LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Due to strong demand, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises has expanded its 2010 European cruise collection to include two Black Sea voyages this summer.  The two new itineraries feature a maiden visit to Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as calls in Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey.  Steeped in artistic, military and architectural history, the 12-day cruises sail from Venice to Istanbul on July 19 and August 24 aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity.

"The Black Sea cruises are an exotic counterpart to the more familiar Mediterranean hot spots," says Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing.  "These destinations have a mysterious charm and tremendous historic value that places them high on travelers' lists of must-see places."

Beginning with overnight stays in Venice, the itineraries visit Katakolon (birthplace of the Olympics) and Navplion, Greece; Nesebur, Bulgaria; Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa, Ukraine; and conclude with an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey.  Other highlights include the sail from Venice, the cruise through the Dardanelles and the Bosporus Straits.

Distinguished speakers on world affairs, architecture, science and culture add rich dimension to the voyages,  including Newsweek's Chief Political Correspondent, Senior Editor and Deputy Washington Bureau Chief, Howard Fineman;  Dr. David Davenport, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and former president of Pepperdine University; and Dr. Bulent Atalay, a compelling expert on art, archaeology and the sciences.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $6,470 per person, and include $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive – As You Wish' shipboard credits.  Free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways – Business Class air for Penthouse guests – is also included.

Crystal Cruises is the winner of the hospitality industry's most coveted awards, including being voted World's Best Large Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure (for 14 consecutive years), Best Large-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine (for 16 years), and Crystal Serenity is the highest rated large ship in the latter magazine's February 2010 issue.

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

CONTACT:  Mimi Weisband or Julie Dibble (310) 203-4305, mediarelations@crystalcruises.com

VISIT: www.crystalcruises.com/mediacenter.aspx

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

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