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November 7, 2024

For all travel lovers, especially passionate cruisers, a world cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. Starting in 2025, this dream will come true with Crystal Cruises’ World Cruise, a 123-night journey of cultural and gastronomic discovery, visiting the heart of 75 destinations in 24 countries, featuring extraordinary and exclusive events.

Departing on January 7 from Fort Lauderdale aboard the Crystal Serenity, guests will explore the Caribbean, Central and South America, cross the Panama Canal to the west coast of South America, then continue along the eastern coast, sailing towards Rio de Janeiro. From there, the voyage crosses the Atlantic to Lisbon and explores Europe.

Along the way, guests will visit cities like Guayaquil, the gateway to the Galapagos, Lima, Pisco, and Ushuaia—the southernmost city in the world—along with a three-night stay in the beautiful Rio de Janeiro for a special event. The itinerary also includes Lisbon and some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful islands, such as Malta, Mykonos, Santorini, and Sicily, to name a few.

As mentioned, the 2025 World Cruise offers the chance to discover different destinations in a fully immersive way, thanks to exclusive events organized solely for Crystal Cruises’ guests. Highlights of this cruise include three iconic events, taking place in Cartagena, Colombia, on January 15, in Rio de Janeiro on March 4, and in Athens on April 20.

In Cartagena, the event “Slices of Color: A Sensory Evening Discovering Colombia’s Regions” will take guests on a journey through the historical heart of Colombia at Casa 1537, a 16th-century venue. Each region of Colombia comes to life through colors, scents, flavors, and sounds. The evening begins with a welcome reception in the beautiful central garden of Casa 1537, featuring cocktails, local exotic fruits, chocolate amuse-bouches, and Colombian rum tastings. The main event takes place in the grand hall, where a seven-course dinner celebrates each region of the country, paired with traditional dance performances, including cumbia, salsa, mapalé, and bambuco. The event culminates with dessert and a final dance show, followed by a DJ set where guests can dance the night away before returning to the ship.

Another unforgettable event is “Carnival Magic: An Exclusive Evening in the Sambadrome,” held in Rio de Janeiro on March 4, 2025, immersing guests in the heart of the world-famous carnival. Crystal Cruises has arranged a privileged experience with access to a reserved area in one of the most exclusive Camarotes in the Sambadrome, along with a private lounge in a frisa, a waterfront zone offering all the excitement of the carnival. The private, air-conditioned structure features five-star catering, an open bar stocked with top-shelf spirits and champagne, luxury bathrooms, and on-site beauty services. The Crystal camarote provides the best vantage point to enjoy the stunning views of the samba school dancers parading through the night.

In Athens, guests will step back in time to the age of the gods with the event “An Evening with the Gods on Mt. Olympus.” This Dionysian festival promises a captivating welcome as soon as guests pass through the gates of the iconic Mt. Olympus. The evening features a dinner of ambrosia and nectar, presenting the favorite foods of the gods, accompanied by traditional Greek music, dancers, and singers, along with a reenactment of the ancient Olympic Games.

In addition to these special events, as part of Crystal Cruises’ program, guests will enjoy unique experiences uncovering the unseen side of each destination, thanks to excursions and adventures organized in collaboration with Abercrombie & Kent. Along with daily excursions, several overland adventures will be available during the 2025 World Cruise, allowing guests to explore destinations more deeply through multi-day tours.

Some standout offerings include:

– The Atacama Desert Adventure: A four-day immersive journey through the ethereal landscapes of the Atacama Desert, including walks around the mesmerizing Miñique and Miscanti lagoons, flamingo sightings at the Chaxa Lagoon, a sunrise picnic at the Tatio Geysers followed by a dip in thermal pools, and visits to the sculpted formations of the lunar-like Valley of the Moon.

– Magnificent Iguazú Falls: A four-day experience exploring both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the majestic Iguazú Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with stays at the luxurious five-star Belmond Das Cataratas.

– Island-hopping in the Galápagos: A wildlife-filled adventure featuring close encounters with Galápagos giant tortoises on Santa Cruz, sightings of sea lions, iguanas, and birds, along with hiking and snorkeling activities.

– Magic of the Andes: A three-day journey through the essence of the Andes, visiting Ecuador’s rose plantations at Hacienda La Compañía, sampling organic local produce, and admiring the breathtaking beauty of the Ecuadorian Andes.

– Mendoza Wine Experience: An exploration of Mendoza’s wine region, featuring stays at the luxurious Cavas Wine Lodge, visits to renowned wineries, and exclusive wine tastings and culinary experiences.

– Machu Picchu Adventure: A four-day journey combining the stunning Peruvian mountain landscapes with the world’s most famous train ride aboard the Vistadome Observatory Train. This includes visits to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco’s ancient temples, Machu Picchu, and a traditional Andean village, where guests will meet the Q’eros, the last Inca community.

– Timeless Cappadocia: A unique adventure in Turkey featuring an optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, exploration of underground caves, lunch with a local family for an authentic cultural experience, and opportunities to try pottery and enjoy tea with locals.

During the World Cruise, guests will enjoy not only the exceptional service for which Crystal Cruises is renowned but also a host of privileges, including business-class airfare or airfare credits, on-board “As You Wish” spending credits, private transfers, valet luggage services, unlimited dining at Osteria d’Ovidio and Umi Uma (with reservations required), complimentary laundry service on the second day, and more.

Exclusive events, optional land-based experiences, comfort and refinement, extraordinary gastronomy, world-class service, and captivating entertainment define this unforgettable world exploration, leaving guests with indelible memories.

Don’t miss out on news, updates, and reviews of Crystal Cruises on Cruising Journal, with photos, videos, and cruise deals.

Giorgia Lombardo

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