Crystal Announces 2011 Worldwide Itineraries

Crystal Cruises unveiled its 2011 season with returns to Alaska and West Africa, among the 58 cruises visiting 163 ports in 67 countries.

The Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will embark on journeys throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic, Alaska, New England/Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Australia/New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, India, South America and Africa.

Crystal Serenity’s 15th annual World Cruise spans 110 days on a new route around east and west Africa, while new Northern Hemisphere adventures offer guests Alaska cruises roundtrip from San Francisco and expanded opportunities to visit the North Cape and Mexican Riviera.

“Given the great number of Crystal Society members from all over the world, we’re mixing it up more than ever in 2011,” said Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. “In addition to our very exotic voyages in destinations like Africa, India and the Middle East, we’re also greatly increasing our presence in North America with a greater selection of domestic cruises. While destination and reputation are the leading vacation drivers, we also know that many of our guests relish the Crystal resort experience combined with the convenience of closer-to-home itineraries.”

Crystal’s 2011 cruise program includes a variety of seven- to 21-day itineraries, in addition to the full World Cruise. Most itineraries boast overnight night stays and late-night port calls. The 110-day World Cruise will sail from Los Angeles to London, via the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Dubai, and Africa. The line has also scheduled maiden calls in Argostoli, Kefalonia; Fethiye, Turkey; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Koper, Slovenia; and Marigot Bay, St. Martin.

The line is returning to Alaska for the first time since 2005 with 12-day roundtrips from San Francisco. Every fall New England/Canada cruise includes a shipboard overnight in New York, as well as Montréal. Eight Mexican Riviera roundtrips sail from Los Angeles, including several seven-day cruises and a holiday cruise.

All but one Crystal Symphony voyage embarks and/or debarks from a U.S. port. Among the voyages, overnight calls are scheduled in Ashdod, Melbourne, Barcelona, Cannes, Istanbul and New York. Double overnight calls are planned in Dubai, Cape Town and St. Petersburg. Effective immediately, Crystal Cruises is accepting reservations. Day-by-day itineraries will be posted on Crystal’s website in early September.