MIAMI - Crystal River Cruises officially welcomed Crystal Mahler to its award-winning fleet in Germany during a handover ceremony held at MV WERFTEN Shipyard. The second "Rhine Class" river ship was received by Crystal's newly appointed president and CEO, Tom Wolber and was then christened by godmother Lauren Barfield. Ms. Barfield is an American volleyball star who has led teams to victory since her professional career began in Europe in 2012, and is currently playing for reigning German champions SSC Palmberg Schwerin, a team sponsored by MV WERFTEN. Ms. Barfield christened the ship with the traditional German blessing and champagne bottle breaking, as Crystal executives, local dignitaries and guests from Crystal parent company, Genting Hong Kong, looked on.
"Welcoming this stunning new ship to Crystal's celebrated fleet is incredibly gratifying, as we continue to expand the celebrated Crystal Experience to a broader audience of discerning world travelers," says Wolber. "Like her sister ships, Crystal Mahler surpasses all previously established standards of luxury in the river cruising industry, with Crystal's signature service and attention to detail that our guests have long expected from the 'World's Best.'"
Crystal Mahler joins Crystal Mozart and sister "Rhine Class" ship Crystal Bach, which embarked just last month, as part of the Crystal River Cruises fleet that was recently named "World's Best River Cruise Line" by the readers of Travel + Leisure. Sailing seven-, eleven- and 16-day voyages along the Rhine and Danube Rivers, she will call in medieval towns and modern hubs in Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Netherlands and Hungary. Two additional "Rhine Class" ships, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, will join the fleet in 2018.
"A new milestone has been reached with the handing over of Crystal Mahler to Crystal River Cruises as half of the Rhine Class river cruisers have now been delivered," said Jarmo Laakso, CEO of MV WERFTEN, during the handover.
The four 106-guest, all-suite, all-balcony "Rhine Class" river ships will offer plush amenities and spaces rarely seen in river cruising, featuring Crystal's signature service thanks to the highest crew-to-guest ratio in the industry. The ship features French balconies in all suites, many with walk-in closets and dual vanities in the bathrooms, and Crystal's celebrated butler service in every suite to attend to guests' individual wishes. ETRO robes and slippers, personal iPads, wall-mounted 42-inch, flat-screen HD TVs with streaming movies, complimentary Wi-Fi, and Nespresso machines are standard in every suite. Additional enticing features include a luxurious spa and separate fitness center and Crystal's farm-to-table, Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries including the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafe, the exclusive Vintage Room and the Palm Court.
"The enthusiastic response to Crystal's first Rhine Class ship, Crystal Bach, has been tremendous," says Wolber. "The innovative design of these ships and industry-leading features and amenities are truly impressive, and the world's most selective travelers are taking notice."
By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 27 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World's Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned "World's Best Cruise Ship" in Conde Nast Traveler's Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted "World's Best Large Ship Cruise Line" by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). The readers of Travel + Leisure also voted Crystal River Cruises the "World's Best River Cruise Line" and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises the "World's Best Small-Ship Cruise Line" in 2017. The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World's Most Luxurious River Cruise Line – Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.
