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Top deck pop-up bar, living garden among Crystal Mozart's new features

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Rendering of Crystal River Cruises' first vessel, Crystal Mozart
A pop-up bar area on the top deck along with a living rooftop garden will be among the features of Crystal River Cruises' first vessel, Crystal Mozart. The reimagined 'Queen of the European Rivers' will gain stylish decor fashioned by London’s AD Associates and Toronto’s II by IV Design.

'We’re bringing what was already a grand dame of European rivers up to the superlative Crystal level, with a modern but classically Crystal twist,' president and Edie Rodriguez said.

Among the more exceptional touches will be the pop-up bar area on the top Vista Deck, with a vanishing movie screen for alfresco evening show times. A living rooftop garden area with teak bench seating will provide prime viewing of Danube River scenery, while two custom tender boats will be available for more intimate exploration of the waterway’s locales, and abundant outdoor space will afford great views.

Crystal Mozart will be cloaked in a color palette intended to transcend seasons and complement the surroundings found in the destinations throughout Austria, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia. Calming foundations of cream, gray and white are accented with rich jewel tones in deep blue, green and the occasional vibrant print. The furnishings offer contemporary comfort for cocktail hours and musical performances.

The soothing color palette and plush fabrics continue into the suites, all featuring king-size beds, Nespresso machines, 40-inch flat-screen televisions and marble bathrooms. The 158-passenger Crystal Mozart will have window suites of 219 square feet, deluxe suites with French balcony of 219 square feet, penthouse suites of 330 square feet and a two-bedroom Crystal Suite that's an extra-spacious 883 square feet. One-bedroom Penthouses and the two-bedroom Crystal Suite will feature French balconies, walk-in closets and separate showers and oversized bathtubs. Butler service will be available with every suite.

Crystal Mozart will be staffed with 91 crew for a high crew to passenger ratio of 1:1.75.

The four main decks—Harmony (homage to Crystal’s first ocean ship), Seahorse, Crystal and Vista—will house public areas for enrichment, fitness and wellness, and dining. A newly installed elevator will be located midship.

Crystal Mozart will offer an array of elegant and casual dining options throughout the day. Waterside, the main dining area, with an indoor/outdoor setting, will serve elaborate breakfast and lunch buffets, followed by upscale dinner service.

The aft indoor dining area, Blue, will offer a casual atmosphere and a menu of global comfort food, similar to Tastes aboard Crystal Serenity.

Like Le Bistro aboard Crystal's ocean ships, Bistro Mozart will serve freshly baked pastries, fruit and snacks, plus coffee, espresso and tea throughout the day. The Pantry is a self-service wine and beverage bar, ideal for a quick snack on the go.

As on Crystal’s ocean ships, the intimate The Vintage Room will host winemakers’ dinners and special occasions. It seats approximately a dozen people.

When it comes to lounges and bars, The Cove will be a main gathering spot and house a Yamaha AvantGrand Piano to be played by the entertainment host. Palm Court, reminiscent of Palm Court on Crystal Symphony, will serve as the primary spot for dancing and live local entertainment, as well as casual cocktails and tea. On Vista Deck, the pop-up bar area will set the scene for celebrations under the stars.

Crystal Mozart also has fully equipped fitness, spa and salon facilities at the Crystal Life Spa, marking the first time the spa on a Crystal vessel will be operated and staffed by the line's own crew. An indoor pool will complement two treatment rooms, and men's and women's sauna and steam rooms.

Crystal Mozart is named after the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and is designed to fit into the wider locks of the Danube from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary. It holds the record of being the largest European river cruise vessel, measuring 75.1/22.9 meters feet wide, double the width of the average river boat.

Mozart's inaugural voyage for Crystal is scheduled for July 13, round-trip Vienna.