U.S. News & World Report Votes Crystal Cruises #1 In Luxury And Romance

Ultra-Luxe Line Boasts Industry's Most Wins in Pub's Inaugural Cruise Rankings

Ship Itineraries in Europe, the Pacific, and Caribbean Also Top Survey

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Dec 11, 2013, 11:01 ET

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned consumer advice and news magazine, U.S. News & World Report, has voted Crystal Cruises #1 in seven categories of its first-ever "Best Cruises" rankings-- more than twice the first-place wins of any other line. Crystal won "Best Luxury Cruise Line" and "Best Line for Romance" in the overall Best Cruise Line categories, and dominated several ship itinerary-based rankings within Region, Traveler Type, and Budget categories, winning "Best Cruises...": "...for Couples"; "...for Luxury; and "...in the Caribbean," "...in Europe," and "...in the Pacific," respectively. The 2014 survey also praised the company's "unparalleled customer service," called out its "distinct voyages around the world," and gave Crystal Symphony perfect 5's in its Health and Overall Ratings within several lists. The complete results, profiling lines that "consistently meet the highest expectations of passengers and critics," are now available at the magazine's website, http://travel.usnews.com/cruises.

A Crystal waiter in the Crystal Dining Room. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises) (PRNewsFoto/CRYSTAL CRUISES)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131211/LA31723)

Boasting a long-earned reputation for high standards of unbiased methodology in its polls, the now-online publication added cruises to its venerable roster of "Best" schools, hospitals, and more to "help travelers find a cruise that caters to their specific needs." The "Best" were chosen based upon expert editors' evaluations of onboard amenities, customer service, and lodging and dining options; customer satisfaction, including traveler approval ratings and reviews; and health ratings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rankings were then determined by lines' Overall Score and quality combined with analysis of upcoming itineraries, price class, and reputation among specific traveler types, such as popularity among couples for the "Romance" category.

"The magazine does their due diligence. We appreciate their considering both guest experience and judges' opinions, and the strict health evaluations by the U.S. Government—an arena in which we consistently earn high scores for cleanliness, maintenance, and health standards," says Crystal President Edie Bornstein. "After winning top honors within the travel industry for twenty+ years, it's extremely gratifying to also be recognized as such by, arguably, the top consumer industry surveyor in the world."

The latest victories cap off a huge winning year for Crystal, with more than 35 awards in 2013, including Conde Nast Traveler's "Best Cruise Line" (20^th year), Gold List, and #1 and 2 "Top Cruise Ships in the World" (Midsize); Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" (18 consecutive years) and "World's Best Service" (Large-ship); and numerous international accolades for the line's service, spa, dining, entertainment, design, marketing, and overall experience. As a leader in the luxury hospitality industry, the company has earned more "World's Best" awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

Aboard the ultra-chic Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, luxury and romance abound, with offerings such as all-inclusive dining, serving fine wines and Nobu Matsuhisa cuisine at a candlelit table for two; dancing, including lessons, in several intimate venues; a 360-degree promenade deck for hand-in-hand strolling; in-Penthouse couples massage; quiet lounges and comfortable relaxation spaces throughout the ship; completely customizable Crystal Adventures ashore; fresh flowers, chocolates, and champagne delivered to one's Penthouse by a personal butler; and in-suite breakfast enjoyed in a plush Egyptian Cotton linen bed or in a fresh Frette bathrobe, while enjoying one's private verandah view. This fall, the line introduced Crystal Celebrations as a unique way to capture the magic of a milestone with loved ones, from a wedding to big birthday, via custom destination event planning around the world.

Providing worldwide vacations of five to 100+ days that bridge the best of land and sea, itineraries through early 2016 sail to the Mediterranean, Western Europe, British Isles, Scandinavia/Baltic & Russia, North Cape & Arctic Circle, Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, South America, Antarctica, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, Caribbean, and a sumptuous annual World Cruise. Until January 3, all-inclusive "Book Now" fares start at $1,215/person.