The company won the top spot in Luxury, Dining and Stateroom categories, further establishing Crystal River Cruises as the definitive luxury leader in the river cruising industry.
“We are exceedingly proud to be recognised by the insiders and experts of Cruise Critic in these areas in particular, as they are the cornerstones of the Crystal River Experience,” said Walter Littlejohn, Vice President and Managing Director of Crystal River Cruises. “It is immensely gratifying that our efforts in creating a new standard of luxury along Europe’s rivers is resonating with those who know best and are trusted by travellers for their expertise.”
Crystal River Cruises’ ships – the “Queen of the Danube” Crystal Mozart and identical new-build ships Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel – offer Michelin-inspired cuisine in a variety of elegant venues. All five ships offer all-suite accommodations with personal butler service for every suite, while the four new ships are the only all-suite, all-butler ships in Europe with all guest accommodations perched above the water line.
In total, the Cruise Critic UK and Cruise Critic US 2018 “Editors’ Picks” awards chose Crystal River Cruises as the best in the following categories:
Best for Luxury (River Category) – Cruise Critic UK & US
“Crystal has found the perfect formula for luxury river cruising. Every guest is treated to butler service, expansive suites and gourmet dining. Details matter on Crystal’s ships, and you’ll see it everywhere, from luxury bedding to excellent local wines and intuitive world-class service. The cruise line’s riverboats include myriad unique features, such as indoor fitness pools and round-the-clock dining options.”
Best Dining (River Category) – Cruise Critic UK & US
“A foodie’s dream, Crystal raises the bar for onboard dining with made-to-order meals and elevated creative presentations. Open seating, sumptuous furnishings and tables for two make all dinners feel like date night. Casual dining is also spectacular, with a to-die-for burger at lunch and global tapas dinner menu. The included wine list is excellent – and the Vintage Room is a decadent splurge for oenophiles.”
Best Cabins – Cruise Critic UK
“Crystal’s cabins are among the most spacious on the rivers. Even its smallest staterooms come in at a cavernous 188 square feet. Every cabin feels like a boutique hotel suite, with modern furnishings, earth-inspired colour palettes and comfortable beds that feel luxurious. Crystal doesn’t skimp on the amenities, either. Each cabin comes with impeccable butler service, high-end toiletries and large showers. Crystal has mastered the river cruise cabin.
All of Crystal’s river ships feature private butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, ETRO amenities, robes and slippers, and wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs. Additional enticing features include farm-to-table cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the countryside.
