Discover Your 'Inner Adventurer' in Alaska This Summer With 38 New Shore Tours From Crystal Cruises

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Luxury Line's Most Extensive Collection of Alaskan Shore Excursions Puts Focus on Adventure

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A rock climbing and rappelling adventure in Skagway; an extreme rainforest hike in Wrangell; a birding expedition in Sitka; and a wilderness kayaking excursion in Vancouver are but a few of the 38 new "Crystal Adventures" debuting this summer during Crystal Harmony's 2005 Alaska season. With an emphasis on active adventure -- kayaking, dog sledding, glacier trekking, mountain biking, flightseeing and more -- Crystal Cruises continues to provide new opportunities for personal discovery with its most comprehensive collection of Alaska shore excursions ever offered, 125 in all.

From May through September, Crystal is offering 12 departures -- the most extensive Alaska season ever offered by the luxury cruise line. The season begins May 9 with a just-added 9-day itinerary featuring three glacier visits starting at $2,195, followed by a new 7-day journey round-trip from Vancouver on May 21 with fares from $1,495. Ten 12-day cruises operate conveniently round-trip from San Francisco departing May 30, with fares from $2,395; June 11, 23; July 5, 17, 29; August 10, 22, starting at $2,795; and September 3, 15, with fares beginning at $2,595 and $2,395, respectively. All itineraries feature at least one glacier experience; three include two glacier experiences.

"From ecological discoveries to more active pursuits, the tour options on every Alaska itinerary are staggering," says John Stoll, Crystal Cruises' director, land programs. "When creating our 'Crystal Adventures,' our team is guided by the increasing interest of our sophisticated guests to collect experiences that are unique, exclusive and personally enriching."

The diverse landscapes, seascapes and ecosystems of Alaska make it an ideal repeat destination for adventurers of all kinds -- nature buffs, culinary aficionados, fitness enthusiasts, and families. For example, kayaking adventures offered in nearly every port of call provide a new perspective of the Last Frontier.

Highlights of the new "Crystal Adventures" appealing to the "inner adventurer" in all guests include:

* Close encounters with Alaskan wildlife such as feeding a reindeer and
petting an octopus;

* Intimate whale watching safaris;

* An expanded selection of fishing expeditions;

* Visits to Alaskan breweries; and,

* Soft adventure for the whole family, such as panning for gold, biking
a rainforest, and rafting down rivers.

As part of the Crystal Visions Enrichment Program, special-interest lecturers including noted geologists, historians and naturalists will be aboard all sailings to share their insight on the natural beauty, history and culture of Alaska.

From the regal beauty of Victoria to the Tlingit history of Ketchikan, ports of call reveal the beauty of a land embraced by nature. Depending on the itinerary, guests will travel to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Whittier, Seward and Haines, Alaska, cruising the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier and/or Tracy Arm.

At 50,000-tons, the luxurious Crystal Harmony carries only 940 guests, and is a perfect floating resort from which to view the breathtaking glaciers and unspoiled Alaskan and British Columbian scenery. The award-winning ship features expansive decks, richly-appointed staterooms, more than half of which boast private verandahs, a wide variety of lounges for critically-acclaimed entertainment, gourmet dining, a Caesars Palace at Sea(R) casino and a state-of-the-art, Feng Shui-designed spa and fitness facility.

Crystal Cruises is the recipient of an unprecedented nine consecutive best large-ship cruise line awards from the readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.

A complete listing of all 125 Alaska shore excursions may be found on the Crystal Cruises website at http://www.crystalcruises.com. For a complimentary brochure on the 2005 Alaska season, please contact a travel agent or call 866-446-6625.

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