Crystal reports surge in advance bookings

Crystal Cruises is reporting a dramatic 38% increase in advance bookings and an increase of $93 million in revenue over the same time last year. The luxury line kicked off 2013 with Book Now Fares, direct mail increases, strong travel agent promotional support and robust onboard bookings. In just the past two months, Crystal has also reaped a half dozen impressive travel magazine awards voted by the travelling public and travel agents, underscored by record service, food, entertainment and design ratings gleaned from its post-cruise Quality Assurance guest surveys. Crystal’s “year of new developments”has been met with marked success. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity went “all-inclusive”last year and maintained a strong commitment to quality inclusions and attentive service. The year also saw a continual stream of innovative product, design and shore-side enhancements, the introduction of a new brand campaign, a boost to Crystal’s global cruise collection with a new series of short “Getaways,”and the launch of future years’ cruise itineraries earlier than ever. The line’s 2014 “Begin a New Story”Cruise Atlas is on press and is set for agencies and households earlier than ever. Crystal is planning the new release of Book Now fares for the period of March 1-April 30 and the line is promising that some fares will rise. (http://www.crystalcruises.com)