LOS ANGELES — Crystal Cruises is offering a sneak peek at the next design phase of its four luxury river yachts, including all-suite accommodations that are located entirely above the waterline.
The new river yachts – Crystal Ravel, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Mahler – are set to embark in spring and summer 2017, following Crystal Mozart’s debut this month.

“Emulation has never been part of our formula for success, rather, we have enjoyed a long reputation for innovating and leading the way in luxury travel experiences,” said Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Crystal River Cruises river yachts will showcase the most celebrated parts of the Crystal Experience – stylish and elegant design, creative itineraries and experiences ashore, unmatched genuine service – while also creating a brand new niche in river cruising that will appeal to the world’s most discerning travellers.”

The four new river yachts will boast nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some notable variances due to the difference in the vessels’ size.

While Crystal Mozart is the largest river-going ship in Europe accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will carry approximately half that number.

Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach are ‘Rhine Class’ yachts, at 135 metres in length with 53 suites for 106 guests; while Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers and are ‘Paris Class’ yachts, with a length of 110 meters and guest capacity of 78 guests in 39 suites.

All four river yachts will offer butler service for every suite, plus suites that reach up to 759 square feet with king-sized window-facing beds, walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs and Nespresso machines.

Multiple eateries include the Waterside Restaurant, Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room, Cove Bar and Palm Court. Crystal says it will offer true open-seating dining, allowing guests to dine where they want, when they want and with whom they want.

Public amenities and services include a full-service spa and separate fitness centre and a partial indoor/outdoor pool on the aft of Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.

“We have ensured that, in designing Crystal River Cruises’ yachts, we remain committed to the cornerstones of the Crystal brand that travellers throughout the world have come to love: service, space, quality and choices,” says Walter Littlejohn, vice president and managing director, Crystal River Cruises. “It is imperative that our guests’ experience aboard these vessels conveys this commitment to the ‘Crystal Difference’.” See crystalrivercruises.com.