Crystal Bach, one of the four award-winning sister ships of Crystal River Cruises, has been named “Best River Ship” by the readers of Porthole in the online publication’s 2020 Readers’ Choices Awards. Crystal River Cruises boasts the youngest fleet on Europe’s rivers, having set a new bar for luxury in the industry with the first and only all-suite, all-balcony ships offering private butler service for every suite.
Beyond the elegantly designed hardware of the ships, it’s the personalized service and personal connections that guests experience during their Crystal vacations that resonates most with discerning travelers. Other signature hallmarks of Crystal’s River voyages include Michelin-level cuisine inspired by the destinations, served in multiple open-seating restaurants; an abundant selection of immersive and inclusive Destination Discoveries tailored to guests’ individual interests; and the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the industry with two crew members serving every three guests.
Crystal’s River ships sail itineraries of seven to 16 days along the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers. The 106-guest ships are enclaves of elegance for itineraries that celebrate the romance, creativity and rich heritage of the destinations.
Also winning travelers’ acclaim is Crystal Cruises’ onboard enrichment programming, which Porthole readers voted the best of that category. Crystal has pioneered enrichment programming, offering onboard experiences and options that center around the company’s principle of abundant choices that appeal to the varied individual interests of its guests. Crystal’s celebrated Creative Learning Institute offers an array of subjects and activities travelers can pursue during their luxury vacations with Crystal, including hands-on instruction in digital filmmaking, music, art, language and other disciplines aboard its award-winning ocean liners. Additionally, the Crystal Visions Lecture Series features expert guest speakers on every ocean and river sailing that present engaging and interactive topics ranging from current global events and destination history to sports and entertainment and medical specialties.
While its operations have been paused during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Crystal has brought its enrichment to travelers around the world, virtually, through Crystal@Home. The weekly programming has included culinary features with Chef Jon Ashton, weekly destination highlights, cocktail recipes from Crystal’s own barkeepers and compilation performances from Crystal and guest musicians, vocalists and comedians. Crystal expanded its lecture series in late 2019 with a new podcast series, Crystal Storytellers, featuring the guest experts in candid conversation with the ships’ Cruise Directors, allowing travelers to partake in the enrichment program from anywhere in the world.
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