Crystal River Cruises, a division of luxury brand Crystal Cruises, was established in 1988. Their new river cruise line debuted in July 2016 with only one river ship; the recently-acquired and reimagined Crystal Mozart. Now in 2018, there are four additional river ships added to the luxury fleet; Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel.
Ships: 5
How Many Passengers: From 106 to 154 passengers.
Personality: Luxurious, refined architecture and interior design with a modern, comfortable feel. Very personalized service.
Fellow Passengers: Crystal River Cruises is attracting many of their ocean cruise guests. They are generally older, retired and well-traveled and can afford the time and money for some of the best in the travel industry. However, with active excursion options and high-tech amenities, the line is hoping to attract a younger demographic, too.
Cabins: Range from 203 to 860 square feet, and all suites with butler service. Two-bedroom suites have a connecting bedroom. These cabins are pretty high-tech, too – there’s customizable toilets, interactive 40″ TV’s, and iPads in each room. There’s also an ample amount of space; the suites feature walk-in closets and a king-size beds, and all feature their exclusive balcony-window combination. There’s also an indoor swimming pool on the newest four ships.
Dining Experience: There are multiple dining venues to choose from, and they are open seating; so you can just go whenever you want within the hours that it’s open. Crystal River Cruises heavily embraces the farm-to-table concept, so food is fresh and beautifully presented.
Amenities: Local entertainers come onboard in the evenings in select ports. There is also a spa, fitness classes, many complimentary excursions, movies under the stars, an indoor swimming pool, and personal watercraft, kayaks, and electric bicycles that are free for guests to use.
Best For: Older couples, honeymooners, and well-traveled individuals who enjoy luxury.
Included Alcohol: Unlimited wine, beer, and spirits all throughout the ship – including in the cabins.
Gratuities: Gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
Where They Go: Danube, Rhine, and Main Rivers. Due to its extra-wide width, Crystal Mozart only cruises the Danube.
Sarah Bretz, Contributor
