At least one overnight in port
Crystal Mozart and the four identical sister ships Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel will sail the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers on 180 departures of seven to 16 days. With 45 ports of call, including dozens that are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, every voyage offers at least one overnight stay, and many have double and even triple overnights.
'We have seen such great demand and increasing desire by luxury travelers to secure their ideal European vacations earlier than ever and we are pleased to make our complete offerings for 2019, 2020 and, now, 2021 available for booking,' said Walter Littlejohn, Crystal River Cruises’ VP and managing director. He added that 'Book Now' savings guarantee the best fares for travelers who plan ahead.
'UNESCO-recognized Old Towns in Bamberg and Brugge, epicenters of art and music in Vienna and Salzburg and dramatic landscapes like the Wachau Valley and Middle Rhine Valley add historic and natural flavor to itineraries that also feature contemporary hubs like Düsseldorf and Basel,' Littlejohn said.
New cruise explores Hungary, Serbia, Croatia
The 'Eastern Danube Discoveries' voyage will debut on Crystal Mozart, offering deeper exploration of Hungary as well as Serbia and Croatia. Other itineraries highlight seasons, like springtime 'Tulips & Windmills” sailings that explore the Netherlands and Belgium, and winter sailings that focus on Christmas markets. Crystal will also sail the river less traveled, with 'Enchanting Moselle' voyages through the scenic Moselle Valley.
On every voyage, more than 200 inclusive, curated experiences ashore are available with options that cater to varied interests. Complementary 'Signature Events,' more elaborate (extra cost) excursions and exclusive dining experiences are also on offer.
2021 itineraries for Crystal Bach and Crystal Debussy include 'Legendary Rhine,' seven nights, Basel to Amsterdam, featuring overnights in Koblenz and Amsterdam, calling at Cologne, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.
'Romantic Rhine,' seven nights, Amsterdam to Basel, gives overnights in Koblenz and Amsterdam, calls at Cologne, Rüdesheim, Mannheim and Strasbourg, and cruises through Boppard and Lorelei, Germany.
'Tulips and Windmills,' seven nights, is bookended with overnight stays in Amsterdam. Calls are at Kinderdijk, Hoorn, Rotterdam and Middleburg, Netherlands; and Ghent and Antwerp, Belgium.
Also round-trip Amsterdam, 'Enchanting Moselle,' 10 nights, gives overnights in Amsterdam and Trier (Germany), with stops at Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Bernkastel, Cochem and Bonn, Germany; and Arnhem, Netherlands.
The 10-night 'Rhine Christmas Markets,' from Amsterdam to Basel and the reverse, begins/ends with overnights in Basel and Amsterdam (double overnight), as well as overnights at Koblenz, calling in Rüdesheim, Speyer, Breisach, Cologne and Strasbourg.
Three vessels on the Danube
Crystal Mozart, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel will sail the Danube.
'Eastern Danube Discoveries,' 11 nights, begins and ends with overnights in Vienna. The itinerary includes Esztergom, Budapest, Visegrad, Mohács and Kalocsa, Hungary; Bratislava, Slovakia; Vukovar, Croatia; Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia, plus cruising through Iron Gate Gorge.
'Delightful Danube' travels between Budapest and Regensburg (both ways) in seven nights, with overnights at Budapest, Regensburg and Vienna and calls at Dürnstein and Melk, Austria; and Passau, Germany. The weeklong 'Danube Serenade,' Vienna to Budapest and the reverse, is bookended by overnight stays. Calls are at Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Krems and Bratislava. Both of these Danube itineraries include the Wachau Valley.
'Treasures of the Danube,' 10 nights, sails round-trip Vienna with overnight stays at beginning and end, as well as in Budapest and Passau. The cruise also visits BratislavaDürnstein, Melk and Linz, Austria; and cruises the Wachau Valley.
The weeklong 'Christmas Wonders of the Danube' sails Budapest-Passau (both ways) with overnights at Vienna and Budapest. Calls are at Bratislava, Krems, Melk and Linz, with Wachau Valley cruising.
Ultimate journeys
Danube, Rhine and Main rivers are combined in the 16-night 'Grand Europe' between Budapest and Amsterdam. The cruise overnights at Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam, Regensburg (westbound only) and Rüdesheim (eastbound only). Other ports are Bratislava, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Rüdesheim, Bamberg, Cologne, Miltenberg and Würzburg. Koblenz and the Rhine Gorge are also visited westbound route, and both itineraries include the middle Rhine Valley.
Three holiday cruises of 10 or 11 nights are offered on Dec. 22 or 23, with multiple overnights in ports including on New Year's Eve.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.
