New Shore Excursions Crystal European Season!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Crystal Cruises and thought it
would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Jewish Points of Interest Showcased on New Shore Excursions During
Crystal Cruises' 2005 European Season

LOS ANGELES
A two-day overland excursion to Krakow and Auschwitz is the newest and
most extensive of the Crystal Adventures shore tours focusing on
Jewish points of interest during Crystal Cruises' 2005 summer European
season.

From May through October, the luxurious Crystal Symphony and Crystal
Serenity will cruise Northern Europe and the Mediterranean on
itineraries ranging from 7 to 12 days. Port calls in St. Petersburg,
Russia; Gdansk, Poland; Warnemunde, Germany; Dublin, Ireland; and,
Venice, Italy, offer travelers an opportunity to explore several sites
important to Jewish history in Europe, many of which have a fraction
of the Jewish population of years past.

Seven different Crystal Adventures with a focus on Jewish points of
interest are available on more than half of the line's 28 European
itineraries, including:

* A two-night moving adventure to Krakow and Auschwitz revealing
the
historic neighborhoods, significant monuments and
unforgettable
tragedy of Poland. Guests will tour Old Town Krakow -- placed
on
UNESCO's very first World Heritage Site List in 1978 -- and
visit one
of the most famous symbols of terror and genocide, the
Auschwitz
concentration camp, which has also become a UNESCO World
Heritage
Site. (from St. Petersburg)

* A full-day exploration devoted to the history of Gdansk, and the
much briefer, but all the more poignant story of Nazi occupation as
told by the Stutthof concentration camp. (from Gdansk)

* A visit to the Great Coral Synagogue, a majestic building of Moorish
architecture that remained open for prayer during difficult periods in
history is hosted by a Rabbi of the synagogue. (from St. Petersburg)

* A tour of Dublin's Jewish landmarks includes the Irish Jewish
Museum, the Ireland Courts of Justice and the Jewish cemetery, dating
from the early 1700s. (from Dublin)

* A walking tour of Venice's historic Jewish Ghetto includes visits to
two local synagogues and a look at temples representing different
Jewish nationalities. (from Venice)

* A visit to Sachsenhausen, one of the Nazis first concentration
camps, and its much-anticipated visitor's center that opened in 2004.
(from Warnemunde)

* A tour of the Old Jewish Quarter and the Centrum Judaicum in Berlin
which includes an exploration of the New Synagogue, one of the most
important locations for Jewish life in Berlin, the Jewish Museum and a
look at the new Holocaust Memorial. (from Warnemunde)

"This collection of excursions allows travelers to connect with places
important to their ancestry and knowledge of world history," says John
Stoll, Crystal's director of land programs. "Hosted by experts on
Jewish heritage and European history, these tours provide our guests
with a compelling personal shoreside experience."

With a strong focus on destination enrichment, Crystal's shore
excursion experts have created hundreds of Crystal Adventures ashore
-- the most extensive collection ever offered in Europe. Stoll adds,
"Our tours to Jewish sites are just one example of the breadth and
diversity of the Crystal Adventures, not just in Europe, but
throughout the world."

Crystal's Mediterranean and Baltic cruises start at $2,695 and $3,995,
respectively.

The Crystal Difference

Crystal Cruises is renowned for catering to its well-traveled Jewish
guests, whether it's through observing Passover with a memorable
gourmet seder joined by shipboard crew and entertainers, Kosher-style
cuisine, or Friday night services on cruises throughout the year.

Aboard the luxurious Crystal ships, refined elegance meets casual
simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation,
the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service,
abundant space, extensive choice, and quality, providing worldwide
vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest,
68,000-ton Crystal Serenity are among the most spacious and luxurious
vessels cruising the world. Their unique size in the luxury market
allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities,
generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated
liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance
with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities,
complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian
specialty restaurants, the only Caesars Palace at Sea® casino afloat,
and the popular Computer University@Sea®, offering 24-hour e-mail and
internet access, as well as hands-on instruction, expansive decks, two
pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely
appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

The luxury liners have consistently earned the travel industry's most
distinguished hospitality awards and guidebook ratings, including the
best large-ship line award in the most recent readers' surveys
conducted by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.

For additional information, please contact a travel agent.