Conde Nast Traveler 'Gold List' Awards Crystal Cruises Best Cuisine at Sea in Annual Poll

Conde Nast Traveler 'Gold List' Awards Crystal Cruises Best Cuisine at Sea in Annual Poll

Luxury Line Places No. 1 for Food Among All Cruise Lines Large and Small

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The very best cuisine at sea is found aboard the luxury ships of Crystal Cruises. So say the well-traveled readers of Conde Nast Traveler in the January 2005 issue of the magazine's World's Best "Gold List." With a rating of 97.1, the food served in the formal dining rooms, casual bistros and specialty restaurants on Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity outshines all cruise lines large and small. The impressive score also surpasses some of the most acclaimed five-star hotels in New York and France, such as The Peninsula, St. Regis, and Hotel de Crillon.

Showcasing the best of the best, the eleventh annual "Gold List" reveals the 700 best places to stay throughout the world including hotels, resorts and cruise lines. More than 20,000 Conde Nast Traveler subscribers completed the 2004 Readers' Choice Poll, which earned Crystal its ninth consecutive "Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" award (November 2004 issue) and its highest ever overall score of 94.6, as well as its accolades for food, activities, cabins, itineraries and service.

"This recognition is a testament to Crystal's talented professional chefs and their consistent ability to create inspired, original cuisine that appeals to a very discerning clientele," says Toni Neumeister, Crystal's vice president, food and beverage operations.

It is the steadfast passion, enthusiasm and ingenuity of Crystal's entire food and beverage team that earns the continuous praise of guests. The line's devotion to the culinary arts has led to long-standing partnerships with some of the best names in cuisine, providing refined palettes with extensive choices, including specialty restaurants "Silk Road" featuring the legendary cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, "Jade Garden" inspired by Wolfgang Puck's "Chinois on Main," and "Valentino at Prego" with exclusive menus from Piero Selvaggio's celebrated Valentino restaurants.

Noting that food contributes significantly to the overall travel experience, Neumeister continues, "Whether we're cruising the coast of Africa, the Far East or from New York, our guests know that they will enjoy cuisine that showcases the freshest ingredients of incredible quality and variety -- always served in a gracious and friendly environment."

Indeed, Crystal's acclaimed cuisine and ability to cater to an average of 1,000 guests on each cruise without sacrificing quality continues to attract the attention of the hottest names in the culinary world. In 2005, rising stars such as Table 8's Govind Armstrong, and Alma de Cuba's Jose Garces, join established names including Bradley Ogden, Andre Soltner, and Alan Wong, in working alongside Crystal's own culinary staff during the line's Ninth Annual Wine & Food Festival -- an event of increasing international stature.

Crystal's three sister ships -- the 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity -- are among the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising the world. Their unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, the only Caesars Palace at Sea(R) casino afloat, and the popular Computer University@Sea, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands-on instruction, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 866-446-6625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband 310-203-4305

publicrelations@crystalcruises.com


Source: Crystal Cruises

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband of Crystal Cruises, +1-310-203-4305,
publicrelations@crystalcruises.com

Web site: http://www.crystalcruises.com/


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