Crystal Expands Worldwide Jewish Culture Exploration

Luxury line Crystal Cruises is expanding its programming in 2011 by scheduling over a dozen Crystal Adventures that explore past and present day Jewish life around the world: in/near Mumbai, Miami, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg, St. Petersburg, Rome, Dublin, Jerusalem/Ashdod, and Odessa. Each tour gives an overview of a culture within a culture, while also providing intimate connection with spaces, exhibits, artifacts, traditions, and people that bring the international Jewish narrative to life. Among the highlights are:

-- St. Petersburg: Discover how this resilient Russian Jewish community survived Communist oppression, war, and hardship to flourish today, as demonstrated rhrough its people, community centers, music, and an intimate home visit.
-- Mumbai: Visit three synagogues, ranging from Baghdadi to Bene-Israel congregations.
-- Copenhagen: Learn how 99% of Denmark's Jews survived the Holocaust, at the Museum of Danish Resistance.
-- Dublin: Take in the social, legal, and political contributions of the Irish-Jewish community; see the first dedicated day school and home of Israeli ex-President Chaim Herzog.
-- German Concentration Camps: Explore Neungamme, which housed 100,000 prisoners outside Hamburg, and Berlin's Sachsenhausen, which became the blueprint for all other camps.
-- Rome: Walk through the 2000+ year-old Jewish Quarter of Rome.

"These experiences offer meaningful opportunity for education, understanding, and reflection, for Jews and non-Jews alike," says Vice President, Land and Port Operations John Stoll.

Crystal Cruises' passion for creating unique and impactful luxury shore-side experiences are cornerstones of its Crystal Adventures program, and have earned the line top ratings from international travelers for two decades. The excursions are available as half-day or full-day adventures with the worldwide, value-rich itineraries aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. For more information, visit CrystalCruises.com. While most 2012 excursions are still in development, Crystal is planning a Jewish heritage tour of Shanghai for its 2012 World Cruise.