Crystal Cruises offers six warm-weather getaways

While many travelers are digging themselves out of record-setting winter weather, Crystal Cruises is offering six warm-weather getaways through the Panama Canal in 2011, the first departing as soon as February 23. With four of the tropical voyages leaving from easy-to-get-to U.S. cities such as Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and several recently announced savings promotions, the winter and fall sailings offer a stress-free, luxury escape to see the historic locks for less.

Bonus fare sales, bring-a friend programs, free air, “All Inclusive – As You Wish” shipboard spending credits, new-to-Crystal savings, family group offers and other promotions are offered on all or some departures. Travelers have a choice of 11, 14, or 19-day sailings, departing on February 23, March 6, March 17, August 25, November 6, or December 21.

“Besides offering wonderfully tropical weather and beautiful scenery, the daytime Canal transit itself is a marvel,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president, sales & marketing.

The varied itineraries on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity promise a fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Spanish flavors against a backdrop of velvet-soft Caribbean beaches and lush rainforests. Ports-of-call include idyllic islands such as Aruba, St. Barth’s, Grand Cayman, Antigua, and Turks and Caicos; increasingly trendy Cartagena, Colombia and Huatulco, Mexico; celebrated U.S. beach communities San Diego and Charleston; and classic tourist hotspots Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta. Crystal’s “Grand Caribbean Holiday” cruise, round-trip from Miami, anchors in Panama just as dreams of sugarplum fairies are wearing off on December 26.

A destination expert will be on board all sailings to fully enlighten guests on the history and remarkable engineering of the Canal and its lock coordination.

To add to the milieu, the late-March and early-November Miami-LA sailings have been designated “Science & Technology” Experiences of Discovery voyages, with prominent scientists, astronauts and educators on board to lead stimulating, interactive discussions on the latest technological developments and scientific topics. The August San Francisco-New York voyage will be “Film and Theater”-themed and feature special performances and presentations by stage and film personalities and theater experts.

With Crystal’s two-for-one promotion, fares start at $3845/person, double occupancy.

For an overview of Crystal Cruises visit the Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Cruise Line Profile for Crystal Cruises.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com