Crystal Symphony to enjoy a major makeover...Read more For a record 16th year, CRYSTAL CRUISES voted best Cruise Line by CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS...Read more Crystal Cruises - Job scams...Read more Crystal Ships voted best in February 2010 by CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER ...Read more
The Christening of the Seabourn Sojourn...Read more

The Yachts of Seabourn introduces the newest Ultra-Luxuray Yacht - Seabourn Sojourn - Christened at Greenwhich - London 2010

During a beautiful sunset ceremony on the River Thames in London, The Yachts of Seabourn’s highly anticipated new Seabourn Sojourn was named by British supermodel Twiggy, who served as godmother to the new yacht.  More than 700 guests and staff attended the naming ceremony and burst into applause as the bottle of champagne smashed.  

Sojourn arrived into London in the early hours of Friday morning and began two days of celebrations. Guests at the Naming Ceremony on Friday were treated to the best of Seabourn’s epicurean delights at a deck party before Twiggy officially named the yacht at 1900hrs. Followed by a gala dinner and a sunset party where guests were entertained by electric string quartet, Siren, culminating in an epic firework display over the London skyline. On Saturday 5th June, Breast Cancer Haven hosted a charity fundraising event onboard Sojourn to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. Guests included the charity’s ambassador, Kimberley Walsh, BBC News Reader Sophie Raworth and actor, Julian Fellowes.

Video of Sojourn’s arrival into London and inaugural events:

Twiggy Seabourn Sojourn #1

Twiggy Seabourn Sojourn #2

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Crystal Symphony to enjoy a major makeover

LOS ANGELES, August 3, 2009 – This September, following a $25+ million makeover, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is unveiling dramatic new interiors and deck spaces for its sophisticated and stylish Crystal Symphony. The 922-guest, 50,000-ton ultra-luxury ship will boast redesigned Penthouses (including its uber-plush Crystal Penthouses), pool areas, Prego Italian restaurant, Lido Café as well as guest elevators and numerous of behind-the-scenes upgrades.

Penthouses

Crystal Symphony’s two 982-square-foot Crystal Penthouses with large verandahs will be stripped and completely transformed into the feel of elegant residential apartments with luxurious fabrics, details and finishes. Internal space will be extended to enlarge the living spaces and bedroom. While both the master and guest bathrooms will feature rare marbles and designer fittings, the master bathrooms will boast a sunken Philippe Stark Duravit Jacuzzi bathtub with 90-degree ocean views, glass mosaics and recessed televisions, among other features. The suites also offer an entrance lobby, his and her walk-in closets, private study area, living room, state-of-the-art audio-visual system, and dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Crystal Symphony’s 61 butler-serviced Penthouses and Penthouse Suites will be redesigned in soothing taupe and sand tones, accented by citrus or icy blue, one of two color schemes. New custom cabinetry will sport stone countertops and flat screen televisions, while new bedding, stone-topped end tables and bedside reading lights will be framed by new headboards, carpeting and window treatments. All bathrooms will feature new tile with mosaic accents, glass showers, contemporary hardware and lighting, and a fresh white and neutral color palette.

Lido Café

This popular breakfast and lunch cafe will be transformed into an upscale dining spot with a completely new Crystal dining experience, designed to showcase Crystal’s freshly cooked fare as well as add intimate seating and improve flow. Inspired by the endless skies, surf and sand dunes of the Hamptons seashore, the room will be infused with light through a new glazed indoor/outdoor extension and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural tones of seashell, sand and weathered timber provide a soothing backdrop for sparkling polished metal accents and sea grass screens. New food and drink service islands, each with different choices, will enable guests to enjoy what they want in their order of preference. New bread oven, grill, woks and other culinary equipment will provide an even greater array of freshly cooked to order choices.

Seahorse and Neptune Pool Areas

Befitting an upscale chic resort, Crystal Symphony’s pool areas will be redefined with new spaces, water features and furniture providing more indoor and al fresco dining, plush conversational seating and varied sunbathing options. Sophisticated limestone tile will offset the azure pool and the new, larger whirlpool, while deck furniture offers a harmonious combination of antique white and neutral taupe accented with colors of sunshine and tropical fruit. In the retractable roof-covered, mid-ship area of the Lido Deck, the Neptune Pool will be removed and replaced with teak decking and al fresco dining and lounging options around the Trident Bar. While the calming neutrals of the Lido Café open to brighter outdoor colors, the unifying theme is natural and relaxed.

Prego

Since its debut, this critically-acclaimed, intimate Italian specialty restaurant has been inspired by Venice. Open only for dinner, the new design will be moody and dramatic, retaining elements of traditional Venetian architecture and portraiture presented in a fresh and modern way. Luxuriously padded, dark chocolate fabric walls frame delicate chandeliers, art by famed Venetian artists and richly upholstered seating.

All Crystal staterooms, all of which were redecorated in late 2007 and feature sitting areas, will receive new sofas to provide more seating and add third berths for families. This year, all accommodations on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity received new plush Simmons’ mattresses with healthful sanitary protectors.

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Crystal Cruises - Cruise Job Scam

We have been notified of a fake cruise employment company using the name of Crystal Cruises. They are operating on the internet under www.crystalcrline.com and they are offering various positions to South Africans onboard. This company is based in Malaysia and it has no association with any cruise company. Once the applicant has been offered employment, they then request amount of USD 600.00 to process their application.

Our only advice to potential candidates for cruise employment is to avoid any so-called manning agent that charge money for an information packet, application form, or the like. It is important to check very carefully in advance by calling, emailing and studying websites in order to determine the authenticity of any supposed agent. ICMA works with a limited network of outstanding crewing agencies, including  South Africa, all of whom have signed a contract with ICMA that spells out the responsibilities of each party. Also, the contract clearly states what amount the agent charges the applicant as a moderate  processing fee, which covers the agent’s telephone charges, postage and other assistance with the application and hiring process. 

We at GRI www.grisa.co.za are the highly reputable manning partner in South Africa for Crystal Cruises. Our team will evaluate your application and contact you accordingly.

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For a record 16th year, CRYSTAL CRUISES voted best CRUISE LINE
by CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER READERS

LOS ANGELES, October 16, 2009 – For a record 16th year, Crystal Cruises has once again been voted the “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for 2009 by the readers of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.).  Crystal’s overall score of 92.7 is one of its highest in the survey’s history.  The luxury line’s 16 “wins” is unprecedented by any cruise line or hotel in the world.  
          “With just months until we celebrate our 20th anniversary of cruising in 2010, we are especially honored to be voted the very best by the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler,” says Gregg Michel, president, Crystal Cruises.  “As the competition intensifies and our guests’ expectations increase, this award is an outstanding measure of achievement and a testament to the consistency of the Crystal experience.   I am very proud of our exceptional staff and their commitment to providing so many global travelers with a dream vacation that exemplifies the highest standards of hospitality.” 
Considered one of the highest honors in the travel industry, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies and islands.  More than 25,000 subscribers voted in the 2009 survey.  Travelers evaluated cruise lines on their Activities/Facilities, Cabins, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries and Shore Excursions to determine the overall score.  The full list of travel awards are published on the magazine’s website and in its November 2009 issue.
Attesting to the consistency of its luxury travel experience, in August 2009, Crystal was voted the 2009 “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure (U.S.), as well as top honors internationally and from trusted travel agent consortiums.
Renowned for their service, space, quality and choices, Crystal Cruises’ two stylish ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, were voted number one and two, respectively, in Condé Nast Traveler’s February 2009 World’s Best Ships issue.  The ultra-luxury line has been recognized for innovative partnerships with Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, stimulating Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea, Feng Shui-designed spa, and a myriad of culinary, cultural and fitness-oriented enrichment.  Itineraries of seven to 108 days are available throughout the world.
For more information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625.  Visit crystalcruises.com

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Crystal ships voted best in February 2010 CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

LOS ANGELES, January 25, 2010 – The ships of Crystal Cruises have once again earned top honors from the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, who named the ultra-luxury vessels the best large ships in the world.  Of 90 worldwide ships, Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were voted #1 and #2 with overall scores of 93.0 and 92.4, respectively.  Crystal also earned the top scores for Service, Food and Design/Layout.  In its February 2010 issue, Condé Nast Traveler calls its polled readers, “the savviest travelers in the world.”
The honor comes a few months after Crystal Cruises was voted “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by readers of the same magazine, as well as earning the “World’s Best Large-Ship Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure.
“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2010, we are so honored that discerning, experienced travelers have found Crystal Cruises to be such a consistently perfect choice,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises.
Renowned for its service, space, quality and choices, Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a myriad of fascinating worldwide itineraries and extraordinary value.   Promotional highlights include Two-for-One fares, generous ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard spending credits, Free Air Transportation from more than 20 North American gateways for most cruises, Crystal Family Memories group program, Kids Sail Free on two summer dates, and with Crystal’s 2010 Price Guarantee.  Guests sailing on their birthday in 2010 can celebrate with the Captain and enjoy a champagne brunch, as well as other 20th Anniversary festivities.
Following the redesign of Crystal Serenity’s Cove Bar, casino and other spaces, guests, travel agents and industry critics have been touting Crystal Symphony’s recent major $25 million remodel.  Adds Michel, “Whether it’s a new sushi bar featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, a land program to Wimbledon, a technology concierge service or a filmmaking program with The Travel Channel, our services and features are infused with innovation and style.  I am so pleased that the ongoing investment in the Crystal product is so appreciated by veteran travelers.” 
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

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