Crystal finds cruisers are increasingly customizing their trips
Crystal Cruises reports a healthy 55% increase in its Private Adventures.
These range from a birthday picnic atop the rock of Gibraltar to an ancestral tour of Jewish points of interest in Shanghai.
“Highly customized shore experiences are providing intimate and enriching perspectives of the world on a very personalized level,” says the cruise line
From January through August of this year, Crystal’s land programs team arranged 55% more private arrangements than for the entire year of 2006.
In the nearly two years since the line debuted its Crystal Private Adventures, the biggest surge in participation has been among multi-generational families who “recognize the tremendous choice, value and luxury of a Crystal cruise vacation and appreciate the opportunity to tailor their time ashore and travel as a group,” says the cruise line.
Others taking advantage of the customized service are couples seeking privacy and exclusivity, and guests celebrating special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and honeymoons.
“A cruise vacation is so much more than the ports of call on an itinerary – it’s a great vehicle to explore places long dreamed of,” said John Stoll, Crystal’s director of land programs.
Crystal Private Adventures are available to guests already booked on a Crystal cruise for a $100 non-refundable charge, due upon receipt of request. If the guest accepts the personalized shore program, the service fee is applied to the booking. The cost of the private arrangements varies widely depending on its complexity and exclusivity.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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