MIAMI, JANUARY 15, 2020 – The award-winning fleet of Crystal River Cruises will take guests on journeys of cultural and historical discovery in 2022, exploring storybook villages, cosmopolitan international hubs, and towns hosting rare events and decked in seasonal delights. Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel – all-suite, all-balcony sister ships comprising the youngest fleet in European luxury river cruising – will offer itineraries from seven to 10 nights. Crystal River Cruises’ 2022 itineraries will be available for booking and published on crystalcruises.com on January 22, 2020.
Throughout the roster of 2022 voyages, Crystal’s focus remains on the overall guest experience during their voyage, with careful thought given to the best ways to experience the famous tulips in Holland; capitalizing on cooler July weather along Dutch and Belgian waterways, when the crowds are calmer; the beautiful spectacle of seeing the decennial Floriade International Horticultural Expo just outside of Amsterdam; and the rich Jewish and culinary cultures in select destinations.
“The magic of Crystal River voyages goes beyond the attentive, anticipatory luxury and service found aboard our ships. It extends to planning itineraries that showcase the most fascinating destinations – both well-known and less expected – and present the most authentic ways for our guests to experience them,” said Walter Littlejohn, vice president and managing director of Crystal River Cruises. “This philosophy is resonating with travelers, as high demand from those wishing to plan their next Crystal River vacation compelled us to announce 2022 itineraries far ahead of the rest of the market, offering our guests nearly three full years of voyages available for booking.”
New in 2022 are a “Treasures of Southeast Europe” itinerary, featuring maiden ports Vidin, Bulgaria and Giurgiu, Romania, and a “Joyous Danube” holiday voyage round-trip from Vienna, highlighting the glittering Christmas markets of the region. Every itinerary features at least two overnight stays – some as many as four – allowing guests to explore destinations in varying and ways and venture beyond the ports for greater discoveries.
With more seven-night itineraries than ever – including roundtrip options from convenient air travel hubs Vienna and Amsterdam – many Crystal River Cruises’ 2022 sailings are also combinable for longer vacations. Two May itineraries aboard Crystal Ravel, “Treasures of Southeast Europe” and ”Delightful Danube” can be combined for a 14-night voyage between Vilshofen and Giurgiu, while Crystal Bach’s July and August “Dutch & Belgian Waterways” and either “Legendary Rhine” (westbound) or “Romantic Rhine” (eastbound) cruises can create five-country, 14-night voyages between Amsterdam and Basel.
Crystal’s pre- and post-cruise Extended Land Programs expand Crystal vacations ashore with options in Prague and Zurich showcasing the most fascinating points of culture and history. Guests enjoy luxury, centrally-located accommodations, with Crystal’s team seeing to all of the details.
Both Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler will feature Wine & Food Festival theme cruises (both ships’ October 8, 15 and 22 departures), featuring cooking demos with local guest chefs on board and immersive experiences ashore exploring the destinations’ specialties. Crystal Ravel will offer Jewish Heritage voyages in June, July and October, highlighting pivotal sites and figures that have shaped the Jewish culture in locales along the Danube, with an expanded selection of focused shoreside experiences in addition to what is offered on all Crystal River voyages.
For seasonally special experiences, Crystal Bach will sail “Tulips & Windmills” voyages to the Netherlands and Belgium, showcasing the famed fields cloaked in millions of blooms and offering opportunities to explore countryside windmill farms. During the winter holidays from late November through December, all four Crystal ships will visit the sparkling Christmas markets of Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Crystal River Cruises’ 2022 itineraries include:
Netherlands & Belgium
“Tulips and Windmills” (April and May), “Dutch & Belgian Waterways” (July and August), 7 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnight stays in Amsterdam; calling in Kinderdijk, Hoorn, Rotterdam and Middleburg, Netherlands; and Ghent and Antwerp, Belgium.
Rhine River
“Legendary Rhine,” 7 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
Featuring overnights in Koblenz and Amsterdam; calling in Cologne, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.
“Romantic Rhine,” 7 nights, Amsterdam to Basel
Featuring overnights in Koblenz and Amsterdam; calling in Cologne, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France, and cruising through Boppard and Lorelei, Germany.
“Revel on the Rhine” Holiday voyage, 9 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnights in Amsterdam (double overnight); calling in Cologne, Rüdesheim, Mannheim and Koblenz, Germany; and Arnhem, Netherlands.
Danube River
*NEW* “Treasures of Southeast Europe,” 7 nights, Giurgiu to Budapest/Budapest to Giurgiu
Featuring overnights in Budapest; Vidin, Bulgaria (westbound only); and Novi Sad, Serbia (eastbound only); calling in Mohacs, Hungary; Vukovar, Croatia; Belgrade, Serbia; and cruising the Iron Gates.
“Danube Dreams & Discoveries,” 7 nights, Vienna Roundtrip
Featuring overnights in Vienna and Budapest; calling in Esztergom, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Krems, Melk and Linz, Austria and also cruising the Wachau Valley.
Delightful Danube, 7 nights, Vilshofen to Budapest
Featuring overnights in Vienna and Budapest; calling in Dürnstein, Melk and Linz, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Passau, Germany and cruising the Wachau Valley.
*NEW* “Joyous Danube Celebration” Holiday voyage, 9 nights, Vienna R/T
Featuring overnights in Vienna and Budapest; calling in Bratislava, Slovakia; Krems, Melk and Linz, Austria and also cruising the Wachau Valley.
When bookings for Crystal River Cruises’ 2022 voyages open on January 22, travelers will benefit from 2-for-1 cruise fares and Crystal’s “Book Now Savings,” ensuring the best fares available for those who plan ahead and book early.
Crystal’s new-build river vessels are the river cruising industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, all-butler vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation positioned above the water line. All suites feature Panoramic Balcony-Windows™ and walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms are featured in most categories.
All of Crystal’s river ships feature private butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, ETRO amenities, robes and slippers, and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs. Additional enticing features include farm-to-table cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the countryside. Crystal’s attention to detail reaches ashore, as guests are transported on the days’ adventures in luxury motor coaches equipped with complimentary water and Wi-Fi for added convenience and comfort.
About Crystal
Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across four distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; Crystal Yacht Cruises, offering boutique luxury and bold adventure in the world’s most elite harbors; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world. Crystal has been recognized with top honors in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for a record 26 years including, in 2019, for Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Cruises, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Yacht Cruises and Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises. Crystal was also voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for 20 years; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the advisors of ASTA.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel advisor, call 888.799.2437, or visitwww.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insider blog, follow Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page; @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram; @crystalrivercruises on Instagram; and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises, #crystalrivercruises and #WhereLuxuryisPersonal.