Crystal Guests Hike, Bike, Dive, Kayak, Horseback Ride, Fly and Zip Line Their Way Around the World

    LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18 /EMWNews/ -- Luxury -- and adventure --

specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing an unprecedented number of

Crystal Adventures shore excursions for its 2009 World Cruise. Sailing

roundtrip from Los Angeles January 21, 2009, the 106-day expedition boasts

more than 300 tours in all, including 125 brand new, which are designed to

sate guests' appetites for vigorous activity, as well as pique their

intellectual and cultural curiosities. The tours take guests by horseback

along New Zealand's coast, by foot through the Takitumu Rainforest, by

helicopter over the filming locations of Lord of the Rings, even through

the Alaskan forests and glaciers by go-kart, to ensure the most

exhilarating experiences possible.



    "The World Cruise excursions are specifically designed to enable

travelers to explore, taste and feel each destination," says John Stoll,

Crystal's director of land programs. "World Cruise guests no longer fit the

stereotype of just sitting on the deck with a book and a blanket. Crystal

guests are seeking worldwide adventures with six-star luxury."



    Along with the tours, expanded onboard enrichment programming serves to

offer Crystal World Cruise guests more -- more celebrity guest lecturers

and performers, more keyboard classes through Yamaha and language classes

through Berlitz and more experiences and events unique to World Cruise

itineraries.



    The thrilling roster of Crystal Adventures allows guests to:



    Over the Top Aerials



    -- *NEW* Dunedin, New Zealand -- Explore the filming locations of Lord

of the Rings by helicopter, as well as the breathtaking New Zealand

landscapes and the Misty Mountains.



    -- *NEW* Petropavlovsk, Russia -- Helicopter over dormant and active

volcanoes and jagged ice crests in the Kamchatka Peninsula.



    -- Ketchikan, Alaska -- Fly over the awe-inspiring fjords, lakes,

1,000-foot waterfalls and granite cliffs of the Misty Fjords National

Monument.



    Active Adventure



    -- *NEW* Noumea, New Caldonia -- Swing through the Koghi Mountain

rainforests on webbed ropes, pulleys and zip lines.



    -- *NEW* Sihanoukville, Cambodia -- Discover the nearly 37,000 acres of

land and 15,000 acres of marine habitat during a day-long trek through Siem

Reap National Park.



    -- Ha Long Bay, Vietnam -- Kayak through the striking Thien Cung and

Dau Go caves, and explore the secluded grottoes and natural limestone

structures lining the waters of Ha Long Bay.



    Wild Encounters



    -- *NEW* Waitangi, New Zealand -- Swim with the dolphins -- and perhaps

penguins and orcas, too.



    -- *NEW* Petropavlovsk, Russia -- Visit Kamchatka Peninsula, where the

Siberian K9 Kennel breed, train and house the famed sled dogs used as the

primary transportation in the area.



    -- *NEW* Bali, Indonesia -- Ride an elephant at the Bali Elephant

Safari Park, then venture into the Bali Bird Sanctuary.



    -- *NEW* Komodo Island, Indonesia -- Explore Komodo National Park, the

habitat of the dragons of the same name, and likely spot a few as they hunt

for food and greet visitors.



    -- Perth, Australia -- Get up close and personal with koalas,

kangaroos, wombats, camels and emus in their natural habitat at Caversham

Wildlife Park and Zoo.



    Tasteful Experiences



    -- *NEW* Suva, Fiji -- Discover the culinary techniques and flavors of

the spice islands of the South Seas.



    -- *NEW* Adelaide, Australia -- Visit Southern Australia's Barossa

Valley for exclusive wine tasting at Jacob's Creek, Peter Lehmann Winery

and Yaldara Estate.



    -- *NEW* San Francisco, CA -- Savor the wines and cuisine of

California's renowned Napa Valley.



    -- Hong Kong -- Discover why Hong Kong is known as the culinary capital

of Asia with a visit to a local market and demonstrations and samplings of

the region's authentic dishes.



    Crystal's full "Pacific Circle Celebration" World Cruise spans the

globe, visiting 45 ports in 22 countries throughout the South Pacific,

Asia, Africa and Europe, and is available in eight distinctive segments

from 11 to 17 days. Fares for the full World Cruise begin at $54,135 per

person, double occupancy. Crystal Adventures shore excursions are priced

from $39 to $6,999 per person.



    For more information and Crystal reservations, please contact a travel

agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line's website at crystalcruises.com.



    CONTACT: Mimi Weisband (310) 203-4302




[email protected]