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 News from Around Banderas Bay | May 2005 
Crystal Harmony Set to Sail to Puerto Vallarta this Fall
 Linda Garrison
| | The Crystal Harmony will explore a variety of ports along the Mexican Riviera. The luxury ship will sail roundtrip from Los Angeles for seven to ten days from September through November. |
For the first time this fall, luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises will offer a dedicated new season of seven Mexican Riviera cruises - with visits to Puerto Vallarta - round-trip from Los Angeles. Adding a touch of nostalgia to the seven- and 10-day cruises, the extensive series also represents the last season for Crystal Harmony, scheduled to join its parent company's Japanese cruise division in December.
From September through November, the award-winning Crystal Harmony will depart from Los Angeles to explore a variety of tropical Mexican ports. Travelers have a choice of four seven-day cruises departing on September 28, October 15, and November 1 and 18, and three 10-day cruises leaving on October 5, October 22 and November 8. Itineraries feature maiden calls at Loreto, Santa Rosalía and La Paz, Mexico, as well as visits to the popular ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Manzanillo, depending on itinerary and departure date. While Crystal Cruises has offered a smattering of Mexican Riviera cruises in the past, this is the first year the line has dedicated a full season to cruising the area.
"Crystal Harmony has long been a favorite among Californians, as well as others, who regard the ship as a pampering resort getaway, regardless of the destination," says Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president, sales & marketing. "From her launch through today, Crystal Harmony has been lauded for her exceptional array of activities, superior service and exquisite cuisine."
As the first ship to launch the Crystal fleet in 1990, Crystal Harmony has consistently garnered awards for "World's Best Mid-Sized Cruise Ship," and numerous other accolades from industry critics. As recently as fall 2002, Crystal spent millions on major design upgrades including lavish Feng Shui-designed spa and fitness facilities, to maintain the highest luxury standards. The 50,000-ton, 940-guest floating resort features grand lounges, 24-hour Internet and e-mail access with Computer University@Sea®, a Caesars Palace at Sea® casino, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment and richly appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.
Renowned for its onboard programming, Crystal Cruises' Mexican Riviera itineraries feature special themed events that add enrichment to the cruise experience:
September 28: a dedicated Health & Fitness cruise with a Pilates focus.
October 5: one of Crystal's highly regarded Wine & Food Festival itineraries featuring the culinary talents of Philadelphia's Jose Garces, award-winning executive chef at Alma de Cuba and El Vez restaurants together with Jeff Morgenthal, Wine Director at Santa Monica's famed Drago Restaurant.
October 15: Crystal's Comedy Club at Sea spotlights some of the wittiest comedians from the nation's best clubs.
October 22: another Health & Fitness cruise focusing on Tai Chi with instruction by Dr. Martin and Emily Lee of Los Angeles' Tai Chi Cultural Center.
November 1: this Health & Fitness cruise adds balance with special yoga classes.
November 8: a Nature & Wildlife cruise featuring the expert knowledge of two California residents - UC Berkeley research fellow Gary Langham and Tom Logsdon, an award-winning rocket scientist from Seal Beach.
November 18: Crystal's innovative Creative Learning Institute provides progressive instruction in Spanish language by Berlitz, as well as piano lessons by Yamaha.
Crystal Cruises has consistently earned the travel industry's most distinguished hospitality awards and guidebook ratings, including the best large-ship line award in the most recent readers' surveys conducted by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. |
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