Sep 21

Sep 21 Crystal River Cruises Announces it will Extend Vaccination Requirement Through 2022

Crystal River Cruises becomes the first and only European river ship line to require guest & crew vaccination through 2022

MIAMI, September 20, 2021 – Today Crystal River Cruises announced that it will extend its vaccination requirement for all guests and crew through December 2022. The line’s updated Crystal Clean+ health and safety protocols will continue to require all guests and crew to be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine (with both doses, if recommended by manufacturer) at least 14-days prior to their embarkation date. Guests will need to provide documented proof of vaccination at the time of check-in before boarding the ship. The vaccination requirement allows guests the freedom to explore ashore independently and facilitates smooth, hassle-free travel across multi-country itineraries.

“The health and safety of our guests and crew is paramount to everything we do at Crystal River Cruises, and as such, we will require full vaccination through 2022 so that our guests can continue to explore the world in great comfort and safety,” said Walter Littlejohn, Crystal River Cruises’ senior vice president and managing director. “After months of planning and preparation we welcomed guests back on board in late August and the feedback has been wonderful. Extending the vaccination requirement provides our guests with the health and safety information and assurances they need to plan future travels.”

Crystal continues to be a leader in its proactive response to COVID-19 with protocols based on the latest data and recommendations by health experts. The vaccine requirement augments the company’s comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including COVID-19 tests at embarkation for both guests and crew, temperature checks when returning from ashore, a nimble mask policy, social distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures and more. Additionally, Crystal River Cruises’ crew are also currently wearing masks in all public areas to provide yet another layer of guest protection.

Spacious by design, Crystal River Cruises’ all-suite river ships allow for ample social distancing, accommodating just half as many guests as similarly sized vessels and offering an abundance of tables for two in its a la carte restaurants, where guests dine when and with whom they want. Additionally, fresh air ventilation systems ensure all guest suites and public areas feature fresh circulating air.

Crystal’s award-winning Rhine-Class River ships accommodate just 106 guests and are the river cruising industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, all-butler vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation positioned above the water line. All suites feature Panoramic Balcony-Windows™ and walk-in closets, and dual vanity in the bathrooms are featured in most categories.

Sister-ship Crystal Mozart is Europe’s most spacious river ship at twice the width of any other and carrying just 120 guests. Known as the “Queen of the Danube,” Crystal Mozart offers an unrivalled number of social spaces, restaurants and the largest spa on the rivers.

Recognized as The World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line™, Crystal River Cruises is distinguished by unrivalled service, with twice the number of crew per guest as industry average, butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, Caudalie amenities, robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and 24-hour room service. Crystal River Cruises’ unrivaled culinary farm-to-table experience features Michelin-level cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; as well as the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the countryside. Crystal’s attention to detail reaches ashore, as guests are transported on the days’ adventures in luxury motor coaches equipped with complimentary water and Wi-Fi for added convenience and comfort and carrying 30 percent fewer guests of coaches the same size.

Every Crystal River voyage invites guests to explore the destinations in ways most meaningful to them, with a collection of Crystal Destination Discoveries that are tailored to particular interests. Most are complimentary, while others offer more extravagant experiences, focusing on the culinary, cultural, exhilarating and personal sides of each locale.

About Crystal

Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across three distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world on bold adventures. Crystal has been recognized with top honors in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for a record 27 years including, in 2019, for Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Cruises and Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises. Crystal was also voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for 24 years, including, in 2017 and 2020, Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the advisors of ASTA.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel advisor, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insider blog, follow Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page; @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram; @crystalrivercruises on Instagram; and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises, #crystalrivercruises and #WhereLuxuryisPersonal.