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 Travel & Outdoors | August 2005 
A Confluence of Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's on Crystal's Two Luxuriously Festive 2005 Itineraries
 PRNewswire
| | Cruiseship arrivals for September through December - Puerto Vallarta Mexico. |
This holiday season, travelers will have the unusual opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Eve on a single two-week tropical cruise aboard the luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises. Hanukkah dreidels, toy soldiers, Christmas trees, New Year's noisemakers, menorahs, seasonal gifts and more come together for a joyous celebration through either the Mexican Riviera or Caribbean.
"This year, a holiday vacation with Crystal is truly a wonderful gift for extended families and friends of different faiths to share the most joyous time of the year together," says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing. "With Hanukkah beginning on the eve of December 25th and ending on New Year's Day, guests will have the rare chance to celebrate their own traditions and at the same time share other festivities in a decidedly joyful yet sophisticated ambience."
Round-trip from Los Angeles, the warmth of Mexico and the luxury of Crystal Serenity beckon travelers to escape the home-based hustle of the holidays on a Pacific Riviera itinerary departing December 21, 2005. The 14-day cruise journeys to San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta (overnight), Mazatlan and La Paz, Mexico.
A 14-day Tropical Holiday voyage on Crystal Symphony travels round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale on December 22, 2005, visiting Key West, Florida; Aruba, Dutch West Indies; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles; Barbados and St. Lucia, West Indies; St. Barts, French West Indies; St. Thomas, USVI; and Nassau, Bahamas.
In keeping with Crystal's ultra-luxury vacation experience, $100,000 of seasonal decor - such as handcrafted ornaments, ornate sleighs, elaborate trees, twinkling menorahs - will adorn each ship. Clergy will be aboard to conduct a Christmas Eve Mass or a Protestant Christmas Eve service, and a rabbi will travel with each ship to conduct Hanukkah services. Junior activities staff will coordinate youth events throughout. Rich seasonal foods are complemented by low-fat, low-carb, sugar-free, vegetarian and other dietary selections on every menu.
Holiday cruise highlights include:
Christmas Eve
• Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner of roasted young duckling with chestnut stuffing and caramelized raspberry sauce, among other savory specialties;
• Christmas tree lighting ceremony hosted by the Captain - complete with Christmas carols, cookies and hot chocolate;
• Holiday tunes in the Avenue Saloon piano bar;
• Gingerbread houses adorning the dining room, lounges and Crystal Penthouses; and,
• Holiday gifts for all guests.
Christmas Day
• Complimentary morning eggnog followed by a gala Christmas luncheon;
• An afternoon arrival of Santa Claus bearing gifts for Junior Cruisers;
• "A Christmas Carol" performed by Crystal's innovative Repertory Theatre at Sea troupe;
• An extravagant Christmas Day Dinner with roasted Maryland tom turkey with bourbon-pecan gravy, cranberry-mango chutney and orange stuffing or sugar-glazed ham with marsala wine sauce and other traditional trimmings;
• Holiday-themed films (throughout cruise), shown in the Hollywood Theatre, as well as other popular recent releases; and,
• In-stateroom television programming (throughout cruise) of Christmas classics for all ages.
Hanukkah or "The Festival of Lights" (December 25-January 1)
• Traditional and nostalgic festivities include the nightly lighting of the Menorah;
• Traditional fried foods such as potato latkes;
• A Hanukkah dinner with gefilte fish, home-made chicken soup with matzo balls, roasted kosher chicken and potato pancakes with all of the seasonal accompaniments;
• Hanukkah "gelt" chocolate coins for all ages; and
• Story-telling of Hanukkah traditions and singing of Hanukkah folk songs.
New Year's Eve
• An opulent, gala New Year's Dinner, followed by drinks and dancing;
• A New Year's Eve live show; and,
• A festive New Year's Eve Countdown and balloon drop in the elegant two-story atrium.
New Year's Day
• Complimentary Bloody Mary parties; and,
• New Year's Day Brunch with champagne and mimosas.
The Award-winning Crystal Difference
Crystal has just received an unprecedented tenth consecutive "World's Best" award from the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, attesting to the consistent excellence of its luxury travel experience. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, Crystal is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices, and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.
The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity are among the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising in the luxury market. Their unique size allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of facilities, generous amenities and elegant staterooms, most with private verandah. The liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, Caesars Palace at Sea® casino, and the popular Computer University@Sea®, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands-on instruction.
Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com. |
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