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17 Things To Know Before Sailing With Crystal River Cruises

May 2, 2019 //  by  Follow Me Away //   4 Comments

If sailing with Crystal River Cruises isn’t on your bucket list, it totally should be. Seeing Europe in 6-star luxury as you sail through quaint villages and beautiful landscapes is an unforgettable experience like no other. You will go to sleep in one country and wake up in a completely different part of Europe. Crystal River Cruises is a wonderful way to slow travel across different parts of Europe, enjoy the scenery, cities, and people along the way. 

We sailed with Crystal River Cruises on their “ Eastern Danube Discoveries ” itinerary on Crystal Mahler. We visited Eastern European countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Croatia. Crystal River Cruises offers vast itinerary choices throughout many European waterways and countries, from the wine regions of France and tulip time in Amsterdam to Christmas Markets in Vienna and Oktoberfest in Germany. 

Before you set sail with Crystal River Cruises, there are some things you should know. We will give you insider insight into what it is really like sailing in 6-star luxury and will show you what to expect when sailing with Crystal River Cruises throughout Europe. 

#1. Each Crystal River Cruises Itinerary Offers A Different Number Of Sailing Days So Choose Carefully

This may sound like a no brainer, but if you are new to river cruising, this is important. Unlike Ocean Cruises, many European river cruises do not have sailing days or “days at sea” where you are on board sailing for long periods of time. This means that you are in a port every single day and mainly sail at night since the ports are often close together. 

Crystal River Cruises offers a variety of itinerary options and each itinerary is different. If you want to see a new port every day and don’t care about sailing time or time on the ship, make sure to check at the itinerary and carefully read the dates and times of each port stop. If you are like us and really enjoy sailing days, you will want to do a little research or even call Crystal River Cruises to ask for recommendations. 

We love a good blend and our Eastern Danube Discoveries Crystal River Cruises itinerary was the perfect happy medium. We had a wonderful mix of sailing time and time to explore the ports. We even cruised through the Iron Gates in Eastern Europe which was an entire day of sailing while relaxing on Crystal Mahler and enjoying the fantastic views as we passed through towering gorges and rock carvings. 

Don’t just book a cruise itinerary and move on because you may be disappointed in the lack or excess of cruising time. Crystal River Cruises offers itineraries that have more sailing time as well are hardly any sailing time at all. It is up to you to choose what you think you will like better and then research and book your Crystal River Cruises itinerary accordingly. Search Crystal River Cruise Itineraries! 

#2. Every Cabin On Crystal River Cruises Is A Suite

We have cruised on river cruises in Europe before and never have we come across an all-suite river cruise ship. This is something that we are excited that Crystal River Cruises offers guests and it really made all the difference in our journey. Instead of being crammed into a small room, guest onboard Crystal River Cruises have space to spread out which really makes you feel like home. 

There are three classes of suites on Crystal River Cruises: Penthouse Suite, Deluxe Suite With Panoramic Balcony Window, Petite Suite with Panoramic Balcony Window. We stayed in a Deluxe Suite for our 11-day journey and it was bigger than some hotel rooms we have stayed in ringing in at 253 square feet. Each and every suite comes with a butler, turndown service, king size bed, panoramic balcony window and more. We also had a full-sized walk-in closet and dual-sink bathroom with heated floors! 

Here is a quick breakdown on the different types of suites found on Crystal River Cruises so you can choose one that fits your budget and needs:

• Crystal Penthouse With Panoramic Balcony Window.  The Crystal Penthouse is the largest suite onboard Crystal River Cruises. It is 506 square feet and offers multiple rooms including a bedroom, massive walk-in closet, dual-sink bathroom with bathtub and shower, and a spacious sitting room. You also have the option of booking a two bedroom Crystal Penthouse which will sleep 5 people. Two per bedroom and one child in the sitting room. We received a tour of the Crystal Penthouse class suites and they are extremely spacious and well appointed. 
• Deluxe Suite With Panoramic Balcony Window.  This is the class of suite on Crystal River Cruises that we sailed with and we can highly recommend it. It is the perfect luxurious happy medium and you will not be disappointed. This suite is 253 square feet and comes with a large bathroom with dual sinks, rain shower, heated floors and more. You have personalized butler service as well as a walk-in closet, king size bed, panoramic window balcony and more. We are avid cruisers and we were thrilled with this suite on Crystal River Cruises and would recommend it to anyone. 
• Petite Suite With Panoramic Balcony Window . This suite is the perfect interlude and a wonderful way to experience sailing on Crystal River Cruises. This suite is 188 square feet and comes equipped with a king size bed, panoramic balcony window, butler service, and more. We toured the Petite Suite and it was gorgeously decorated and spacious. We also talked with many guests who were sailing in the Petite Suite on Crystal River Cruises and they were very happy and pleased with the experience. 

No matter what suite class you choose, you will not be disappointed by the layout and decor found on any of the Crystal River Cruises ships. The all-suite river yachts really revolutionize the luxury European river cruise experience and you will notice the difference the moment you enter your private enclave. 

#3. Crystal River Cruises Is The Perfect Getaway For The Whole Family

Unlike other European river cruise companies, Crystal River Cruises welcomes the whole family. For our sailing, we experienced what multi-generational family travel would be like. We traveled with Victoria’s 60+-year-old mom Linda On The Run as well as her Aunt Robyne [Linda’s sister.] We are two different demographics and age ranges yet we all had a wonderful experience on Crystal River Cruises. 

For example, our suites were across the hall from one another so we were very close, without feeling pressured or on top of each other. Our butlers knew each of us were related and were very accommodating to us together as a family. We enjoyed family time such as sitting up on the vista deck with drinks in hand and dining together for lunch and dinner. We also enjoyed our alone time relaxing in different parts of the ship. The shore excursions are perfect for families of all ages as they allow for options depending on your interests.

We did some Crystal Adventure Shore Excursions together as a family which was a wonderful bonding experience. We also did some shore excursions separately or individually so we could have some time away from each other to experience things we really wanted to see or do. For example, Linda and Robyne went on a bike ride in Novi Sad, Serbia as they are more active. Victoria, Terrence, and Linda all explored Bratislava with Crystal while Robyne stayed back to relax on the Crystal Mahler. 

We were excited to be able to experience Crystal River Cruises as a multi-generational family and it was a truly wonderful getaway. Nobody felt left out or like there were too many people or things to do that they didn’t identify with. Crystal River Cruises really helps tailor the adventure to you and your family the moment you get onboard. This isn’t always apparent in the booking stages, but we are here to tell you every need is attended to, even needs you may not know you are interested in during your booking process! 

#4. Crystal River Cruises Is Incredibly Accommodating To Allergies And Dietary Restrictions 

We were surprised and thrilled to experience the wonderful 6-star dining service onboard Crystal River Cruises. Mainly, the fact that Crystal River Cruises is incredibly accommodating and sensitive when it comes to allergies and dietary restrictions. First off, unlike any other ocean or river cruise we have taken, Crystal River Cruises offers an entire Vegan and Vegetarian menu in addition to their normal dining room menu. This menu isn’t something that is kept hidden away and only provided upon request. No, this menu is proudly displayed at the entrance of the Crystal River Cruises dining room for all to see. The regular menu is displayed on the right, and the Vegetarian menu is displayed on the left. Each day the offerings change, so you can get a glimpse of the food that is to come before it is dinner time. 

If you have a food allergy or need something additional than what is included on any of the menus, Crystal River Cruises is incredibly accommodating. In our group of four, three of us had dietary restrictions. One vegan [Linda], one gluten-free [Robyne], and one [Victoria] no garlic or onion [for IBS purposes] and vegetarian. What did Crystal River Cruises do to accommodate? Our head waiter provided us with a print out of the menu each and every day via our butler or personal delivery during lunch. We were given pens and were able to mark up the menu with our requests and dietary restrictions.

This marked up menu was then provided to the galley well in advance of dinner time and we were able to rest assured that our dietary restrictions were taken care of. Talk about 6-star luxury service. We were incredibly pleased with how this was handled and it was a stand-out way that Crystal River Cruises went above and beyond other lines and options. If you have a dietary restriction of any sort and are tentative about choosing Crystal River Cruises or going on a cruise due to that fact, you can rest assured that you will be more than accommodated during your sailing. 

#5. You Can Request Anything To Eat, Even If It Isn’t On The Menu

If you have a craving or just want something specific, you can request for it to be made and the Crystal River Cruises galley staff will do their best to accommodate. Feeling like room service pizza for dinner at the restaurant? Just ask! Interested in a specific dish that you had on a prior night? Simply request and if the ingredients are available, you will be accommodated. We were very pleased at the fact that you can literally request anything or any variation of the dinner options on the menu onboard Crystal River Cruises.

For example, for lunch, we requested various sandwich options that weren’t on the menu. We provided staff with a list of ingredients and a few directions and we were accommodated more than once. If Crystal River Cruises doesn’t have an ingredient, say, veggie burgers, the staff will procure it while at a port and then will have it ready for you to eat the next day or even later the same day. This swift service was incredibly impressive and will make you feel heard and taken care of. 

Of course, we don’t want you to take advantage of the 6-star service offered on Crystal River Cruises by requesting something crazy every single day [although you can if necessary!] The menu is so fantastic you probably won’t feel the need to request at all. But we wanted to let you know that the option is there and we did it a few times on our Crystal River Cruises itinerary and were very appreciative of how accommodating the staff was to our requests. 

#6. Each Crystal River Cruises Ship Offers High-Tech Features

As you may expect with 6-star service, Crystal River Cruises offers high-tech features on each and every cruise. These small but useful touches really elevate the experience and transport you to a world of ease and relaxation.

For example, each suite on Crystal River Cruises comes equipped with an iPad. This iPad has everything you need to know about your sailing, including entertainment, ship information, internet access, dining options, Crystal Wellness and more. The iPads have a charging dock and are located on the end table to your king bed. They provide pertinent information and can be brought with you around the ship should you wish to watch a movie somewhere else other than your suite. 

Our favorite high-tech feature onboard Crystal River Cruises is the do not disturb/attendant call button. This feature is small but meaningful and incredibly useful. Another 6-star luxury touch you wouldn’t think about but are glad you have. There is a small screen both inside your suite and right outside of it. Instead of hanging a traditional “do not disturb” sign outside your cabin, you simply tap the screen and press which option you like. If you want “make my room” you press it and a little yellow light will come on. This way, your housekeeper can see it and come to make your room. If you want privacy, click “do not disturb” and that button will light up and your doorbell won’t work anymore. This small feature is so useful and really elevates the suite experience on Crystal River Cruises. 

Crystal River Cruises also offers ultra-thin TV and on-demand movies in each and every suite. You are even able to access the internet via your TV should you choose. We aren’t talking old movies, we are talking up-to-date new releases [as well as some classics]. You can choose which movie you want and it will play in your cabin as you relax with the world passing by right outside your balcony window. 

#7. Crystal River Cruises Offers An Unprescendted “Open Bridge” Policy 

This is yet another feature that sets Crystal River Cruises above the competition and really showcases the intimate 6-star luxury experience Crystal has to offer. What is an open bridge policy? The bridge is where the Captain sails the ship from and this policy allows you to come visit the bridge and the Captain at any time of day whenever you want. You simply pop into the bridge and wave or knock on the door and the Captain and his attending crew will open the door and allow you in. 

This is unprecedented and no other cruise line we have sailed with [or that we know of] offers such an incredibly awesome policy. In fact, most cruise lines only provide a bridge tour with a hefty fee. Since Crystal River Cruises is all-inclusive, this also includes a visit to the bridge whenever you like. 

We visited the bridge on Crystal Mahler many times throughout our sailing including when going through locks, when sailing through the Iron Gates, and when sailing at night. It was so awesome to see the instruments first hand and to learn how to dock the ship and little facts and tidbits along the way. Even if you aren’t a ship or sailing buff, visiting the open bridge is such a fun experience that you really won’t want to miss. 

#8. Crystal Adventures Shore Excursions Offer Intimate And Exciting Tour Options

Crystal Adventures Shore Excursions are included in your Crystal River Cruises fare. This opens you up to choose from a variety of shore excursions at each and every port during your itinerary. The majority of Crystal Adventures Shore Excursions are included in your fare, and there are only a select few options that cost additional money should you, say, want a private tour. 

There are different options for Crystal Adventures Shore Excursions ranging from cultural to active. Active shore excursions may include a bike ride around a gorgeous European city on electric bikes hosted by a local guide. There is always a touch of Crystal Magic with each tour and you will experience thoughtful little surprises along the way. For example, during our bike adventure in Vienna, we were treated to coffee and cakes in the Danube Tower [a large revolving observation tower] which we had no clue was going to happen! This was a wonderful and unexpected touch of 6-star service that makes all the difference when planning your trip. 

If you choose a Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion that involves additional transport, you will board your luxury Crystal Coach which comes equipped with spacious seats, water bottles, wifi, and a personalized guide. This coach will follow you along your Crystal River Cruises itinerary and you will meet it at each port that needs a coach for excursions. Whether you love history, wine, active exercise, culture and more, there is a Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion to please everyone. 

#9. The Beverage Menus Are All-Inclusive And Top-Of-The-Line

Once again, since Crystal River Cruises is all-inclusive, that means that drinks are included. There are a few additional options if you want to pay for a premium wine that isn’t included in your cruise fare, but 99% of beverages are included. There is a professional sommelier on board to help you with choosing wine and will provide perfectly paired wines for each dinner every night. Top shelf liquors are also included in your fare.

If you don’t drink alcohol, Crystal River Cruises is extremely accommodating with this and has a whole section of the drink menu dedicated to non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks. If you are expecting, have medical restrictions, or just don’t like drinking [like Victoria] rest assured that there are a huge variety of drink options onboard Crystal River Cruises. The staff is even happy to make any alcoholic beverage without the liquor should you be interested in something on a different part of the menu. 

By far, our favorite beverages served onboard Crystal River Cruises were found in Bistro Mahler. Just a quick note, each river cruise ship is home to its own bistro which serves light snacks and drinks. The Bistro Mahler drink menu included a variety of delicious coffee and tea beverages. This menu was incredibly extensive and can be made at any time even when the bistro is closed. The Vienna Iced Coffee, Cappuccino, and Fruit Symphony Iced Tea were our all-time favorites and we had them each day and sometimes multiple times per day. 

This is another great feature to the family travel aspect Crystal River Cruises offers. If you are traveling with a teen who loves Starbucks or children under the drinking age or someone who isn’t able to drink, there are plenty of delicious options. Who wouldn’t love a coffee bar with drinks far better than your local coffee house?

Finally, as with the food, Crystal River Cruises staff are more than happy to make any drink you want even if it isn’t on the menu. Aunt Robyne requested blue cheese stuffed olives with her martini and within a few moments, the staff of Crystal Mahler accommodated her. We had a craving for a frappuccino/frozen coffee and we looked up the recipe online and walked through it with our barista as she made the frozen creation from scratch before our very eyes. If that isn’t 6-star service we really don’t know what is! 

#10. The Intimate Ship Size Means You Won’t Be Surrounded By Thousands Of People At Every Turn

Each river ship in the Crystal River Cruises fleet is created for an intimate and luxurious experience. This means that you won’t be fighting with thousands of people to see the best views as you sail through a gorge and the ship won’t be overrun with people at every turn. The ships are intimate and the amount of guests is even smaller. The ship will never feel crowded as they are designed to give enough room for everyone to spread out.

The guest-to-staff ratio is the highest of all river lines in Europe and there is almost as many staff as there are crew which means you are well taken care of at every opportunity. For example, on Crystal Mahler, there can only ever be 110 guests when the ship is completely sold out. All other Crystal River Cruises ships are in the low 100 range for guest capacity. If you are tired of cruising where there are 4000 people all on the same ship, then this experience will be a real treat. 

Please understand, even when everyone is onboard, the Crystal River Cruises ship will never feel crowded. If you are worried about being trapped or if you have had bad experiences on other river cruise lines, we want you to know that that is not the case in any way on Crystal River Cruises ships. Guests are friendly but also more private than other lines which make for a wonderfully intimate sailing experience and something we truly enjoyed. 

#11. Dinner Is Open Seating And Offers Locally Inspired Menus 

Crystal River Cruises offers open seating  and open dining times. We have sailed the rivers of Europe in the past and there is nothing more annoying than everyone standing at the door to the dining room at 7pm and then bum rushing into the dining room to get the best seat all at one time. Crystal River Cruises understands that guests have different wants and needs and accommodates that with flexible dining times and open seating. 

The main dining room, known as Waterside, is open every night for dinner from 7pm-9pm. You can arrive at any time you want and do not have to arrive right at 7pm. This flexibility allows you to tailor your experience to what you are interested in and feel like doing each and every night. If you are tired and want to relax after a Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion, simply head to dinner a little later. Famished from your exploration? Visit Waterside right at 7pm. 

All dining on Crystal River Cruises is Michelin-inspired with locally sourced ingredients. We went on a galley tour and spoke to the head chef personally who showed us his itemized order form and told us where ingredients come from all around the local countries and cities in Europe. He orders thousands of ingredients every sailing and ingredients are also picked up fresh if necessary from local ports. Staff will leave the ship and head into town to meet with local providers to pick up ingredients for locally-inspired meals. 

The flexible seating and dining schedule, along with the Michelin-inspired dishes and accommodating menu options is a reason alone to drop everything and book a Crystal River Cruises itinerary right now. 

#12. Crystal River Cruises Offers 24-Hour Room Service

Crystal River Cruises is the first river cruise company that we have experienced to offer included 24-hour room service and a full breakfast menu. Most cruise companies now charge an additional “delivery” fee for room service and river cruise ships generally do not offer room service at all. Imagine our delight to learn that Crystal River Cruises does offer a delicious 24-hour room service menu and that everything is included in your cruise fare. 

Even better? The breakfast menu. You can customize and order a full hot breakfast by simply filling out one of the forms in your room and giving it to your butler or hanging it on your door. The breakfast wasn’t just a continental breakfast or something simple like you may be used to seeing. It included everything from customized omelets to waffles and freshly prepared fruit. 

When we had a midnight snack craving for something, not on the room service menu, we simply called and the staff fulfilled our request multiple times throughout the cruise. The additional touch of room service and an extensive in-room breakfast menu set Crystal River Cruises apart from the rest. Again, the 6-star luxury and attention to detail is apparent. 

#13. Your Crystal River Cruise Ship Will Dock In The Center Of Town For Exploration On Your Own

Crystal River Cruises only ports in the best locations in the city. You won’t be stuck out near all sorts of shipping barges and industrial ports. No, instead you will be steps away from the city center and will be able to access each port at will. If you choose to skip a Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion, don’t worry, you will still be able to access each town easily on foot [in most cases]. 

Crystal River Cruises concierge staff will have a customized map at the front desk every day which they can help you plan your walk and experience of each port and town. There are top things to do that are highlighted and the close proximity to many city centers means that you can do a self-guided tour or simply walk around and enjoy the shops after you return from your shore excursion. 

We really enjoy shopping and wandering the quaint European streets as a family so this was something that Crystal River Cruises offered that we were very interested in. If the city center is a bit further from the river, Crystal River Cruises offers shuttle service via one of the Crystal Coaches multiple times per day in the event you want to explore on your own. 

#14. Crystal River Cruises Maximizes Your Time In Each Port So You Can Experience The Best Each City Has To Offer

Crystal River Cruises maximizes your time in each port so that you really get the best experience possible. Sometimes this includes a very early arrival and very late departure for example in Budapest when we arrived at 7am and didn’t leave until 9pm. And sometimes this includes overnights in select ports. Overnights in select ports allow you to really immerse yourself in a city and get a feel for what it has to offer. If you are interested in bar hopping or a fine dining experience on shore, you will have the freedom to do this with either a late departure or overnight stay. 

We have to admit that before our Crystal River Cruises itinerary we were tentative as to whether we would like overnight stays in a city because we wondered if it would be too much. We are here to say that we are wrong and it really added to the experience because you get to spend more time in the city and explore at will. On some occasions, we left very late at night such as midnight after a wonderful evening Crystal Adventures Shore Excursion and we even heard from other guests that they went out for a night of sushi or local experiences before returning back to the ship. 

#15. All Crystal Ships Offer Complimentary Laundry Service

This was a real surprise and wonderful 6-star touch! All Crystal River Cruises ships offer complimentary self-service laundry facilities including high-tech washing machines, fabric softener, detergent, ironing boards, and dryers. There are even miniature laundry baskets that you can take up to your suite and laundry bags in your room if you don’t want to carry your delicates throughout the ship for all to see. 

According to the staff and from our experience, this was one of the most popular and appreciated rooms on the ship! After flying across the pond, the last thing we want to do is put our dirty plane clothes with all our clean clothes. The laundry facility on-board Crystal River Cruises allowed us to do full loads of laundry at will. It was much appreciated by us and all the guests who sail on the rivers with Crystal. 

#16. Each Crystal Ship Offers A Pool, Fitness Room, And Spa

Every Crystal River Cruises ship offers a pool, spa, and fitness room. Each layout and offering differs between ships so the layout of one may not be the layout of the next. Be sure to check out the ship layout on the Crystal Cruises website to see how everything is spread out when planning your trip.

The pool area on Crystal River Cruises and on Crystal Mahler is very unique. The pool is meant for fitness and offers a jet that you swim against. This way, you get a full workout in a small and compact space. We thought that this technology was pretty unique and used it multiple times throughout the sailing. The pool is chest deep which is also deep enough for treading water for exercise as well.

The fitness room onboard Crystal River Cruises packs in a surprising amount of amenities into a relatively small space. The fitness room offers a variety of options such as stationary bicycles, a rowing machine, yoga mats, free weights and more. There is also a fridge where water is kept and a sink for washing off.

Finally, each Crystal River Cruise ship offers a spa varying in size. On Crystal Mahler, the spa consisted of only a treatment room, but the service was wonderful. We got multiple massages from Emma, our licensed massage therapist. Her only job is to work in the spa and provide treatments, so it isn’t like a waiter or another staff member is doubling up on jobs. The therapist is a licensed professional and it really shows. 

#17. Happy Staff Means Happy Guests

Crystal River Cruises treats there staff incredibly well. We talked with multiple staff members including waiters, the Captain, the Hotel Manager, Room Stewards, baristas and more and each member cited how well they were treated by Crystal as a company and how much they enjoy what they do and how much it means to them.

Since the crew and staff are happy, this translates immediately onto the way guests are treated. You can tell the enjoyment and satisfaction in the staff and this was easily felt by guests. No one was grumpy or “faking it” as we have seen on other lines and the crew was more than accommodating in every sense of the word to guests. 

When talking individually, many staff members told us independently from one another that the way they are treated makes it even easier to work with guests and ensure that their needs are met. We love ethical travel and are thrilled that the staff onboard Crystal River Cruises are treated ethically and fairly. It is felt by both them and the guests and is truly appreciated. 

We hope you enjoyed this peek into what to expect when sailing with Crystal River Cruises. From traveling together as a family and the variety of dining options to laundry service and the open bridge, we hope you learned something new to prepare you for your Crystal River Cruises adventure. The 6-star luxury won’t disappoint and you will want to book your next cruise while you are on your current one. We are happy to answer any questions you may have in the comments! 

Please note: We were provided with Crystal River Cruises experience in order to be able to provide an open and honest review. All opinions you see are our own and we truly loved our experience and would book with Crystal Cruises in the future on our own. 

Reader Interactions

May 2, 2019 at 7:13 pm

We’ve never been on a cruise, it’s totally on our bucket list and you’ve certainly just sold us on which brand we’d like to choose for our first cruising experience. The views from the cabins look incredible, and the level of service and attention to detail from the staff is something that we’re definitely looking for.

Thanks so much for sharing an insight into your experience.

May 3, 2019 at 1:50 am

This review was amazing! Such wonderful detail and written in layman terms, easy to understand and visualize. I have never been on any kind of a cruise, if I would take one it would definitely be a small, intimate River Cruise.

May 9, 2019 at 1:25 pm

We are taking our first Crystal River Cruise in July and are very excited! Thanks for the tips. FYI Windstar Cruises has an open-deck policy as well.

May 9, 2019 at 2:34 pm

Yay!! You will NOT be disappointed. That is wonderful to hear about Windstar. A good friend is sailing them through French Polynesia and I can’t wait to hear about her experiences too

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Experience Luxury Crystal Cruises With Unparalleled Service | Explore Crystal Cruise Line Ships and Destinations 

Crystal river cruises redefine luxury as they carry passengers right to the heart of Europe’s most exciting and beautiful destinations. Each journey is designed to immerse travelers in the history and culture of their destination, and each ship’s staff is devoted to providing unparalleled service. Crystal luxury river cruises have won numerous awards, and it’s easy to see why once you experience one for yourself. While onboard, you’ll enjoy some of the finest dining at sea, and incredible views from each spacious suite allow passengers to enjoy the breathtaking scenery without leaving the comfort of their bed. Overnight port stays allow you to take advantage of many enriching excursions, and throughout your voyage, Crystal’s staff will be there to take care of every detail, allowing you to experience true relaxation and comfort while also embracing a spirit of adventure. Explore our selection of Crystal river cruises in 2019 and beyond and let us help you find the trip of your dreams.

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Dining Options

The Crystal River Cruises™ culinary experience celebrates dining with a savory combination of cuisine and conversation that together foster unique experiences in a relaxed environment of engaging camaraderie. Lavish culinary presentations of Michelin Star-level will be enjoyed in an elegant dining room and several more intimate dining areas.

The Bistro A popular spot aboard Crystal’s ocean-going ships, The Bistro finds a perfect new home on each of the four new river yachts. Here you will enjoy the renowned coffees, charcuterie and pastries of Europe in a casually elegant and convivial venue.

The Vintage Room Another guest favorite unique to Crystal, this Euro-chic contemporary space brings the legendary wines and cuisines found throughout Europe aboard each river yacht for custom wine tastings and pairing dinners.

Waterside and Farm-to-Table Dining Boasting cuisine of Michelin-level envy, Waterside is Crystal Mozart’s main dining room serving elaborate breakfast and lunch presentations, followed by elegant, open-seating dinner service—each experience highlighting farm-to-table dining during your cruise.

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Crystal River Cruises’ 2023 Voyages

“The destinations along these rivers have fascinated travelers for centuries and continue to enchant visitors—some seemingly frozen in timeless charm and others strikingly contemporary and innovative, but all distinctly full of character, intriguing history and wonderful traditions,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president and managing director of Crystal River Cruises, in a press statement. “Every year, we strive to create itineraries that blend both the destinations our guests love most, as well as new highlights and experiences. The 2023 deployment aboard our five beautiful river ships is designed to offer choices that will appeal to luxury travelers of all ages and interests delivered with the personalized service, culinary experiences, spacious all-suite accommodations and attention to detail only found with Crystal.

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Riverside Ravel

Former name: crystal ravel.

Cruise line Riverside Cruises (River Cruises)

Riverside Ravel current position

Riverside Ravel current location is at Europe Inland (coordinates 44.02602 N / 4.81713 E) cruising en route to AVIGNON. The AIS position was reported 3 hours ago.

Specifications of Riverside Ravel

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Riverside Ravel Review

Review of riverside ravel.

The 2018-built MS Riverside Ravel cruise ship (fka Crystal Ravel) was ordered for Crystal River Cruises and constructed by the shipbuilder Lloyd Werft (MV Werften) in Wismar Germany . Mahler's fleetmates are the sisterships Riverside Debussy , Riverside Bach , and Riverside Mahler , as well as Riverside Mozart . These riverboats were advertised by Crystal as ultra-luxury "river yachts".

Since 2022, Crystal's entire river fleet is owned by Seaside Hotels and is under the management of Seaside's subsidiary and travel brand "Riverside Collection Cruises" (aka Riverside Luxury Cruises).

History - construction and ownership

Crystal Cruises Inc (1988-founded/USA-based) was a subsidiary of the Japanese NYK Line/Nippon Yusen Kaisha (one of world's largest container shipping companies ). In 2015, NYK Line sold it to Genting Hong Kong (GHK). Following the acquisition, the company was renamed to Crystal Ltd. The company grouped the ultra-luxury brands Crystal Cruises (ocean-going ships), Crystal River Cruises (European riverboats), Crystal Yacht Cruises (superyachts), Crystal Luxury Air (aircraft) and Crystal AirCruises (fly-cruise tours).

In January 2022, GHK filed for bankruptcy and all its assets were put on sale. In June 2022, Crystal Ltd was acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd (Abercrombie & Kent). In October 2022, GHK Crystal Cruises' liquidator sold Crystal Bach (together with its sisterships) to the Hamburg Germany -based company Seaside Collection GmbH & Co KG. The ship (renamed "Riverside Mozart") is now operated by the UK-based (October 2018-founded) subsidiary company Riverside Collection Ltd.

Seaside Collection's subsidiary/core company Seaside Hotels GmbH is a 1970-founded (as Gerlach Wohnungsbau GmbH) luxury hotel group owned and run by the Gerlach family. The group currently owns and manages premium hotels and resorts in Germany, Spain, the Canary Islands, and the Maldives.

Crystal River Cruises was established/started operations in 2016 when the parent company GHK purchased and fully refurbished the riverboat MS Mozart (renamed "Crystal Mozart" and launched in July 2016). GHK additionally ordered for Crystal four new riverboats from the German shipbuilder Lloyd Werft.

The vessel Riverside Ravel (ENI number 4812710) is currently Malta- flagged (MMSI 248377000) and registered in Valletta .

Decks and Cabins

The riverboat Riverside ravel has 55 staterooms (capacity for 114 passengers/max 169 with triple occupancy) and top-luxury suites (ranging from 20-71 m2 / 220-760 ft2). All staterooms on the new series Riverside Collection ships feature the following industry-first cabin amenities - King beds, walk-in closets, and en-suite marble bathrooms with double sink vanities.

The riverboat has 4 decks , of which 2 are with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Onboard dining options include Waterside Restaurant (dining room), Vintage Room (10-seat wine bar / private dining room/party venue), Palm Court (show lounge), Cove Bar, Bistro (casual cafe/patisserie/coffee bar/Library), top-deck Vista Bar and Vista Grill (alfresco restaurant serving lunch/weather-permitting).

All dining venues are operated with open-seating.

The Bistro (midship on Deck 3) is open throughout the day and also serves late-raisers breakfast and dinner. The casual venue offers homemade pastries and waffles, brand coffee beverages (prepared by professional baristas), gourmet ice cream, milkshakes, wine by the glass. In the evenings, the Bistro transforms into a tapas restaurant also serving destination/itinerary-based local dishes and beverages.

Onboard dining menus include food prepared with freshest, locally sourced ingredients and itinerary-based traditional specialties - fresh seafood and fish, seasonal fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry from local farms, local draught and craft beers, regional wines and cheeses. Specialty coffees and teas served complimentary on the ship are by the Vienna Austria-based company Julius Meinl.

Vista Deck (deck 4) is the boat's Sundeck fitted with a large TV/outdoor screen, sunbathing areas (with padded loungers) and shaded areas with comfortable seating.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Ravel ship has 3 lounges and bars, 4 restaurants, 1 panoramic / glass elevator, gym, and spa facilities. Unique features are the glass-domed atrium area and the indoor infinity pool (resistance swimming pool). The ship's show lounge Palm Court has a stage for live performances, grand piano performances, singalongs. The lounge features a dance floor for themed dancing parties. The Palm Court Lounge features a glass-dome cover, floor-ceiling window walls, live plants for decoration, comfortable seating, full-service bar. The 24-hour open coffee-tea corner, The Pantry, offers complimentary fruit basket, pastries, cookies, sparkling water. The river yachts also have a Fitness Center and a full-service Spa.

One deck is dedicated to all onboard public spaces (including spa, gym, library, glass-domed Palm Court lounge). Each riverboat carries its own fleet of electric bikes, 2-person kayaks and jet skis for complimentary passenger use on individual or guided tours and excursions ashore.

Itineraries

Riverside Cruises' Ravel ship's itinerary program is based on voyages in France, on the rivers Rhone (Provence) and Saone (Burgundy).

Homeports and itineraries/destinations will be announced at a later date.

Crystal Ravel itineraries

Initially, Crystal Ravel's itinerary program was based on Dordogne and Garonne voyages leaving out of homeport Bordeaux France and themed "Bordeaux, The Wine Region, and Beyond". The 7-day itineraries (also including Gironde Estuary) offered 2-nights (overnight stay) in Bordeaux and visiting Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne.

However, for the inaugural 2018-2019 season, the boat had scheduled 7- and 14-day Moselle, Rhine and Danube river cruises leaving from Amsterdam Holland , Basel Switzerland , Vienna Austria , and Budapest Hungary . During season 2018 were operated cruises between Vienna and Basel. For season 2019 were scheduled itineraries between Vienna and Budapest.

Following the Coronavirus crisis (18 months pause), Crystal Ravel restarted voyages on August 29, 2021, from Vilshofen Germany .

The all-inclusive Crystal river cruise deals (as cruise price inclusions) offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

• Gratuities for all the ship's staff, including housekeeping, bar, dining, butlers
• All meals (featuring 6-star gourmet cuisine and regional specialties)
• Unlimited soft drinks, premium beverages (including champagne, fine wines, spirits, beers, bottled water)
• 24-hour self-service pantry (specialty coffees, teas, wines, nonalcoholic drinks)
• 24-hour room service
• 24-hour Wi-Fi access, free Wi-Fi and satellite Internet usage (60 min pp per day)
• interactive TV (infotainment system) with movies on demand and music library
• Airport-to-ship group transfers - luxury coaches to transport passengers from the airport to the riverboat on embarkation day.
• Ship-to-airport group transfers (on disembarkation day).
• Onboard daily yoga and fitness classes, daily choice of digital international newspapers
• Onboard entertainment and enrichment programming (destination / itinerary-focused), including lectures, destination expert (on each cruise), local experts and tour guides.
• Self-service guest laundry
• Twice daily housekeeping services (evening turndown service)
• In-cabin dining (hors d'oeuvres)
• Butler service for each cabin
• Two complimentary "Crystal Adventures" shore excursions in every port (curated). Additional excursions are available for purchase.
• Complimentary culinary tours to renowned local establishments

Atlanta eBikes, Nordic walking poles and audio headphones on all "Crystal Adventures" were also provided complimentary on all shore excursions/land tours.

Photos of Riverside Ravel

Riverside Ravel ship related cruise news

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Other Riverside Cruises cruise ships

• Riverside Debussy
• Riverside Mozart

Riverside Ravel Wiki

Crystal Ravel riverboat is named after the French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937). The dual steel-cutting ceremony for Crystal Debussy (yard number 128) and Ravel yard number 129) was on January 9, 2017, held at MV Werften shipyard (Wismar Germany) . The first steel plates were flame cut. The special event was attended by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (Genting Hong Kong's Executive Chairman), Edie Rodriguez (Crystal Cruises' President, CEO, and Chairman) and Harry Glawe (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economics Minister).

The dual keel-laying ceremony (for Ravel and Debussy) was held on May 24, 2017, at MV Werften Wismar. The vessel's first sections were ceremoniously lowered into position on keel blocks. The special event was attended by Jarmo Laakso (MV WERFTEN's Managing Director), Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (GHK's Chairman and CEO), Josef Lumetsberger (Crystal River Cruises' General Manager of Operations), Harry Glawe (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economics Minister) and other distinguished guests. Minister Glawe and Tan Sri Lim placed "lucky coins" on the keel blocks before the ship's first 2 sections (each one 170 tons) were laid down. The riverboat was launched on August 8, 2017, and officially delivered to Crystal Cruises on April 12, 2018, in Wismar.

Crystal Ravel's godmother was Mariann Peller (1983-born Hungarian TV presenter and actor). She is also the creator of the classical music show Virtuosos and the founder of the Young Virtuosos Foundation (2015-founded). The christening ceremony was held on July 11, 2018, in Budapest , during the 7-day "Danube Serenade" (cruisetour itinerary July 5-12). The naming ceremony was attended by Tom Wolber (Crystal Cruises President and CEO) and Walter Littlejohn (Crystal River Cruises managing director and VP). The special event took place during the overnight stay in Budapest, allowing passengers to participate in the festivities.

Crystal Ravel's Inaugural Cruise (Maiden Voyage) was scheduled for May 10, 2018.

Next table shows the itinerary's ports and port times.

Riverside Ravel was officially christened on August 16, 2023, dockside in Viviers (Ardeche, France), on the Rhone River. The special event was led by godmother Anouchka Gerlach (1980-born), the wife of Gregor Gerlach (Riverside Cruises' founders).

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

France River Cruises

• Choose from 400+ France tours
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10 best river cruises through France

Compiled by

Steff France travel expert at TourRadar

Treasures of Burgundy and Provence: Rhône & Saône (Lyon - Lyon)

La belle france: paris, normandy and the river seine (paris - paris), the finest and most picturesque ports of call in the seine valley (port-to-port cruise), paris to normandy 2024, the loire valley, a royal legacy (port-to-port cruise) (8 destinations), paris & normandy (2024) (paris to paris, 2024) (10 destinations), brilliant bordeaux (2024) (bordeaux to bordeaux, 2024) (9 destinations), taste of bordeaux 2024, rhône route rendez-vous 2025, essence of burgundy & provence 2024.

“Really enjoyed everything about it. Wonderful staff, food and excursions.” Christie Schmitt, traveled in October 2023

• River Cruise
• Sightseeing
• Discover Lyon's landmarks and local flavors
• Visit the majestic Palace of the Popes in Avignon
• Experience the wild beauty of the Camargue Park

“The food was excellent. The tours were well planned, and even though there were a few technical problems, the staff worked very hard to make things go as smoothly as possible.” Kimberley Brantley, traveled in April 2023

• Walk the cliff paths of Étretat for stunning views
• Visit Monet's gardens and the Captain's Gala Dinner
• Tour Van Gogh's inspirational Auvers-sur-Oise

“The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent.” eddie anstiss, traveled in June 2023

• Visit Château de Martainville and cruise
• Explore D-Day Landing Beaches in Normandy
• Night cruise and Paris landmarks tour

“Excellent in every respect.” Lynette Pollard, traveled in August 2018

• Tour Giverny and Monet's gardens
• Explore Paris on your first day
• Walk through Van Gogh's Auvers-sur-Oise

• Cruise on the beautiful Erdre River
• Explore the Escal'Atlantic museum
• Tour Nantes and the Dukes' Castle

“Very good service and excellent food. Half the ef ship had tesirsyiry viruses by the end of the tour.” Judy Paukert, traveled in September 2023

• Attend a private concert in Rouen Cathedral
• Tour the secret apartments of Versailles
• Reflect at Normandy's historic D-Day beaches

“Uniworld really knows how to take care of their passengers. The food was so delicious and presented like a 5 star michelin restaurant.” Fed, traveled in July 2019

• Wine tasting
• Bike or walk to discover Bordeaux's backstreets
• Drive the Médoc wine route and taste wines
• Explore Blaye Fortress on the Corniche road

“We were very disappointed with the overall accommodations and will likely not go on another Ama Waterways river cruise.” Antonio Cosentino, traveled in August 2019

• Explore Saint-Émilion's underground catacombs
• Taste Grand Cru wines in Médoc's châteaux
• Discover Bordeaux's rich culture and history

“The trip was excellent, even though it was changed due to strikes, we end up doing the Saône instead of the Rhône.” Josiane Mikhael, traveled in April 2023

• Visit Arles, a city of Roman heritage
• See ancient Roman ruins in Vienne
• Explore Lyon's UNESCO-listed old town

“Every aspect was great, especially the food.” Andrew Szescila, traveled in April 2024

• Board a 7-night cruise through Provence & Burgundy
• Explore medieval Chalon-Sur-Saône or bike to Tournus
• Stroll through Lyon's UNESCO-listed old town

Regions in France

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Crystal Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

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Table of Contents

Basic information, departure ports, private ships/islands, onboard activities, dining and beverages, accommodations, crystal society, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Crystal Cruises has been offering luxury cruise vacations since 1990. This all-inclusive cruise line doesn’t have a large fleet, but what they do have focuses on total luxury and intimate, small ship sailings.

With Crystal Cruises you won’t find mega-ships like Royal Caribbean or discount party ships like Carnival . What you will find are luxury ocean and river ships along with a yacht and an expedition ship.

Let’s explore what makes Crystal Cruises a unique experience.

Name: Crystal Ltd.

Parent Company: Genting Hong Kong

Number of Ships: 8

Destinations: 800+

Loyalty Program: Crystal Society

Credit Card: None

Crystal Cruises operates 2 ocean ships, 4 river ships, 1 yacht, and 1 expedition ship.

Crystal Cruises Ocean Ships

• Crystal Serenity
• Crystal Symphony

Crystal Cruises River Ships

• Crystal Bach
• Crystal Debussy
• Crystal Mahler
• Crystal Ravel

Crystal Cruises Yacht

• Crystal Esprit

Crystal Cruises Expedition Ship

• Crystal Endeavor

Crystal Cruises sails to over 800 destinations on all 7 continents from 84 departure ports.

Crystal Cruises does not have a private island or port.

Here are some of the activities you may experience on a Crystal Cruises ship (not all activities are available on every ship).

• 360 Degree promenade deck
• Afternoon tea
• Computer University@Sea
• Crystal Life Sauna
• Crystal Life Spa & Salon
• Fitness center
• Golf driving nets
• Junior activities program (seasonal)
• Paddle tennis courts
• Personal training
• Photography workshops
• Resorts World at Sea Casino

You’ll be able to find the dress code for your ocean or expedition voyage, either Crystal Casual or black tie optional, for each day at sea in your Personal Cruise Calendar.

Crystal River Ships Dress Code

• Comfortable and casual attire is appropriate during the day, however, swimsuits, cover-ups, and baseball hats are not permitted in the dining rooms.
• Crystal Casual attire is appropriate for evenings on board. This is a slightly dressed up version of daytime wear.

Crystal Esprit (Yacht) Dress Code

• Tasteful swimwear, sandals, shorts, casual short sleeves, and cover-ups are appropriate during the day.
• Stylish resort wear should be worn for nights on board. This includes capri pants, blouses, sundresses, and sandals for women. Men should wear khakis, Bermuda shorts, short-sleeve button-down shirts, or golf shirts.

Hot Tip: Be prepared for your cruise’s action-packed days and fun-filled nights — check out our printable cruise packing list!

Dining is a little different on Crystal Cruises because everything is included . There are 3 specialty restaurants across the fleet and each guest is entitled to dine at each of these once or twice per cruise (depending on cruise length) at no extra cost. All beverages in the restaurants, including alcohol, are included as well.

Complimentary Dining

Look out for these restaurants on your next cruise; not all locations are available on every ship.

• 24-hour room service
• Bistro Bach
• Bistro Debussy
• Bistro Endeavor
• Bistro Mahler
• Bistro Ravel
• Churrascaria
• Marketplace
• Scoops Ice Cream Bar
• Silk Kitchen & Bar
• Sunset Grill
• The Vintage Room*
• Trident Grill
• Umi Uma & Sushi Bar*

*Denotes a specialty restaurant that requires reservations.

All locations with the exception of specialty restaurants Umi Uma, Prego, and The Vintage Room have open seating. That means you can dine anytime (usually between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for dinner) you wish without reservations.

Specialty Restaurants

Umi Uma & Sushi Bar, Prego, and The Vintage Room are considered specialty restaurants and require reservations. You can dine at each of the specialty restaurants once per cruise for free. Each additional reservation you make at a specialty restaurant will incur a $30 per person fee.

For any cruise that is 14 days or longer, each guest is allowed 2 complimentary visits to each specialty restaurant before the $30 fee is charged. The Vintage Room wine pairing dining experience is also subject to additional charges.

Bars and Beverages

All beverages are included on your Crystal cruise. Wine, Champagne, premium spirits, and specialty coffees? Yes, they’re all included!

Look out for these bars and lounges on your next cruise; not all locations are available on every ship.

• Avenue Saloon
• Connoisseur Club
• Crystal Cove
• Galaxy Lounge
• Starlite Club

Bottom Line: Crystal Cruises goes the all-inclusive route. Beverages (including wines, Champagne, and specialty coffees), specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are all included.

No matter which room type you choose or what type of ship you’re sailing on, you’ll find luxury accommodations across the Crystal Cruises fleet.

Crystal Ocean Cruises

Every stateroom on a Crystal ocean cruise comes with standard amenities including:

• Sitting area
• Double-vanity bathroom
• Full bathtub/shower
• Bathrobes, kimonos, and slippers for onboard use
• Luxury bath products
• Twice-daily housekeeping
• Evening turndown service

Here are some of the highlights:

The Seabreeze Penthouse with Verandah features butler service, a walk-in closet, private verandah, in-suite tea or cocktails, plus canapés and dining from specialty restaurants Umi Uma and Prego.

For the ultimate in luxury, choose the Crystal Penthouse with Verandah. This amazing room features over 1,300 square feet of living space. You’ll find a separate living and dining area featuring a custom entertainment center. The master bathroom includes a Jacuzzi tub, flat-screen TV, heated floor, and bidet. There’s also a guest bathroom with a shower.

Crystal River Cruises

Sailing on a river cruise is so different than a more traditional ocean cruise. Crystal river cruises are a great way to travel if you’re looking for luxury because every room on each river ship is a suite!

The “basic” room on a Crystal river cruise is anything but basic. The Petite Suite with Panoramic Balcony-Window features a king-size bed with Egyptian cotton linens, glass shower with 2 shower heads, single vanity with halo-lit mirror, and a huge panoramic window so you won’t miss the spectacular views.

The Two-Bedroom Crystal Suite with Panoramic Balcony-Window sleeps up to 5 guests and comes with butler service. This elegant room features 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a fireplace with ambient lighting, a separate dining area, and an extra powder room.

Crystal Yacht Cruises

Cruising on a yacht is a special treat. Crystal Cruise’s yacht, Crystal Esprit, accommodates only 62 guests, so you’ll enjoy personalized service along with deluxe accommodations.

The Yacht Suite features a king-size bed, bed-side iPads, and large picture window. The bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower, double sink, and a natural stone floor. Personalized butler service and twice-daily housekeeping will round out your luxurious experience.

The 500+ square foot Owner’s Suite features a living area with sofa and chairs, flat-screen TV, and dining table. The bathroom includes a glass-enclosed rain shower and double vanity with a backlit mirror and integrated TV.

Crystal Expedition Cruises

On the Crystal Endeavor Expedition ship, all rooms are suites and every suite has a private verandah.

The Penthouse Suite with Verandah features a king-size bed, living area, and a heated storage closet for expedition gear. The bathroom features a glass-enclosed shower with dual shower heads, double vanity, and a separate water closet.

For even more space and luxury, check out the Expedition Suite with Verandah. This expansive suite features 2 bedrooms in over 1,200 square feet of space. Each bedroom features a king-size bed, bedside iPads, and interactive TVs. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom with dual sinks, heated floors, Jacuzzis, and separate water closets.

The Crystal Society is Crystal Cruise’s loyalty program. It’s free to join , and you’ll be automatically enrolled after you complete your first full-revenue cruise. As a member, you’ll receive special offers, upgrades, onboard credits, special events, and savings on future cruises.

Every member receives benefits including:

• 2.5% savings on all voyages
• 2.5% onboard booking savings when you book your next cruise on board
• Exclusive onboard cocktail party

Plus, you’ll earn cruise credits each time you sail. Each time you hit a new milestone, you’ll be eligible for even more benefits like unlimited free reservations at specialty restaurants, credits towards future sailings, and recognition pins.

Hot Tip: Not sure which credit card to use to get the most bang for your cruise buck? Check out our guide to the best credit cards to book cruises for some guidance.

Crystal Cruises is a luxury cruise line offering ocean, river, yacht, and expedition cruises. Each of its 8 ships is designed for the luxury traveler and includes elegant accommodations and exquisite cuisine.

On Crystal Cruises, everything is included. You won’t pay extra for specialty restaurants, beverages, gratuities, or Wi-Fi.

If you’re looking for mega-ships with endless activities, check out other lines like Disney Cruises , Norwegian , or Princess. However, if you prefer smaller ships or the intimacy of a river or yacht cruise, Crystal Cruises has a lot to offer.

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France River Cruises

Inspiring with a rich procession of cultural, artistic and historic treasures, our France river cruises evoke a sense of place around every bend. In Paris, the River Seine bridges images of life past and present in the iconic sites that line its banks while the Rhône River takes you to timeless landscapes where you're welcomed in cities, towns, villages and vineyards along the way.

• ITINERARIES
• FEATURED TOURS

River Cruising Along The Rivers of France

Whether the Seine, the Saône or the Rhône, on a river cruise with Tauck you'll feel it the moment you step ashore in village and towns – that palpable realization of the true meaning of joie de vivre , enjoyment of life. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises...

See it light up painted Impressionist landscapes during visits to the famed museums of Paris, checking out their real-life counterparts in the gardens at Giverny and the villages of Provence. Discover it in culinary treats chef prepared at cooking demonstrations and during exclusive dinners at elegant châteaux open just for Tauck. Savor it in award-winning wines locally produced at vineyards and wine estates family owned for centuries. And indulge in personal discoveries authentically French, uniquely irresistible and all included as you experience the joys of France firsthand onboard and ashore.

The Seine River

The River Seine is born in Burgundy and runs through the heart of Paris before flowing onward to the Normandy Coast where it meets the English Channel. On a French river cruise on the Seine, you'll discover the treasures along its banks in destinations that include Paris, Duclair, Caudebec-en-Caux in the Normandy region, Monet's Giverny, Versailles and more. You'll see how the changing light of day inspired artists, giving them a dynamic sense of movement to their masterpieces and the settings behind their work as you cruise to places immortalized in art… the medieval streets and oft-painted cathedrals and churches of Rouen… the palace of Versailles… during an exclusive dinner at a regal château… as you sip cider and Calvados at a country farm… on D-Day Beaches steeped in history… and on walking tours rich with culture.

The Rhône RIver

The Rhône River is an Alpine beauty, beginning in the Swiss Alps, passing through Lake Geneva, southeastern France, and sun-kissed Provençal villages, until it reaches the mesmerizing Mediterranean Sea. Experience the stuff of dreams in Paris, Lyon, Viviers, Avignon and beyond as you savor local specialties on a private ranch in la Camargue with Provençal cowboys… discover France's epicurean heart in a famous market in Lyon… explore the gilded playground for jet setters in Monte-Carlo… walk through the picturesque and vibrantly colored town of Arles – where Van Gogh found inspiration… taste chocolate, pastries and Côtes du Rhône vintages at the source, in one of the greatest wine-growing regions on Earth… what river cruising on the Rhône is all about.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine country

In avignon along the rhône, a professional sommelier guides you through a tasting and pairing of châteauneuf-du-pape wines.

The popes who reigned over the Roman Catholic Church in Avignon during the 14th century enjoyed not only their formidable lodgings in the fortress-like Palais des Papes, but also the fruit of the vine; they are credited with cultivating the local wine industry widely recognized today by the appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Today the life of this region still centers around growing, producing and enjoying wine – as you'll see for yourself when a professional sommelier guides you through a tasting and pairing of fine Rhône Valley wines that go perfectly with the unforgettable midday meal you helped prepare… truly an experience to remember!

Les Halles de Lyon

Tasting your way through a culinary icon in lyon.

Lyon is considered the "culinary capital of France" – quite a compliment in a country famed for its cuisine and fine vintages. You'll discover why during a tasting at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the celebrated indoor food market that's been a fixture in Lyon since 1850. It offers an unbelievable array of breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, wines, chocolates... the list goes on. Everything is fresh and delicious, and it's said that the best chefs in Lyon shop here… so enjoy!

Truffle hunting in the Rhône Valley

Trained dogs and "black diamonds" – truffles – in grignan along the rhône.

The Italians call them tartufo, but to the French and much of the rest of the world, they're known as truffles. But whatever you call it, this rare, pungent (and highly perishable) fungus that grows under the ground in certain parts of Europe is one of the most expensive foods on Earth, highly prized by chefs and gourmets around the globe. Centuries ago, early truffle-hunters used pigs, with their keen sense of smell, to root these treasures out of the ground… but the piggies usually ate the truffles as soon as they found them! So they began training dogs to sniff them out... like the pooches you'll meet and go truffle-hunting with today at a truffle farm in Grignan… followed by a tasting of products made with this precious ingredient.

Tauck Exclusive – Evening at the Duché d'Uzès

Our exclusive gala evening at the duché d'uzès.

The Duke of Uzès kindly requests your presence at his family castle for dinner. Expect to be wined and dined at a grand château that architecturally chronicles its history, from its foundation on the site of a Roman governor's home in the first millennium to its role as the medieval residence of an exiled 9th-century Duchess, the first woman in the Occident to write a book, to its Renaissance renovation, its languish in the Revolution, its 19th- and 20th-century reincarnation as a school to its meticulous renovation in 1954 by the influential Marchioness of Crussol who reacquired the family home. Her vision comes to life in treasured keepsakes and a resplendent décor that provide a stunning setting for Tauck's exclusive gala evening.

Experiencing Paris

Paris is....

Its unique arrondissements, brimming with character, like the Marais – home to trendy cafés, galleries and boutiques… the River Seine, winding its way through the city… the Eiffel Tower, one of the world's most recognizable icons… the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, needing no introduction… Rue Montorgueil, lined with produce stands, boulangeries, cheese shops, wine stores, and fishmongers… Les Invalides, the palatial complex housing the monumental tomb of Napoleon… Place de la Bastille, site of the infamous fortress where the French Revolution began… And that's just the beginning…

Ranch life in la Camargue

An exclusive provençal experience on a family owned ranch in la camargue.

Drive past marshy fields of grazing bulls and white horses to a privately owned ranch in la Camargue, where the Rhône meets the sea, and experience a different taste of Provençal life for Tauck guests only. It begins with a horseback welcome by the warm-hearted family who lives here, continues with a farm-fresh feast of locally produced fare and a heartfelt guitar serenade, and culminates in a display of skill by Provençal cowboys (known as gardians) that will have your heart racing at every turn.

Tauck Exclusive – Early-opening visit to Monet's Giverny

Our exclusive early-opening visit to claude monet's home and gardens in giverny.

In springtime, the famous villa and gardens in the village of Giverny is awash in pink and green, adorned in wisteria, azalea and water lilies, and basked in dappled sunlight reminiscent of the works of its 43-year resident, painter Claude Monet. Our exclusive early-opening visit to the pioneer Impressionist's retreat shows you the artist's home as he lived it and painted it. Monet's pink stucco house gives the impression that his family of 10 still lives there; its rooms showcase private furnishings, and his collection of Japanese prints adorn walls throughout. Walk along pathways bordered with nasturtiums, hollyhocks, hybrid lilies or snapdragons, and go through the tunnel that leads to the Water Garden and the Japanese Bridge.

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France River Cruises with Tauck

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Inspired by the Destination

For 90+ years, the Tauck family has had a passion for sailing — aboard small ships and yachts at sea, riverboats along great inland waterways, and at home on the rivers and lakes of Connecticut and New York. When we began blending our land experience with our strong passion for cruising in our first European river cruise back in 1992, we knew that no "ordinary" river cruise experience would do for our guests. We wanted them to travel Europe's rivers in the same beyond-the-ordinary Tauck style they experienced on our land trips. With that in mind, we searched to find a company to partner with that would share our values and our commitment to "do the right thing" by our guests... and found it in another family-owned company, Scylla. Together, we crafted a river cruise experience that was ahead of its time and inspired by the destinations we explore.

Guest Favorite France River Cruises

"This was our first Tauck river cruise; we were truly overwhelmed with the Tauck experience. We write this letter to express our deep appreciation for the outstanding Tauck experience on our French river cruise. The ship staff, Cruise Director, and Tour Directors were wonderful. Our excursions and special events went off seamlessly, and the 'extras' throughout the itinerary made our travels that much more memorable. The local guides throughout France were all extremely knowledgeable, personable, and very accommodating. Many thanks for our wonderful Tauck adventures… we were made to feel like we were part of a big, happy family." Peter and Sandra B., LA

Savoring france: paris, lyon & provence, bon voyage france family river cruise, traveling with tauck, uncommon access.

Unmatched destination knowledge and land expertise maximize your time ashore, connecting & inspiring

Travel In Good Company

3 Tauck Directors and 1 Tauck Cruise director onboard every cruise – highest director-to-guest ratio in the industry

Sophisticated, Intimate Atmosphere

Tauck's Destination Fleet is custom-designed for comfort – guests enjoy a relaxed, congenial atmosphere

Distinctively Inclusive

No options sold; all gratuities to Tauck Directors & Cruise Director, ship staff local guides included

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Riverside Luxury Cruises

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Experience an, unique luxury river cruises in europe.

A river cruise touches the senses. It combines space and time to create a contemplative experience. Sitting on the upper deck in an intimate atmosphere, watching unspoiled, beautiful scenery pass by – these are moments you will never forget.

Marvel at the engineering prowess of the locks. Immerse yourself in the culture of Europe's most beautiful cities. Enjoy the culinary specialties of the regions the ship passes through. And you only have to pack your suitcase once. Yes, a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises also means setting out to find yourself.

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TRAVEL WITH RIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES

Luxury on water, three ships for your luck.

Do you enjoy personalized service? Do you appreciate the interplay of culture and nature as much as an uncompromising culinary experience? Do you love the fusion of space and time and are you looking for experiences that you will talk about for years to come? And yes, you like it sophisticated? Then there's a good chance that a river cruise in Europe with Riverside Luxury Cruises will be the trip of a lifetime. Our ships are second to none - and they make guests happy. Take a look at the Mozart - the first ship in our fleet, it's something special.

The Riverside Mozart is an exceptional vessel. As the largest and most luxurious river cruise ship on the Danube, she, like her famous namesake, knows how to captivate and surprise her guests.

He was considered meticulous and obsessed with detail. His famous Boléro is an idiosyncratic composition that nevertheless appeals to a wide range of tastes. The Riverside Ravel bears his name with good reason. Like the Boléro, it glides slowly along the Rhône and Saône rivers in a steady rhythm. Curious? Great! We work hard to put together the best trips for you.

He was a charmer. Poetry and charm characterized his work. His compositions were considered to be the beginning of a "new music" and the tours with the Riverside Debussy can also be seen as the beginning of a new kind of river cruise on the Rhine. Are you curious? Great! We are working at full speed to put together the most beautiful trips for you.

OUR SERVICE PROMISE

When you book a cruise with Riverside Luxury Cruises, you experience unparalleled luxury. Amazement in every suite. The finest fabrics and materials. Every guest enjoys butler service – and an incredible amount of space.

EXCEPTIONAL ENJOYMENT

Culinary on board.

Luxury means choice. On our river cruise ship, the choice is yours. Several restaurants offer culinary delights from all over Europe. You can feel where you are not only by the scenery, but also by the creations of our chefs. As the ship glides along, the specialties on board change, inspired by the different regions. Accompanied by exquisite wines.

ROUTES TO MARVEL AND RAVE

Our creative team has designed routes for all the rivers that will leave you amazed and raving long after your trip. There is so much to see, discover and experience. Immerse yourself with us in the life of the genius Van Gogh, visit Gothic cathedrals with us, taste exquisite wines with us. Sharpen your senses. Enjoy French esprit and Austrian humor - and above all the life aboard our floating jewels. With the Mozart as an example, you can already see the variety of possibilities that a river cruise on the Danube offers you.

Captivating Danube Capitals Westbound

Danube Quartet

Danube Highlights Westbound

The Blue Danube

Secrets of the Rhône New

Gems of Southern France New

French Fête in Saone and Rhône: From Lyon to Avignon New

Culture. spaces..

Their history and geographical location make the Danube, Rhine and Rhône rivers prime destinations for a river cruise in Europe. They became famous as trade routes. As natural landscapes, they are hard to beat for beauty. Here you can experience architecture, art and culinary delights in a very special way. No matter what ship or destination you choose, Riverside Luxury Cruises will make it right.

EXCLUSIVE EXCURSIONS BY LAND OR AIR

Special experiences.

Our excursions are special. They guarantee surprising and unforgettable experiences. Architecture lovers, art admirers, music enthusiasts, nature lovers and gourmet lovers will find new experiences during our excursions. Let yourself be inspired by the excursions we have created for the Mozart. And soon we'll be sailing the Rhône and Rhine.

RIDING SCHOOL

What an experience to watch the training of the “Lipizzaners”, the white stars in the imperial ambience of the baroque Spanish Riding School. Accompanied by classical Viennese music. With a bit of luck, the famous jumps performed by the horses can be seen as part of the morning training. A guided tour behind the scenes is also possible. It is not without merit that the Spanish Riding School is considered “the most beautiful riding stable in the world”. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

SALAS (TYPICAL SERBIAN FARMHOUSE)

Novi Sad is a little Serbian dream. Pastel-coloured houses in narrow streets. Museums and the Petrovaradin Fortress. And then there is the beautiful farm of the Matic family. The Matic family have been farmers for generations. For guests of the Riverside Mozart, they offer a Vojvodin breakfast with homemade delicacies like doughnuts – as well as Serbian music. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

WINE TASTING

Even the ancient Romans called Ilok a “delicium mundi”. This means as much as deliciousness of the world. Wine growing in the Croatian town of Ilok and its villages Bapska, Šarengrad, Radoš and Mohovo goes back to a 2000-year-old tradition. The drive there is like a picture book and the famous and award-winning wines are a pure delight. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

BALOON RIDE

Do it like Tom Sawyer in his adventurous balloon ride and enjoy the world from above. What an adventure to fly silently over Budapest – in a traditional hot-air balloon at a height of 150 metres. And afterwards, stroll through the city and discover fancy shops and stand in amazement in front of architectural jewels. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

What an estate! Château Béla in the south of Slovakia. Wine was already grown here in the time of the Roman Empire. Today, the team – led by the renowned Slovakian winemaker Miroslav Petrech – produces mainly Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Absolute top wines, recognised many times with numerous awards. The wine tasting with Miroslav Petrech will take place in the historic wine cellar. It is located under the castle and is not otherwise accessible to the public. And, of course, you get to see the castle as such. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

It is located south of Bratislava, directly on the banks of the Danube. Its modern architecture is impressive. Its collection and its exhibitions of world-renowned artists have already inspired personalities such as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands or Prince Albert of Monaco. One particular bijou is the sculpture garden of the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum with impressive sculptures by El Lissitzky, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Jim Dine or Hans van de Bovenkamp, to name but a few. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

ALPINE HELICOPTER FLIGHT

Ready to take off? Off you go on a private helicopter flight over the Austrian Alps. What a panorama. The flight also passes over the famous “Salzkammergut”, one of Austria’s most beautiful cultural areas with mountains, lakes and meadows. You first have to come down from this event, even if you have already landed. Perfect for all you adrenaline junkies out there. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

MEMORIAL SITE

What would a society be that hides its past? This 90-minute tour of the Mauthausen Memorial offers a glimpse into the history of the Second World War, its pogroms and the deaths of countless people. Afterwards, you can visit the exhibition, which deals, among other things, with the harsh prison conditions, the hierarchy in the camp and the horrific abuse of the prisoners for medical experiments. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

GARDEN GUIDE

He started 40 years ago with a small garden shop. Today, a botanical life’s work has emerged from this: the Kittenberger Gardens, named after its founder, Rainhard Kittenberger. In the midst of the vineyards, he and his family have created a lush flowering landscape with a total of 50 themed gardens. A natural source of magic at any time of year. And certainly an inspiration for your own garden. Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

HELICOPTER FLIGHT IN THE VALLEY

The Wachau is a synthesis of nature’s arts: rugged mountains up to more than 900 metres high, terraces for winegrowing and, time and again, churches and castles from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods. During your cruise, you can transfer to the helicopter for a sightseeing flight. What a beauty. You don’t want to have your gaze clouded by a blink of an eye. If the term were not so overused in tourism these days, you’d say: A paradise! Book now or contact your Travel Advisor.

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Europe’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Ships Are Back in Business

Riverside luxury cruises buys defunct crystal cruises ships, resuscitating the luxury brand on european rivers this year..

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Travelers will soon be able to dine in this intimate venue on board the Riverside Bach when the vessel and its sister ships relaunch in the coming months.

Courtesy of Riverside Luxury Cruises

Seaside Collection , a German hotel company, this week announced that it has purchased the remaining four ships from the pandemic-felled Crystal Cruises to join its Riverside Luxury Cruises brand, effectively resurrecting the super-luxe fleet.

Riverside launched late last year when Seaside bought the former Crystal Mozart , one of five former Crystal river cruise ships. With all of the former Crystal river ships now under its belt, Riverside aims to pick up and build upon where Crystal left off when it starts sailing three of the vessels this spring, according to Jennifer Halboth, CEO of the company’s Americas operations.

“We’re really setting out to be exceptional, to be that choice for luxury travelers,” says Halboth, adding that Riverside aims “to be the reason that luxury travelers try river cruising for the first time.”

Aside from some minor cosmetic upgrades, Riverside will not be making many changes to the former Crystal river cruise ships.

Setting sail in April

Riverside will launch three of the ships—the Riverside Mozart , Riverside Debussy, and Riverside Ravel —in April with 3- to 14-night itineraries on the Danube, along the castle-lined Rhine, and on southern France’s Rhône and Saône rivers, respectively.

The remaining ships, the Riverside Bach and Riverside Mahler , will rejoin the fleet in 2024, after the company has figured out where they should sail and has more time to “make sure we get everything right,” Halboth says.

Other than some cosmetic repairs and adding items like new bathrobes and towels for guests, Halboth says that few physical changes are being made to the ships, which were built for Crystal with the intention of being the most upscale river cruise product in Europe. The vessels stand out for their spacious all-suite cabins that include walk-in closets, double vanities in the bathrooms, and king-size beds. (River cruise ships typically feature smaller staterooms due to their more compact size compared with larger ocean-going vessels.)

As Crystal had done, Riverside will offer butler service to assist guests with everything from developing personalized excursions to 24-hour room service. The ships also each have three restaurants, a spa, fitness center, and a swimming pool.

All of the Riverside river cruise ships have swimming pools.

The biggest difference between Riverside and the now defunct Crystal, at least for the near future, will be the price.

For the inaugural season, Halboth says that Riverside’s prices will be about 45 percent below Crystal’s prepandemic brochure rates, with three-day cruises starting at around $1,000 per person and seven-day sailings in midrange suites as low as $5,000 per person, including meals, drinks, select excursions in every port, transfers, gratuities, and Wi-Fi.

A focus on fining dining and exciting excursions

While the service standards and amenities will be the same or very similar to what Crystal had provided, Halboth says, “We’re not going to stop there.”

The culinary offering “is one area I think we’re going to shoot even higher,” she says. “That is an area that we want to wholeheartedly own within the river cruise space.”

In addition to menus based on fresh local and regional food, the ships will have sommeliers and specially trained bartenders on board with access to some of the best wines and spirits, the company says.

Riverside is aiming to impress with an elevated culinary offering on its ships.

Riverside is also looking to up the game on excursions and experiences.

“That’s probably the area that we will need to do the most work on,” Halboth says. “But it’s going to be pretty top-notch out of the gate.” According to Halboth, Riverside is planning to offer passengers outings like a hot air balloon ride above Budapest and a helicopter tour of Linz, Austria, and its surroundings.

The line will provide a choice of both included and premium excursions (for an added cost) in every port, including active and immersive options like guided bike rides and local cooking classes. And staff will also be at the ready to help develop personalized private experiences.

Glass-encased lounges on the Riverside vessels allow passengers to enjoy the passing scenery while sipping drinks.

Halboth came to Riverside from Avalon Waterways, which has been one of the leaders in the river cruise industry’s move in recent years to offer a greater variety of excursion choices, including more active experiences beyond traditional city tours.

The former Crystal, a luxury cruise company, had raised the bar in river cruising when it first launched its river fleet in 2016 with a top-to-bottom overhaul of the 81-cabin Mozart .

The other four ships, with 55 cabins each, were new vessels that were built for Crystal in 2017 and 2018, boasting the largest average cabin sizes on the rivers and ship-wide services and amenities that are offered by other lines in only their most expensive suites.

With the purchase of the ships, Riverside gets not only a ready-made fleet known for its luxury amenities and design but also the ability to tap into Crystal’s globally renowned reputation as a leader in service, style, and cuisine.

While the collapse of Crystal and its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, last year was among the most high-profile travel company failures of the pandemic—leaving customers out millions of dollars—companies buying up its assets have not shied away from associating with the brand.

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent purchased the Crystal name along with its two original ocean liners last year to keep it going. And Halboth says the association gives Riverside the benefit of having a known product to sell.

This is Seaside’s first foray into cruising, but the company has tapped industry veterans like Halboth and has hired former Crystal crew members for its team, including the captain, chef, and hotel manager from the Mozart . The company also knows luxury hospitality. Founded in 1969, Seaside owns 11 four- and five-star hotels and resorts in Germany, the Canary Islands, and the Maldives, including the Seaside Palm Beach Hotel in Maspalomas on the Gran Canaria island, and Finolhu in the Maldives .

MS Scenic Crystal

Laidback elegance and relaxing luxuries are paramount features of the MS Scenic Crystal. Enjoy panoramic views of Europe as you walk the outdoor track on the Sun Deck; or, for a more intimate experience, relax on your private balcony. Gourmet meals with wine are available each day in the dining room or on selected evenings in Portobello’s, an exclusive Italian restaurant. A butler service is available to attend to your needs, including coffee and tea, which are available all day. Each cabin and suite boasts a superior queen bed and other amenities, including a flat screen television and minibar. After a full day of touring relax to live piano music in the ship’s lounge.

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Miami, September 07, 2023

Crystal Unveils 2025 Itineraries

From Visits to Monaco Timed to The Formula 1 Grand Prix to Experiencing the Northern Lights in Norway, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony Set Sail to 112 Countries and 281 Ports

Today, Crystal announced its inspiring lineup of 2025 itineraries onboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony . Following the brand’s acquisition by the A&K Travel Group, Crystal is poised to offer travelers unparalleled opportunities for exploration and cultural immersion - both on and off the ship - with industry-leading voyages of discovery across the globe to both iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will visit an extraordinary selection of guests’ favorites and approximately 144 new handpicked destinations such as the Faroe Islands, Haifa and Shanghai, for a combined total of 720 days over the course of 73 sailings visiting a total of 112 countries and 281 ports.

"We’re excited to offer both past and future Crystal guests an inspiring assortment of itineraries in 2025,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. “Guests onboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will have the opportunity to explore a treasure trove of lesser-visited corners of the world and check off some truly once-in-a-lifetime bucket list destinations with bespoke, industry-leading experiences designed by Abercrombie & Kent.”

Crystal Serenity 2025 Itinerary Highlights

• After completing the World Cruise in May 2025, Crystal Serenity will depart from Marseille and sail the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, visiting destinations like Pablo Picasso’s hometown of Málaga, the charming, half-timbered town of Ronne , Latvia’s capital, Riga , known for its pedestrian-onlymedieval Old Town and more.
• Guests will have the rare opportunity to visit Longyearbyen , the largest inhabited area of Svalbard , Norway - famous for its incomparable views of the Northern Lights.
• With calls to the Faroe Islands , and Iceland , passengers will discover dramatic landscapes and breathtaking views in the world’s most stunning Nordic destinations including Tórshavn, Djupivogur, and Reykjavik among others.
• For a perfect leaf-peeping getaway, guests onboard from September to November 2025, will visit iconic North American ports of call such as Québec City, Gaspé, Newport, Boston, Portland, New York City and more.
• For those who wish to partake in the holiday season at sea, sun-filled voyages include Caribbean and South American destinations like Montego Bay, Aruba, Cayman Islands, Cartagena, the Panama Canal and more.

Crystal Symphony 2025 Itinerary Highlights

• Kicking off 2025 in Southeast Asia, the newly refurbished shipwillexplore remote destinations including Sihanoukville , known for having the best beaches in Cambodia , along with Sabang and WehIsland , the small active volcanic island to the northwest of Sumatra .
• With multi-day port calls to the region’s top urban centers including Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Laem Chabang and Shanghai, passengers will have even more time for in-depth cultural immersion. Guests can also visit Palawan , the Philippines’ ecological jewel with pristine beaches, and Brunei , known for its verdant rainforests.
• Timed with the Grand Prix, the ship will visit Monaco and Villefranche-sur-Mer, allowing guests the chance to embrace their inner Formula 1 driver, as they watch the iconic race in two of Europe’s leading destinations.
• Mediterranean highlights include calls to Haifa , Dubrovnik and Cyprus , in addition to Greece’s increasingly popular destinations of Zakynthos, Corfu and Santorini , among others.
• The latter half of 2025 will be spent in the Middle East visiting a variety of destinations ranging from the small Egyptian port of Safaga (Luxor) , to Dubai , known for luxury shopping and ultramodern architecture, to the more remote Salalah , the third-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, known for its marine life.

These just announced 2025 voyages will be available to book on Sept. 27 at crystalcruises.com .

For more information on these new 2025 Itineraries or any of Crystal’s exceptional voyages, contact your travel advisor, visit crystalcruises.com , or call 1-800-446-6620.

About Crystal

For more than three decades Crystal has been synonymous with exceptional, award-winning voyages. In 2022 the A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony , ushering in a new era of Exceptional at Sea. The globally-renowned cruise line offers discerning travelers’ industry-leading, authentic, and enriching experiences both onshore and at sea. Crystal’s pioneering partnership with Abercrombie & Kent provides guests with unparalleled access to the most sought-after experiences, destinations, and the latest cultural makers around the world.The reimagined ships boast larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, new cutting-edge wellness offerings, spectacular entertainment, and complimentary world-class dining - including the return of UMI UMA - the only dining experience by Michelin-Star Chef Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea. With a legacy of unrivaled service and commitment to sophistication and elegance at every touchpoint, once on-board passengers feel as if they are perfectly at home.

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