FASHION, PHOTOGRAPHY, FITNESS AND FOOD:
THEME CRUISES ADD ENRICHING DIMENSION TO WORLD TRAVEL ABOARD CRYSTAL CRUISES IN 2005
Luxury Line Features 17 Different Themes on 64 Itineraries
LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2004 - Recognized internationally for its progressive enrichment programming, Crystal Cruises is raising the bar with its expanded collection of 2005 theme cruises. Contemporary lifestyle topics were chosen to complement a particular cruise's destination or its additional days at sea. Think Garden Design sailings through the British Isles; a Fashion & Style sojourn in Italy; a Nature & Wildlife program along the coast of Baja California; a Trans-Atlantic Big Band party; and Photography cruises perfectly framing glaciers in Alaska, penguins in Antarctica, the skyline of Hong Kong, and the majesty of Athens and Rome. With more than two-thirds of its 95 worldwide itineraries in 2005 featuring dedicated enrichment programming, these new programs join a roster of proven favorites including Crystal's Health & Fitness series; cruises hosted by The Smithsonian Associates and Sotheby's Institute; and the renowned Crystal Wine & Food Festival, which will celebrate its ninth year in 2005.
In all, Crystal's fleet of three award-winning ships - Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony, and Crystal Serenity - will offer 64 theme cruises representing 17 different topics to all corners of the globe.
"A theme cruise is differentiated by the enhanced attention we pay to specialized topics above and beyond our normal enrichment and entertainment programming," says Bret Bullock, Crystal's vice president, entertainment. "The uniqueness of Crystal is the range of choice available to all of our guests on every itinerary, regardless of a special theme."
Careful consideration is given to the development and timing of each theme cruise, pairing the enrichment topic to the itinerary to allow for greater immersion and appreciation of the topic. By bridging the onboard lectures and interactive presentations with shore excursions, guests are able to more fully experience the nuances of each destination.
Consider, for example, the line's two new Art & Architecture cruises with overnight stays allowing ample time for exploration of some of the world's most prominent architectural capitals, including London, St. Petersburg, Venice, Istanbul and Athens.
The easy-going rhythms of the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera provide a soothing backdrop for nine Health & Fitness cruises in 2005. Each of these cruises will offer specialized instruction in either yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi and are complemented by Crystal's state-of-the-art spa facilities, wide jogging and walking decks, and healthful menus, including low-carb and low-fat selections.
Destination-specific lectures from the cultural and educational arm of the Smithsonian Institute are featured on eight itineraries dedicated to The Smithsonian Associates, showcasing the Panama Canal, the Far East & Asia, South America, and New England & Canada.
Experts from the world-renowned Sotheby's Institute continue the cultural enrichment by illuminating the secrets of art history on seven voyages to the Far East, Russia, and the Mediterranean.
On longer itineraries, including two Trans-Pacific cruises and a Panama Canal transit, the line takes advantage of additional sea days to offer its Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute, featuring extensive studies with progressive curriculums in music through Yamaha, language through Berlitz, wellness instruction through The Cleveland Clinic, and other quality alliances.
Golf enthusiasts will revel in the attention from PGA pros and golf celebrities aboard two Golf cruises, affording exclusive opportunities to tee-off at some of the world's legendary courses in the British Isles and Canary Islands.
The diversity of Crystal's theme cruise programming continues with voyages dedicated to the art of music - with Big Band and Jazz cruises featuring marquee names and hot new talent; the art of comedy - with the Crystal Comedy Club at Sea featuring a selection of gifted comedians from some of the nation's top comedy clubs; and the art of film - with a Film Festival spotlighting lectures and film authorities saluting American films.
The cornerstone of Crystal's theme programming - the highly regarded Crystal Wine & Food Festival - will celebrate its ninth year on 14 different sailings in 2005. Some of the most established names in cuisine and wine share the spotlight with the cutting-edge stars of the culinary world, providing guests with an experience that is both enriching to the mind and pleasing to the palate.
Crystal's theme cruises are a vital component of the Crystal Visions® Enrichment Program of renowned speakers and celebrity guest lecturers offered on every Crystal cruise.
Crystal's three sister ships - the 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity - are among the most luxurious and contemporary vessels cruising the world. Their unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated liners feature attentive European-style service, grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, the only Caesars Palace at Sea® casino afloat, and the innovative Creative Learning Institute. The spacious ships feature expansive decks, two pools, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.
The luxury liners have won the travel industry's most distinguished hospitality awards and guidebook ratings, including the best large-ship line award in the most recent readers' surveys conducted by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines and Travel + Leisure's 2004 award for "World's Best Service" - cruise lines.
Crystal's new 2005 Cruise Atlas spotlights the themes in an "explore" section and again notes the specific themes on the individual itinerary pages.
For reservations and more information; call the Reservation's Department at 800.446.6620 or log onto the luxury line's website at
www.crystalcruises.com.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
2005 Theme Cruise Roster
Art & Architecture (2) July 21 Crystal Symphony Baltic Sea & Russia
Aug 15 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Big Band (2) Apr 25 Crystal Symphony Trans-Atlantic
Nov 16 Crystal Serenity Trans-Atlantic
Crystal Comedy Club
At Sea (1) Oct 15 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera
Comprehensive Creative
Learning Institute (3) Feb 24 Crystal Harmony Trans-Pacific
Apr 26 Crystal Harmony Trans-Pacific
Dec 6 Crystal Serenity Panama Canal
Crystal Distinguished
Speaker Series (2) Sep 3 Crystal Symphony Trans-Atlantic
Aug 27 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Film Festival (1) Sep 3 Crystal Symphony Trans-Atlantic
Fashion & Style (1) Jun 4 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Health & Fitness (9) Mar 10 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Mar 17 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Mar 24 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Sep 28 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera
Oct 22 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera
Nov 1 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera
Nov 26 Crystal Serenity Caribbean
Dec 6 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Dec 14 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Garden Design (2) Jun 6 Crystal Symphony Baltic Sea/Russia
Jul 10 Crystal Symphony British Isles
Golf (2) Aug 23 Crystal Symphony British Isles
Oct 25 Crystal Serenity Canary Islands
Jazz (2) Jan 4 Crystal Harmony Panama Canal
Nov 26 Crystal Symphony Caribbean
Nature & Wildlife (1) Nov 8 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera
Photography (5) Jan 21 Crystal Symphony S. America/Antarctica
Mar 4 Crystal Serenity World Cruise/China
Jun 11 Crystal Harmony Alaska/Canada
Jun 28 Crystal Symphony North Cape
Oct 2 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Crystal Reunion Cruise (2) Jun 23 Crystal Harmony Alaska/Canada
May 4 Crystal Symphony Mediterranean
The Smithsonian
Associates (8) Jan 5 Crystal Symphony South America
Jan 26 Crystal Harmony Panama Canal
Feb 22 Crystal Symphony South America
Mar 14 Crystal Harmony China/Japan
Mar 18 Crystal Serenity World Cruise
Apr 14 Crystal Symphony Panama Canal
Oct 27 Crystal Symphony New England/Canada
Dec 5 Crystal Harmony Panama Canal
Sotheby's Institute (7) Mar 22 Crystal Harmony China/Japan
Apr 5 Crystal Harmony China/Japan
Apr 13 Crystal Harmony China/Japan
May 23 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Jun 17 Crystal Symphony Baltic Sea/Russia
Jun 28 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Oct 14 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
Crystal Wine & Food
Festival (14) Jan 28 Crystal Serenity World Cruise
Feb 16 Crystal Serenity World Cruise
Mar 18 Crystal Serenity World Cruise
Apr 5 Crystal Serenity World Cruise
Apr 27 Crystal Serenity Mediterranean
May 26 Crystal Symphony Western Europe
May 30 Crystal Harmony Alaska/Canada
Sep 3 Crystal Harmony Alaska/Canada
Sep 15 Crystal Harmony Alaska/Canada
Sep 17 Crystal Symphony New England/Canada
Sep 28 Crystal Symphony New England/Canada
Oct 5 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera Oct 16 Crystal Symphony New England/Canada
Nov 25 Crystal Harmony Mexican Riviera