Crystal River Cruises, the world’s most luxurious river cruise line, has announced its final deployment for 2021, with 35 trips of seven to eleven nights and exploring the historic cities, cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Rhine, Danube and Moselle.
The sister ships Crystal Ravel and Crystal Debussy will return to Europe’s famous waterways on August 29 and August 30, respectively, with an emphasis on the most popular and most targeted seven-night routes on the Rhine and Danube, as well as on voyages to the fairytale beauty of the Moselle wine region . Each 2021 river cruise will be highlighted by a minimum of two night stays, with many trips offering three night stays, allowing guests to further immerse themselves in the charm and history of the ports or travel to nearby cities for a more immersive experience.
Plans to resume river cruising in August are well underway thanks to recent positive news from the European Union that river cruises are now open for vaccinated passengers to all countries on Crystal River Cruises’ routes.
“We look forward with great excitement and anticipation to welcoming our guests again aboard our all-suite river boats with all-butler service to share the breathtaking cultural sights and the natural beauty of Europe’s most popular river destinations,” said Walter Littlejohn, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Crystal River Cruises.
“While our Christmas market trips are completely sold out, there is still availability on select trips that we know will be welcome news to guests who have postponed their plans and are waiting for travel restrictions to be relaxed.
“There is a pent-up desire to cruise to iconic cities like Amsterdam and Budapest and epicentres of art and music like Vienna and Salzburg, coupled with the dramatic landscapes and natural beauty of the Wachau and the Middle Rhine Valley. Guests will enjoy these voyages on the most innovative and luxurious riverboats in the industry with the warm and authentic service that Crystal is known for, with the highest staff-to-guest ratio of any European river line, ”added Littlejohn.
Crystal River Cruises is gradually resuming service by consolidating cruises from similar voyages by Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahleron aboard their identical sister ships Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel as part of their final deployment in 2021.
In preparation for resumption of service, Crystal River Cruises’ dedicated crew will prepare ships, complete a refresher training program and implement new Crystal Clean + protocols that address the unique challenges of COVID-19. New measures include mandatory vaccinations for guests and crew; COVID-19 tests on embarkation; HEPA filter; and more. Due to the mandatory vaccination requirement, you can explore the country independently. As a reminder, Crystal Clean + protocols are constantly being reviewed based on scientific data and evolving recommendations from local and global authorities.
On the routes of Crystal River Cruises, timeless medieval cities blend wonderfully with modern cultural and commercial centers. Explore the Melk Benedictine Abbey, the famous Vienna Ringstrasse, and Amsterdam’s windmills, and drive through a UNESCO World Heritage Site with terraced vineyards and castle towns in the beautiful Wachau. On every trip, the Crystal River Collection offers inclusive, curated experiences on land that enrich the trip for guests with options for a variety of interests, including a free signature event at Belvedere Palace in Vienna for select Crystal Ravel crossings.
Due to the enormous demand, availability is limited on the following Crystal River Cruises 2021 cruises:
Rhine and Moselle cruises: Crystal Debussy
“Legendary Rhine”, 7 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
August 30, September 13, October 21, November 4, November 18
With overnight stays in Koblenz, Germany and Amsterdam, Netherlands; Calls in Cologne, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France.
“Romantic Rhine”, 7 nights, Amsterdam to Basel
September 6, September 20, October 14, October 28, November 11
With overnight stays in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Koblenz, Germany; Calls to Cologne, Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; and Strasbourg, France, and through the picturesque Middle Rhine Valley, through the picturesque town of Boppard, past the Loreley rock.
“Magical Moselle”, 10 nights, Amsterdam round trip
4th of October
With overnight stays in Düsseldorf, Germany, Strasbourg, France and Amsterdam, Netherlands; Appointment in Rüdesheim, Mannheim, Koblenz and Cologne, Germany; and Arnheim and Hoorn, Netherlands.
Danube cruises: Crystal Ravel
“Magnificent Danube”, 7 nights, Vilshofen to Budapest (eastbound)
August 29, September 12, September 26, November 3
With overnight stays in Vienna and Budapest; Appointment in Linz, Melk and Dürnstein, Austria; and Passau, Germany, as well as cruises through the Wachau.
“Magnificent Danube”, 7 nights, Budapest to Vilshofen (westbound)
September 5, September 19, October 27, November 10
With overnight stays in Budapest, Vienna and Vilshofen; Appointment in Dürnstein and Melk, Austria; and Passau, Germany, as well as cruises through the Wachau.
“Danube Serenade”, 7 nights, Budapest to Vienna / Vienna to Budapest
October 3, October 20
With overnight stays in Vienna and Budapest; Appointment in Dürnstein, Melk, Linz and Krems, Austria; and Bratislava, Slovakia, and cruises through the Wachau.
“Treasures of the Danube”, 10 nights, Vienna round trip
October 10th
Start and end with overnight stays in Vienna, also overnight stays in Budapest and Passau, Germany; Call in Bratislava, Slovakia; Dürnstein, Melk and Linz, Austria; and cruise through the Wachau.
Vacation cruises
Crystal Ravel “Shimmering Danube Vacation” – 11 nights
Budapest to Vienna / New Year’s Eve in Vienna
December 22nd – January 2nd, 2022
Starting with an overnight stay in Budapest up to a triple overnight stay in Vienna (including New Year’s Eve); Call in Bratislava, Slovakia; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany; and Melk, Linz, Grein and Krems, Austria.
Crystal Debussy “Happy Holidays on the Rhine” – 10 nights
Amsterdam round trip / New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam
December 23 – January 2, 2022
Starting in Amsterdam with an overnight stay in Rüdesheim and ending with a double night in Amsterdam on New Year’s Eve; Call in Arnhem, the Netherlands; Cologne (on Christmas Day), Mannheim, Worms, Koblenz and Düsseldorf, Germany; Strasbourg, France; and cruise through the Middle Rhine Valley.
Crystal’s award-winning riverboats are the first and only all-balcony, all-suite, all-butler ships in the river cruise industry in Europe, with each category of accommodation positioned above the waterline. All suites have panoramic balcony windows ™ and walk-in closets and double vanities in the bathrooms are available in most categories.
All Crystal River ships have private butler service in every room category, king-size beds, Caudalie toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs. Other tempting offers include dishes from farm to table in several restaurants with open seating: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, the bistro cafés of the same name and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enriching presentations and breathtaking views of the countryside. Crystal’s attention to detail extends all the way ashore as guests are transported on the day’s adventures in luxury coaches equipped with free water and WiFi for added convenience and convenience.
Crystal River Cruises 2021 cruise prices start at $ 3,499 per person. Save up to $ 2,800 per suite on select trips through September 1, 2021.
