15 For 15 - Crystal Voted World's Best Again

LOS ANGELES, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- For a record 15th consecutive year, Crystal Cruises has been voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.  The ultra-luxury line is the only vacation experience -- cruise line, hotel or resort -- to have been voted #1 by for 15 years, each year since the awards' inception.  Crystal Cruises' 2010 World's Best Score of 90.47 is one of the line's highest ever scores and its second highest score in eight years.

Travel + Leisure reports the 2010 poll generated a record number of voters.  Subscribers were only permitted one vote each, and were asked to rate cruise lines on cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities and value, plus an optional vote for families.  The World's Best Awards are featured in the magazine's August 2010 issue.  

"As Crystal Cruises celebrates its 20th anniversary of cruising, it is immensely gratifying that discerning travelers have voted us #1 for the past 15 consecutive years," says Crystal Cruises President Gregg Michel.  "This prestigious award is an incredible testament to Crystal's consistency in delivering the very best, and a tremendous validation of the authentic warmth and professionalism of our extraordinary staff."

Crystal's luxurious, award-winning fleet, the 922-guest, 51,044-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,070-guest, 68,870-ton Crystal Serenity, sail worldwide itineraries of seven to 100+ days.  In fall 2009, Crystal Symphony underwent an extensive $25 million redesign and now boasts completely renovated Crystal Penthouses and Penthouse accommodations, Prego Italian restaurant, Lido Cafe and chicly modern seating areas where the Neptune Pool formerly existed.  Crystal's total investment in its vessels in the past two years tops $65 million in ultra-luxury appointments and designs.

Inspired innovative features like restaurants with cuisine by Nobu Matsuhisa, ultimate wine experiences, tech concierges, over-the-top Crystal Adventures ashore, and uncompromising attention to detail continues to distinguish the Crystal experience.

"We are confident that Crystal's substantial investments in our ships and the innovative experiences we offer – from the academic to the adventurous – will continue to provide astute travelers with an unmatched vacation," adds Michel.

Further attesting to the consistency of its ratings, Crystal Cruises was voted "Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine for a record 16 years, as well as numerous distinguished consumer, travel agent and media polls and environmental awards worldwide.  

For 2011, Crystal continues to introduce sophisticated innovations and new destinations, including Perfect Choice Dining™ featuring Open Dining by Reservation, an online Priority Check-in and Planning Center tool, a 16th annual epic World Cruise with new West African destinations, and a return to Alaska for its first summer series since 2005.

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

CONTACT:  Mimi Weisband or Julie Dibble (310) 203-4305, [email protected]

VISIT:  Crystal's Media Center

SOURCE Crystal Cruises