One look at the renderings that Crystal
Cruises released last week of its forthcoming Crystal Mozart rebuild and it’s
clear to see that Crystal is really packing in the amenities on this river cruise
vessel.
And it makes sense for a cruise line that is
hoping to introduce its ocean passengers to European river cruising. Ocean
cruisers have come to expect a bit more in the onboard amenities department
than can typically fit on a smaller river cruise ship.
For the Mozart, Crystal is building out five
different dining venues, as opposed to the more standard one or two on river
cruise ships, as well as a spa and wellness area that incorporates an indoor
pool, two treatment rooms and separate sauna and steam rooms for men and women.
Granted, Crystal also had the luxury of refurbishing
a vessel, the former Peter Deilmann Mozart, that is known for being a bit wider
than standard river cruise ships and thus having a bit more space to accommodate
those amenities. And the Mozart already came with an indoor pool, for instance,
so that wasn’t a Crystal innovation.
Nevertheless, the cumulative bells and
whistles on the Mozart, including features such as a pop-up bar area with a retractable
movie screen on the top deck and two custom tender boats, could eventually have
the river cruising set pressuring for more of the same on other vessels.
Hey, it happened with cabin balconies
(remember when Viking finally gave in and started incorporating balconies on
its Longships?), it happened somewhat with offering at least one alternative
dining venue (there’s barely a river cruise vessel left now that doesn’t have
at least one either more casual or more elegant dining experience in addition
to the main restaurant), so who’s to say it won’t happen with tender boats or retractable
rooftop bars?