoramic Balcony-Windows; walk-in closets; personal IPads, dual bathroom vanities and more.
The ships also feature the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the industry. Some 68 crew members serve 106 guests.
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“The heart of the Crystal River Experience is, like all Crystal Experiences, the genuine warmth and personalized service from the best crew in the industry,” said the line’s Vice President and Managing Director Walter Littlejohn.
According to Littlejohn, the line’s success is all about anticipating what today’s travelers want.
One thing those travelers definitely want is sophisticated dining on board. Crystal has heeded that call, with farm-to-table cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries. Guests can choose from the elegant Waterside Restaurant, signature Bistro cafés, intimate, exclusive Vintage Room or the Palm Court.
“Menus are designed to reflect both the classic cuisine of the regions explored – with extraordinary wine lists complementing the selections – as well as Crystal’s own take on modern cuisine. Small bites, wines, specialty coffees and other cravings are available 24/7,” said Littlejohn.
The line continues to innovate on the itinerary front, as well. In May 2019, the new Enchanting Moselle itinerary debuts aboard Crystal Bach. The ten-day round-trip from Amsterdam travels through Germany and the Netherlands. It includes five entirely new ports of call, plus the opportunity to explore one of Europe’s most scenic regions. The Moselle is known for its steep hillside vineyards, the source of world-class Rieslings. Guests will not only enjoy wine tastings, they’ll visit historic sites, such as the Roman ruins of Trier and the iconic Reichsburg Castle perched above Cochem.
Most significantly, they’ll visit Bonn and Dusseldorf, new calls for the line. The former is the birthplace of Beethoven, while the latter is one of Germany’s cultural hubs. Additional excursions include the war museums of Arnhem, Netherlands and day trips to Luxembourg.
Littlejohn notes that other changes are coming to the river cruise lineup in 2019.
“We are offering shorter voyages starting at seven days to provide our guests with numerous choices. Due to overwhelming demand, we’ve also added more seven-night cruises on the Rhine River aboard Crystal Bach, sailing between Amsterdam and Basel. These itineraries provide guests with the option to combine sailings with a stay at a five-star hotel in Amsterdam or Paris,” said Littlejohn.
Crystal River Cruises offers a collection of more than 200 shoreside experiences. And nearly every itinerary features an inclusive Signature Event. These are special events that offer rare access and musical performances in iconic landmarks, such as Vienna’s Belvedere Palace, Linz’s St. Florian Monastery, Rüdesheim’s Monastery Eberbach and others. Excursion groups are limited to no more than 15 guests.
