Crystal River Cruises has added four shorter Danube
sailings on the Crystal Mahler that are an alternative to the ship's 16-day
cruises.
The 106-passenger Mahler, scheduled to launch in September,
will now sail three seven-day "Danube Serenade" itineraries between
Budapest and Vienna, and one 11-day "Reflections on the Danube"
sailing during April and May.
The Mahler's 16-day "Grand Europe" cruises, which
sail between Amsterdam and Budapest for most of the year, cruise the Rhine and
Main rivers.
The new itineraries depart April 10, 17, 24 and May 1.
The April 10 sailing will be hosted Nancy Brinker, former
U.S. ambassador to Hungary and founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a
breast cancer research nonprofit. Brinker will be discussing art and diplomacy
during the sailing. The April 24 sailing will be "President's Cruise"
hosted by Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez. And the May 1 sailing will offer an
in-depth focus on Jewish heritage.
When the Crystal Mahler embarks on its maiden voyage in
September from Amsterdam, it will be the second Crystal's Rhine class of river
ships, a series of all-balcony, all-suite vessels with every category of accommodation
perched above the waterline. The first of the ships, the Crystal Bach, will
launch this August.
All four Rhine class ships will offer butler service for
every room category, king-size beds, walk-in closets, a dual vanity in the
bathrooms in most categories, and Nespresso machines.
There will be open-seating restaurants onboard, including
the Waterside, the Crystal Bistro cafe, the Vintage Room and the Palm
Court.