LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Cruises has tapped award-winning international authors on Asian culture and a chef with global passions to join guests and add their regional insights to several compelling tours in Vietnam, India and Thailand.
On select April cruises, Crystal guests have the unusual opportunity to explore Vietnam's mysterious Cu Chi Tunnels and the imperial city of Hue with filmmaker/professor/author Dr. Jean Pierre-Isbouts, share the Taj Mahal with author/historian Diana Preston who wrote a book about the treasure of India, or visit a local Thai market with guest chef, Azmin Ghaherman.
"Our guests seek distinctive experiences, wherever in the world they travel," says John Stoll, Crystal Cruises' director of land programs. "The expertise of Dr. Pierre-Isbouts, Chef Ghalerman and Ms. Preston add depth, personalization and exclusivity to the Crystal Adventure excursions."
"Mysteries of the Far East" cruise - Hong Kong to Singapore -
Apr 14-25, 2008
-- Features a call in Chan May, Vietnam; an overnight call in Ho Chi Minh
City; an overnight call in Bangkok's port of Laem Chabang; and
overnight stay in Singapore.
-- A recognized authority on Southeast Asia, Dr. Isbouts will offer
insights and commentary on the intricate Chu Chi tunnel networks once
used by the Vietcong, and a more personalized look into the history,
culture and architecture of Hue, from its Imperial Palace to the
Heavenly Lady Pagoda -- one of the holiest pagodas in all Vietnam.
-- Fares for the 11-day cruise start at $4,495. The Cu Chi tunnel and
Hue tours are $73 and $110, respectively.
"Silk and Spices" voyage -- Singapore to Dubai - Apr 25-May 11, 2008
-- Features calls in Phuket, Thailand; Cochin, Marmagoa, and Mumbai,
India; Muscat, Oman; Doha, Quatar (a maiden call); and an overnight
call in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
-- Diana Preston, author of Taj Mahal: A Love Affair at the Heart of the
Moghul Empire, will escort the full-day tour to discuss the treasure's
creation, its cultural and architectural heritage, and daily life
within the imperial palace. The excursion includes chartered
roundtrip air from Mumbai to Agra, an exploration of the palace
apartments, grand mosques and marble pavilions of Agra Fort, lunch and
hospitality room accommodations, and an exclusive tour of the Taj
Mahal.
-- Guest chef Azmin Ghaherman will supplement his onboard Wine & Food
Festival demos and dinner with a shore-side excursion to a local
market in Phuket. The owner of Sapphire Laguna restaurant in Laguna
Beach, Ghaherman was born in Iran, educated in Switzerland, and has
held executive chef positions from Australia to Malaysia, honing his
global oriented approach to fine cuisine.
-- Fares for 16-day cruise fares start at $5,335. The full-day tour
accompanied by Preston begins at $2,350 per person. Fares and
reservations for the marketplace tour will be available on board.
The Crystal Difference
In the past few years, Crystal Symphony has undergone $35 million in stylish upgrades. Nobu Matsuhisa's Silk Road and The Sushi Bar will debut at the beginning of Crystal's 2008 Asia season.
Aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and superior quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea. Grounded in more than a decade of accolades, Crystal has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at crystalcruises.com.
CONTACT: Mimi Weisband (310) 203-4302
publicrelations@crystalcruises.com
Crystal Cruises
