Crystal's 2009 Half-Price Itineraries Announced

It's vacation planning time! Most cruise lines recently unveiled their 2009 itineraries and Crystal Cruises is no different. Visit their website now and you'll find descriptions of all 2009 voyages.

Crystal also just issued its list of "Value Collection" sailings. These 50% off itineraries are generally only offered during shoulder season or on repositioning cruises, but in 2009 Crystal has expanded its list to include the Panama Canal, South America, the Med, New England/Canada, the Caribbean, and the Amazon.

If you haven't sailed Crystal before, one of these voyages may be the ideal entrée. Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president of sales and marketing, agrees: "With Value Collection, travelers can enjoy Crystal's superb service and luxurious amenities at significant savings. This offers a great opportunity to experience Crystal Cruises and understand why we've been voted world's best by travelers more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort."

The itineraries offering up to 50% savings in 2009 are:

Panama Canal/Caribbean/Amazon
* February 16, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days. From $3,595 on Crystal Symphony.
* May 7, Los Angeles to Miami, 16 days. From $4,995 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 22, Round-trip Miami, 7 days. From $2,480 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 22, Miami to Manaus, 13 days. From $3,990 on Crystal Symphony.
* November 29, Miami to Caldera, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.
* December 10, Caldera to Miami, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.

Western Europe/Mediterranean
* June 2, Lisbon to Venice, 12 days. From $5,070 on Crystal Serenity.
* June 7, Rome to London, 12 days. From $4,360 on Crystal Symphony.

New England/Canada
* October 1, Boston to Montréal, 7 days. From $2,575 on Crystal Symphony.
* October 30, Montréal to New York, 11 days. From $3,835 on Crystal Symphony.

Ocean Crossings
* March 9, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days. From $3,690 on Crystal Symphony.
* May 23, Miami to Lisbon, 10 days. From $3,540 on Crystal Serenity.
* November 12, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days. From $3,540 on Crystal Serenity.

For more information, contact your travel agent or call Crystal Cruises at 888-799-4625.

More News on Crystal's Wine & Food Festival

Crystal Cruises has been busy lining up an all-star cast for its October Wine & Food cruises in the Mediterranean and New England. Here's what you can look forward to...

* Aboard the Serenity's 12-day voyage from Rome to Barcelona departing October 18, 2008: Michelle Bernstein, former James Beard nominee and well-known chef/owner of Michy's in Miami, and wine expert/author Lettie Teague of Food & Wine magazine.

* Aboard the Symphony's 10-day cruise beginning on October 19 from Montreal to New York: Henri Brosi, executive chef of London's Dorchester Hotel, will showcase the techniques that have earned him worldwide critical acclaim. Joining him is wine "wizard" Keith Goldston, one of the world's youngest Master Sommeliers.

Crystal's Wine & Food Festivals include onboard lectures, cooking demonstrations, tastings, and dinners of signature dishes.

Throughout each voyage, carefully crafted optional shore excursions offer guests authentic regional culinary experiences, such as cooking lessons at a Michelin star restaurant in Sorrento, wine tasting in the Sicilian countryside, a lobster lunch on the coast of Nova Scotia, and a three-course gourmet meal and blind wine tasting in Saint John's.

Crystal Serenity's 12-day cruise from Rome to Barcelona October 18, 2008, features calls in Naples and Sicily/Catania, Italy; Gibraltar, United Kingdom; and Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; concluding with a shipboard overnight call in Barcelona. Fares begin at $4,445, per person, double occupancy.

Crystal Symphony's 10-day cruise from Montreal to New York, October 19, 2008, features calls in Quebec City, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John's, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island. Fares begin at $3,435, per person, double occupancy.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.