Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

For travel-savvy golf enthusiasts this summer, Crystal Cruises is introducing an ultra-exclusive opportunity to be a part of the ultimate competition in the birthplace of the game.  During the new three-night Extended Land Program from Edinburgh, Crystal guests will be treated to VIP access and the highest level of service at the 150th British Open Championship at famed St. Andrew’s Golf Club, before joining Crystal Serenity’s July 19 Black Sea voyage to Istanbul.

Besides the action on the links during the final two days of the championship, participants will enjoy full access to a private hospitality area with refreshments and open bar throughout the day, three-course lunch and traditional English afternoon tea.  Arrangements include five-star hotel accommodations in Edinburgh, a private driver and air transportation from Edinburgh to Venice. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

What is larger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing on earth visible from space?  Answer:  The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.

This March, Crystal Cruises is introducing a new opportunity to explore this region’s remarkable sea life, rainforests and wildlife via a three-night “Great Barrier Reef Escape” Extended Land Program available before and after four Crystal Symphony voyages beginning or ending in Sydney, Australia.  The program flies guests more than 1,200 miles from Sydney to Cairns to some of the most breathtaking locations on the Australian coast, including:

• The Great Barrier Reef – Guests can swim and snorkel, or view the abundant coral and sea life via the underwater theater or a semi-submersible vessel.  The reef comprises more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays developed over centuries of natural evolution.

• World Heritage Rain forestation Nature Park – Guests will explore lush tropical rainforest and visiting resident crocodiles, wombats, wallabies, snakes, dingoes and kangaroos.

• Kuranda Scenic Railway – From the rainforest back to Cairns, and traveling at 34 kilometers above sea level, the rail showcases the region’s rainforests, plus steep ravines and cascading waterfalls and rivers. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

What does a $25 million makeover get you? Swarovski Crystal chandeliers, cashmere throws, sunken Philippe Stark Duravit Jacuzzi bathtubs, chic new pool deck furniture, works by famed Venetian artists, service islands with top-of-the-line pizza ovens and woks, and dozens more upscale and behind-the-scenes embellishments. So encompasses the striking results of award-winning Crystal Symphony’s extensive drydock in October. Following the makeover, the vessel boasts completely transformed Crystal Penthouses, Lido Café and pool areas, elegantly redesigned Penthouses and Prego Italian restaurant, and dozens of behind-the-scenes improvements.

“We strive to offer a luxury vacation experience that continues to impress and delight our guests,” says Thomas Mazloum, Crystals Cruises’ senior vice president of hotel operations. “Crystal Symphony’s recent enhancements reinforce Crystal’s commitment to delivering a product that consistently earns the industry’s highest praises for its stylish spaces and activities, as well as our service.”

New touches on Crystal Symphony include:

Crystal Penthouses – The 982-square-foot suites were remodeled top to bottom, with expanded living space, state-of-the-art audio-visual system, and floor-to-ceiling dining room windows. Ocean view bathrooms offer large Philippe Stark bathtubs, glass mosaic tiles and recessed televisions.

Penthouses – The butler-serviced suites were redesigned in two new color schemes, featuring new custom cabinetry, plush bedding, flat-screen televisions and lavish bathroom accoutrements.

Lido Café – The breakfast and lunch venue sports a refined yet modern motif, with abundant natural light, and colors and details inspired by the Hampton seashore. New food and drink service islands showcase fresh cuisine and add intimate seating and improve flow.

Seahorse and Neptune Pool Decks – The outdoor spots feature crisp white deck furniture accented with citrus-hued cushions and throw pillows for added al fresco dining and conversational seating. With its retractable roof and brand new teak decking, the mid-ship Neptune Pool was replaced with additional plush seating and extra-large Jacuzzi hot tub.

Prego – The Venetian-designed Italian restaurant, showcasing cuisine by Piero Selvaggio, has a vividly modern design, with rich color palettes (think chocolate suede walls and red wine-colored upholstery) and warm, dramatic lighting.

Staterooms – All staterooms were refreshed with smart leather sofas, replacing armchairs.

Broadcast Center – State-of-the-art overhaul improves programming quality and options.

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

For a record 14th year, Crystal Cruises has been voted “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.  The ultra-luxury line is the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have won the prestigious award each year since the awards’ inception.   Crystal Cruises’ 2009 World’s Best Score of 88.94 is the highest of any cruise line – large or small.  A Crystal cruise is the only vacation experience to have been voted #1 by Travel + Leisure readers for 14 years.

The World’s Best Awards are featured in the magazine’s August 2009 issue based on a first quarter 2009 survey of thousands of discerning world travelers.  Subscribers were only permitted one vote each, and were asked to rate cruise lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value, plus an optional vote for families. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

The ships of Crystal Cruises have once again earned top honors from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, who named the ultra-luxury vessels the best medium-sized ships in the world.  Of nearly 100 ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in the magazine’s ninth annual “Best Cruise Ships in the World” issue. Although the medium-sized category includes ships carrying between 500-1,500 passengers, Crystal Serenity’s overall score of 93.3 ranked higher than any other ship in all groups.  Crystal Symphony ranked second in the medium-sized group, with an overall score of 92.9. [Read more →]