Crystal Ravel’s seven-night Delightful Danube Christmas sailings feature overnights in Budapest and Vienna and cruising along the lovely Wachau Valley, while Crystal Mozart’s 10-night Danube Christmas Markets voyage is bookended by overnights in Vienna, cruises the Wachau Valley, and calls in some of the loveliest cities and liveliest Christmas markets in Germany, Austria and Slovakia.
Guests aboard Crystal Ravel’s 10-night Spectacular Danube Holiday will ring in the new year in Vienna during a special three-night stay that also includes an overnight in Budapest, calls in Germany and Slovakia, and an exploration of the Wachau Valley. In Austria, guests can visit the magnificent Benedictine monastery of Melk Abbey and tour Mariendom Cathedral, Austria’s largest neo-gothic church in Linz.
Guests will celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam during a double overnight call on Holiday’s on the Rhine, a 10-night voyage aboard Crystal Debussy from Basel to Amsterdam. This romantic journey of ancient fortresses and medieval castles along the Middle Rhine Valley seems lifted from a fairy tale. Overnights in Strasbourg, France, and Mannheim, Germany, reveal UNESCO treasures and baroque palaces, while the German towns of Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, and Cologne, teem with history, charm and remarkable architecture.
The 11-night Mozart Grand Holiday Cruise aboard Crystal Mozart celebrates New Year’s Eve and Day with a double overnight in Budapest and features three days to enjoy the magic of Vienna. Guests can explore the gem of Passau at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, bursting with treasures from a 13-century fortress to the baroque masterpiece of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Every turn in the river brings new wonders and historic sites to behold.
In addition to optional pre- and post-hotel stays in Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest and Vienna, Crystal River Cruises offers exceptional overland journeys to Prague (from Vilshoven), Zurich (from Basel), Reims (from Trier) and Bucharest (from Giurgiu) allowing guests extended explorations of these history-rich cities featuring five-star hotels in every city.
The comprehensive roster of Crystal River Cruises’ 2023 itineraries include:
Rhine River
Legendary Rhine
Crystal Bach and Crystal Debussy (April through November), Crystal Mahler (June, August and November), 7 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz (overnight), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Romantic Rhine
Crystal Bach (April through November), Crystal Debussy (March through November), Crystal Mahler (June, August, October and November), 7 nights, Amsterdam to Basel
Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight); Cologne, Koblenz (overnight), Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; sailing the Middle Rhine Valley and Lorelei; Strasbourg, France; Basel, Switzerland.
Tulips & Windmills
Crystal Bach (April), Crystal Mahler (March and April), 7 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnights in Amsterdam, Netherlands; calling in Hoorn, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Antwerp, Ghent, Belgium; Middelburg, Netherlands.
Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (April and May, July through October, plus November and December Christmas Market Cruises), 10 nights between Amsterdam and Basel
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight on Southbound); Mannheim (overnight on Northbound), Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel (overnight on Northbound), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Rhine & Moselle Summer Escapes (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (June), 5 nights between Amsterdam and Trier
Trier (overnight on Northbound), Bernkastel, Cochem, Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight on Southbound).
Danube River
Danube Serenade (Eastbound and Westbound)
Crystal Mozart (March through November), 7 nights between Vienna and Budapest
Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Krems, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary (overnight).
Treasures of Southeast Europe (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (May), 7 nights between Giurgiu and Budapest
Giurgiu, Romania (overnight); Vidin, Bulgaria (overnight on Southbound); Iron Gates cruising; Belgrade and Novi Sad (overnight on Southbound), Serbia; Vukovar, Croatia; Mohacs and Budapest, Hungary (overnight on Southbound).
Delightful Danube (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (March through November), 7 nights between Budapest and Vilshofen
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Austria; sailing the Wachau Valley; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. Southbound does not call in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Danube Discovery (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (April and May), 5 nights between Vienna and Vilshofen
Vienna (overnight), Melk, Grein (maiden call), Linz (overnight on Southbound), Austria; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany.
Holiday Sailings
NEW Dutch & Belgian Christmas Markets
Crystal Bach (December 10), 7 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Amsterdam and Dordrecht, Netherlands; Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
NEW Christmas Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (November 27, December 7, December 17) 10 nights between Amsterdam and Basel
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight on Southbound); Mannheim (overnight on Northbound), Rüdesheim, Lorelei cruising on Southbound, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel (overnight on Northbound), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Danube Christmas Dreams
Crystal Mozart (November 25), 7 nights, Budapest to Vienna
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Krems, Vienna (overnight), Austria.
Danube Christmas Markets
Crystal Mozart (December 2, December 12), 10 nights, Vienna Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnights in Vienna, calling in Melk, Linz, Austria (overnight); Passau (overnight), Vilshofen, Germany; Krems, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia.
Delightful Danube Christmas (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (November 25, December 2, December 9, December 16), 7 nights between Budapest and Vilshofen
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Austria; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. Southbound does not call in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Christmas Time on the Rhine (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Bach (November 26, December 3), Crystal Debussy (November 25, December 2, December 9, December 16), 7 nights between Basel and Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz (overnight), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Holidays on the Rhine
Crystal Debussy (December 23), 10 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight); Mannheim (overnight), Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (two overnights including New Year’s Eve).
When reservations for Crystal River Cruises’ 2023 voyages open May 18, 2021, travelers will benefit from 2-for-1 cruise fares from $2,799 per guest and up to $2,000 Book Now Savings per guest, ensuring the best fares available for those who plan ahead and book early.
Together, the Crystal River Cruises fleet comprises the most spacious and luxurious ships sailing Europe’s rivers with generously sized guest suites, expansive social spaces, open-air Vista Decks and the highest crew to guest ratio at 1 to 1.55.Crystal Mozart sets the standard for space and is the only river ship to feature a wrap-around Promenade Deck, the largest onboard spa, two onboard fitness centers, four restaurants and four lounges.
Crystal’s four Rhine Class ships accommodate just 106 guests with an intentional focus on maximizing personal and public spaces throughout their 135-meter hulls (a size typically designed to accommodate twice the number of guests). The ships are the industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, butler-serviced vessels in Europe, with every category of accommodation positioned above the waterline. All suites feature Panoramic Balcony-Windows™ and walk-in closets and dual vanity bathrooms are featured in most categories.
All Crystal’s River ships feature private butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, Caudalie amenities, robes and slippers, and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs. Additional enticing features include Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés, Blue (on Crystal Mozart) and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the riverside scenery. 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.
About Crystal
Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across four distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; Crystal Yacht Cruises, offering boutique luxury and bold adventure in the world’s most elite harbors; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world. 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, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Yacht 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 and 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 visitwww.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.