Crystal Cruises’ fall voyages through America and Canada’s “East
Coast” roots, offer dozens of new boutique adventures ashore, new chic
spaces on board, and a brand new, exotic Québécois itinerary, with three
off-the-beaten-path maiden calls.
Beginning September 19, aboard Crystal
Symphony – freshly redesigned during a $15 million extreme makeover,
five seven- to 11-day cruises, will sail between Boston, Manhattan and
Montréal. The season’s centerpiece, Crystal’s first-ever round-trip
from Montréal, is an easy, seven-day intimate exploration of
European-flavored French Canada, including a maiden call to France
itself.
Twenty-nine new Crystal Adventures, offer novel ways for foodies,
adventurers, and culture-hounds, to experience the historic region’s most
iconic and less-expected areas, like:
- Saint-Pierre & Miquelon: Visit North America’s last
vestige of the French Republic and see Al Capone’s “home-away-from-home”
during the island’s golden era of Prohibition profiteering.
- Québec City: Join Huron natives in a Friendship
Dance and sacred ceremonies following a traditional feast of bison,
wapiti meat and Indian bannock bread.
- New York: Sail past the Statue of Liberty to the
newly-completed 9/11 Memorial or enjoy an exclusive, private visit to
the American Museum of Natural History while closed to the public.
- Havre-Aubert Island (from Magdalen Is.): Listen to a Madelinot fisherman’s tales of maritime life of yore.
- Halifax: Look for the majestic North American bald eagle during a Shubenacadie River Zodiac ride.
- Bar Harbor: Glide over Acadia National Park’s treetops in an open-cockpit biplane.
- Magdalen Islands (maiden call): Learn about the distinct
Acadian culture and taste local specialties like porto-style fortified
wine, Pied-de-Vent cheese and bagosse “island beer.”
- Montréal: Jet boat away from the Old Port, down the Lachine Rapids.
- Sept-Îles (maiden call): Train-ride to a
marshland Innu camp for immersion into traditional First Nations life,
from chanting and smoked salmon secrets to moccasin and medicine-making.
- St. John: Heli-fish in the footsteps of Prince Charles on the
Miramichi River or have “Tea with Eleanor” Roosevelt at her and
Franklin’s former summer residence.
- Boston: See what some call New England’s most well-preserved
(and picturesque) Colonial town during a half-day in Marblehead and
witch trial-famed Salem.
Aspiring photographers can also learn pro tips to capture the
“perfect shot” of Halifax or St. John, during photo excursions there, and
bike-riders can work off their sea legs through NY’s Central Park, or
Montréal’s 236 miles of bike paths. Additionally, Crystal’s You Care,
We Care voluntourism program, offers complimentary opportunities, to
assist with local Canadian food banks, or help low-income and homeless
Bostonian children.
“New England/Canada is one of the most storied and stunning regions
in North America and offers so much to explore and discover. Each year,
we strive to not only expand our offerings with new ports, but also
re-invent the journey with new experiences, in traditionally popular
destinations,” says John Stoll, vice president, land and port
operations.
Until August 31, all-inclusive “Book Now,” cruise-only fares, start
at $2,355/person, double-occupancy, with attractive air add-ons, from more
than 90 North American gateways, and savings for family/friend groups
of six or more.
The renowned Crystal Experience, was recently voted the “World’s Best” by Travel + Leisure magazine readers, for the seventeenth year in a row, more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
