Crystal Unveils Details Of Four New-Build River Ships

A rendering of one of Crystal’s new “Paris Class” luxury river cruise ships.

Crystal, the rapidly expanding luxury cruise and hospitality company, has released details of its planned four new-build river ships set to debut in 2017. Crystal will enter the luxury river cruise market in Europe this July when it launches the refurbished Crystal Mozart. Crystal is then planning to build six new river ships in 2017 and two in 2018.  

The four new river ships set to debut next year will feature a nearly identical design strategy to Crystal Mozart, with some differences due to the different size of the vessels. While Crystal Mozart is the largest river ship in Europe, accommodating 158 guests, the new builds will accommodate roughly half that number. 

Sailing on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach will be a new “Rhine Class” of river ships, at 135 meters in length with 106 guests in 53 suites. Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, now part of a “Paris Class” of river ships, will sail on the Seine, Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde Rivers. They will be 110 meters long and carry 78 guests in 39 suites. 

All four river ships will feature Crystal’s butler service for every suite. Suites will measure up to 759 square feet (Crystal Suite) and feature king-sized beds that face panoramic balcony-windows. They will have walk-in closets, full-length mirrors, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs and Nespresso machines. All suites will be located entirely above the waterline.  

Each new river ship will have a choice of dining venues, including the Waterside Restaurant, Bistro cafés and Vintage Room, as well as the Cove Bar and Palm Court lounge. Crystal will offer open-seating dining, allowing guests to dine where and when they want. 

Other amenities and services include a full-service spa and separate fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise machines and cardio equipment as well as free weights. There will also be a partial indoor/outdoor pool on the aft of Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler.