blog post

Crystal Returns to Alaska
Tue Dec 30 2008, by Travel Trade Staff

Crystal Cruises is returning to cruising in Alaska for the first time since 2005 with a single early season itinerary departing Yokohama, Japan on April 16, 2009.

The 22-day voyage also marks the maiden voyage to Alaska for the Crystal Serenity, which will call at Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward and Ketchikan. Among the adventures on offer will be zip lining through the Tongass National Forest, flightseeing above the Misty Fjords and yachting off Kodiak.

"Crystal has designed more than a dozen new Crystal Adventures that showcase Alaska's greatest assets -- its breathtaking landscape and indigenous wildlife," said John Stoll, director of land programs for Crystal.

New Alaska Crystal Adventures include:

Ketchikan: zip lining between the tall spruce, hemlock and cedar trees bordering Tongass National Forest;

Ketchikan: flying above the Misty Fjords with wildlife spotting of bears, timber wolves, seals, sea lions and whales;

Kodiak: exploring Abercrombie State Park with an expert naturalist;

Kodiak: observing horned and tufted puffins, harbor seals, otter, sea lion and a variety of birds from a private yacht;

Seward: discovering preservation efforts of Alaska's one-of-a-kind ecosystems at one of the region's top research centers;

Seward: cruising across Resurrection Bay into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park.

Guests will also be treated to expanded programming, which is totally unique to the World Cruise and its segments, including celebrity guest lectures by Richard Dreyfuss and Ed McMahon, as well as Crystal's Interactive Literary Review and language and music classes offered by Berlitz and Yamaha, respectively.

The 22-day itinerary departs from Tokyo en route to Los Angeles, calling at Otaru, Japan; Petropavolovsk, Russia; Vancouver and Victoria; and San Francisco. Cruise fares start at $11,160 per person, double occupancy.