By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal River Cruises’ first vessel is to showcase interiors designed by UK-based AD Associates and Canada-based II by IV Design when she debuts in Europe on 13 July.
Named in honour of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Crystal Mozart has been specially designed to fit through the wider locks of the Danube River from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary. This makes her double the width of an average river cruise vessel on European rivers.
The ship’s four main decks – Harmony (homage to Crystal’s first ocean ship), Seahorse, Crystal and Vista – will offer numerous public areas, including a pop-up bar on the top Vista deck, which will also feature a living rooftop garden area.
Onboard highlights will include Waterside, the main indoor/outdoor dining area; The Pantry, a self-service wine and beverage bar; Bistro Mozart, which will serve freshly baked pastries, snacks and hot beverages; and Blue, an aft indoor dining area that offers a similar menu to Tastes aboard Crystal Serenity.
Guests will also be able to visit The Cove, a live entertainment venue; Palm Court for cocktails, tea, dancing and live local entertainment; and the Vintage Room, which hosts winemakers’ dinners and special events for around 12 guests.
Crystal Mozart will also feature fully-equipped fitness, spa and salon facilities at the Crystal Life Spa, marking the first time ever the spa on a Crystal ship will be operated and staffed by Crystal’s own trained crew. An indoor pool will complement two treatment rooms and male and female sauna and steam rooms.
“The experience awaiting guests when they step aboard Crystal Mozart will be true to the superior standard of luxury for which Crystal has always been celebrated, with some additional and original offerings that will be exclusive to Crystal River Cruises,” says Crystal’s president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “We’re bringing what was already a grand dame of European rivers up to the superlative Crystal level, with a modern but ‘classically Crystal’ twist.”
The 158-guest Crystal Mozart will have 219sqft window suites, deluxe suites with French balconies, 330sqft penthouse suites, and a two-bedroom, 883sqft Crystal Suite – the largest suite on any river vessel afloat. All suites will feature king-size beds, Nespresso machines, 40-inch flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms, while the one-bedroom penthouses and two-bed Crystal Suite will feature French Balconies, walk-in closets and separate showers and oversized bathtubs. Crystal’s signature butler service will be available with every guest suite.
“At the heart of every Crystal Experience is the genuine service and expert attention to detail our guests enjoy,” said Rodriguez. “With our newest vessels, we’re upping our own ante by making every possible effort to ensure these components of a Crystal holiday are unparalleled.”