LOS ANGELES, - Crystal Cruises, winner of the industry’s most distinguished awards, has announced its 2009 Value Collection sailings, allowing savvy luxury travelers the opportunity to plan ahead and realize extraordinary savings of up to 50% off regular cruise fares aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

With the launch of each new year’s itineraries and fares, the ultra-luxury line identifies cruises that can benefit from pricing incentives in all stateroom categories. While typically offered on shoulder season dates and repositioning cruises, for 2009, Crystal is expanding its Value Collection to more than a dozen sailings of seven to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, New England and Canada, Caribbean and the Amazon, as well as Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings.

“With Value Collection, travelers can enjoy Crystal’s superb service and luxurious amenities at significant savings,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “This offers a great opportunity to experience Crystal Cruises and understand why we’ve been voted World’s Best by travelers more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort.”

Itineraries offering savings of up to 50% in 2009 are:

Panama Canal/Caribbean/Amazon

• · February 16, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days. From $3,595 on Crystal Symphony.
• · May 7, Los Angeles to Miami, 16 days. From $4,995 on Crystal Serenity.
• · November 22, Round-trip Miami, 7 days. From $2,480 on Crystal Serenity.
• · November 22, Miami to Manaus, 13 days. From $3,990 on Crystal Symphony.
• · November 29, Miami to Caldera, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.
• · December 10, Caldera to Miami, 11 days. From $3,775 on Crystal Serenity.

Western Europe/Mediterranean

• · June 2, Lisbon to Venice, 12 days. From $5,070 on Crystal Serenity.
• · June 7, Rome to London, 12 days. From $4,360 on Crystal Symphony.

New England/Canada

• · October 1, Boston to Montréal, 7 days. From $2,575 on Crystal Symphony.
• · October 30, Montréal to New York, 11 days. From $3,835 on Crystal Symphony.

Ocean Crossings

• · March 9, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days. From $3,690 on Crystal Symphony.
• · May 23, Miami to Lisbon, 10 days. From $3,540 on Crystal Serenity.
• · November 12, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days. From $3,540 onCrystal Serenity.

Fares quoted are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations. For additional information and Crystal reservations, please contact a travel agent at 877-325-7522.

LOS ANGELES, - Due to high demand, Crystal Cruises is increasing the number of luxurious Penthouse accommodations on its award-winning Crystal Serenity. During a two-week dry dock beginning November 12, the luxury line is converting 12 category AA Deluxe Staterooms with Verandahs on Deck 10 into eight Penthouses. While most cruise lines have been increasing the size of their cruise ships, Crystal is actually decreasing Crystal Serenity’s guest capacity.

Crystal Serenity’s richly appointed 403-square-foot Penthouses boast personal butler service, large private verandah, sizeable living area, bar stocked with complimentary wine and choice of liquor, Jacuzzi^® tub and separate shower, walk-in closet, flat screen television, DVD and CD player, Riedel glassware, and complimentary pressing. In addition to 24-hour in-stateroom dining from the Crystal Dining Room, Penthouse guests can order from the specialty restaurants, including signature dishes from Nobu and Piero Selvaggio, during dinner hours.

“Penthouses are among the most coveted accommodations on our ships,” says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, hotel operations.

Following the conversion, Crystal Serenity will feature 72 Penthouses (category PH), as well as 32 Penthouse Suites (PS) and four lavish 1,345-square-foot Crystal Penthouses (CP). Four of the new Penthouses connect with category AA Deluxe Staterooms with Verandahs.

On both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, all guest rooms are appointed with such plush amenities as 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows (and a pillow menu), lavish duvets, feather beds, two hair dryers, fresh fruit and flowers. Large closets house padded and wooden hangers, Frette bathrobes, kimonos, slippers, umbrella, and English mohair lap blankets. Double sinks, make up mirrors, shower and bathtub are standard with every bathroom. Other amenities include laundry and dry-cleaning service twice-daily housekeeping, and complimentary 24-hour in-stateroom dining.

In February 2008, Crystal Serenity was voted the #1 mid-sized cruise ship by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. For more information or Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent at 877-325-7522.