Crystal Cruises Announces Reduced Deposits for Select 2020 European Summer Voyages

MIAMI, January 9, 2020 – Making it easier than ever to plan a luxury cruise to the Mediterranean, Crystal Cruises is offering reduced deposits of $100 for a dozen Crystal Serenity sailings and one Crystal Symphony sailing in 2020. The select voyages range from seven to 13 nights from April through August and explore some of the most coveted locales along the French and Italian rivieras, Dalmatian Coast, Spanish Coast, Greek Isles and Western Europe.

Crystal Serenity

• April 21, 2020 (12 nights), Rome to Monte Carlo

• May 3, 2020 (7 nights), Monte Carlo to Venice

• May 10, 2020 (12 nights), Venice to Barcelona

• May 31, 2020 (7 nights), Rome to Venice

• June 14, 2020 (12 nights), Athens to Barcelona

• July 3, 2020 (7 nights), Rome to Monte Carlo

• July 10, 2020 (9 nights), Monte Carlo to Venice

• July 31, 2020 (9 nights), Rome to Barcelona

• August 9, 2020 (7 nights), Barcelona to Monte Carlo

• August 16, 2020 (7 nights), Monte Carlo to Rome

• August 23, 2020 (7 nights), Rome to Barcelona

• August 30, 2020 (13 nights), Barcelona to Québec City

Crystal Symphony

• August 19, 2020 (13 nights), Amsterdam to Barcelona

The reduced deposit promotion is valid for all new bookings made during Crystal’s current
Book Now Savings window, which launches today and runs through March 4, 2020, allowing guests to take advantage of the best possible fares on Crystal’s all-inclusive luxury with the added incentive of the low deposit. The $100 deposit is just a fraction of the standard deposit of 25 percent of the cruise fare. The final payment requirement of 120 days prior to sailing remains the same during the promotion.

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 26 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 20 years; 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.

Crystal Storytellers Podcast Returns With New Episodes

Astronaut and U.S. Navy commander, veteran political correspondent, royal diplomat, best-selling author, Tony Award-winning producer and Arctic explorer headline second half of enrichment series’ first season

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 7, 2020 – Crystal Storytellers, the new podcast that brings some of the world’s most intriguing experts to listeners directly from Crystal’s award-winning luxury ships, has returned today following a brief holiday hiatus. The second half of the series’ first season features retired astronaut and U.S. Navy Commander Scott Kelly; renowned journalist and White House expert Ken Walsh; retired ambassador and veteran of the British Diplomatic Service Sir Michael Burton; acclaimed inspirational author Leslie Morgan Steiner; multiple award-winning Broadway producer Kevin McCollum; and Arctic, Antarctic and South African explorer Rob Caskie, all sharing tales from their respective global careers and experiences.

“The response to the debut of Crystal Storytellers has been wonderful, as our guests are loving the ability to learn about Crystal’s enrichment experts no matter where they are in the world,” said Crystal’s senior vice president of marketing and sales, Carmen Roig. “Podcasts are now one of the most popular ways for people to engage with topics and people that fascinate them, which makes the medium a natural platform for Crystal to pursue, as enriching connections to the world and the people who explore it have been part of our brand since the beginning.”

In today’s episode, Scott Kelly discusses his untraditional path to aviation and pioneering space missions after struggling in school as a child and his years of subsequent perseverance. In upcoming episodes, Ken Walsh shares his family’s passion for current events and the childhood motivation for dessert that sparked his early interest in communication, while a “father-son career talk” began Sir Michael Burton’s path to diplomacy. Additionally, author Leslie Morgan Steiner recounts the life events that inspired her many best-selling books that have changed the lives of women around the world; Broadway producer Kevin McCollum and Crystal on Broadway partner shares the many roles he plays behind the scenes of the stage’s biggest hits; and explorer, filmmaker and photographer Rob Caskie describes the ways in which travel shapes who people become and their perspectives of the world.

Episode 6 of the weekly Crystal Storytellers podcast, featuring Kelly, is available today, along with the first five episodes, via most major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn (available through the Alexa app), Castbox, Castro, Overcast, Pocket Cast and Podchaser. Previous episodes include Kathy Reichs, novelist and television producer of the hit series, Bones; Bruce McGill, an American actor known for his memorable roles in both film and television including National Lampoon’s Animal House; General Anthony Zinni, a retired United States Marine Corps Four Star General, former Commander in Chief for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and former special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority; Melissa Manchester, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress; and Michele Lee, a performer, philanthropist, award winning actress, singer, director and producer.

Crystal became the first cruise line to offer an enrichment series beyond its ships, as an extension of the engaging programming of the Crystal Visions Lecture Series® featured on board. Each episode of Crystal Storytellers features an expert guest speaker from a Crystal voyage in conversation with the ship’s Cruise Director about their respective areas of expertise, as well as highlights of their Crystal cruise and anecdotes about their careers and personal interests.

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 26 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 20 years; 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.

Windstar Cruises Announces ‘Wave Season’ Offer on Small Ship Cruises Around the Globe

Seattle, WA, Jan. 2, 2020 — It’s that time of year again – wave season. And small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has an offer that makes cruising on its boutique ships carrying fewer than 350 passengers even more enticing.

• Windstar’s “Pick Your Perk” savings for wave season, beginning January 7, includes a choice of the following:

• $1,000 of onboard spending (for things like shore excursions or spa treatments)

• Up to $300 airfare credit

• Unlimited WiFi (up to $70/day)

• Guests booking a Premium Suite have an additional perk option: Windstar’s popular All-In Package, which includes unlimited Wi-Fi access, unlimited laundry service, hotel and beverage gratuities, and the top shelf Captain’s Exclusive Beverage Package featuring all wines by the glass, all beer selections, all mini-bar beverages, and a broad assortment of cocktails (a value of $89 per person, per day).

Plus, guests also receive complimentary wine (up to two bottles per cabin); up to 20 percent savings on Star Collector Voyages (cruises that are 14 days or more); reduced rates for solo travelers; and reduced deposits from $50 per guest. Guests must book by February 28, 2020 to qualify for the Pick Your Perk savings.

In addition, travel advisors can earn a $100 per cabin bonus commission for booking new guests – those who will be sailing with Windstar for the first time ever.

These savings/perks are available on Windstar cruises around the globe, from brand-new itineraries in Australia and New Zealand, to adventurous journeys in Alaska and Canada, or “get the heck out of winter” Caribbean cruise or Costa Rica and Panama Canal cruise.

For the offer’s fine print and more details, visit https://www.windstarcruises.com/perks/. 

Seven Seas Splendor™ Year-In-Review: The Journey To Luxury Perfected

MIAMI (Dec. 18, 2019) – The cruise ship that defines luxury perfected – Seven Seas SplendorTM – will make her highly anticipated debut in two months, christened by Godmother Christie Brinkley in Miami on February 21, 2020. This fifth ship in Regent Seven Seas Cruises®’ fleet will set the industry benchmark in exquisite style and comfort, exemplary service, superb cuisine and all-balcony suites as she explores some of the world’s most fascinating destinations.

“Perfecting luxury requires going beyond the expected by anticipating guest desires, elevating each aspect of the experience and refining details to please every guest like they’re our only guest,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Over the past year we have focused on all the details to elevate nearly every Seven Seas Splendor experience for luxury travelers. We can’t wait to show the world what luxury perfected truly means.”

Below is a look back at the journey in 2019 during Seven Seas Splendor’s final full-year of construction to achieve luxury perfected:

January. Regent revealed details of the Regent Suite aboard Seven Seas Splendor, 4,443 square-feet of palatial elegance at sea, complete with an in-suite spa retreat featuring a personal sauna, steam room and treatment area with unlimited spa treatments, unobstructed 270-degree views over the ship’s bow from the 1,300 square-foot wraparound veranda, and a glass-enclosed solarium sitting area on top of the bridge for a Captain’s view to see the world’s most beautiful destinations as Seven Seas Splendor arrives at each port. Guests in the Regent Suite also enjoy first-class air accommodations, a dedicated personal butler to manage all the details of the guests’ experience, a personal car with driver and guide in every port, and the exquisite comfort of a custom, hand-crafted $200,000 Vividus bed from the renowned Hästens brand.

February. Seven Seas Splendor touched water for the first time in Ancona, Italy during her float-out.

March. On International Women’s Day, Regent announced that Captain Serena Melani will helm Seven Seas Splendor, making Captain Melani the first woman in cruise industry history to captain a new ocean cruise ship at launch.

March. Regent unveiled details and additional renderings of the 15 inspiring suite categories aboard Seven Seas Splendor, highlighting intricate features, exquisite finishings and enormous balcony space.

April. Regent revealed how Seven Seas Splendor will elevate the cruise line’s legendary cuisine, with a focus on destination dishes that bring aboard local ingredients.

June. Demonstrating its commitment to offer luxury travelers an unrivaled experience on shore, Regent announced 65 new Mediterranean and Northern Europe shore excursions curated with local tour operators debuting exclusively for guests sailing on the inaugural 2020 season of Seven Seas Splendor, and subsequently available on the rest of the fleet in Europe.

July. Regent shared details of five new theater performances that will debut on Seven Seas Splendor. From a dueling battle between rock and country musical genres to a story of adventure and romance to a thriller filled with intrigue, these lavishly staged musical productions are all produced by Regent’s theatrical team of accomplished choreographers, writers and directors.

October. Regent announced a new globally inspired spa brand originally created for Seven Seas Splendor, and launching fleetwide by January 2020. Serene Spa & Wellness™ will offer exclusive treatments integrating techniques and ingredients from destinations around the world, creating a tranquil haven of health, beauty and wellness that offers restorative treatments and services to soothe both the body and mind.

November. Regent revealed 16 new Culinary Arts Kitchen classes that will debut during the 2020 inaugural season on Seven Seas Splendor.

November. Regent announced the inaugural Seven Seas SplendorTM senior leadership team. The five talented senior officers will lead 542 crew members and are responsible for ensuring the ship’s guests enjoy an unrivaled, personalized and safe experience.

December. Regent announced that world-famous supermodel, glamorous actress, proud mother and successful entrepreneur Christie Brinkley will serve as Godmother to Seven Seas Splendor.

December. Regent unveiled details of the breathtaking $5 million art collection to be permanently displayed aboard Seven Seas Splendor.

December. To help guests celebrate and toast the new ship, Regent announced an impressive collection of 19 new signature cocktails and eight new gins will be offered exclusively on Seven Seas SplendorTM during her inaugural season.

About Seven Seas Splendor
Seven Seas Splendor is a masterpiece from bow to stern that represents perfected luxury. Currently being built in Ancona, Italy, Seven Seas Splendor will offer her 750 guests the most luxurious accommodations as she sails to the world’s iconic destinations and less-familiar hidden gems. During her inaugural 2020 season, Seven Seas Splendor will sail the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

The all-suite, all-balcony ship features more than 46,000 square-feet of Italian marble – over an acre of marble – and her 375 suites include nearly 52,000 square-feet of balcony space – among the largest balconies at sea. The beautifully appointed suites range from the 307 square-foot Veranda Suite to the lavish 4,443 square-foot Regent Suite.

The ship’s exquisite restaurants include Compass Rose, the largest specialty restaurant at sea featuring an extensive, customizable menu; Pacific Rim, a dramatic Pan-Asian restaurant with a mythical dragon greeting guests; Prime 7, an intimate and elegant steakhouse; Chartreuse, featuring classic French fare with a modern twist; and Sette Mari at La Veranda, serving guests authentic Italian specialties and featuring stunning, over-water alcove seating that jets out over the ocean for an even closer connection to the sea, surrounded on three sides by inspiring, magnificent views.