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Crystal rejigs river plans, delaying France routes in favor of Danube/Rhine

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Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be redesigned to a length of 135 meters, allowing the addition of a swimming pool and more larger suites. This rendering shows their original 110-meter Paris-class design
Crystal River Cruises is delaying its entrance into the French market and instead will increase its presence on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, deploying four of its planned newbuilds there in 2017 and 2018.

The company said that based on customer feedback lauding the itineraries planned in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Amsterdam and Holland, Crystal is prioritizing its offerings in the Germany/Austria region to meet travelers’ demand.

A Crystal spokesman told Seatrade Cruise News the company has heard 'general concerns from agents and guests' about recent incidents in Europe but those weren't specific to France. 'The majority of feedback stressed a strong interest in the Rhine and Danube itineraries as well as the vessel size,' he said.

The change means redesigning and enlarging the two Paris-class river yachts, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, as Rhine-class vessels, and redeploying them east in 2018.

Previously, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel were to travel along the Seine, Rhone and Dordogne in France beginning in June and August 2017.

'Unlike an ocean-going ship that can accommodate a change in itinerary with short notice, a river ship operates within more confined parameters and is unable to reroute easily,' Crystal president and ceo Edie Rodriguez said. 'We are listening carefully to what travelers are telling us and have concluded that the best way to anticipate, meet and surpass their expectations is by making this move earlier than later.'

Passengers booked on 2017 voyages aboard Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel are being offered incentives to switch to another cruise. They have several choices.

Options for those booked on Crystal Debussy include a Crystal Mozart voyage and $750 shipboard credit per person plus $500 per person future cruise credit, or a Crystal Bach voyage and $500 future cruise credit per person. Further choices are a 2017 Crystal Esprit seven-night voyage plus $750 per person shipboard credit and $500 per person future cruise credit, or a veranda room for a 2017 Crystal Symphony Europe voyage (up to 14 days) and $500 per person future cruise credit, or a $1,000 per person future cruise credit to apply toward any other 2017 Crystal Experience.

Those booked on Crystal Ravel can choose from a Crystal Mozart voyage and $500 per person future cruise credit, or a 2017 Crystal Esprit seven-night voyage, $750 per person shipboard credit plus $500 per person future cruise credit. Further choices are a veranda room for a 2017 Crystal Symphony Europe cruise (up to 10 days) and $500 per person future cruise credit, or $1,000 per person future cruise credit to apply toward any other 2017 Crystal Experience.

With the changed deployment, the size of Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be increased from 110 meters to 135 meters, the maximum permissible on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. This allows for the addition of a swimming pool with a sliding glass roof and more of the larger suites, which range up to 759 square feet.

The redesign places the ships as part of Crystal's 106-passenger Rhine class, currently comprising Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, due to enter service June 18 and Aug. 29, 2017, respectively. Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be set for maiden voyages in April and May 2018, with detailed itineraries to be announced shortly.