Crystal River Cruises announces its full 2023 fleet rollout, with 190 voyages exploring the Danube, Rhine, and Moselle rivers, along with the enchanting waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium. The 2023 season offers travelers a variety of cruise lengths, including new five-night getaways and combination voyages of 14 to 17 nights. The popular seven-night cruises return, offering travelers up to 150 cruise options, in addition to a collection of 10-night voyages through the Rhine and Moselle river valleys, cruises to Europe’s festive Christmas markets, and special New Year’s Eve holiday voyages to Vienna, Budapest, and Amsterdam, rounding out a wealth of choices. Bookings open on May 18, 2021.
Crystal River Cruises' elegant fleet offers guests an intimate experience aboard four Rhine-class ships: Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler, and Crystal Ravel, as well as the timeless grandeur and elegance of the Crystal Mozart, the most spacious riverboat sailing the Danube. Voyages range from 5 to 17 nights, visiting some of the most picturesque and captivating locations in Germany, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Switzerland, as well as destinations in Southeast Europe in Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia.
“The destinations along these rivers have captivated travelers for centuries and continue to enchant visitors, all clearly brimming with character, intriguing history, and wonderful traditions,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president and general manager of Crystal River Cruises. “Each year, we strive to create itineraries that combine our guests’ most beloved destinations with new attractions and experiences. The 2023 lineup aboard our five beautiful river ships is designed to offer choices that will appeal to luxury travelers of all ages and interests, to enjoy the personalized service, culinary experiences, spacious all-suite accommodations, and attention to detail that Crystal offers.”
Crystal River Cruises' extensive list of itineraries for 2023 includes:
New for 2023 are five-night cruises, which can be combined with optional land programs before or after the cruise. For travelers interested in unique extended voyages, Crystal River Cruises has combined intriguing itineraries to create spectacular immersive journeys such as the 14-night Pearls of the Danube cruise, the 15-night Vineyards, Castles and Masterpieces cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, or the 17-night cruise that combines exploring the picturesque waterways of the Netherlands with the charming villages of the Moselle Valley wine region.
The popular seven-night Danube itineraries between Vilshofen and Budapest are returning, offering guests the option to extend their Crystal vacation with three-night programs to Prague before or after their cruise. For the first time, the popular seven-night Danube Serenade itinerary between Vienna and Budapest will sail aboard the Crystal Mozart, the most spacious ship on European rivers. Guests also have a full season of departures to choose from on the seven-night Legendary Rhine and Romantic Rhine itineraries. Tulips and Windmills is a seven-night spring voyage along the inland waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium, culminating in an overnight stay in Amsterdam.
The 10-night Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle voyages, first introduced in Crystal's 2022 season, will take guests through the Rhine Gorge.
Crystal River Cruises' 2023 itineraries include new options for the holiday market season, with the seven-night Dutch and Belgian Christmas Markets cruise and the ten-night Rhine and Moselle Christmas Splendors cruise. Christmastime on the Rhine, a seven-night itinerary between Basel and Amsterdam, combines the beauty of the Middle Rhine Valley with visits to traditional German Christmas markets. The seven-night Danube cruises include overnight stays in Budapest and Vienna and cruises through the enchanting Wachau Valley, while Crystal Mozart's ten-night Danube Christmas Markets cruise features overnight stays in Vienna, cruises through the Wachau Valley, and stops in some of the most beautiful cities and liveliest Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, and Slovakia.
Guests on Crystal Ravel's 10-night Spectacular Danube Holiday cruise will ring in the New Year in Vienna during a special three-night stay that also includes an overnight stay in Budapest, stops in Germany and Slovakia, and an exploration of the Wachau Valley. The 11-night Mozart Grand Holiday cruise celebrates New Year's Day and New Year's Eve with a double night in Budapest and features three days to experience the magic of Vienna.
In addition to optional pre- and post-cruise stays in Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest, and Vienna, Crystal River Cruises offers exceptional overland trips to Prague (from Vilshoven), Zurich (from Basel), Reims (from Trier), and Bucharest (from Giurgiu), allowing guests to extend their exploration of these history-rich cities with five-star hotels in all of them.
When bookings for Crystal River Cruises' 2023 voyages open on May 18, 2021, travelers will benefit from 2-for-1 cruise fares and per-guest booking savings, ensuring the best available rates for those who plan and book early.
The Crystal River Cruises fleet comprises more spacious and luxurious ships sailing the rivers of Europe, featuring oversized suites, expansive social areas, open-air viewing decks, and the highest crew-to-passenger ratio. The Crystal Mozart is the only river cruiser with a wraparound promenade deck, the largest onboard spa, two onboard gyms, four restaurants, and four lounges.
Crystal's four Rhine-class ships accommodate just 106 passengers, with a design that maximizes personal and public space along their 135 meters (a size typically designed to accommodate twice as many guests). The ships are the first and only in the industry to offer balconies, suites, and butler service in Europe, with all accommodation categories located above the waterline. Other attractive features include Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple restaurants and Crystal's attention to detail on land, with luxurious coaches for added comfort and convenience.
