Crystal River Releases 2022 Itineraries
Crystal River Cruises is set to take guests on journeys of cultural and historical discovery in 2022, exploring storybook villages, cosmopolitan international hubs, and towns hosting rare events and decked in seasonal delights.
Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel – all-suite, all-balcony sister ships – will offer itineraries from seven to 10 nights. Crystal River’s 2022 itineraries are available for booking and published on crystalcruises.com.
Throughout the roster of 2022 voyages, Crystal’s focus remains on the overall guest experience during their voyage, with careful thought given to the best ways to experience the famous tulips in Holland; capitalizing on cooler July weather along Dutch and Belgian waterways, when the crowds are calmer; the beautiful spectacle of seeing the decennial Floriade International Horticultural Expo just outside of Amsterdam; and the rich Jewish and culinary cultures in select destinations.
“The magic of Crystal River voyages goes beyond the attentive, anticipatory luxury and service found aboard our ships. It extends to planning itineraries that showcase the most fascinating destinations – both well-known and less expected – and present the most authentic ways for our guests to experience them,” said Walter Littlejohn, vice-president and managing director of Crystal River Cruises. “This philosophy is resonating with travellers, as high demand from those wishing to plan their next Crystal River vacation compelled us to announce 2022 itineraries far ahead of the rest of the market, offering our guests nearly three full years of voyages available for booking.”
New in 2022 are a “Treasures of Southeast Europe” itinerary, featuring maiden ports Vidin, Bulgaria and Giurgiu, Romania, and a “Joyous Danube” holiday voyage round-trip from Vienna, highlighting the Christmas markets of the region. Every itinerary features at least two overnight stays – some as many as four – allowing guests to explore destinations in varying and ways and venture beyond the ports for greater discoveries.
With more seven-night itineraries than ever – including roundtrip options from convenient air travel hubs Vienna and Amsterdam – many Crystal River Cruises’ 2022 sailings are also combinable for longer vacations. Two May itineraries aboard Crystal Ravel, “Treasures of Southeast Europe” and ”Delightful Danube” can be combined for a 14-night voyage between Vilshofen and Giurgiu, while Crystal Bach’s July and August “Dutch & Belgian Waterways” and either “Legendary Rhine” (westbound) or “Romantic Rhine” (eastbound) cruises can create five-country, 14-night voyages between Amsterdam and Basel.
Crystal’s pre- and post-cruise Extended Land Programs expand Crystal vacations ashore with options in Prague and Zurich showcasing the most fascinating points of culture and history. Guests enjoy luxury, centrally located accommodations, with Crystal’s team seeing to all of the details.
Both Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler will feature Wine & Food Festival theme cruises (both ships’ Oct. 8, 15 and 22 departures), featuring cooking demos with local guest chefs on board and immersive experiences ashore exploring the destinations’ specialties. Crystal Ravel will offer Jewish Heritage voyages in June, July and October, highlighting pivotal sites and figures that have shaped the Jewish culture in locales along the Danube, with an expanded selection of focused shoreside experiences in addition to what is offered on all Crystal River voyages.
For seasonally special experiences, Crystal Bach will sail “Tulips & Windmills” voyages to the Netherlands and Belgium, showcasing the famed fields cloaked in millions of blooms and offering opportunities to explore countryside windmill farms. During the winter holidays from late November through December, all four Crystal ships will visit the sparkling Christmas markets of Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
