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Crystal Cruises rocks industry with all-inclusive fares

Patti Pietschmann's photo
National Cruise Examiner

Los Angeles-based luxury cruise operator, Crystal Cruises rocked the industry when it  announced today that the line will offer  all-inclusive fares effective spring 2012.

 
A  brilliant marketing strategy on the company's part, designed to go  head on with competitors such as  all-inclusive cruise lines such Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn, Crystal's Symphony and Serenity will feature open bars, free wines and spirits throughout the ship,  and pre-paid gratuities for all services. 
 
This is music to the ears to passengers who  complain adamantly about the nickel and diming prevalent on many cruise ships these days.  Even Crystal's loyal clientele will be pleased even though they willing pay  premium prices to sail on Crystal's upscale ships that feature seamless service, exceptional food and lavish Penthouse suites manned by butlers (whose tips will also be included). Crystal boasts one of the biggest repeat passenger roster in the industry.
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"Our ‘All Inclusive’ is an evolution of Crystal’s luxury services and responds to the desires of today’s upscale cruise traveler,” says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises.  “As many lines throughout our industry have itemized their services for additional charges, Crystal is maximizing the guest experience by eliminating additional transactions — further enhancing the ease and luxury of a Crystal cruise.  We believe this service will offer greater convenience, simplicity and comfort.”

The new fares start with each ship’s first Trans-Atlantic cruise next year: Crystal Symphony’s “Beyond the Sea” sailing from Miami to Lisbon on March 19, 2012, and Crystal Serenity’s “New World to Norway” voyage from New York to London on May 8, 2012.

There's a full list of 2012 Crystal itineraries, with fares at www.crystalcruises.com.  Also included with all cruises is free round-trip air transportation from two dozen North American gateways (or a generous air credit), with airport/ship transfers included. 

Even though the all-inclusive fares don't start until  next year, Crystal, unlike has always offered several free extras (charge for by many other lines) such as: bottled water and soda, speciality coffees, ice cream, frozen yogurt (no kidding, you pay for these on some ships). Even speciality workouts are free like s Spinning and group Pilates Reformer instruction (charged for on other lines).

Crystal also offers golf lessons with PGA pros; Walk-on-Water weighted vests and Nordic Pole walking equipment; Yamaha keyboard classes; Berlitz language classes; paddle tennis; dozens of computer/technology classes; art classes; Crystal Visions lecture series, featuring Crystal Visions lecture series featuring distinguished speakers; award-winning entertainment; in-stateroom movie and CD rentals; film screenings in the onboard cinema; dance lessons; dedicated junior cruiser facilities; early embarkation luncheon; welcome champagne; comfortable shuttles to town; pillow menus; self-service laundries; twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service; and 24-hour room service. 

  For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

Crystal Symphony
Crystal Symphony
Photo credit: 
Crystal cruises

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, National Cruise Examiner

LA-based free-lance writer Patti Pietschmann earned her cruise credentials writing on the subject for newspapers, magazines, guide books and the Internet for the last several years. She has taken more than 250 cruises, throughout the world, on ships of every size and category, but personally...

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