Crystal River Cruises Christens Crystal Bach in Germany

Genting Hong Kong Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay; Crystal Bach Godmother Anna-Maria Kaufmann; Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez; and Genting Hong Kong Group President Colin Au at the Christening of Crystal Bach

 
Rüdesheim, Germany, August 20, 2017 –Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line™, christened Crystal Bach, the first of its four new build “Rhine Class” river ships, on Sunday, August 20 in Rüdesheim, Germany. Crystal’s CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez, presided over the ceremony, along with emcee and longtime popular Crystal entertainer, Mark Farris. The ship’s godmother, beloved German opera star Anna-Maria Kaufmann, christened the ship with the traditional blessing and champagne breaking, and also lent her famed talents to the celebration with a special performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air.” Also in attendance were the ship’s cruise guests, local travel partners and executives from Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong.

 

“The enthusiasm surrounding this groundbreaking ship has been tremendous already, and we could not be prouder to welcome her to the award-winning Crystal River fleet,” says Rodriguez. Addressing the crowd in attendance, she elaborated on the innovative approach to creating Crystal Bach and her upcoming sister ships. “The fact that she is Crystal’s first-ever new build river ship means that we had the opportunity to go beyond the best and create a luxury river cruise experience that is truly unprecedented. She is the first – and, until her sisters join her – the ONLY all-balcony, all-suite river ship.”

 

In another industry first, Crystal Bach and the “Rhine Class” ships feature all categories of accommodations positioned above the water line, boasting king-sized beds and Crystal’s acclaimed personal butler service. The design of the vessels firmly reiterates Crystal’s commitment to not only surpassing the very best the luxury travel industry currently has to offer, but leading the charge in pioneering new standards of luxury – a philosophy also driven home with the christening and debut of Crystal Skye, Crystal’s fully custom B-777, last week in Las Vegas.

 

“Crystal remains committed to being the standard bearer for what is possible in luxury travel, just as they have since they first embarked more than 27 years ago,” says Genting Hong Kong Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “We are proud to be part of and support this vision, and look forward to continuing on this journey together.”

 

The festivities of Crystal Bach’s christening reached far beyond those in attendance in Germany, as Crystal broadcast the live stream of the ceremony via its Crystal Cruises Facebook page, effectively inviting the world to join in the celebration.

 

Crystal Bach joins Crystal Mozart as part of the Crystal River Cruises fleet recently named “World’s Best River Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure on Crystal Mozart’s one-year anniversary on July 11. Sailing 10- and 14-day voyages predominantly along the Rhine River, she will call in medieval towns and modern hubs in Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.

 

All four “Rhine Class” river ships will offer plush amenities and spaces rare seen in the river cruising industry, including Panoramic Balcony-Windows™, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines. Additional enticing features include a luxurious spa and separate fitness center and Crystal’s farm-to-table, Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court.

 

By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 27 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016).  The readers of Travel + Leisure also voted Crystal River Cruises the “World’s Best River Cruise Line” and Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises the “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” in 2017. The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line – Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.

 

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888.799.2437, or visitwww.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who follow the Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram, and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.