LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crystal is enticing travelers to fulfill bucket lists and holiday wish lists as it highlights its 2016 lineup of Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year voyages. This holiday season marks the first year that The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™ will offer four distinctive sailings, including voyages on its celebrated ocean ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit (which launched during the 2015 holiday season) and Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart, set to launch in July as the first of five upcoming river yachts. In Crystal’s customary fashion, Christmas and Hanukkah (December 24-January 1) will be observed on board amidst lavish holiday décor, with multi-course feasts and champagne, cocktail parties and special receptions, and available religious services.
“The intimate family atmosphere and traditional celebrations found on a Crystal holiday voyage, plus the adventure of exploring new places and cultures creates a truly compelling opportunity for travelers seeking new experiences to enjoy with their loved ones,” says Crystal president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez.
Travelers seeking the perfect gift for the holiday season can choose to sail on the following luxury voyages with several generations of friends and family, or their favorite partner in adventure.
December 20, Crystal Serenity (Round-trip Miami)
A 14-day escape from snow and cold temperatures offers guests a picturesque setting for a warm-weather holiday. The voyage sails throughout the Caribbean’s most stunning locales, calling in Mexico, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, St. Barts, Grand Cayman, San Juan, Montego Bay and Martinique; allowing for ample time spent on the white sandy beaches, under the blue water along the coral reefs, or in the treetops exploring the lush flora and fauna.
December 21, Crystal Symphony (Auckland to Melbourne)
Fifteen glorious days exploring the vast wine country, rolling farmland, sculpted mountain ranges and pristine beaches of New Zealand and the Outback makes for an outdoorsman’s ideal holiday. In addition to the combination of intrepid wilderness and cosmopolitan culture found in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, and Wellington, guests will enjoy an enviable spot in Sydney Harbour for the spectacular New Year’s Eve display.
December 22, Crystal Mozart (Round-trip Vienna)
Travelers aboard this 13-day quest along the Danube River might feel transported to holidays past, as Crystal River Cruises’ first holiday voyage sails along one of Europe’s original passages. Punctuating the journey are visits to typically charming European gems that come to life with twinkling lights, traditional music and merchants of all things festive in holiday markets in Austria, Hungary, Germany and Slovakia. Three overnight stays – plus one two-night stay – ensure ample time to get lost in the winter wonderlands.
December 23, Crystal Esprit (Round-trip Dubai)
Adding multi-cultural flavor to the traditional holiday season, Crystal Esprit will travel to and from – plus a two-night stop in between – Dubai, the “city of gold,” through some of the Cosmopolitan Emirates most iconic hubs. Visits to Doha, Muscat, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi allow travelers to immerse themselves in the contrasts that are artfully exhibited by the sleek, brand new modern structures that pay homage to the region’s ancient masterpieces, including the IM Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art, Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi (opening 2016) and Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (opening 2017).
Per person, fares for 2016 holiday voyages begin at $6,595 aboard Crystal Serenity, $7,785 aboard Crystal Symphony, $4,465 aboard Crystal Mozart and $11,130 aboard Crystal Esprit.
Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned more “World’s Best” accolades than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history. Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 22 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso for two-consecutive years (2014 & 2015). In summer 2015, Crystal embarked on the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality, introducing three new classes of cruising – the recently launched Crystal Yacht Cruises (December 2015), Crystal River Cruises (July 2016), Crystal Exclusive Class Ocean Cruises (fall 2019), Crystal Luxury Air (April 2016), and Crystal AirCruises (2017).
For more information and Crystal reservations, call your travel agent or Crystal Cruises at 888-799-2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who follow the Crystal Cruises Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram to engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.
