Luxury cruise leader Crystal Cruises announces a celebratory twist for its Experiences of Discovery theme cruises for 2015, when the line will mark its 25(th) anniversary of cruising. During six designated sailings – in addition to more than a dozen themed cruises focused on culinary, musical, theatrical, political and athletic pursuits – Crystal guests will be treated to commemorative parties and receptions, where they’ll rub elbows with Crystal’s top leadership. Of these, four voyages will be Crystal’s first-ever “Captain’s Cruises,” wherein former captains will join Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity again to regale travelers with their Crystal memories. The four cruises, and hosts, include:
- April 11, Asia (Hong Kong to Tokyo) with Captain Reidulf Maalen, the captain of Crystal’s first ship, the Crystal Harmony, when the company began sailing in 1990.
- May 4, Southern Trans-Atlantic (Miami to Lisbon) with Captain Glenn Edvardsen, a 21-year Crystal veteran, and the youngest Crystal captain when he joined the line in 1999.
- June 12, Northern Trans-Atlantic (New York to London) with Captain Helge Brudvik, captain of Crystal Symphony in its inaugural year, retired from Crystal since 2000.
- December 19, Caribbean/Brazilian Holiday (San Juan to Rio de Janeiro) with Captain John Okland, who just retired in 2012 after 15 years with Crystal.
“We’re thrilled to welcome some of our most beloved captains back aboard to celebrate this milestone, as they have each played a significant role in our 25-year history of extraordinary worldwide explorations,” says Crystal President and COO Edie Rodriguez. “Our anniversary theme cruises will be like Crystal family reunions, made even more special with our ship ‘masters’ returning home to celebrate with us.”
In addition to the Captains’ cruises set for the anniversary year, Crystal’s annual President’s and Chairman’s voyages will also feature added programming and celebrations, hosted by Rodriguez on Crystal Serenity’s 13-day, July 12 Western Europe cruise; and Crystal Chairman Nobuyoshi “Nob” Kuzuya on Crystal Symphony’s 18-day, July 8 North Cape/Arctic Circle cruise.
Crystal’s Experiences of Discovery theme cruises set throughout 2015 also include two Wine & Food Festival voyages in Asia (January 5 and 29) and one in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands (November 13); music-focused programming on two Trans-Atlantic Ballroom at Sea sailings (June 12 and December 11), a Jazz cruise down the Pacific Coast (May 11), and two back-to-back Mediterranean voyages featuring Emerging Artists from the acclaimed Music Center of Los Angeles (May 31 and June 12); plus a Trans-Atlantic Film & Theatre cruise (May 4); and a Golf-themed British Isles sailing (July 25). Three segments of the 108-day “Silver Celebration” World Cruise also offer an Ocean Views theme, featuring debates and interactive discussion with some of the most knowledgeable world affairs experts of today.
All-inclusive, value-priced “Book Now” fares for the Experiences of Discovery cruise series start at just $2,810/person, double occupancy, with up to $1,900/person in savings if booked by October 31.
SOURCE Crystal Cruises