Crystal Cruises took top honors across every category that it was eligible in the recent 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Crystal Cruises won Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line, Crystal Yacht Cruises won Best Small-Ship Cruise Line and Crystal River Cruises won Best River Cruise Line in the magazine’s annual awards.
The Reader’s Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. This year, Condé Nast Traveler received a record-breaking number of responses, nearly 630,000, from readers who rated their travel experiences around the world.
This marks a record 26th year that Crystal has received top recognition in these celebrated awards.
“We are honored and humbled by this recognition and thrilled that our mission of delivering the world’s best vacation experiences is being fulfilled,” said Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber. “Accolades like these, which are voted on by travelers themselves, are a testament that we have truly connected with our guests in the most meaningful ways.”
Crystal Cruises
Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line
Crystal’s ocean ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, remain the most awarded luxury ships at sea, both having undergone extensive redesigns recently. The addition of new Seabreeze Penthouses and Penthouse Suites mean more butler-serviced accommodations, while elegant, globally inspired dining experiences and high-tech amenities make guests’ experience authentic and effortless. The redesigns also brought new entertainment to the ships, including the new production Crystal on Broadway: The Show through Crystal’s partnership with Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, and a new Stardust Supper Club aboard Crystal Serenity.
Crystal River Cruises
Best River Cruise Line
Crystal River Cruises will introduce four new ships sailing the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers in 2020, making it the youngest fleet to sail Europe’s rivers. The 106-guest ships feature stylish spaces and open decks and itineraries that celebrate the rich heritage of their destinations. The all-suite, all-balcony ships offer butler service for every suite and showcase Michelin-inspired cuisine and fine wines. Crystal River Cruises offers hundreds of inclusive, curated shore experiences, catering to travelers’ individual tastes.
Crystal Yacht Cruises
Best Small-Ship Cruise Line
Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit offers exceptional cuisine, service and elegant suites in an intimate atmosphere that mirrors that of a private yacht. On itineraries through the Seychelles, Adriatic and Arabian Peninsula, the 62-guest Crystal Esprit explores marquee destinations, as well as lesser-visited locales that larger vessels cannot access. The yacht’s private marina is equipped for all manner of water adventures, complete with kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling and scuba gear and even a private submersible for deep-water exploration.
Crystal Cruises began its brand expansion in 2015 keeping its commitment to an unwavering standard of luxurious service and excellence, which has been the core of the company’s philosophy. In August 2020, Crystal’s portfolio will include the launch of Crystal Expedition Cruises and its new ship, Crystal Endeavor. The German-built, Polar Class (PC6) expedition ship will accommodate just 200 guests and feature state-of-the-art technology and equipment for exploring polar regions and remote subtropics.
The 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards are published exclusively on Condé Nast Traveler’s website and in its November print issue.
SOURCE Crystal Cruises press release
