Crystal Cruises’ 2018 voyages are open for booking; and it promises to be an extraordinary year for savvy globetrotting luxury travellers
Crystal Cruises’ 2018 voyages are open for booking; and it promises to be an extraordinary year for savvy globetrotting luxury travellers. In addition to the groundbreaking four World Cruise itineraries set for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, the two award-winning ships, plus Crystal’s new luxury yacht, Crystal Esprit, will spend the year sailing intensive and diverse routes to coveted locales and brand new horizons. There are few things more enjoyable than planning one’s dream ultra-luxury vacation, which is why the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line has unveiled the year’s complete roster of itineraries more than two years in advance.
Altogether, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will sail 54 voyages, calling in 312 ports in 78 countries across the globe. Here are some key numbers to note as you prepare your passports…
31: The staggering number of maiden calls offered on ocean itineraries in 2018. Maiden ports range from remote islands, like that of Norfolk, located 877 miles off of Australia’s Gold Coast, and Fakarava, French Polynesia, a rectangular atoll and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to bustling metropolises like Manila, Philippines, where Spanish colonial architecture meets modern skyscrapers, fascinating monuments and museums, and world-class shopping. Among the other 2018 maiden calls are:
Bimini – A cluster of three Bahamian islands, located about 50 miles east of south Florida, is a sport fishing mecca and known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape in the Bahamas.
Cherbourg – Set in France’s Normandy region on the English Channel, Cherbourg boasts dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches.
Geraldton, Bunbury (Margaret River), and Esperance – Situated along Australia’s west and southwest coast, a major wine-growing region that’s also known for a farm-to-table cuisine.
Lofoten – A Norwegian archipelago lies within the Arctic Circle against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, sheltered bays, and open sea.
Luderitz – Recognized as an important bird area by conservation groups, Luderitz, Namibia, is home to penguins, flamingos, ostriches, and other species.
Mangalore – Located in India’s southwestern region, Mangalore is a major commercial center juxtaposed with relaxing beaches.
Olbia – The historic center of this town on the Italian island of Sardegna — the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea — teems with wine bars, boutiques and piazzas.
Robinson Crusoe Island – Sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned here, 416 miles off the coast of Chile, in the early 1700s; he is thought to be the inspiration for author Daniel Defoe’s fictional character, Robinson Crusoe.
122: The number of overnight and double-overnight calls that allow you to explore many dynamic cities in depth, including Bordeaux, France; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Durban, South Africa; Easter Island; Ho Chi Minh City; Muscat, Oman; Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Islands; Port Louis, Mauritius; Yangon, Myanmar; and dozens of others.
2: The number of extraordinary – warm weather – New Year’s Eve/holiday voyages set for celebratory travel in 2018, one a Hawaiian Holiday cruising round-trip from Los Angeles; the other a Creole & Caribbean Celebration traveling round-trip from “The Big Easy,” New Orleans.
Rounding out the highlights of our 2018 itineraries are:
1 voyage up the Amazon River. During a Caribbean/South American cruise, Crystal Symphony will call at Manaus, Brazil, the Amazon’s largest city and a major departure point for exploring the surrounding rainforest.
2 days in Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix. Crystal Serenity will dock in Monte Carlo for an overnight (May 26 to 27), affording guests the opportunity to celebrate one of the world’s most prestigious races during an exclusive Boutique Adventure.
4 dedicated Alaska voyages. Crystal Symphony will sail one 14-day and three seven-day cruises through the Inside Passage, visiting the Misty Fjords National Monument and the UNESCO-designated grandeur of Glacier Bay; also highlighting native communities and wildlife, with plenty of birds, whales, and marine mammals to admire.
3 Hawaiian sailings. Both ships will sail to the island with two voyages embarking from Los Angeles and one from San Francisco. All will focus heavily on Hawaiian ports and culture, including an overnight in Honolulu aboard Crystal Symphony.
1 itinerary exclusively exploring Norway. Crystal Serenity will embark on a round-trip Tilbury (London) voyage that explores Norway’s magnificent fjords, stunning scenery, and quaint towns.
*Bonus* 42: The number of Crystal Yacht Cruises itineraries exploring the Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea aboard Crystal Esprit.
Content Courtesy of Crystal Cruises