In response to the overwhelming success of the keyboard classes offered through Yamaha’s “Passport to Music” program, Crystal Cruises and the pioneering music company are adding a series of progressively challenging classes called “Passport to Music PLUS”. Geared toward more accomplished piano and keyboard players, the new curriculum builds from the basics to more advanced levels.
Available complimentary through the ultra-luxury line’s Creative Learning Institute, the courses are scheduled this year on more than a dozen Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity cruises in the Mediterranean, Baltic, Transatlantic, Panama Canal and South America.
The three new “PLUS” classes are:
- Playing By Ear - Sharpen listening skills to enhance playing or singing, and discover music without the printed page;
- Exploring Chords 101 - Learn the basics of harmony, music theory and orchestration and how to create and play chords and the basics of; and
- Exploring Chords 202 - Progress to higher levels of harmony study.
Study materials for each class will include “homework” exercises that participants can complete during lab sessions held during days at sea. The lab sessions will provide guests with additional practice and one-on-one time with instructors. By the end of 2008, an Independent Study option will debut, enabling participants to work on their own selected pieces of music with the aid of step-by-step guidelines and instructor assistance.
Crystal’s exclusive Creative Learning Institute has offered “Passport to Music” keyboard classes through Yamaha aboard every cruise on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony since 2003 and 2004, respectively. “Passport to Music PLUS” classes began on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in May and June 2008, respectively.
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Filed under: Crystal Cruises Posted by Michael on 08/22/08
Luxury - and adventure - specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing an unprecedented number of Crystal Adventures shore excursions for its 2009 World Cruise. Sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles January 21, 2009, the 106-day expedition boasts more than 300 tours in all, including 125 brand new, which are designed to sate guests’ appetites for vigorous activity, as well as peak their intellectual and cultural curiosities. The tours take guests by horseback along New Zealand’s coast, by foot through the Takitumu Rainforest, by helicopter over the filming locations of Lord of the Rings, even through the Alaskan forests and glaciers by go-kart, to ensure the most exhilarating experiences possible.
Along with the tours, expanded onboard enrichment programming serves to offer Crystal World Cruise guests more - more celebrity guest lecturers and performers, more keyboard classes through Yamaha and language classes through Berlitz and more experiences and events unique to World Cruise itineraries.
The thrilling roster of Crystal Adventures allows guests to:
Over the Top Aerials
- · *NEW* Dunedin, New Zealand - Explore the filming locations of Lord of the Rings by helicopter, as well as the breathtaking New Zealand landscapes and the Misty Mountains.
- · *NEW* Petropavlovsk, Russia - Helicopter over dormant and active volcanoes and jagged ice crests in the Kamchatka Peninsula.
- · Ketchikan, Alaska - Fly over the awe-inspiring fjords, lakes, 1,000-foot waterfalls and granite cliffs of the Misty Fjords National Monument.
Active Adventure
- · *NEW* Noumea, New Caldonia - Swing through the Koghi Mountain rainforests on webbed ropes, pulleys and zip lines.
- · *NEW* Sihanoukville, Cambodia - Discover the nearly 37,000 acres of land and 15,000 acres of marine habitat during a day-long trek through Siem Reap National Park.
- · Ha Long Bay, Vietnam - Kayak through the striking Thien Cung and Dau Go caves, and explore the secluded grottoes and natural limestone structures lining the waters of Ha Long Bay.
Wild Encounters
- · *NEW* Waitangi, New Zealand - Swim with the dolphins - and perhaps penguins and orcas, too.
- · *NEW* Petropavlovsk, Russia - Visit Kamchatka Peninsula, where the Siberian K9 Kennel breed, train and house the famed sled dogs used as the primary transportation in the area.
- · *NEW* Bali, Indonesia - Ride an elephant at the Bali Elephant Safari Park, then venture into the Bali Bird Sanctuary.
- · *NEW* Komodo Island, Indonesia - Explore Komodo National Park, the habitat of the dragons of the same name, and likely spot a few as they hunt for food and greet visitors.
- · Perth, Australia - Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, wombats, camels and emus in their natural habitat at Caversham Wildlife Park and Zoo.
Tasteful Experiences
- · *NEW* Suva, Fiji - Discover the culinary techniques and flavors of the spice islands of the South Seas.
- · *NEW* Adelaide, Australia - Visit Southern Australia’s Barossa Valley for exclusive wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek, Peter Lehmann Winery and Yaldara Estate.
- · *NEW* San Francisco, CA - Savor the wines and cuisine of California’s renowned Napa Valley.
- · Hong Kong - Discover why Hong Kong is known as the culinary capital of Asia with a visit to a local market and demonstrations and samplings of the region’s authentic dishes.
Crystal’s full “Pacific Circle Celebration” World Cruise spans the globe, visiting 45 ports in 22 countries throughout the South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe, and is available in eight distinctive segments from 11 to 17 days. Fares for the full World Cruise begin at $54,135 per person, double occupancy. Crystal Adventures shore excursions are priced from $39 to $6,999 per person.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Crystal Cruises Posted by Michael on 08/05/08
No pithy opening this week, we just go right off into the news.
Crystal is offering a collection of savings and perks on their 2009 World Cruise.
Louis completed the purchase of Norwegian Majesty, and we found out that the future of Majestic America Line.
Carnival Fantasy has been turning around in Mobile due to the troubles in New Orleans on the Mississippi River.
We also got news about Oceania’s newest ship Marina, as construction began.
This week we take a look at an up and coming Mexican land destination, and our Deal of The Week as actually a land package.
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Filed under: Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Majestic America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Podcast Posted by Michael on 08/05/08
Crystal Cruises is the first line to feature professionally trained and certified cheese sommeliers who, rather than simply suggesting cheese selections, ascertain the finer nuances of guests’ palates. In true Crystal luxury fashion, sommeliers will introduce travelers to samplings of new flavors, textures and cheese combinations that complement food and wine - adding sophistication and knowledge to guests’ culinary experiences. The sommeliers will be introduced this month on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity following intensive training and certification supervised by Professor Gerhard Ebner of the International Cheese Academy of the Hotel and Tourism School in Bad Gleichenberg, Austria.
“Cheese continues to play an increasingly important role in the worldwide dining experience,” says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food & beverage. “The certification of sommeliers is the kind of subtle luxury amenity that guests won’t think about or truly appreciate until they’ve encountered it - and then they’ll be quite impressed. It also demonstrates the commitment in training Crystal’s culinary staff to be the best at what they do.”
Benefits to guests include:
- Sommelier suggestions on pairings with meals and wines, and insights on what blends thrive in certain regions of the world;
- Varying selections of cheeses, depending on season and regional delicacies;
- In all, 50 cheese vintages from 20 countries — from the internationally renowned to more obscure artisan choices made by hand, and
- Complimentary sommelier services, part and parcel to the overall Crystal Experience, illustrating that true luxury is illustrated in the finest details
Certification participants included the head sommelier; assistant maître d’ (senior head waiter) chef de cuisine; Prego restaurant sommelier; two head waiters; and food and beverage manager. A rigorous daily training schedule included courses covering the history of cheese; its production - including regional differences and how cows’ diets impact the flavor of the cheese - slicing techniques; tastings; presentation; creating cheese menus; and cooking with cheese. Participants also visited a restaurant specializing in cheese menus and toured a regional cheese market.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Crystal Cruises Posted by Michael on 07/28/08
Crystal Cruises is offering a host of new savings incentives and added value to guests booking the first two back-to-back segments of its 14th annual 2009 World Cruise. The 26-day voyage from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand now offers free air transportation back to the U.S., a combination-fare discount, a full payment discount, and no fuel surcharge. The new savings are valued between $2,000 and $3,300 per couple.
Further, guests taking two segments of the World Cruise enjoy a $200 per person onboard spending credit and two complimentary shore tours, as well as the added entertainment, classes and activities inherent in a Crystal World Cruise.
Special savings add up:
Free air transportation: Available from Auckland, New Zealand back to 20 U.S. gateways (or $600 air credit per person);
5% Combo Savings: Usually offered to guests taking two or more non-World Cruise voyages, has been extended to the first two segments of the 2008 World Cruise - save up $2,900 per couple;
3.5% Full Payment Discount: Guests paying for the back to back segments in full by October 27, 2008, can save up to $1,924 per couple;
No Fuel Surcharge: Receive a rollback of the $12 per person per day fuel surcharge - save $312 per person.
Grand total savings up to $6,600 per couple.
Added World Cruise value:
- · $200 CruiseBank shipboard credit - for guests taking two World Cruise segments.
- · Complimentary Crystal Adventures shore excursions in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Noumea, New Caledonia.
- · More onboard Creative Learning Institute enrichments classes, including progressive Berlitz language and Yamaha music programs.
- · More lecturers from celebrity and special-interest guest speakers and experts.
- · Nearly a dozen brand new Crystal Adventures - from swimming with dolphins in Cabo San Lucas to exploring New Zealand by Kayak and helicopter.
From Los Angeles to Auckland, Crystal Serenity will call in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands; and French Polynesia’s Rangiroa, Moorea, Papeete and Bora Bora; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Suva, Fiji; Noumea, New Caledonia; and Waitangi (Bay of Islands), New Zealand. Cruise fares start at $12,910 (after 5% savings) per person, double occupancy, less all of the special offers listed above.
Crystal Serenity’s full World Cruise - “Pacific Circle Celebration” - spans the globe, visiting 46 ports of call in 17 countries throughout the South Pacific, Asia, Africa and Europe. The seven distinctive segments range from 12 to 22 days.
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