Crystal Cruises reports record bookings for its week ending January 11. For same year bookings, the multi award-winning line enjoyed its highest January sales in more than five years. While the record bookings were primarily for Baltic and Mediterranean cruises, Crystal enjoyed a surge of reservations for closer-in World Cruise segments, as well as strong sales for fourth quarter cruises in New England/Canada and its 2010 holiday cruises.
In the fall of 2009, the ultra-luxury line completely revamped its fares and value-added promotional offers with two-for-one pricing, generous ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ spending credits, free roundtrip air transportation (even free Business Class!) from almost two dozen North American gateways, and a much-respected price guarantee. Also in the fall, the line’s dramatic Crystal Symphony makeover and 2010 Cruise Atlas debuted to rave reviews.
“The response to our 20th Anniversary promotions for 2010 and Symphony redesign has far exceeded our expectations,” says Gregg Michel, Crystal’s president. “We hoped for – and enjoyed – a strong December due to a very attractive Birthday Bonus promotion that expired at the end of the 2009. We assumed there would be strength in late January into February, but the year has kicked off to a great start. Our Reservations Department is busier than ever with the strongest call volume we’ve seen in a long time. People are choosing brands they trust.”
Crystal Cruises’ ultra-luxurious Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are renowned for their service, space, quality and choices, as well as innovations and value. The ships sail worldwide on itineraries through the Mediterranean, Australia/New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Middle East, Baltic, British Isles, North Cape, Africa, South America, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and New England/Canada.
In 2009, Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Crystal Cruises as the “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for a 16th year shortly after Travel + Leisure readers voted the ultra-luxury line as the “World’s Best” for a 14th consecutive year. Crystal Cruises has also recently been awarded Best Luxury Line by editors at Cruise Critic, trade magazines and leading travel agents.
