Two Luxury Cruise Lines Expand Short-Cruise Options

When vacation time is short, or you want to combine a cruise with a land trip to Europe, your choices have just expanded.

Silversea Cruises

In its continuing mission to provide guests with more choices, ultra-luxurious Silversea Cruises has just announced a new collection of eight shorter cruises for spring and summer 2013. These convenient 4- to 7-day voyages to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean aboard Silver Wind, Silver Cloud, and Silver Spirit are designed for time-strapped working professionals, travelers who like to combine a cruise with a land program or back-to-back with a longer voyage, and individuals who may be new to luxury cruising and would like a taste of Silversea's award-winning, all-inclusive experience.

"Many travelers today have busy schedules that make it difficult to fit in time for an extended luxury cruise vacation," said Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas. "It's important for us to offer options that cater to these consumers as well as those who have time for longer voyages."

Visit Silversea.com for a complete schedule of itineraries.

Crystal Cruises

Due to the overwhelming success of Crystal Cruises' new shorter "Getaways" cruises, the large-ship luxury line has added 26 voyage options throughout Europe from April to November this year. The new 5- to 8-day cruise segments provide more opportunities for time-strapped travelers to enjoy Crystal's all-inclusive, luxury vacation experience.

Twelve Mediterranean, ten Baltic, and four Western Europe cruise "Getaways" offer numerous choices for compact, port-packed cruises aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in 2013. In addition to time on board for relaxing rejuvenation and pampering, one or more local overnights are featured on most sailings.

"Our 'Getaways' have proven to be very attractive to travelers from all over the world who are younger, busy professionals, first-time Crystal cruisers, and/or want to combine cruising with longer stays on land," explains Jack Anderson, senior vice president of marketing and sales. "With great destinations, plus the luxury and service for which Crystal is known—including complimentary beverages and gratuities, a world-class spa, stylish accommodations, and even Nobu's cuisine—our 'Getaways' are a great way to tour Europe while simultaneously indulging in our 'World's Best' vacation experience."

The new European options join other 5- to 11-day Getaways already offered in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America in early 2013. Pre- and Post-cruise Hotel Programs further expand vacation options in many popular European cities. For more information, visit CrystalCruises.com.