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Big changes from Crystal in 2013 with shorter cruises and Serenity in the Baltic

Crystal Cruises has launched its complete 2013 worldwide cruise collection – with significant changes, such as an increased number of shorter cruises distinguishing a repertoire of 64 itineraries visiting 62 countries and 226 ports-of-call worldwide.

And for travellers who like to plan ahead, “Book Now” fares offer the best prices for early bookings made by February 28 or June 30, 2012, depending on cruise departure).

Due to the overwhelming popularity of its Northern Europe itineraries in 2012, Crystal has opted to switch its initially scheduled vessel deployment. Crystal Serenity will summer in the Baltic, North Cape and British Isles, in addition to spring and summer Mediterranean seasons, while Crystal Symphony will spend her summer in the Mediterranean.

Crystal Serenity will spend the sumer of 2013 in the Baltic

Other new highlights

16 maiden calls: Baie-Comeau and Havre-Saint-Pierre, Québec; Çanakkale, Turkey; Castellón de la Plana, Spain; La Spezia, Italy; Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; Natal, Brazil; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England; Santa Marta, Colombia; Skiathos, Greece; Manta, Equador; Salaverry, Peru; Chacabuco and Cape Horn, Chile; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Langkawi, Malaysia

More shorter/seven- to 10-night sailings (29 overall) - more than 250% increase in shorter cruise offerings in Europe

74-night World Cruise with a comprehensive focus on South America

9-7-12-night cruise-length rotation in Europe for choice of shorter or longer back-to-back options without repeating ports, plus Saturday departures for most seven-night sailings

98-night/eight segment Australasian Grand Cruise from Auckland to LA

Cruises beginning and ending in Reyjkavik, Bali, Brisbane, Dublin and Kōbe

25 per cent more port days, including cruises without any days at sea

Strategic scheduling around local events: Monte Carlo Grand Prix, Seville’s La Fiera de Abril

More than 85 per cent of voyages with two or more days in port

Three-day, complimentary pre- or post-cruise Beijing land package with two cruises (one of which also includes three days in Shanghai)

Increase of 10-night New England/Canada itineraries

More than 50 per cent increase in shipboard overnight stays in port on embarkation day

Antarctica for the holidays - Crystal is absorbing the extra cost and planning efforts to meet the new environmental requirements

Returns to ports less-frequented by Crystal: Murmansk, Russia; the Shetland Islands; Izmir, Turkey; Isle of Man; Cartagena, Spain; Newcastle, Australia; Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadaloupe; General San Martin/Pisco, Peru; Pusan, Korea; Agadir, Morocco; Trogir, Croatia; Savannah and Baltimore, US.

15 renowned waterways, including New Zealand’s Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds; Norway’s North Cape and Svartisen Glacier; Glacier Bay, Alaska; the Chilean Fjords; Halong Bay, Vietnam; the Amazon and Saguenay Rivers; and Panama Canal

In all, Crystal Symphony kicks off 2013 with a super-VIP New Year’s fireworks gala in Sydney, then remains in the region, exploring Australia, New Zealand and Asia prior to a European/Mediterranean-focused summer, North American autumn and Central/South American/Antarctic holiday season ending in Chile.

Crystal Serenity’s 2013 routing begins in the Caribbean before heading to a South American World Cruise, then Europe for most of the year before returning to the Caribbean/Central America for Christmas.

Early bookings offer maximum savings on 2013 itineraries, including:

£2,500 per person full World Cruise savings (valid until 28th February)

Up to £625 per person savings for seven- to 24-night sailings (valid until 28th February or 30th June depending on cruise departure)

“Save Now, Save Later” - 20% savings on 2014’s World Cruise for booking either the full 2013 World Cruise or segments of it (2014 sailing must be booked by 30th April 2013)