Thursday, May 26, 2016

Crystal Mozart Unveiled!

Ultra-chic and ultra-elegant, Crystal River Cruises has just revealed the design details of the much anticipated Crystal Mozart, the first of five all-suite river yachts set to elevate European river cruising to entirely new standards of all-inclusive excellence. With unmatched space and luxury, the strikingly reimagined Crystal Mozart will host 158 guests in pampered luxury.

As Europe’s largest and most luxurious river vessel, Crystal Mozart marries the classic elegance for which Crystal is known with innovative, state-of-the-art design and technologies—expansive windows and skylights, a living rooftop garden with teak bench seating to relax and enjoy the scenery, a midship elevator connecting three of the four decks, and an exceptionally clever “pop-up” bar on the river yacht’s top Vista Deck, complete with a vanishing movie screen for al fresco evening entertainment.

Popular venues on Crystal’s ocean ships find a natural home aboard Crystal Mozart, including Palm Court for drinks and dancing, The Cove piano bar and lounge, the Vintage Room for wine dinners, and Bistro Mozart for coffees and charcuterie. The Waterside Restaurant will serve superb, locally influenced cuisine, and the Crystal Life Spa, complete with full-service salon, fitness center, private treatment rooms and indoor pool, marks Crystal’s first-ever spa operated and staffed by Crystal’s own trained crew.
Boasting the largest suites of any river ship—including two 883-square-foot Two-Bedroom Crystal Suites and 12 Penthouse Suites of 330 square feet—Crystal Mozart’s exquisitely appointed deluxe accommodations measure a generous 219 square feet, nearly all of them featuring a floor-to-ceiling French Balcony creating a seamless connection with the passing beauty of the Danube. Other unique suite features include full-height closets, in-suite bar set-up, and dedicated butler service for any special arrangements, daily hors d’oeuvres service and more.
For more information and to make reservations on any Crystal  Ships, contact The Cruise Professionals at theCRUISEOUTLET.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com  For  exclusive rates and amenities, 

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Disney Announces 2017 Cruise Schedule

Disney Sailing from New York, Galveston, Florida & West Coast  
Disney Cruise Line is proud to offer dreamy escapes for fall 2017—available to book . Cast off the coast of Florida, Texas or New York to enchanting Bahamian ports of call. Sail from California on Baja and Mexican Riviera cruises. Or, discover magical New England and Canadian voyages departing from New York.
Eastern Caribbean
Surround yourself with crystal blue waters, powder-soft beaches and nonstop family fun on a 7-night cruise to treasured islands like Tortola, St. John and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
Western Caribbean
Soak up the natural beauty and vibrant cultures of 3 tropical ports of call—Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica—during a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Port Canaveral that includes a fun stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.
Bahamas
Disney Cruise Line sails to the Bahamas on a variety of sun-soaked itineraries. All cruises include a stop at Disney's private island paradise, Castaway Cay. And now, on special sailings from New York, Guests can take advantage of a convenient stop in Florida to visit Walt Disney World®!
Canadian Coast
Sail from New York to handsome ports of call with a selection of itineraries featuring destinations like St. John, Charlottetown, Bar Harbor and fascinating cities in beautiful Nova Scotia.
Baja and Mexican Riviera
Relish a weekend getaway from San Diego to Ensenada—known for its stellar surfing conditions, innovative cuisine and legendary hot springs. Or, extend your vacation to visit lovely Cabo San Lucas. Take a week-long Mexican Riviera cruise to explore Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta and beyond!
Transatlantic
Delve into the rich history of several port cities—including Cadiz, Spain and Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal. There's a bounty of sights for you to discover over the course of your 11-night sailing.
Panama Canal
Savor top-notch amenities aboard a 14-night coast-to-coast cruise that takes you through the world-famous Panama Canal. Call upon blissful port cities in Mexico, Colombia and the Caribbean before arriving in Galveston, Texas. 


For more information and to make reservations on a Disney Cruise or one of the Disney Parks,  contact The Cruise Professionals at theCRUISEOUTLET.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com  And ask them about their exclusive rates and amenities.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Carnival Vista wears its innovations well

The Carnival Vista, four years in the making, is distinguished by a number of new features that seem so right on a cruise ship, you wonder why no one thought of them before. 
The one that will send a lot of photos is SkyRide, the recumbent bicycle that riders propel beneath an 800-foot-long track suspended 150 feet above the waterline. SkyRide is just fun, It lasts about 90 seconds at normal pace and riders can reach speeds of 18 miles an hour if they pedal hard. 
The dual track on SkyRide allows for companions to cycle together or friends to race the 800-foot circuit.  Although its appeal to kids is obvious, wait times on a recent cruise peaked at 35-40 minutes, but that may grow as more children board during the summer months.
There is the Family Harbor: a class of cabins grouped around a key-carded lounge for families. The concept is so functional, its hard to believe no one has tried it before. The Family Harbor Lounge is surrounded by family-friendly cabins and access is controlled by key card. Some family cabins are designed with a bed nook and TV that can be curtained off from the rest of the cabin, which both kids and parents will find a cool idea for different reasons.  In addition to a unified nautical design theme, the cabins come with perks such as free meals for kids at most specialty restaurants and a night of free babysitting.

Dreamscape is a central pillar in the atrium that projects moving images through LED technology.
Bringing IMAX to sea also seems a no-brainer, if a little complicated to execute. Carnival has taken a three-deck space in the interior to put 178 raked seats in front of the enormous IMAX screen.
Programming includes documentaries ($5.50), and 3-D family features and current Hollywood blockbusters ($12.95), which by the third quarter will be delivered digitally by satellite at the same time that they open in 1,100 IMAX land theaters.

The Vista has other innovations that merit high grades. Visitors gawk at Dreamscape, a multi-story mushroom-shaped pillar that is programmed with ever-changing images crafted in LED lights.
The Vistas photo gallery is the first end-to-end digital gallery on Carnival. Photos display on a video wall and are available for purchase on a guests hand-held device through the Carnival Hub app.
Light fixtures that look like rocket nozzles are part of the design scheme for Carnival Vista.

Another winning space on the ship is the Cuban-themed complex on Deck 5 aft. Havana Bar has been upgraded from the Carnival Sunshine to have more seating, a better bandstand/dance floor, and better theming, including dominos tables and a colonial map of Cuba on the wall. It extends outdoor to an aft pool area, and is surrounded by Cuban-themed cabins and suites. The latter come with open air patios that connect via a deck walk to the pool. The whole outdoor area is private to Havana cabin guests from 6 am to 5 pm, giving it a club atmosphere.
I didnt catch all of the entertainment, but more than ever before Carnival is taking musicians and dispatching them to parts of the ship you don’t expect to see them in. Examples include a strolling accordion player and a New Orleans jazz trio stationed at the entrance to one of the main dining rooms.
The stateroom corridors on Carnival Vista feature floor-to-ceiling photo panels. The Vistas design is the most elegant ever for a Carnival ship. I particularly liked the orange light fixtures that look like rocket nozzles and give the ship a lot of visual thrust.  Another neat trick is the use of floor to ceiling photo panels in the stateroom corridors, which make the cabin doors almost disappear and keep the corridors from being visual dead zones. 
A few things about the Vista were disappointing, puzzling, or didnt work. Not building USB charging outlets next to the beds is a missed opportunity on any new cruise ship. The Vista doesnt have them.
There are odd changes of elevation of an inch or two in some stateroom corridors that could catch walkers by surprise.

The Pixels photo gallery is the first end-to-end digital gallery in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.
The otherwise appealing Lido Marketplace buffet can feel overcrowded at breakfast, and the excursion staging areas at times are overwhelmed, resulting in long lines.
The new a la carte Seafood Shack seemed expensive to me, compared to the great value Carnival delivers in other specialty restaurants. The prices are not bad compared to what you get someplace else.
For more information and to make reservations on any Carnival  Ship, contact The Cruise Professionals at theCRUISEOUTLET.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com and check on their  exclusive rates and amenities, 

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Crystal Cruise Line >>> The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line

By cruise, river or yacht, you can  discover the luxurious world of Crystal® on a rich and varied collection of journeys exploring all seven continents with The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™—the waterways of Europe with Crystal River Cruises™, and the boutique harbors of the Seychelles, Adriatic and Mediterranean with Crystal Yacht Cruises™.
Whether you prefer the regal elegance of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity on voyages ranging from convenient 8-day Crystal Getaways to indulgent 100+ day World Cruise odysseys, or the immersive cultural enrichment discovered along the Danube River as Crystal Mozart—Europe’s largest and most elegant river yacht—explores the Wachau Valley, or the intimate connections and adrenaline-inducing adventures aboard our sporty, boutique yacht Crystal Esprit, the All Exclusive Crystal Experience presents moments of a lifetime all day, every day with a curated collection of Crystal Adventures ashore – many complimentary – and an unrivaled level of six-star service, superb cuisine and contemporary enrichment.
You can take advantage of Crystal’s limited-time Book Now Fares to enjoy all-inclusive cruise-only fares from as little as $1,695 per person when they book their Crystal vacation by June 30, 2016!
For more information and to make reservations on  any of the   beautiful ships of Crystal contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com and ask about the exclusive rates and amenities. 


Colonial Charms & Idyllic Isles V6327 - New York City to Ft. Lauderdale on Crystal Serenity 
Oct. 25 - Nov. 8, 2016 (14 Days) - FARES FROM: $4,045 
With the famed New York City skyline in your clients' wake, they can follow the Eastern Seaboard to islands in the sun...Caribbean idylls revered for their shimmering waters and magical beaches. 

California Cachet V6229 
Round-trip San Diego on Crystal Symphony - Nov. 16-26, 2016 (10 Days) 
CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $3,370 
From San Diego's historic Gas Lamp Quarter and famous zoo to San Francisco's eclectic neighborhoods and iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the California coast enchants with its beauty. 

Flavors of the Caribbean V6329 - Round-trip New Orleans on Crystal Serenity 
 Nov. 22 - Dec. 6, 2016 (14 Days) > CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $4,925 
Known as the Big Easy or Crescent City, some even refer to New Orleans as the northernmost Caribbean city...and with its European heritage and island-influenced food, dance and music, it's easy to see why. 

Isles of the South Pacific V6231 - Papeete to Auckland on Crystal Symphony 
Dec. 9-21, 2016 (11 Days) >CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $3,285 
Deep in the South Pacific, your clients can discover the idyllic isles that have inspired the muses of artists and authors for centuries. 

Crystal Yacht Cruises
Your clients can sail aboard Crystal Esprit. 

Crystal Yacht Cruises V6648 
Athens to Limassol  Nov. 6-13, 2016 7 Days) -CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $4,270 

Crystal Yacht Cruises V6652 - Round-trip Dubai 
Dec. 13-23, 2016 (10 Days) - CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $8,750 

Danube's Capitals & Wachau Valley Cruise V6M13R - Round-trip Vienna 
DATES: Nov. 2-12, 2016 (10 Days) CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $3,370 

Christmas Markets Along the Danube Cruise V6M15R - Round-trip Vienna Nov. 22 - Dec. 2, 2016 (10 Days) - CRUISE-ONLY FARES FROM: $3,180 

Crystal River Cruises 
Reimagined. Reinvented. We invite your clients to come aboard and discover Crystal River Cruises™ and experience luxury river cruising like never before...as only Crystal can. 

The incomparable Crystal Experience is renowned for its ultra-luxe amenities and services, as well as unparalleled value including†:

*Complimentary select fine wines, champagne and premium spirits.
*Complimentary gratuities for all dining, bar, housekeeping and Penthouse butler staff.
*Complimentary evening of specialty restaurant dining at least once in Silk Road or the Sushi Bar celebrating the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, and at least once in Prego. Additional reservations or walk-in visits available for a modest fee.*
*Complimentary enrichment via the innovative Creative Learning Institute and Computer University@Sea with classes in diverse topics such as world affairs, wellness, art, wine appreciation, digital photography and iPad filmmaking
*Complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet access.**
*Complimentary fitness and Wellness at Sea programs with classes in yoga, mat Pilates, Spinning, and so much more!

Aboard Crystal's award-winning ships, we invite you to experience an entirely new standard of luxury travel, where all inclusive is now All Exclusive.


Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Crystal unveils design of its first river ship

Crystal Cruises has released detailed renderings and design insights for its first river cruise ship, the Crystal Mozart, which will enter service on July 13. Crystal acquired the Mozart, a former Peter Deilmann vessel, last year and has invested in an extensive redesign of the 158-passenger ship.
The new interiors are being designed by Londons AD Associates and Torontos II by IV Design. The palette will be cream, gray and white accented by deep blue, green and vibrant prints. The furnishings will offer contemporary comfort, according to Crystal. 

Some of the highlights of the new amenities will be a pop-up bar area on the top deck, complete with a retractable movie screen for evening screenings outside. There will also be a rooftop garden on the top deck. Two custom tender boats will be made available so that passengers can experience a more intimate exploration of Europes waterways. All suites will feature king-size beds, Nespresso machines, 40-inch flat-screen televisions and marble bathrooms. There will be window suites at 219 square feet, deluxe suites with a French balcony at 219 square feet, penthouse suites at 330 square feet, and a two-bedroom Crystal suite at 883 square feet. Every suite will have butler service. 
Penthouse suites will be 330 square feet. 
A newly installed elevator will be located midship traveling between the first and third deck, but not to the fourth/upper deck. The public areas will include Waterside, the main dining room with both indoor and outdoor space. Waterside will serve breakfast and lunch buffets, followed by an upscale evening dinner service. Palm Court will be the main hub for dancing and live entertainment as well as casual cocktails and tea. At the aft of the vessel there will be an indoor dining venue, Blue, which a menu of comfort food in a more casual atmosphere. The Bistro Mozart will serve pastries, fruit, snacks, coffee, espresso and tea throughout the day. The Pantry will be a self-service wine and beverage bar. The Vintage Room will be an intimate dining room for approximately a dozen guests that will serve winemaker's dinners. It can be booked for special occasions.
The Crystal Mozart will also feature fitness, spa and salon facilities at the Crystal Life Spa. For the first time on a Crystal ship, the spa will be operated and staffed by Crystals own trained crew. This area will house an indoor pool, two treatment rooms, and sauna and steam rooms for men and women. There will 91 trained crew members onboard, for a crew-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:1.75. 

For more information and to make reservations on a Crystal River Boat or any of the other  beautiful ships of Crystal contact The Cruise Professionals at  TheCruiseOutlet.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com and ask about their exclusive rates and amenities.