Crystal Cruises

From: European Cruise Guide

LEFT: Crystal Symphony in Santorini. INSET BELOW: Sushi Bar and the Palm Court on Crystal Serenity.

Crystal Cruises fits into the "large-ship luxury line" niche, although the line's two vessels are considerably smaller than the megaships of today's mass-market and premium cruise lines. (The Crystal Serenity holds 1,080 passengers, while the Crystal Symphony carries 940 guests each.)

The line consistently ranks high in Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler reader polls, and in Douglas Ward's Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships. For 2012, Crystal is following the lead of other luxury lines by introducing an "all-inclusive" approach to tips, wines, and bar drinks.

Crystal's 2012 Mediterranean season runs from late March through mid-November, with itineraries of 7 to 24 days. Northern European cruises operate from May through August. The company also has several transatlantic repositioning cruises in 2012, including a two-week voyage between London and New York in early September.

Cruise line's Web site:

Crystal Cruises

Photos copyright © Crystal Cruises.

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