By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal River Cruises has unveiled four new 2018 itineraries for its second Rhine Class vessel, Crystal Mahler.
Next April and May, Crystal Mahler will sail three seven-night ‘Danube Serenade’ cruises between Budapest, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, and an 11-night ‘Reflections on the Danube’ voyage. These new itineraries are a shorter complement to Crystal Mahler’s 16-night ‘Grand Europe’ cruises, which takes guests along the Main and the Rhine rivers between Amsterdam in The Netherlands and Budapest for most of the year.
Destination highlights will include the Austria cities of Krems, Spitz, Linz and Melk, and Bratislava in Slovakia. Three of the voyages feature dedicated theme programming, including special guest Nancy Brinker – former US Ambassador to Hungary and founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Brinker will join Crystal Mahler’s 10 April sailing and discuss art and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Rodriguez will sail on the annual ‘President’s Cruise’, which departs on 24 April. The 1 May voyage will have an in-depth focus on Jewish Heritage excursions.
“We’re delighted to offer these new sailings aboard Crystal Mahler, allowing travellers to explore the beautiful destinations along the Danube in the sleek luxury of our new Rhine Class vessels, with the added convenience of shorter itineraries for those with limited time away,” said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal Cruises’ CEO and president.
Crystal Mahler will embark on her maiden voyage in September 2017, sailing from Amsterdam. She will join Crystal’s new river cruise fleet alongside its first ship, the 154-guest Crystal Mozart, which is currently sailing on the Danube. Sisters Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will join the fleet in 2018.