By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal River Cruises is to launch with five luxury river yachts – three more than previously announced – with the first scheduled to start sailing in 2016, a year earlier than planned.
The line has ordered four newbuilds – twice the originally planned deployment – from German shipyard Lloyd Werft, all of which are due for delivery in June and July 2017. Crystal has also purchased German-built MS Mozart, the largest river cruise vessel in Europe.
Following an extensive drydock, the vessel will be renamed and launched as Crystal Mozart in honour of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in July 2016.
Designed to fit in the wider locks of the Danube River from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary, Crystal Mozart is the largest river cruise vessel on European rivers and measures 22.9m in width – double the width of an average river boat.
The 160-guest vessel has suites with 203 sqft window, deluxe 215 sqft suites, a 322 sqft penthouse suite and two 860 sqft Crystal Suites, which have two bedrooms. Public areas span a single level and include multiple dining rooms, a wraparound promenade, a spa and fitness centre, an indoor pool, beauty salon and a library.
“In response to travellers and travel agents’ enthusiasm for Crystal River Cruises, and through Crystal’s innovation, we are upping the ante once again, bringing ‘true luxury’ to the river cruise sector with the largest guest suites and public spaces, the highest crew-to-guest-ratio and Crystal’s award-winning service,” said Edie Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO. “Once the transformation of Crystal Mozart is completed, it will truly be the crown jewel of the European rivers.”
Boasting a yacht-like design, the four newbuilds will be the first in the industry to feature suites with walk-in wardrobes, American king size beds and bathrooms with double vanities. They will also offer 220 sqft suites, 250 sqft deluxe suites, 500 sqft penthouse suite and a 750 sqft Crystal Suite with two bedrooms.
Similar to Crystal Mozart, the yachts’ public areas and dining venues will all be located on one level for convenient access. They will include Palm Court with dance floor and glass-domed roof, a library, fitness centre, spa, and sporting equipment such as electric bicycles, kayaks and jet skis.
Designed to fit into river locks and pass under bridges, the 110-guest Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler – named after German composer Johann Sebastian Bach and Austrian composer Gustav Mahler respectively – will sail on the Rhine, Main and Danube. Meanwhile, the 84-passenger Crystal Ravel and Crystal Debussy, named in honour of French composers Joseph Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy respectively, will sail on the Seine, Garonne and Dordogne rivers in France. Crystal Mozart will cruise on the Danube River.
Itineraries will include destinations such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and France.
On port days, guests will be able to enjoy a complimentary, high-intensity activity excursion from the new shoreside Active Exploration Adventures programme and immersive Crystal Adventures. Those opting for Crystal Adventures will be able to travel in one of the line’s new luxury motor coaches, which have business-class style seating, free wifi access and local guides.
Guests will also be able to overnight in select ports, allowing them to visit Michelin-starred restaurants and local dining venues, or attend exclusive evening events and cultural entertainment.