Crystal River Cruises announced the full 2023 deployment of its fleet, featuring 190 individual voyages exploring the Danube, Rhine, and Moselle rivers along with the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium.
Voyages range from five- to 17-nights, visiting cities throughout Germany, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Switzerland, as well as southeastern Europe destinations in Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.
Immersive Journeys
Danube Discovery aboard Crystal Ravel cruises through the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley from Vienna to Vilshofen, featuring a maiden call to explore the charms of Grein. Playgrounds of the Netherlands & Belgium aboard Crystal Mahler departs roundtrip from Amsterdam to explore the port cites and waterways of the Netherlands, from the contemporary buildings and museums of Rotterdam to the historic architectural of Ghent and Antwerp.
For travelers interested in extended voyages, Crystal River Cruises has combined itineraries to create longer journeys. The 14-night Pearls of the Danube voyage aboard Crystal Ravel pairs the Wachau Valley and the landmarks of Vienna and Budapest, with historic sights and natural wonders cruising through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, including a daylight transit through the Iron Gates Gorge. The 15-night Vineyards, Castles & Masterpieces sailing from Basel to Amsterdam aboard Crystal Mahler matches the waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium with the architecture of Germany, including daylight cruising through the Middle Rhine Valley. Grand Rhine & Moselle, a 17-night voyage aboard Crystal Mahler, combines an exploration of the waterways of the Netherlands with the villages of the Mosel Valley Wine Region. The voyage will feature stops in Amsterdam, Cologne and Strasbourg.
Seven- & 10-Night Sailings
Returning to the lineup of luxury voyages are the seven-night Delightful Danube itineraries between Vilshofen and Budapest, offering guests the option to expand their Crystal vacation with three-night pre- or post-cruise programs to Prague. An overnight call in Vienna features an exclusive Crystal Signature evening event of art and music at the Belvedere Palace, showcasing the famed art collections of this baroque landmark and its gardens overlooking the city.
For the first time ever, the seven-night Danube Serenade itinerary between Vienna and Budapest will sail aboard Crystal Mozart. Guests will enjoy overnights in Vienna and Budapest, and explore the rich history of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, from Buda Castle to one of Austria’s oldest wine estates in Krems.
Guests have a full season of departures to choose from for the seven-night Legendary Rhine and Romantic Rhine itineraries aboard three ships with voyages between Basel and Amsterdam.
The 10-night Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle voyages first introduced for Crystal’s 2022 season will take guests through the Rhine Gorge past Lorelei Rock and through the Mosel Wine Region.
Tulips and Windmills is a seven-night springtime exploration of the inland waterways of the Netherlands and Belgium bookended by overnight stays in Amsterdam.
Christmas Markets & Holiday Sailings
Crystal River Cruises 2023 itineraries include new Christmas market season options, with the seven-night Dutch & Belgian Christmas Markets aboard Crystal Bach calling in stunning Dordrecht, known as the “Venice of Holland” and host to the largest Christmas market in the Netherlands; and the 10-night Christmas Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle on Crystal Mahler visiting the markets and seasonal sites most beloved by the locals. Christmastime on the Rhine, a seven-night itinerary between Basel and Amsterdam aboard Crystal Bach and Crystal Debussy, combines the Middle Rhine valley with visits to Germany’s traditional Christmas markets.
Crystal Ravel’s seven-night Delightful Danube Christmas sailings feature overnights in Budapest and Vienna and cruising along the Wachau Valley, while Crystal Mozart’s 10-night Danube Christmas Markets voyage is bookended by overnights in Vienna, cruises the Wachau Valley, and calls in cities in Germany, Austria and Slovakia.
Guests aboard Crystal Ravel’s 10-night Spectacular Danube Holiday will ring in the new year in Vienna during a three-night stay that also includes an overnight in Budapest, calls in Germany and Slovakia, and an exploration of the Wachau Valley.
Guests will celebrate New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam during a double overnight call on Holiday’s on the Rhine, a 10-night voyage aboard Crystal Debussy from Basel to Amsterdam.
The 11-night Mozart Grand Holiday Cruise aboard Crystal Mozart celebrates New Year’s Eve and Day with a double overnight in Budapest and features three days to enjoy Vienna.
In addition to optional pre- and post-hotel stays in Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest and Vienna, Crystal River Cruises offers overland journeys to Prague (from Vilshoven), Zurich (from Basel), Reims (from Trier) and Bucharest (from Giurgiu).
The comprehensive roster of Crystal River Cruises’ 2023 itineraries include:
Rhine River
Legendary Rhine
Crystal Bach and Crystal Debussy (April through November), Crystal Mahler (June, August and November), 7 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz (overnight), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Romantic Rhine
Crystal Bach (April through November), Crystal Debussy (March through November), Crystal Mahler (June, August, October and November), 7 nights, Amsterdam to Basel
Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight); Cologne, Koblenz (overnight), Rüdesheim and Mannheim, Germany; sailing the Middle Rhine Valley and Lorelei; Strasbourg, France; Basel, Switzerland.
Tulips & Windmills
Crystal Bach (April), Crystal Mahler (March and April), 7 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnights in Amsterdam, Netherlands; calling in Hoorn, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Antwerp, Ghent, Belgium; Middelburg, Netherlands.
Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (April and May, July through October, plus November and December Christmas Market Cruises), 10 nights between Amsterdam and Basel
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight on Southbound); Mannheim (overnight on Northbound), Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel (overnight on Northbound), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Rhine & Moselle Summer Escapes (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (June), 5 nights between Amsterdam and Trier
Trier (overnight on Northbound), Bernkastel, Cochem, Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight on Southbound).
Danube River
Danube Serenade (Eastbound and Westbound)
Crystal Mozart (March through November), 7 nights between Vienna and Budapest
Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Krems, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; Budapest, Hungary (overnight).
Treasures of Southeast Europe (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (May), 7 nights between Giurgiu and Budapest
Giurgiu, Romania (overnight); Vidin, Bulgaria (overnight on Southbound); Iron Gates cruising; Belgrade and Novi Sad (overnight on Southbound), Serbia; Vukovar, Croatia; Mohacs and Budapest, Hungary (overnight on Southbound).
Delightful Danube (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (March through November), 7 nights between Budapest and Vilshofen
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Austria; sailing the Wachau Valley; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. Southbound does not call in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Danube Discovery (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (April and May), 5 nights between Vienna and Vilshofen
Vienna (overnight), Melk, Grein (maiden call), Linz (overnight on Southbound), Austria; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany.
Holiday Sailings
NEW Dutch & Belgian Christmas Markets
Crystal Bach (December 10), 7 nights, Amsterdam Roundtrip
Amsterdam and Dordrecht, Netherlands; Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, Netherlands.
NEW Christmas Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Mahler (November 27, December 7, December 17) 10 nights between Amsterdam and Basel
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight on Southbound); Mannheim (overnight on Northbound), Rüdesheim, Lorelei cruising on Southbound, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel (overnight on Northbound), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Danube Christmas Dreams
Crystal Mozart (November 25), 7 nights, Budapest to Vienna
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Krems, Vienna (overnight), Austria.
Danube Christmas Markets
Crystal Mozart (December 2, December 12), 10 nights, Vienna Roundtrip
Beginning and ending with overnights in Vienna, calling in Melk, Linz, Austria (overnight); Passau (overnight), Vilshofen, Germany; Krems, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia.
Delightful Danube Christmas (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Ravel (November 25, December 2, December 9, December 16), 7 nights between Budapest and Vilshofen
Budapest, Hungary (overnight); Bratislava, Slovakia; Vienna (overnight), Dürnstein, Melk, Linz, Austria; Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. Southbound does not call in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Christmas Time on the Rhine (Northbound and Southbound)
Crystal Bach (November 26, December 3), Crystal Debussy (November 25, December 2, December 9, December 16), 7 nights between Basel and Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; Mannheim, Rüdesheim, Koblenz (overnight), Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (overnight).
Holidays on the Rhine
Crystal Debussy (December 23), 10 nights, Basel to Amsterdam
Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France (overnight); Mannheim (overnight), Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Cochem, Trier, Bernkastel, Cologne, Germany; Amsterdam, Netherlands (two overnights including New Year’s Eve).
When reservations for Crystal River Cruises’ 2023 voyages open May 18, 2021, travelers will benefit from 2-for-1 cruise fares from $2,799 per guest and up to $2,000 Book Now Savings per guest.
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