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Crystal Cruises launched its first ship in 1990 and since then the line has firmly established itself within the deluxe class market with the largest five star rated fleet in the world. The philosophy of the company is ‘to re-establish what luxury means in the cruise industry’. An innovative on board programme, combined with exciting worldwide itineraries and superb value for money, make Crystal Cruises the perfect choice for the discerning traveller.

Crystal, unlike many other cruise companies, put together a design team to create a new ship rather than purchasing a previously owned ship. In 1990 Crystal Harmony was delivered to her owners and embarked on her maiden voyage cruise from San Francisco to Alaska.

Crystal Harmony was joined by a sister ship in 1995, named Crystal Symphony, a third ship, Crystal Serenity, was introduced in July 2003. Crystal released Harmony in November 2005 to join the cruise division Crystal Cruises' parent company NYK of Japan.

Based in Los Angeles, Crystal has long been a favorite of the well-heeled west coast crowd. Crystal's formal nights are apt to be the most sequined and accessorized at sea.

Crystal operates with two ships, the older Crystal Symphony (51,000 tons, 940 passengers) and the newer Crystal Serenity (68,000 tons, 1,080 passengers). Both are very large by luxury cruising standards but with a relatively low number of passengers for the size of the ship.

Crystal's core following appreciates great cuisine, socializing, comfortable accommodations and lots of enrichment classes and lectures. The focus is on luxury and pampering more than port-a-day itineraries and active shore excursions. Crystal tends to have more days at sea than almost any other cruise line and when one is in such surroundings, why leave the ship?

Given the size of its ships, Crystal's dining plan is the only one in the luxury sector that requires two seating times with assigned tables and waiters. Crystal also differs from most Luxury cruise lines as it neither includes tips nor alcoholic drinks in its cruise fare.

Highly popular with singles, every Crystal cruise includes a slate of gentlemen hosts to dine and dance with the unescorted ladies. The line's uncommonly low singles supplement of 25% makes it highly attractive.

Crystal was the first cruise line to offer an excursion to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and recently launched a program offering guests personalized shore excursions. One of its most unique new shore adventures is flying a Russian MiG fighter jet over Moscow!