Crystal Ravel Christened in Budapest

Crystal River Cruises welcomed its fifth ship and the newest member of the fleet, Crystal Ravel, during a christening ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, on July 11. The river cruise line celebrated the occasion with Crystal President and CEO Tom Wolber; the ship’s godmother, Hungarian philanthropist and creator of the hit “Virtuosos” classical music talent show, Mariann Peller; and Crystal River Cruises Vice President and Managing Director Walter Littlejohn.

Crystal River Cruises now comprises Crystal Ravel and its identical sibling ships: Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Debussy; as well as the larger Crystal Mozart, which launched the brand in July 2016.

Tenor Steffan Mullan performed during the ceremony, while Young Virtuosos artists performed aboard the ship following the traditional blessing, including clarinetist Ali Dániel Lugosi, double bassist Tamás Kökény, violinist Amira Abouzahra, violinist Mariam Abuzahra, and Budapest Festival Orchestra harpist Ágnes Polonyi.

The ceremony took place during the ship’s overnight stay in Budapest on its weeklong “Danube Serenade” voyage, allowing guests aboard the sailing to participate in the festivities, while Crystal crew members also looked on from the decks of the ship.

Crystal Ravel is currently sailing itineraries of six to 14 days between Vienna and Basel; and in 2019 it will sail seven-night Danube cruises roundtrip from Vienna to ports in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.

Crystal’s new river vessels are all-balcony, all-suite and all-butler, with every category of accommodation positioned above the water line. All suites have Panoramic Balcony-Windows and walk-in closets, with dual vanities in the bathrooms in most categories. All of Crystal’s river ships also have butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, ETRO amenities, robes and slippers, and wall-mounted flatscreen HD TVs. Additional features include farm-to-table cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; and the Palm Court for entertainment, enrichment presentations and sweeping views of the countryside.

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