Guests Can Tee-off Five of 11 Days in Birthplace of the Game
In keeping with increasing demand for extraordinary experiences, Crystal Cruises is introducing VIP access to the British Open and excursions to four of the world's finest and most prestigious British Isles courses. Available during Crystal Symphony's 12-day sailing roundtrip from London on July 13, the golf excursions offer play at Gleneagles King's Course, The Royal Belfast Golf Club, and other coveted courses.
Complementing these tours are two opportunities for golf enthusiasts to attend the British Open at the Royal Birkhead Golf Club in Liverpool, which will feature top players Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and defending champion Padraig Harrington. One option provides admittance, while the other extends VIP access to the final round and a hosted event.
"The ports of Scotland and Ireland are a natural for a luxury golf experience, and we've made these exclusive courses very accessible for avid golfers," said John Stoll, Crystal Cruises' director, land programs. "Even if couples or families have only one golfing member, Crystal is providing a perfect European vacation. One can golf for five of the 11 days, while the others can enjoy Crystal's luxury resort and a wealth of sightseeing opportunities in the British Isles."
Guests can take advantage of standard Crystal amenities that are par for the course, including the instruction of an onboard PGA golf pro, Taylormade equipment for onboard clinics, a putting green and a driving range. Courses include:
-- Gleneagles King's Course
Since its opening in 1919, the challenging Edinburgh course tests the
skills of golf's aristocracy -- both veteran and professional;
-- K-Club
Designed with major tournament play in mind, the Arnold Palmer Course
at the Kildare Hotel & Country Club in Dublin hosted the 2006 Ryder
Cup;
-- O'Meara Course at Carton House
The parkland course in Dublin, designed by U.S. Open and Masters
Champion Mark O'Meara, presents a challenge to even the most focused
golfers; and
-- The Royal Belfast Golf Club
Founded in 1918, the golf club is the oldest in Ireland, providing
golfers with a true test of their skills.
The flexible program allows travelers to spend two full days at the Gleneagles club. In Dublin, guests can split their time between K-Club and O'Meara, and devote another full day at the Royal Belfast Golf Club.
The British Isles itinerary also offer a host of experiential tours for non-golfers, with more than a dozen excursion opportunities in virtually every port visited. Options range from Guinness and Scotch tastings to a Falconry lesson at a private estate to a hot air balloon ride over Belfast.
The itinerary calls in Edinburgh, Dublin, Liverpool and Belfast, with fares starting at $4,980 per person. Golf tours range from $446 to $995 per person. The general admittance and VIP British Open tours are $292 and $991, per person, respectively.
For booking or additional information, please call 800-964-6887 or go to www.luxuryatlarge.com.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Crystal Debuts VIP Access to British Open and Golf Excursions at Exclusive British Isles Clubs
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Seabourn's First-Ever World Cruise Opens for Sale

108-Day Voyage Departs January 5, 2010 aboard Seabourn Odyssey
Reservations for the 2010 inaugural World Cruise of the new, ultra luxury cruise vessel Seabourn Odyssey opened on February 4, 2008. The 108-day voyage departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on January 5, 2010. A 92-day, west coast alternative version departs Los Angeles, California on January 21. The voyage ends in Piraeus (Athens) Greece on April 24, 2010, by which time guests on board will have visited 42 ports in 26 countries on five continents. It also represents the first time that any of The Yachts of Seabourn has undertaken a world cruise.
"A world cruise is an exciting prospect for travelers at any time," noted Seabourn president and CEO Pamela C. Conover. "And for any ship, there is only ever one first time," she continued. "So when Seabourn Odyssey makes her maiden call at each port, it will be a special occasion that will never be repeated. And only a limited number of guests will have those memories to cherish for a lifetime."
The full world cruise qualifies for Seabourn's Grand Voyage Savings of 50%, creating a range of per-person, double occupancy fares from $53,745 for a 295-square foot Category A suite to $254,745 for a Grand Suite measuring 1,135 square feet, with three private verandas adding another 301 square feet of private outdoor space.
Seabourn has packed the voyage with value-added benefits and features that are sure to make full-world cruise guests the envy of those not on board. For those embarking at Ft. Lauderdale, the voyage begins with a complimentary private-car transfer from their homes to any gateway airport within 100 miles and, on arrival at Ft. Lauderdale, to a five-star hotel for a gala pre-cruise celebration and luxury accommodation the night before embarkation. Private car transfers at both ends of the voyage are included for all full-world cruise guests, whether embarking in Florida or California. Other complimentary perquisites include first class round trip airfare, luggage shipping by Seabourn's Personal Valet and a $1,000 per person shipboard credit.
During the voyage, world cruisers will enjoy five shoreside events created especially for them, in addition to the six Exclusively Seabourn experiences to which all guests on board are invited. Commemorative gifts, gala balls and a full program of added enrichment programs and celebrity entertainment are also planned.
For those who wish to be a part of the inaugural world cruise, but are unable to stay aboard for that long, a selection of three shorter "World Voyages" are also available to a limited number of guests. These include a 69-day voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Hong Kong, a 53-day version from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and a 39-day voyage from Hong Kong to Piraeus. Each of these options offers guests a proportionate menu of World Cruise benefits, as well.
The first new ultra luxury ship to debut in over six years, Seabourn Odyssey will carry a maximum of only 450 guests -- with one of the highest space ratios in the industry and highly personalized service with nearly one staff member per guest. Ninety percent of the 225 luxurious ocean-view suites have private verandas, and all feature full granite baths with separate tub and shower and Molton Brown well-being products, a complimentary in-suite bar stocked to the guests' requests and a flat screen entertainment system with movies, television and music. Seabourn Square will be an innovative "concierge lounge" inviting guests to access every service they might require in a relaxed, club-like ambience. The Spa at Seabourn will be the largest on any luxury ship, with a two-deck-high waterfall entry, fully-equipped gym with a Kinesis Wall, indoor/outdoor treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool and complete salon facilities to pamper guests. In addition, the ship will boast two outdoor swimming pools and six outdoor whirlpool spas.
A variety of culinary experiences will be available in four dining venues, including many with celebrity chef Charlie Palmer's award-winning touches. With a reputation of excellence, the Yachts of Seabourn earned the highest scores among small-ship cruise lines in the categories of "Food" and "Service" from readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine for the third consecutive year in the January 2008 issue.
For a free 24-page, full color Seabourn Odyssey Inaugural World Cruise brochure, call 800-964-6887 or go to www.luxuryatlarge.com
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Labels: cruise, Hong Kong, luxury cruise, luxury travel, Odyssey, Piraeus, Seaboarn, ultra-luxury, world cruise
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to Sail Aboard Crystal Symphony
World-class master chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa will travel aboard the award-winning Crystal Symphony this spring to officiate the opening of two new restaurants. Silk Road and The Sushi Bar were conceived in partnership with luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises and will feature the coveted cuisine of this legendary chef.
On March 21, 2008, at the start of Crystal Symphony's Hong Kong to Beijing cruise, Nobu will preside over a traditional sake ceremony for all guests. During the cruise, he will personally oversee the launch of both restaurants and will continue to work closely with his Nobu-trained chefs on the delicate nuances of preparing his eclectic cuisine -- an innovative blend of classically styled Japanese foods with Peruvian and European influences.
Occupying the former Jade Garden space, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar will accommodate a total of 68 guests and will be open most evenings. While there is no additional charge, reservations are recommended for Silk Road; dining at The Sushi Bar will be on a first come, first served basis.
The new restaurants represent an expansion of Nobu's culinary alliance with Crystal Cruises. Since 2003, his cuisine has enjoyed tremendous success aboard Crystal Symphony's fleetmate, Crystal Serenity. All of the head chefs in Silk Road and The Sushi Bar have held key positions at one of Nobu's worldwide restaurants. In the case of Crystal Symphony, the head chefs were chefs at his Los Angeles or Tokyo establishments.
"During the past four years, Crystal has done an incredible job of ensuring the consistent quality and integrity of my cuisine served aboard Crystal Serenity, regardless of wherever the ship may be in the world," comments Nobu. "I am very pleased to build upon my relationship with Crystal Cruises and fully expect the opening of The Sushi Bar and Silk Road to further enhance Crystal Symphony's tradition of culinary excellence."
Toni Neumeister, Crystal's vice president of food and beverage operations, adds, "Like Nobu, we share a deep appreciation of discovering the world and its people through food, and we look forward to presenting our savvy clientele with yet another new dimension of choice and excellence."
The 15-day cruise program (12-day cruise plus three-day land program) includes two ports of call in Japan, including an overnight stay in Kobe and a full day in Hiroshima. China is explored with two days in Shanghai, a call in Dalian and an inclusive three-day overland adventure to Beijing. Fares start at $5,495, per person, double occupancy.
For reservations or more information, call 800-964-6887 or go to http://www.luxuryatlarge.com/
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Saturday, January 12, 2008
New Wine and Food Experiences Offered on Crystal Serenity
In addition, new outdoor adventures allow guests to: Departing London on May 7, 2008, Crystal Serenity will call in Bordeaux and Villefranche, France; Bilbao and Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Gibraltar, United Kingdom; before concluding in Rome. The cruise can be experienced as a full 12-day journey or in two six-day segments (London to Lisbon / Lisbon to Rome). Fares for the full 12-day Epicurean Adventure from London to Rome begin at $4,595. Fares for the six-day segments begin at $2,530. All fares are listed per person, double occupancy.
An unprecedented number of new wine and food-themed excursions and onboard presentations by the culinary world's brightest stars set the stage for Crystal Serenity's May 2008 Wine and Food cruise. Highlighted by a two-day overnight call in Bordeaux, the 12-day voyage from London to Rome offers 18 epicurian Crystal Adventures in the French wine country, Portugal, Spain and the French Riviera, as well as onboard events with Master Chef Andre Soltner and Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. Connoisseurs short on time can experience new six-day segments of the cruise.
"From cooking lessons in Barcelona and the South of France to 'from the barrel' tastings at Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the region is rich in opportunities for authentic wine and food programs," says John Stoll, director of Crystal Cruises' land programs. "To visit the wine regions of Bordeaux, Cognac, St. Emilion, and Pomerol, as well as Spain's La Rioja region and Lisbon's Port Wine Institute on the same voyage is a rare treat. To pair that experience with onboard instruction and a multi-course dinner prepared by James Beard Award-winning Master Chef Andre Soltner, former owner of New York's famed Lutece, is extraordinary."
Whether guests opt for the complete 12-day voyage or one of the two six-day segments, nearly 10 carefully crafted boutique excursions in each port of call help travelers make the most of their time ashore.
Of the 57 shoreside experiences featured, a full one-third are devoted to fine wine and food, including:
Margaux
Haut-Lafitte
its basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lisbon
of Gibraltar
Crystal's unwavering commitment to a superior wine and food experience is evidenced by the line's extensive wine cellars offering more than 230 wines and as many as 25,000 bottles, a reserve wine list featuring such rare vintages as 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild and 1971 Chateau Petrus; Crystal's own proprietary label, C Wines; and intimate Vintage Room dinners. All of the line's sommeliers have been recently certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, enhancing a fine dining experience highlighted by collaborations with world-renowned Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio for its specialty restaurants.
The Crystal Difference
Aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices and superior quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea. Grounded in more than a decade of accolades, Crystal has been voted "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.
For more information or to make reservations, call 800-964-6887 or go to http://www.luxuryatlarge.com/
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Labels: Crystal, food, luxury cruise, travel, wine