Crystal Cruises Includes Complimentary 3-Day Beijing Adventure on New Spring China Voyages

Crystal Cruises is taking guests off the ship and through Beijing’s most historic and cultural sites for three nights next spring, as part of two new 2013 cruises to China. For the first time in four years, the all-inclusive Overland Adventure will be featured as a complimentary pre- and post-cruise package on two different luxury cruises, both sailing aboard Crystal Symphony for 10 days before and after the unique land trip:

• · An “All China” voyage, departing March 23, offering extended time in several of the country’s greatest cities, as follows: Hong Kong (overnight)-Xiamen-Shanghai (two nights)-Dalian-Beijing/Zingang.
• · A “Pan-Asia” sailing, departing March 30, offering not just a taste of several Asian countries, but plenty of time in port, with several overnights, as follows: Beijing/Zingang-Dalian-Shanghai (overnight)-Pusan, S. Korea-Nakasaki-Kôbe, Japan (two nights). Travelers can sail all the way to North America by also adding the following Kôbe-Vancouver voyage, through Russia and Alaska (Crystal’s only Alaska cruise in 2013), afterward.

“These cruises offer incredible itineraries for easily exploring a region that is fascinating, extremely vast, and growing very quickly in terms of travel popularity,” explains John Stoll, vice president of land and port operations. “To also spend three nights and days immersed in one of the area’s greatest cities, with the benefit of still traveling in Crystal’s signature Six-Star style while on land, brings even more value and destination enrichment to these vacations.”

The Beijing land program provides in-depth exploration of the city and surrounding’s most popular landmarks — like Tiananmen Square, The Great Wall, Olympic Park, and The Forbidden City — as well as exclusive access to intimate cultural experiences – like a rickshaw tour through Beijing’s complex alleyways/hutongs and a spectacular dinner and performance at the government’s Great Hall of the People. Throughout, Crystal provides expert guidance, enriching insight, luxury accommodations, traditional meals, transportation (including transfers between Beijing and the ship), porterage, gratuities, and English-speaking escorts.

Until October 31, all-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the voyages, with Beijing trip included, start at $4,620 and $4,400, for March 23 and 30’s cruises, respectively, with additional savings for combining “back-to-back” sailings. The cruises are also available without the Beijing trip starting at $3,820 and $3,600, respectively.

Crystal’s exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, helping earn the line top ratings for two decades.

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

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Crystal Cruises Triples Ambassador Host Dance Partners for March 31 ‘Big Band and Ballroom Dance’ Voyage

Ultra-luxury specialist Crystal Cruises has tripled the number of its Ambassador Host dance partners, from the normal four aboard every sailing, to 12 for its March 31 “Big Band and Ballroom Dance” voyage. The Experience of Discovery cruise will also have double the usual amount of dance instructors on board, along with the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra to keep toes tapping. The Miami-Lisbon voyage aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity provides an easy U.S. departure for Americans and easy return home for Europeans, with an average all-inclusive – yet value-priced — rate starting at just $221/person per day.

Crystal’s gentlemen Ambassador Hosts serve as engaging dancing, dining, and conversation partners for solo women during their cruise. Hosts are also available to accompany women on the dance floor whose companions might not be dancers. The social hosting services are complimentary, as are all musical theme activities, including daily intro and advanced dance classes teaching everything from classical ballroom to Latin favorites and swing.

The 17+-piece Glenn Miller Orchestra and vocalists will also play into the wee hours nightly, providing a lively soundtrack of timeless hits. Numerous grand and intimate spaces on board, including Palm Court, Stardust Lounge, Pulse nightclub, and the central atrium near the Cove Bar, serve as on board music and dancing venues during the cruise.

“Big Band and Ballroom Dance is hotter than ever now, and our music cruises are always among our most popular voyages, packed with fun,” says Bret Bullock, vice president of entertainment. “Solo travelers feel comfortable sailing Crystal because we offer so many ways to socialize with others, from dining to dancing. On this particular cruise, we will have plenty of dance partners to go around.”

Also featured during the 10-day sailing are new Magic Castle at Sea shows and Crystal’s newly-released Elton John tribute production, Rocket Man.

The classic Trans-Atlantic luxury cruise provides ample days at sea to fully enjoy the indulgent Crystal resort experience, with a call in sub-tropical Madeira/Funchal, Portugal en route. Fares booked by October 31 start at $2,210/person, double occupancy, with $1000/person in “Book Now” savings. Known for one of the lowest solo supplements in the industry, Crystal’s sole occupancy rates for this cruise start at $3,015/person.

Crystal Cruises’ award-winning entertainment offerings include a range of venues and performances, from cabaret nightclub to piano bar saloon; acclaimed productions to headline entertainers; and sophisticated enrichment activities to in-room Blu-ray-viewing, for all world travelers.

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

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Crystal Cruises Expands Jewish Heritage Tours in Europe 2012

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony travelers have the opportunity to intimately experience Jewish culture and history in European cities including Rome, with its expanded series of Jewish Heritage Tours © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Crystal Cruises is offering almost 30% more Crystal Adventures exploring Europe’s extensive Jewish heritage in 2012. A predecessor to the ultra-luxe line’s new Christian heritage tours, the popular program gives Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony travelers the opportunity to intimately experience Jewish culture and history. The boutique outings visit neighborhoods, museums, monuments, synagogues, and more somber sites in/near Palamós, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Dublin, Hamburg, Rome, Odessa, St. Petersburg, and Israel.

Highlights include:

• · Haifa: A kibbutz, the ancient holy city of Safed, Golan Heights, and a second-century Jewish burial ground.
• · Girona: El Call, one of Europe’s best-preserved Jewish Quarters, by Segway or foot.
• · Dublin: The homes of Dublin’s Jewish Lord Mayors and ex-Israeli President Herzog, the first dedicated day school, and Jewish cemetery.
• · Stockholm: The Jewish Museum and three local synagogues, from Stockholm’s first (1790) to one whose interior is originally from another synagogue in Hamburg.
• · Berlin: Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, the Grosse Hamburger Strasse deportation area, Otto Weidt’s broom-making factory, and the 205,000-square-foot Holocaust Memorial (two different excursions).
• · Athens: Athens’ Jewish Museum, containing 8,000+ domestic and religious artifacts from 2,300 years of Greek Judaism.
• · Odessa: Kosher refreshments, Ukraine’s only Jewish history museum, Shomrei Shabbos synagogue, and Beit Grand Jewish Cultural Center.
• · Hamburg: Neuengamme Concentration Camp Memorial, home of 100,000+ WWII prisoners.
• · Ashdod: Jerusalem’s Western Wall, Old City, and Holocaust artifact-filled Yad Vashem memorial.

“Due to their enormous popularity, we’re continuing to develop niche excursions that connect travelers to their special interests,” says Vice President, Land and Port Operations John Stoll. “Our Jewish guests welcome the opportunity to experience their heritage around the world. However, even non-practitioners of the faith relish gaining first-hand insight into different cultures, and Jewish culture is particularly fascinating for its long and storied impact upon so many areas of the world.”

Half-day and full-day adventures start at $75 per person, with two-person Private Options also available in Rome, Haifa, Berlin, and Odessa. Crystal Serenity’s October visit to Israel further offers trips to Galilee, Tel Aviv, and other Jewish-related areas, by coach or helicopter.

Thirty-five, 7- to 14-day all-inclusive, luxury European cruises offer limited-time Book Now, Cruise-Only fares if booked by April 30. Optional air add-ons are available, with additional savings for groups of six or more, combining cruises, and Crystal Society member-sponsored, new-to-Crystal guests. Kosher options and Jewish services are also available on select Crystal cruises.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, earning the line top ratings for two decades.

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

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Crystal Cruises Implements ‘All-Inclusive’ Policy; Bar Service now Gratis

After a year of planning, Crystal Cruises has now officially begun its transition to an all-quality “All Inclusive.” Launched with the start of Crystal Symphony’s Miami to Lisbon Trans-Atlantic cruise, guests can now enjoy a generous and impressive selection of complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, as well as open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for all housekeeping, butler, bar and dining staff. Crystal Serenity follows suit with her spring Trans-Atlantic sailing on May 8.

To satisfy the most discerning of palettes, Crystal’s gratis “well” liquors offer superior brands, such as Grey Goose, Maker’s Mark, Macallan Select, Hennessy V.S.O.P., and Herradura Silver.

Wines and champagnes include higher-end vintages from both boutique makers and big-name wineries, including Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay, St. Michael-Eppan Sauvignon Blanc Lahn, Edge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008, Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Bolgheri Varvára, Chateau Macquin St. Emilion, and Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, France.

Dinner restaurants offer recommended pairings nightly, and sommeliers certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers remain on hand to assist with wine selections. There is no corkage fee on board if one wishes to enjoy wine purchased ashore.

An optional Connoisseur menu features award-winning, renowned and/or rare vintages, select single malt whiskeys and other aged spirits at reasonable in-store prices, as opposed to traditional upscale restaurant and hotel rates. Vintage Room experiences further tap into Crystal’s extensive wine cellar. Silver and Gold Connoisseur Packages of four and six fine wines, respectively, are also available for on-board gifts.

“Our ‘All Inclusive’ offers a luxuriously comfortable guest experience that focuses, as always, on incredible quality and impeccable execution,” says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, operations. “This ‘All Inclusive’ transition further enhances the extraordinary ease and value of a Crystal vacation.”

Until April 30, “Book Now” fares start at $1,945 per person/double occupancy for seven days in the Mediterranean, with additional savings available for combining select luxury cruises. Attractive air add-ons are also available from more than 90 North American airports.

Crystal boasts earning more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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

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Crystal Cruises’ Early 2014 Itineraries Now Open for Booking at ‘Book Now’ Savings Until June 30

Crystal Serenity at sea.

With other luxury cruise lines yet to dip their bows into 2014’s seemingly far-off waters, Crystal Cruises’ early-2014 preview itineraries are now open for booking. Seventeen voyages visiting 74 ports in 34 countries are available for January to April 2014 on Crystal Serenity and January through May on Crystal Symphony. “Book Now” fares offer savings of up to $2,000 per couple off attractive 2-for-1 brochure prices until June 30, 2012.

Distinctive, less-cruised, less-easily-accessible lands like Ghana, Mauritius, Brunei, Burma, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Sao Tome, Senegal, Namibia, and Angola complement vacation favorites like the Cayman Islands, Panama Canal, Thailand, and Hawaii. Crystal is not only maiden calling in Luanda, Angola; Lombok, Indonesia; and Malacca, Malaysia, but also returning to several destinations not visited in years, such as the Andaman Islands, India; Okinawa and Tokyo, Japan; the UK’s Pitcairn Islands; and Jakarta, Surabay, and Ujung Pandang, Indonesia.

All voyages but one offer overnights in local ports-of-call, including “double overnights” (two consecutive nights) in Yangon (Myanmar/Burma), Yokohama, Ho Chi Minh City, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai. Winter/spring voyages range from 12 to 26 days, in addition to a five-segment, 89-day World Cruise.

“We were the first cruise line out of the gate to share 2014 itineraries last December, and travelers have been anxious to book ever since,” says Crystal Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing Jack Anderson. “Experienced cruisers recognize that Crystal not only offers incredible value for a luxury vacation, our itinerary offerings for 2014 are incredibly innovative, with easy, intimate access to authentic cultures and vacation memories.”

New routes include:

•  World Cruise:

Ø L.A. to London’s port of Southampton (Jan 18)

Ø Rare visits to USA’s Mariana Islands and Guam.

Ø Multiple Asian segments, one with three Vietnamese stops.

Ø Rounding Africa from Mauritius Islands to Morocco, with three South African stops and a maiden call in Luanda, Angola.

Ø Combine with Jan 5’s Panama Canal voyage beforehand to sail all the way from Miami to the UK.

• · Trans-Pacific:

Ø Back-to-back Polynesian explorations, beginning with an unusual southern Trans-Pacific cruise, stopping at Easter Island, Pitcairn Islands, Mo’orea, Papeete, Tahiti (overnight), then continuing on to the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji. (Jan 8 & 20)

Ø 15-day Tokyo to L.A. ocean-crossing, with just one stop/overnight in Honolulu, for sea day lovers. (May 1)

· Unusual Asia:

Ø Java/South China Seas: Four Indonesia ports-of-call, including a Bali overnight, plus Malaysia and Brunei visits. (Feb 28)

Ø Andaman Sea: 14-day Southeast Asia cruise with three stops in Malaysia, an Andaman Islands visit, and two nights in Myanmar. (March 12)

Ø “All-China”: 10-day Chinese voyage features a Hong Kong overnight, double overnight in Shanghai, and optional three-day, add-on land package to Beijing. (April 9)

Ø Japan-China: Three stops in China and four in Japan, with one night in Osaka and two in Shanghai. (April 19)

Until June 30, 2012, “Book Now” fares for 2014 start at $2,975, with attractive air add-ons from over 90 North American gateways.

Crystal Cruises’ resort experience always includes a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining including the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa. Starting this spring, vacations will also include complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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

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Crystal Cruises Releases New ‘Book Now’ Deadlines to Avoid Fare Hikes for 2012, 2013 Sailings

Crystal Serenity at sea.

Crystal Cruises is Book Now fares, announced on March 1, expire on April 30 and June 30 for 2012 and 2013 voyages, respectively. Available at www.crystalcruises.com, compelling early booking specials can save couples as much as $4,600 off Crystal’s 2013 World Cruise.

The ultra-luxe line’s Book Now promotion provides travelers with a two-month window for the lowest rates on every worldwide cruise aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Every 60 days Crystal is reviewing its pricing on each cruise. Since the Book Now pricing program was launched in September 2011, Crystal has raised fares with each booking deadline. Additional price increases are expected on April 30 for 2012 cruises and June 30 for 2013 voyages.

“Book Now fares offer the most attractive pricing on the world’s best cruises for savvy shoppers who plan ahead,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president, marketing and sales. “As promised, we have once again raised fares for sailings booking ahead of forecasts. While we have exceptional fares still available for many worldwide cruises, travelers should not expect them to last after the new spring and summer expiration dates.”

Traveling the world, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will visit 182 ports-of-call in 59 countries on 60 itineraries worldwide in 2012, 64 voyage options, visiting 226 ports and 62 countries in 2013. Destination choices include the western and eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Cape, western Europe, Greek Isles, Baltic & Russia, China, Japan, southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific, South America, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, British Isles, Canary Islands and Mexican Riviera on itineraries of seven to 98 days.

Crystal Cruises’ resort experience always includes a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining, including the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa. Starting this spring, vacations will also include complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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

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Rep Gabby Giffords joins Husband Astronaut Mark Kelly onboard Crystal Serenity July 25 Sailing

The inspiring couple of American astronaut Mark Kelly and former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be aboard Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity sailing from Lisbon (above) to Rome on July 25. Kelly is scheduled to speak to guests about the power of the human spirit, with wife “Gabby” joining for a special appearance and photo opportunity at presentation’s end © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The inspiring couple of American astronaut Mark Kelly and former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords are boarding a ship of another kind this summer: Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity, for a luxury Mediterranean voyage sailing from Lisbon to Rome on July 25. Kelly is scheduled to speak to guests about the power of the human spirit, with wife “Gabby” joining for a special appearance and photo opportunity at presentation’s end.

The couple quickly gained fame in January 2011, when Arizona Representative Giffords was the victim of an assassination attempt—just months before Kelly’s scheduled command of the final Space Shuttle Endeavour flight. Following more than a year of her intensive rehabilitation for a gunshot wound to the head, and his 17-day trip into earth’s orbit, the heroic husband-wife team have now retired from their government positions while Giffords continues to recuperate.

“We are honored that, after such a challenging year, Mark and Gabby have chosen to travel on Crystal Serenity. We look forward to Mark sharing their incredible story of love, trials, and triumphs, live and in person with Crystal guests,” says Vice President of Entertainment Bret Bullock. “It’s tough to compete with a trip to the stars, but we hope a trip in Six-Star style will come pretty close. We can at least guarantee it will be more luxurious, and give them the ease and comfort they need to maximize rest and recovery.”

The “Romancing the Riviera” itinerary starts with an overnight in Lisbon before sailing to Gibralter, Barcelona, Palamós (maiden call), Cannes, Monte Carlo (overnight), Florence/Livorno, Porto Venere, and Rome/Civitavecchia. Until April 30, “Book Now” fares for the 12-day, all-inclusive cruise start at $5,410, with attractive air add-ons available from over 90 North American gateways. Crystal’s Family Memories program offers additional perks and savings for groups of six or more.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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

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Crystal Cruises Offers More Local Shipboard Overnights Beginning, Ending Cruises

Crystal Cruises offers overnights at the disembarkation ports like Venice which enables guests to see significantly more of the final destination without having to move to a hotel or rush to the airport to fly home © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com.

As Crystal Cruises prepares to segue to “All-Inclusive” starting next month, the ultra-luxe line has also been transforming in another big way: to a focus on significantly more local shipboard overnights at the beginning of cruises. For the upcoming European season, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have doubled the number of voyages that begin with days (and nights) in port. The move eases the worry of late flight arrivals, lost luggage, relocating to/from hotels, finding quality eateries, and settling in prior to sight-seeing, while also enhancing recreational choices due to the more extensive options available on board Crystal’s ships than can be found at hotels on land.

“By adding more overnights to the cruises, especially at embarkation, travelers only have to unpack once, yet get even more time to experience a culture, while still having their Crystal home as a luxurious base,” explains President Gregg Michel. “They also begin meeting the people who will be sharing their time aboard—the staff and other travelers who will become their Crystal family by vacation’s end–all the sooner.”

Crystal has also added overnights to the middle and/or end of the majority of cruises this year. Overnights at the disembarkation ports of Venice, Barcelona or Istanbul, for example, further allow guests to see significantly more of the final destination without having to move to a hotel or rush to the airport to fly home.

Twenty-six large cultural capitals and smaller locales renowned for their charm are featured in North America, the Pacific, and Europe from March through December, with 69 overnights planned in alluring Europe alone. A sampling includes:

• · MEDITERRANEAN, including the BLACK SEA and MIDDLE EAST (43 overnights/10 ports): Venice, Ashdod, Istanbul, Odessa, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Monte Carlo
• · BALTIC and NORTHERN EUROPE: (21 overnights/4 ports): Stockholm, Copenhagen, and St. Petersburg, with five cruises featuring two nights (“double overnight”) in the latter
• · WESTERN EUROPE and UK (5 overnights/4 ports): Edinburgh, Bordeaux, and Reykjavik
• · NORTH AMERICA: (9 overnights/4 ports): NY, Quebec City, San Francisco, and Montreal
• · SOUTH PACIFIC, AUSTRALIA, AND NEW ZEALAND: (6 overnights/4 ports): Papeete, Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney, with a huge complimentary VIP New Year’s Eve celebration during a double overnight in the latter.

Crystal’s new strategic planning evolution will extend through 2013 into 2014, with more than 85% of next year’s 64 itineraries offering two or more days in port, and a more than 50% increase in overnights on embarkation day.

Until February 28, per-person “Book Now” fares for 2012 start at $1,360 for luxury Mediterranean cruises, $2,965 for the rest of Europe, $2,255 for a New England/Canada voyage, and $3,370 for Hawaii and the South Pacific region — all per person/double occupancy. Attractive air add-ons are available from more than 90 North American airports.

The renowned Crystal Experience has been rated “World’s Best” more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.

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

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Crystal Cruises’ Ships Voted ‘Top in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveler Readers

Crystal Serenity at sea.

The sophisticated readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine have chosen Crystal Cruises’ fleet as 2012’s top mid-sized cruise ships. The February issue’s list of “Top 100 Cruise Ships in the World”—up from 80 last year–ranks the 1,070-passenger Crystal Serenity and 922-passenger Crystal Symphony as the number one and two vessels, respectively, in the medium category.

“We are incredibly humbled, flattered, and appreciative of the continual recognition by our guests,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “We continually challenge ourselves to invest in, and re-invigorate, our ships to be the very best.”

Of the seven criteria upon which ships were rated, Crystal won more areas than any other small, medium, or large cruise line. The ultra-luxe company ranked highest of all ocean cruise lines in Design/Layout, and further dominated most criteria in its size category, including Crew/Service, Food/Dining, Activities/Facilities, and Shore Excursions.

“This poll shows that a superb cruise vacation is more than just ‘sailing,’ it’s about the sum of its parts—like adventure offerings on land, how one is treated, and attention to detail on each ship,” Michel says. “With our luxury ships winning the number one and number two slots, as well as leading in so many individual features, savvy world travelers clearly believe that Crystal Cruises delivers an overall resort vacation experience on the high seas better than any peers.”

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history, including Condé Nast Traveler readers’ “Best Cruise Line” (Mid-Sized) honors in fall 2011.

In 2012, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity visit 182 ports-of-call in 59 countries on 60 worldwide itineraries worldwide. Voyages this year include 25 seven- to 15-day, all-inclusive cruises visiting the western and eastern Mediterranean (including the Black Sea) from March through December, as well as seven to 94-day sailings through the North Cape, western Europe, Baltic & Russia, China, Japan, southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific, South America, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, British Isles, Canary Islands and Mexican Riviera. Until February 28, “Book Now” fares start at $1,360 per person/double occupancy, with additional savings available for groups of six or more, new-to-Crystal travelers, and combining cruises. Attractive air add-ons are also offered from more than 90 North American airports.

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

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Crystal Cruises Announces Feb 28 Deadline for 2012/13 ‘Book Now’ Fares to Avoid Price Hikes

Crystal Serenity at sea. Passengers have until Feb. 28 to take advantage of "Book Now" fares and avoid price hikes on 2012/2013 cruises.

Effective January 1, Crystal Cruises increased fares for as many as 19 cruises and set a new booking deadline of February 28, 2012 for 2012 and 2013 Book Now fares. Current Book Now fares, available at www.crystalcruises.com, offer compelling early booking special offers — as much as $2,000/person, or $4,000/couple, off extraordinary 2-for-1 fares.

The ultra-luxe line’s Book Now promotion provides travelers with a two-month window for the lowest prices possible on every worldwide cruise aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in 2012 and 2013. As promised, when the previously published fares expired on December 31, Crystal raised fares from $200-$400 per couple on select cruises. Every 60 days Crystal is reviewing its pricing on every cruise. Since the Book Now pricing program was launched in September, Crystal has raised fares with each booking deadline. Additional price increases are expected on February 29.

“Savvy shoppers who plan ahead are truly enjoying the best pricing for the best vacation experiences in the world,” says Jack Anderson, senior vice president, marketing and sales. “True to our word, we have once again raised fares for sailings booking ahead of forecasts. While we have exceptional fares still available for many worldwide cruises, we are not guaranteeing they will last after February 28.”

Book Now fares offer the most attractive pricing for its worldwide 2012 and 2013 cruises, including 2-for-1 rates, generous Book Now Savings, free air from many North American gateways or cruise-only credits, “As You Wish” spending credits and/or all-inclusive.

In 2012, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will visit 182 ports-of-call in 59 countries on 60 itineraries worldwide. Destination choices include the western and eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Cape, western Europe, Greek Isles, Baltic & Russia, China, Japan, southeast Asia, Australia, South Pacific, South America, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, British Isles, Canary Islands and Mexican Riviera on itineraries of seven to 94 days.

Crystal Cruises’ resort experience always includes a host of complimentary amenities, from enlightening enrichment speakers and fitness classes to pampering pillow menus and specialty restaurant dining featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio. In the spring of 2012, vacations on the chic, award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will also include complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff. Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

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

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www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

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