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As "the new kid on the block", how will Crystal try to be different to comparable luxury all-inclusive river cruise offerings such as Uniworld and Scenic which are more established European river cruise firms?

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As "the new kid on the block", how will Crystal try to be different to comparable luxury all-inclusive river cruise offerings such as Uniworld and Scenic which are more established European river cruise firms?

 

 

Dear JohnKen3,

 

Crystal River Cruises offers over 30 points of differentiation from among out closest competitors, but most of it all can be summarized by the fact that Crystal River ships are in a category unto themselves. Our ships are like 5-star floating luxury boutique hotels with an emphasis on fine cuisine, genuine, personalized service, spacious accommodations in a casually elegant atmosphere that is warm, friendly and unregimented so that you can vacation as you choose.

 

We entered the river cruising market with nearly 27 years of expertise in 5-star luxury and award-winning service aboard our ocean ships. When we first launched Crystal River Cruises, it was imperative that we remain true to that Crystal standard of excellence and offer a consistently superb experience to travelers. Rather than modeling our river ships after other river ships, we took the best of the Crystal Experience that travelers have loved aboard our ocean ships and applied it to the rivers. Specifically, this means distinctive differences in the following ways:

 

Service: With twice as many crew members as other river ships, Crystal can deliver personalized service for each guest, with the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the industry. Crystal Mozart carries 154 guess with 92 crew and our other ships carry 106 guests with 68 crew. Each crew member is solely dedicated to his or her area of expertise – the European butlers in each suite focus on the individual wishes of guests, certified wine sommeliers advise during meals and host pairing dinners, massage therapists work solely in the Crystal Life Salon & Spa – no one is doubling up duties, to ensure that guests’ receive the most specialized service available. Our Destinations team consists of three destination experts plus each of our ships have a full-time fitness director who not only leads daily yoga, stretching and circuit classes but also leads our active shore excursions. Each of our employees is an expert in their craft and have the passion and necessary training to do their job well. Another key difference is that ALL of the crew onboard our vessels are CRYSTAL employees, handpicked using exacting standards to make sure our crew delivers exceptional, polished, warm and genuine service. We are one of only three river brands that employ all of their own staff, no part of our operation (including the spa!) is outsourced.

 

Cuisine: All Crystal River Cruises cuisine is Michelin-inspired, farm-to-table cuisine using fresh ingredients sourced locally*. Unlike most river cruise ships, nothing is brought onboard our ships frozen or pre-prepared. Each dish is prepared to order. This allows us to offer true flexible open-seating dining so that guests may dine where, when and with whom they choose. The standard of cuisine we prepare onboard our river ships is simply unparalleled in the river cruise business and is supported by the largest galleys on the river and recipes and skills that have been perfected by Crystal’s expert culinary team. We also offer 24-hour room service with hot and cold selections from our room service menu as well as the ability for guests to order dinner from the menu of our Waterside restaurant. *The only two items that are not locally sourced include fresh lobster that we fly in from either Maine or Canada once per voyage and fresh oysters that we bring in from France, also once per voyage.

 

Accommodations: Crystal offers the largest accommodations in the river cruising industry, with every suite featuring spacious design, plush amenities and king-sized beds. Our largest suites are two bedrooms, two and half baths measuring 883 sq.ft. in size, twice as large as the largest suites of our closest competitors. In addition to private butler service all of our suites feature evening canapé service, Nespresso machines, stocked mini refrigerators, sitting area, Etro Italian fashion house amenities (bath gels, bar soap, lotion, conditioner, shampoo, slippers), two types of bathrobes, two hair dryers, 40-inch HD TVs, iPads from which guests can order a variety of services including room service, pillow menu, shore excursions, weather information, port information, over 20 international newspapers and magazines, etc. On our four identical sister ships: Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel over 70% of the suites feature walk-in closets and double-vanity bathrooms and all suites are located above the waterline on decks 2 and 3.

 

Shore Excursions: In 2018 we launched an entirely new – and truly innovative – shore excursion program designed to cater to smaller groups and individual interests. With the Crystal Collection, guests can tailor their shore excursion experiences around their personal tastes and preferences, rather than what we feel is best. Within our program, guests can choose from more than 200 complimentary shoreside experiences from the following categories:

 

Tantalizing Gastronomy for those who want to savor the local foods, wines and beers;

 

Exhilarating Adventures including hiking, biking, kayaking, snow-shoeing and other choices for those who want an active experience;

 

Personal Connections for people who want to mix and mingle with locals and learn more about their life;

 

Crystal Signature Events including musical concerts held in unique, breathtaking venues;

 

Epicurean Experiences, restaurant experiences in Michelin-star, highly-acclaimed or popular locals restaurants;

 

Cultural Discoveries, comprehensive insight from expert guides into historical landmarks, museums, iconic sites and architectural marvels;

 

Design Your Time shore excursions - custom-curated experiences that are unique for each guest.

 

Additionally, all of our shore excursion programs are supported by each ship’s own fleet of Crystal luxury motor coaches that would normally hold 52 passengers but are outfitted to seat only 40 guests with plenty of legroom, power outlets at every seat and complimentary wi-fi.

 

Entertainment: In addition to our onboard entertainer who performs nightly with life piano and vocal stylings, Crystal River Cruises hosts local entertainers when we’re in port late or overnight (often). Examples include a tenor from Barcelona and a violinist trio from Vienna. New in 2018 on select sailings we will present the “Crystal on Broadway” program, which features performers, producers and other “insiders” from Broadway who come aboard for performances and engaging presentations about their experiences on the stage and screen.

 

Kindest Regards,

Walter

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