Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line, has unveiled four new 2018 itineraries for its second “Rhine Class” vessel, Crystal Mahler. In April and May next year, the brand new river ship will sail three seven-day “Danube Serenade” routes between Budapest and Vienna, and one 11-day “Reflections on the Danube” sailing. The new voyages are a shorter complement to Crystal Mahler’s 16-day “Grand Europe” itineraries, which sail between Amsterdam and Budapest for most of the year, cruising the Rhine and Main Rivers.
“We’re delighted to offer these new sailings aboard Crystal Mahler, allowing travelers to explore the beautiful locales along the Danube in the sleek luxury of our new ‘Rhine Class’ vessels, with the added convenience of shorter itineraries for those with limited time away,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez.
The newly added itineraries depart April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and visit European hamlets including Krems, Spitz, Linz and Melk, Austria and Bratislava, Slovakia. Three of the voyages feature dedicated theme programming, including special guest Nancy Brinker – former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation – aboard the April 10 sailing discussing Art & Diplomacy, the annual “President’s Cruise” with Edie Rodriguez on the April 24 sailing, and an in-depth focus on Jewish Heritage excursions aboard the May 1 sailing.
The added itineraries further enhance the all-inclusive Crystal River Cruises experience, which was recently recognized as the “Best River Cruise Line” in the 2017 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The line’s first ship, the 154-guest Crystal Mozart, currently sails itineraries along the Danube, while the “Rhine Class” new-builds will predominantly sail the Rhine and Main Rivers. Crystal Mahler will embark on her maiden voyage in September from Amsterdam, joining Crystal Bach on the mighty European waterways. Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will join the luxurious fleet in 2018.
In each destination aboard every Crystal River Cruises itinerary, travelers can choose from a selection of complimentary Crystal Adventures ashore, or opt for further exploration with additional curated excursions.
Crystal’s “Rhine Class” river ships are the river cruising industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation perched above the waterline and offering private butler service for each suite. All four river ships will offer Crystal’s acclaimed butler service in every room category, plush king-sized beds, Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines. Additional enticing features include Crystal’s farm-to-table, Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court.
By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 27 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). The readers of Travel + Leisure also voted Crystal River Cruises the “World’s Best River Cruise Line” and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises the “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” in 2017. The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line – Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.