Crystal's 2013 Northern Europe Cruises Offer Shorter Itineraries, More Overnights & More Variety

Beginning June 8 aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity, three new seven-day itineraries and five 10-day luxury cruises will take guests to some of the region's most beautiful, culturally significant cities and landscapes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Russia and the UK, including Ireland. Crystal's Northern Europe cruises also offer a more than 25% increase in local overnights, with double the nights in Copenhagen alone.

"Summer is a spectacular time to explore Northern Europe," says Jack Anderson, senior vice president, sales and marketing. "The shorter voyages offer guests more convenient options for families and busy travelers to explore the history, culture, and beauty of the region."

While Crystal has traditionally presented 11- and 12-day Baltic itineraries, the new, carefully-crafted voyages offer abundant port time to delve into each destination's distinct charm. Several overnight stays allow travelers to immerse themselves in the sights, smells and sounds of each locale, with nearly all the voyages offering overnights at the cruise's start and end, and/or mid-cruise, including two nights in storied St. Petersburg.

Expanded destination options also add more choice for travelers in Scandinavia and Britain. Two new seven-day UK cruises sail to and from Dublin for the first time, and a new seven-day London-Copenhagen sailing marks the line's return to Amsterdam, Netherlands; Zeebrugge, Belgium; and Helsingborg, Sweden for the first time in several years.

Not all of Crystal's Northern European itineraries are 10 days or under. A 15-day North Cape voyage makes a maiden call to Loen and rare visit to Olden, Norway. North Cape and back-to-back Scandinavia/Russia cruises can be combined for further exploration, ease and luxury. Additionally, three Crystal Symphony cruises sail through Reykjavíc, Iceland, expanding Crystal's Northern European presence beyond the Baltic.

Enhancing guests' experience of the locales, Crystal's acclaimed land programs for the 2013 Northern Europe season feature hundreds of uniquely crafted shoreside experiences, from UNESCO World Heritage Sites and elegant evening performances, to hands-on culinary instruction and adventurous exploration of the area's natural wonders.

Through December 28, all-inclusive "Book Now" cruise fares for the Northern Europe voyages begin at $2,885 per guest, with attractive airfare add-on options also available.

Crystal's passion for creating exceptional itineraries and exclusive, eye-opening shore-side experiences that connect guests to the world and to each other has earned the company top accolades for more than two decades.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.