By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal Cruises is to debut a series of new Crystal Adventures, which are designed specifically to appeal to late-risers, in September 2014.
The new shore excursions, which are the first in the industry to cater to late-risers, enable guests to experience various destinations later in the day. While the line’s excursions typically depart the ship within 30-60 minutes of docking or tendering – as early as 8.00 am – the new ‘Late-Risers Adventures’ will begin closer to 11.00 am or noon, depending on the itinerary. The start times are designed to complement the line’s Late-Risers Breakfasts, which are served from 10.00-11.30 am on both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
“There are so many distinctly different types of travellers, each with their own idea of the perfect vacation,” said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal president. “For many, this involves plenty of rest and relaxation. The ‘Late-Risers Adventures’ allow guests who prefer more sleep in the morning, are perhaps still adjusting to a time change, or simply like to enjoy a long, leisurely breakfast, to keep their preferred schedule without missing out on any of the insightful, expertly crafted Crystal Adventures in a select destination.”
The new Crystal Adventures will be available to guests cruising on Crystal Serenity’s Boston-Québec sailing, which departs on 19 September, and on Crystal Symphony’s 27 September Hamburg-Lisbon sailing.
Highlights of the new excursion programme include tours to the Cathedral of Oporto, a19th-century Stock Exchange Palace, and a port wine cellar in the Portuguese city of Oporto.
Meanwhile, guests sailing to Amsterdam can visit more than 100 of the city’s central canals, the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, gabled houses, merchants’ mansions and centuries-old carillon-crowned churches.
Excursion highlights in Boston, US, include visits to the Navy Yard, which is home to the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship afloat; Boston Common, America’s oldest public park; the Freedom Trail; and the pre-Revolutionary Old State House.
The ‘Late-Risers’ tours will be available on select Crystal itineraries throughout the Mediterranean, Western Europe, the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Baltic, Russia, North Cape, the Arctic Circle, Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, South America, Antarctica, New England, Canada, Panama Canal and Caribbean.