The French Riviera, the romantic seaside towns of Italy, the great treasures of ancient Greece. These are just a few of the destinations you'll discover on a sunny Mediterranean cruise. Experience culture and tradition at its very best when you sail the Mediterranean on a Crystal cruise.
Book through us today and receive these complimentary values:
Virtuoso Voyager Club Private Shore Event $200 value per person
and Onboard Spending Credit of up to
$900 per person value
or, Onboard Spending Credit - valued at up to
$1100 per person
Experienced and Reputable Crystal Cruise professionals - value:
priceless
Total Value per Person: Up to $1100
Complete the Information/Quote Request or Call Us at 877-394-8130 or +1 303-838-3047
For more information call Toll Free: (877) 394-8130 and mention offer: #689 OR, click a button below for quick, convenient online assistance.
Crystal Serenity The difference is Crystal clear onboard Serenity
Known quite simply as the very best cruise ship in the world, Crystal Serenity is consistently awarded the highest accolades by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, among others.
Onboard amenities include grand lounges, full-service fitness facility, the Crystal casino, a salon/spa, two pools, Jacuzzi tubs, award-winning cuisine and entertainment.
To top it off, exquisitely-appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs. Considered to be the finest shipboard staff afloat, it is their goal to anticipate your every need and to make this a vacation to remember.
In 2011, the Crystal Serenity underwent refurbishment to upgrade decor in all staterooms and suites plus various enhancements to the pool areas, gift shops and public areas.
Virtuoso Voyager Club Sailing Travel with Virtuoso and you'll see the world in an entirely new light
When you reserve this cruise through us, your Virtuoso Travel Specialist, you automatically become a member of the prestigious Virtuoso Voyager Club, entitling you to a wealth of privileges and complimentary amenities - including a unique and exclusive shore event not available to the general cruising public.
NOTE: You may choose this exclusive shore event, credit toward a customized Virtuoso on-shore event, credit toward a Virtuoso Discovery pre/post hotel stay or shipboard credit. Ask us for complete option details. Credit amount may vary based on stateroom category booked. Credit may not be offered in all categories.
Exclusive Shore Event: Istanbul | Historic City Tour and Lunch
The Bosporus Strait divides Asian Istanbul from European Istanbul. It's the only city in the world that sits astride two continents. And what a treat this exotic, ancient metropolis is to explore. Empires have been won and lost, come and gone, here. World history and its cultures and religions converge here. Istanbul's plethora of sights will leave you breathless.
Your Voyager Club tour begins in the "east" and travels "west." The world's pre-eminent empires have added layers of intrigue as well as stunning contributions to Eastern and Western civilization in the fertile valleys of Turkey and its premier city. We'll wander the Roman Hippodrome, center of life in Byzantium for more than 1,000 years. The Hippodrome was a colossal stadium housing horse races around which the socio-political life of the Roman capital was centered. In its great days, it was 1575 feet long, 384 feet wide and held 100,000 spectators. It was the site of chariot racing, gladiator fights, circuses, inaugurations and triumphal parades.
Next we will visit the Blue Mosque, the masterpiece of 17th century Ottoman Architecture, famous for its unique hand made original Iznik Tiles impressing observers with their rich dominant blue colors and oriental patterns.
This city is also home to one of the most gorgeous and photographed houses of worship in the world. The Hagia Sofia, originally the Church of St. Sophia, was the vision and passion of the great Emperor Justinian. Construction began in AD 548. This expansive and ornate Church of Divine Wisdom, as the Emperor declared it, was built in a mere four years. A feat unheard of in the first century AD, when such structures usually took more than 100 years to complete. True to the Byzantine Empire's diverse nature, the church's name was also rendered in two additional spellings: Aya Sofya and Haggia Sofia. At the time it was the greatest church in Christendom with its immense walls and impressive dome. In the late 15th century, St. Sophia became a mosque under the auspices of the powerful Ottoman Empire and remained so until the end of the 19th century. This architectural masterpiece remains crowned with its massive dome, and encircled with six soaring minarets. Today this structure is a secular museum.
Our special lunch is conveniently planned at the historical Armada Hotel. We will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the historical ambiance and the spectacular view of the Old Town and the Marmara Sea, along with lunch we will be treated to a private folklore performance.
After this relaxing lunch, we will visit the Grand Bazaar, more dazzling than any other oriental bazaar, built in 1461 and in service ever since. It contains 3,500 shops employing more than 20,000 people all under one roof. Everything imaginable in the world is for sale here, glittering gold and silver jewelry, antique tiles, leather, souvenirs. Just seeing and experiencing this fascinating bazaar is a memorable experience nad not something to be missed.
We will return to the pier by 3:00 pm.
Approximate Length: Seven hours.
Suggested Attire: Casual wear with comfortable shoes (no shorts, please). Moderate walking in and out of sights, including some steps. At the entrance to the Blue Mosque, there is a flight of approximately 20 steps; visitors are asked to remove their shoes upon entering the mosque.
As a Voyager Club Member, choose this exclusive shore event, onboard credit(s), hotel packages including special amenities, private excursions or pre-paid gratuities. Consult your Virtuoso Travel Professional for options available on this particular sailing.
PLEASE NOTE: All Virtuoso events ashore are capacity controlled and require a minimum number of participants to operate. Events are subject to change without notice. These events are individually tailored for each date and arrival. Your event could be different than what's noted here; but it will be designed to be memorable and to bring you a traveler's view that you will treasure, and would otherwise miss entirely. Final details will be outlined in program letters provided by your Virtuoso host aboard ship.
2321-EMPIRES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
From Venice to Athens calling on Ravenna, Kotor, Corfu, Mykonos, and Istanbul with 3 days at sea
Virtuoso Voyager Club Exclusive Experience
Complimentary, exclusive and unique Voyager Club event in Istanbul.
See Voyager Club Amenities for complete details.
Virtuoso Exclusive Voyager Club Offer Book this itinerary through us, your Virtuoso Travel Specialist, and receive exclusive benefits at no additional cost, including:
Competitive cruise fare
Festive, onboard cocktail reception
Onboard host
Plus one of the Following Options based on Availability:
Option 1: Exclusive Private Virtuoso Voyager Club Shore Event, and Onboard Value Credit, or...
Option 2: Credit towards the purchase of a custom On Site shore excursion, Virtuoso Discoveries Pre or Post Cruise Hotel Package or other Virtuoso Preferred Product, or...
Click a button above or call (877) 394-8130 to get additional information from our Crystal Cruise Specialists.
indicates reduced pricing that may be time sensitive with limited availability. Not all special offers available in all Categories/Prices. Pricing in US Dollars unless otherwise specified. Availability and pricing is not guaranteed until booking and deposit received.
* All itineraries and times are subject to change.
Terms & Conditions Fares are per person in U.S. dollars, double occupancy and do not include port, security and handling charges. Airfare is not included and no air credit is available. Air add-ons are available from Crystal Cruises' designated gateway cities in the United States and Canada. Single Traveler Fares are based on the cruise-only fares. Crystal Society savings are per person based on double occupancy. All offers may not be combinable with other promotions, apply to first two guests in stateroom or Suite, are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Sold Out - This category is no longer available on this date and no further reservations are being taken for this category.
Wait List - This category is no longer available on this date. However you may join a waitlist where you'll be offered this category/price as previous confirmed reservations are cancelled or changed. To guarantee travel on this date, you must reserve an available category AND waitlist your preferred category.
Guarantee - The cruise line will assign the specific stateroom, sometimes as late as the day of sailing. You are not able to select a specific stateroom or location. You are guaranteed a stateroom in the selected cateory and if all staterooms in the selected category sell out, you will be upgraded to a higher category.
Why Should You Use a Virtuoso Travel Specialist?
Because we offer insider connections and industry expertise - along with the guidance and know-how you require to make educated travel choices. You see, as your Virtuoso Travel Specialists, we're members of the most prestigious and established travel network in the world. So when you travel, you can do so with confidence - secure in the knowledge that you'll get more, simply by booking through us. The world awaits. Let us take you there.