Crystal River Cruises Launches With Christening Of Crystal Mozart
by James ShillinglawCrystal Mozart’s christening marks the debut of Crystal River Cruises.
Crystal, growing its portfolio of luxury travel and lifestyle brands, officially launched Crystal River Cruises by naming the Crystal Mozart, the first in a planned fleet of seven river ships.
During a ceremony on July 11 in Vienna attended by local dignitaries, media and executives from Crystal, the ship’s Godmother Elisabeth Gürtler, managing director of the Hotel Sacher and the city’s historic Spanish Riding School, rechristened the 154-passenger ship.
Crystal Mozart’s maiden voyage on July 13 will mark the official launch of Crystal River Cruises, which will get four additional river ships by the end of next summer and two the following year. The refurbished ship features spacious suites, personal butlers, six-star service, gourmet cuisine and the highest guest-to-crew ratio in river cruising at 1.74. Crystal Mozart also is the only river ship with a full wrap-around promenade.
Measuring 395 feet long and 75 feet wide, the all-suite Crystal Mozart features an array of elegant and casual dining options, as well as lounges and bars, including a pop-up bar. The Crystal Life Spa has an indoor pool and fully-equipped fitness, spa and saloon facilities.
Crystal Mozart will sail itineraries along the Danube River, calling at cities and towns in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Serbia. For the first time on a Crystal voyage, most excursions are complimentary. Guests can reserve electronic bicycles on the ship for independent exploration; VIP Champagne boat tours also will be available for private cruising and sightseeing along Europe’s narrower waterways.
Crystal Mozart also is one of the most technologically advanced river ships in the world. Each suite offers Apple iPad devices that serve as digital directories for virtually all of guests’ onboard needs, from dry cleaning and butler service to room service and dining reservations, as well as concierge and Crystal Adventures reservations. Suites have 40-inch flat-screen HD TVs and backlit bathroom mirrors with integrated televisions. Bathrooms have TOTO Washlet personal cleaning systems integrated with the toilets, which also offer heated seats, automatic open/close, aerated water and warm air dryers.

