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Crystal Cruises is Launching Round-the-World "AirCruises"

March 27, 2017
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3 min read
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises' Facebook page.
Crystal Cruises is Launching Round-the-World "AirCruises"
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One of the great things about taking a cruise is the convenience of being able to visit a ton of places with a single reservation: book a trip, hop onboard and set sail for a few days (or weeks) of sightseeing. But who says that kind of journey has to be limited to the open seas? Certainly not Crystal Cruises. Though the company has made its name as one of the world’s most beloved luxury cruise lines, its latest endeavor — Crystal AirCruises — is an attempt to elevate the water-based cruise experience to 35,000 feet.

One of the lounge areas on Crystal's new AirCruise.

On August 31, 2017, Crystal’s inaugural AirCruise will take travelers on a curated, 27-day trip around the world, where they’ll stop in 10 exciting cities — including Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila, Bangkok, Paris and New York City (which will serve as the trip’s place of departure and final arrival point). Dubbed “The Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise,” the trip is being presented in partnership with The Peninsula Hotels, which will provide shelter for travelers when they’re on the road. The trip, of course, doesn’t come cheap; prices start at $159,900 per person, while shorter trips, like 2018's 16-day South Pacific Explorer, will start at $69,500 per person.

An artist's rendering of what Crystal's 777 cabin and sleeping arrangements will look like.

When airborne, AirCruisers will be traveling in serious style, too; Crystal has purchased its own Boeing 777, where guests will be treated to personalized service via a team of Crystal Skye Butlers, Michelin Star-inspired dining, a full-service bar with lounge seating, a wine cellar and handcrafted Welsh flatbed sleeper seats (there are just 84 in total), which will allow guests to bask in ultimate luxury as they jet from one location to the next. Once on the ground, travelers will have the chance to customize their own itineraries, whether that means arranging for some sort of adrenaline-inducing adventure or soaking up an area’s cultural or culinary scene.

A full-service bar, lounge area and wine cellar are just a few of Crystal AirCruise's amenities. Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

Though Crystal isn’t the first hospitality company to launch this kind of private jet adventure — the Four Seasons hotel chain has been doing it since 2012 — it’s breaking with tradition by purchasing its own jet. And the Peninsula Hotels trip is just the beginning; Around the World: Iconic Sites will take travelers from Los Angeles to Easter Island to Prague in 29 days; Holidays Around the World will have you in Bora Bora for Christmas and ringing in the New Year in Sydney. Bon voyage!

Is this something you'd be interested in? Sound off, below.

H/T: Bloomberg

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All images courtesy of Crystal Cruises' Facebook page.

Featured image by Chad Slattery

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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