LOS ANGELES — Crystal treated its most valued travel partners to a series of preview sailings of Crystal Mozart ahead of her first voyage of 2017.
Nicknamed the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers”, Crystal Mozart embarked from Vienna on April 2 on a 10-day journey through Austria, Germany, the Wachau Valley, Hungary and Slovakia, marking the start of her 2017 sailing season. Her maiden voyage sailed in summer 2016, and has since been named ‘Best New River Ship’ by Cruise Critic and Cruise Critic UK.
To celebrate Mozart’s success, the cruise line hosted 156 travel professionals onboard the ship for back-to-back Sales Awards Galas, which celebrated the top performing agents of 2016.
“Our travel partners are our most valuable assets when it comes to sharing the Crystal Experience with discerning travellers, and hosting them onboard for our annual awards gala is not only a well deserved incentive, but also helps them continue to grow their expertise with first-hand knowledge of what sets Crystal apart,” said Crystal CEO and president Edie Rodriguez.
From l-r: Kim Guimaraes, Vice President, Sales & Strategic Partnerships, Crystal; Edie Rodriguez, CEO & President, Crystal; Ian Biddlecombe, Vision Travel Solutions; Carmen Roig, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Crystal; Paul Girouard, Director of Sales – North America, Crystal
All luxury specialists in their own right, the agents in attendance were quick to rave about the ship and its distinctive luxury amenities.
“She will take your breath away and steal your heart forever,” said Shari Wallack, president of Buy the Sea. “Be careful, once you cruise on the Crystal Mozart, you will be changed for good.”
Vicky Garcia, Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of Cruise Planners (an American Express Travel Representative), noted the popularity of river cruising and the ship’s appeal. “River cruising is hot! As a network we continue to see double-digit growth in this segment, with some agents truly specializing in it quite successfully,” she said. “This ship will appeal to discerning land travellers as well as cruisers who are accustomed to truly all-inclusive, luxury experiences.”
Crystal Mozart’s many selling features include its acclaimed butler service (offered for every suite), plush king-sized beds, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flatscreen HD TVs and Nespresso machines. Guests are also treated to complimentary shore excursions, farm-to-table dining in open-seating eateries, and a full-service spa and fitness centre.
The ship is also acclaimed for its technological advances, which include digital signage that provides port information and weather forecasts, in-suite Apple iPad devices that serve as Digital Directories, and TOTO Washlet personal cleaning systems in bathrooms.
Crystal River Cruises will expand its luxury fleet over the next two years. Launching in 2018, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will join the fleet as Europe’s only all-balcony, all-suite ships in the river category.
