Luxury cruise operator, Crystal Cruises, has recently announced its expansion into the river cruise market in a move that is sure to delight all those that love to travel in style. Set to arrive in the spring of 2017, the cruise line will launch two river vessels that will be unique from any other type of ship sailing the world’s inland waterways. Referred to as river yachts, the vessels will offer a supreme amount of space, unrivalled staff-to-guest ratios and the most effortless six-star service that you could hope for.

Industry Firsts

There will be a clear focus on ensuring that guests stay within a luxury environment and one which reflects what people expect when they cruise with Crystal. The ships will be all-suite, with just 70 in total, and offer a fantastic 250 square-feet of floor space, which is a first for the industry. This means there will be plenty of room in which to relax, even after the king sized beds, walk-in wardrobes and spacious bathrooms have been installed. On top of these, each ship will also have two penthouse suites which will offer even more space and luxury.

But river cruising is not just about the ship, it also hinges on the destinations and the quality of the experience in them. And this is something that Crystal Cruises have also thought long and hard about. Their itineraries will purposefully feature those ports that are further from the beaten track in a bid to avoid those that are already crowded by other vessels. They will also offer a range of overnight stops in exciting European destinations and dedicate a section of the cruise to scenic cruising in the light of day.

Immersive Adventures

Stepping off the ship, guests will be able to partake in shore excursions that are just as exclusive as the rest of the experience. Activities could include meals in Michelin-starred restaurants, evenings at exclusive cultural events and other insightful entertainment. If you would rather increase the pace though, there will also be a choice of complimentary Active Exploration Adventures. These will ensure that you not only get to see the local sights, but also get to stay fit and active in the process. However, if you would rather stage your own explorations, there will be a range of different transport options to help you do so. Electric and manual bikes, along with Segways and other active gear, will all be available to borrow.

As if the experience wasn’t immersive enough already, there will also be the addition of luxurious private yacht tenders to take guests to even harder-to-reach places along the river.

These itineraries will be available to book from December the 1st, 2015. However, if you can’t wait until March 2017 to embark on your river cruise, we have plenty of options for you to choose from in the meantime. From European river cruises to those sailing in Asia and the USA, call us for more information.