Fashion, Photography, Fitness & Food!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from Crystal and thought it would be of
interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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
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
Conde 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.
A complete roster of theme cruise topics, dates, ships and
destinations is attached with this news release.
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