Crystal Cruises Expands Worldwide Jewish Heritage Programming in 2011

With increased participation in Jewish heritage tours, luxury seafarer Crystal Cruises is expanding its Jewish heritage programming in 2011, scheduling over a dozen Crystal Adventures that explore Jewish life, past and present, around the world, including Rome, where there is a centuries-old Jewish Quarter © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2011 –

With increased participation in Jewish heritage tours, luxury seafarer Crystal Cruises is expanding its related programming in 2011.  Scheduled are over a dozen Crystal Adventures that explore Jewish life, past and present, around the world: in/near Mumbai, Miami, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg, St. Petersburg, Rome, Dublin, Jerusalem/Ashdod, and Odessa.

Each tour gives an overview of a culture within a culture, while also providing intimate connection with spaces, exhibits, artifacts, traditions, and people that bring the international Jewish narrative to life.

Among the highlights:

• St. Petersburg: Discover how this resilient Russian Jewish community survived Communist oppression, war, and hardship to flourish today, as demonstrated through its people, community centers, music, and an intimate home visit.
• Mumbai: Visit three synagogues, ranging from Baghdadi to Bene-Israel congregations.
• Copenhagen: Learn how 99% of Denmark’s Jews survived the Holocaust, at the Museum of Danish Resistance.
• Dublin: Take in the social, legal, and political contributions of the Irish-Jewish community; see the first dedicated day school and home of Israeli ex-President Chaim Herzog.
• German Concentration Camps: Explore Neungamme, which housed 100,000 prisoners outside Hamburg, and Berlin’s Sachsenhausen, which became the blueprint for all other camps.
• Rome: Walk through the 2000+ year-old Jewish Quarter of Rome.

While most 2012 excursions are still in development, Crystal is planning a Jewish heritage tour of Shanghai for its 2012 World Cruise.

“These experiences offer meaningful opportunity for education, understanding, and reflection, for Jews and non-Jews alike,” says Vice President, Land and Port Operations John Stoll.

Crystal Cruises’ passion for creating unique and impactful luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, and have earned the line top ratings from international travelers for two decades.

The excursions, starting at $46 per person, are available as half-day or full-day adventures with the worldwide, value-rich itineraries aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.  Cruise promotions include up to $2,000/couple “All Inclusive—As You Wish” spending credit, up to $8,000/couple Verandah and Penthouse savings, Fall Fare Sale, Crystal’s Family Memories programs, and New-to-Crystal, Bring-a-Friend, and Crystal Society benefits.  All cruises include free air from many North American gateways (or generous air credits).

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

For more cruising, destination and heritage travel stories, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/eclectic-traveler-in-long-island/karen-rubin

Tags: Crystal Cruises, heritage travel, Jewish culture, Jewish heritage tours