Crystal Cruises' Fall Lineup Features Six Themes on 13 Sailings to More Than 40

As part of the specialty programming, renowned chefs and sommeliers, musicians, film critics, television actors, fitness and health authorities, and medical experts will be aboard to perform, lecture and lead interactive workshops during the varied sailings through the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Atlantic and the Panama Canal/Caribbean and Mexican Riviera.

"We strive to bring a fresh approach to entertainment aboard every Crystal Cruises sailing and program our events and activities to appeal to a wide variety of interests," says Adam Leavitt, senior vice president, marketing. "Depending on a guest's desired level of activity, he or she can relax and unwind aboard Crystal's floating resorts, or opt to participate in any of our enrichment programs, all while visiting fascinating places."

Musical Themes
The Philharmonia Virtuosi, the resident Classical Music Orchestra of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, lead by musical director and conductor Richard Kapp, will headline the Sept. 2 "Classical Music" theme cruise, a round-trip Alaska voyage from San Francisco.

The Mexican Riviera will be even livelier this fall when ABBA Mania performs for the "'70s Popular Music" voyage. For the ultimate live tribute to the Swedish sensation, the group will entertain guests with renditions of "Dancing Queen," "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," among ABBA's other hits. The cruise departs Oct. 8 from San Francisco and will salute the disco era with a DJ spinning the '70s top dance hits. Film critic and entertainment reporter Jan Wahl will also be on board to dish the decade's movies.

Crystal Harmony's Panama Canal cruise departs New Orleans on Oct. 16 with Tom Hook and the Terrier Brothers to perform concerts and dance sets for the "Jazz & Blues" theme cruise. Vocalist and pianist Yve Evans will also perform her stylized one-woman shows. Paul Tanner, author of the definitive book on Glenn Miller and a trombonist from the original Glenn Miller Orchestra, will share his behind-the-scenes look at jazz, the Big Band Era and the Glenn Miller Orchestra's experiences during World War II.

Crystal Wine & Food Festival
Eight of the fall voyages will feature Crystal Cruises' popular "Wine & Food Festival," which brings aboard guest chefs to give cooking demonstrations, share recipes and prepare multi-course gala dinners. Wine experts conduct tastings and create pairings with vintages from the ship's extensive cellars. The fall epicurean roster includes Mirko Rocco, chef of Capri, Italy's Grand Hotel Quisisana; John Sundstrom, executive chef of Earth and Ocean Restaurant in Seattle; executive chef Dale Reitzer from Richmond, Virginia's Acacia restaurant, named one of "Food & Wine" magazine's Best New Chefs; executive chef Luciano Parolari of Italy's La Veranta at Villa d'Este; husband and wife pastry chefs Dominique and Cindy Duby from their eponymous school in British Colombia; Tim Keating, executive chef at Houston's Four Seasons Hotel; Sherry Yard, winner of the 2002 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef, from Beverly Hills' Spago and Angelo Auriano, chef of Valentino in Santa Monica. Wine experts include four Master Sommeliers -- Paul Roberts of Houston's Cafe Annie, Steven Geddes, the founding consultant of Las Vegas' famed Aureole restaurant; Bob Bath, consultant for prestigious California vineyards; and Evan Goldstein, 2001 James Beard Award winner of Seagram/Chateau & Estates.

Departures are available in the Mediterranean on Sept. 6, Oct. 1 and 13, and in the Canary Islands on Oct. 25. The Festival is also featured in Alaska on Sept. 14 and in the Panama Canal/Caribbean on Oct. 27, and Nov. 7 and 18.

Film Festival
As part of Crystal Cruises' Film Festival on the Nov. 6 Trans-Atlantic cruise, Screen Actors Guild award-winning actor Richard Herd, best known for portraying George's boss on "Seinfeld," with an upcoming voice part in Dreamworks' animated feature, "Joseph," will perform his one man show, "Cecil B. DeMille presents ... " Daily screenings, movie appreciation workshops, and career retrospectives of famed Hollywood directors will round out the enrichment programming.

Yoga, Health & Fitness
Leading health and fitness experts will sail with Crystal Cruises on the Nov. 29 Panama Canal voyage. Los Angeles Certified Yoga instructor, Marnie Neve, will conduct two classes each day and will also offer private yoga consultations. Dr. John McMichan, Emeritus Staff, Mayo Clinic, will shares his insights into staying healthy, with discussion on herbal medications, arthritis, skin care and healthy travel. In addition, award-winning writer Ruth Jacobowitz, author of "The Estrogen Answer Book," and "150 Most-Asked Questions About Menopause," will also conduct discussions and seminars.

With Value Collection pricing of up to 50% savings, fall cruise fares start at $2,085 per person, double occupancy, for a 10-day cruise, or as low as $200 per person, per day.

For the seventh consecutive year Crystal Cruises was named best large cruise line in the 2002 readers' survey conducted by "Travel + Leisure" magazine, and outscored all other cruise lines, large- and small-ship, for the sixth time. Additionally, in the category of entertainment/activities, including theme programming, Crystal outscored the average for all other cruise lines by more than 14 points.

Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary brochure, call 800.820.6663. For more information on detailed itineraries and onboard programming, visit the line's website at http://www.crystalcruises.com .

• Email this page
• Printer-friendly version