Crystal Cruises sets this summer's signature collection excursions in Scandinavia and Russia (Feb. 27, 2001)

Crystal Cruises sets this summer's signature collection excursions in Scandinavia and Russia
From hot-air ballooning over Stockholm, to a champagne reception and multicultural evening at St. Petersburg's Imperial Court, to a gourmet culinary experience combined with a private tour of the Vigeland Museum in Oslo, Crystal Cruises has developed exclusive experiences for its 2001 Baltic Signature Collection.

Available in conjunction with Crystal Symphony's four luxury cruises to Scandinavia and Russia in June and July, the intimate excursions are featured as part of the line's roster of 68 tours in Amsterdam, Bergen, Copenhagen, London, Gdansk, Helsinki, Kristiansand, Mariehamn, Oslo, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, and Berlin from Warnemünde, Germany.
Four varied 12- and 13-day itineraries depart June 14 and 26 and July 8 and 21.

"We go to great lengths each year to arrange the richest cultural, historic, and adventurous excursions in a region," says Adam Leavitt, senior vice president, marketing.
"Our Signature Collection was created to offer a unique destination experience that would appeal to many of Crystal's guests who are seasoned world travelers, some of whom may be returning to a place for the second, third, or maybe tenth time."

The diverse shoreside program scheduled for 2001 includes 11 new excursions, such as a vintage train ride along the Otra river from Kristiansand, Norway; a small craft voyage to Lyse Island in Bergen, Norway; historic explorations through Gdansk, Poland; and sportfishing in the Aland Island archipelago from Mariehamn, Finland.

Crystal Cruises will again offer some of its most popular and highest-rated cultural experiences in the region, including an evening performance of classical ballet at the Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg; and a concert by students of the Jean Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Itinerary highlights of Crystal Symphony's Baltic series, depending on the sailing, include a maiden call to Mariehamn, Finland; the line's first visit to Gdansk since 1992; an extended stay in Bergen during the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Regatta; two days each in Stockholm and St. Petersburg, and, more than 10 new shore excursions slated for Bergen, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Kristiansand, Mariehamn, and Berlin.

Fares for the 12-day cruise start at $5,965 per person, double occupancy.
Pre- and post-cruise hotel stays are available in Amsterdam, London and Copenhagen.

(Source: Crystal Cruises)