| Mary Poppins Pops the Cork on New Cruise Ship | |
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Looking for a Greek cruise with a fairy godmother to launch it? Try the Crystal Serenity from Crystal Cruises. It will be making stops at Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini on cruises scheduled from August through on October in 2003. Take note: while Julie Andrews will be launching the ships, she will not be actually present on the cruises, so if you're a passionate fan, head for the video store rather than the docks.
From the Crystal Cruises press release: "Legendary entertainer Dame Julie Andrews, renowed for her role as Mary Poppins and other classic films, has been named Godmother of Crystal Cruises' third ship, Crystal Serenity, which premieres in July 2003. Ms. Andrews will christen Crystal Serenity into service with the time-honored tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne against the ship's hull at the port of Southampton, U.K. on July 3, 2003. In conjunction with the christening, Crystal Cruises will honor Ms. Andrews with a fundraising gala aboard Crystal Serenity benefiting her chosen charity.
"As a world renowned performer, Ms. Andrews' remarkable career has solidified her stature as an international legend and secured her place in the hearts of generations of fans around the world," said Gregg Michel, president, Crystal Cruises."Her refined sense of style, elegance and immense talent are so closely aligned with Crystal's reputation that she is the perfect choice for Crystal Serenity's Godmother.It is a joy and honor for everyone at Crystal Cruises to have Ms. Andrews send our glorious new ship into service."
"The tradition of ship christenings can be traced as far back as the third millennium B.C. From the early Vikings to the Greeks and Romans and later through the Middle Ages, the blessing of a ship has always been an important precursor to a ship's maiden voyage. These roots have led to the more traditional practice of breaking a bottle across the ship's hull before its first sail.
"Crystal Cruises' two current ships - Crystal Harmony, which was christened in 1990 by Mary Tyler Moore and Crystal Symphony, christened in 1995 by Angela Lansbury - have redefined luxury cruising. The cruise line has been continuously rated as having the top ships and offering the best service. For seven consecutive years, Crystal Cruises has been named best large-ship line in readers' surveys conducted by "Conde Nast Traveler" and "Travel Leisure" magazines.
"Crystal Serenity, the third ship in Crystal Cruises' award-winning Six-Star fleet, will continue the tradition of luxury appointments and service, offering one of the highest guest to space ratios in the industry, the best in fine dining, featuring partnerships with internationally acclaimed restaurants Valentino and Nobu, as well as a Feng Shui designed spa. The long anticipated Crystal Serenity will build upon the best of the fleet and expand Crystal's travel itineraries, allowing the line tovisit all seven continents next year.
"Quality choices have been Crystal's signature since the line's inception in 1988. Expanding on its award-winning formula for luxury ship cruising, Crystal Cruises is adding more of its most successful features to Crystal Serenity. At 1,080 guests and 68,000 tons, this elegant vessel will offer more dining venues, more penthouse accommodations, more staterooms with verandahs, more entertainment lounges, and more fitness options, among other features.
"Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents.For a complimentary 2003 Cruise Guide, please call 800.820.6663. Visit the luxury liner's website at Crystal Cruises."
Information and photo courtesy Crystal Cruises.
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