hubbledouble
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Dalekwho,
Re: the Christmas market cruise first week in December on the Crystal Bach, assume you're on the same one we are, embarking in Basel. Just received the attached from my TA. Cruise is being switched to the Crystal Mahler, embarking out of Amsterdam. Two possible itineraries, the final itinerary won't be determined till nearer the embarkation date.
Crystal Low-Water-Level Schedule Changes/Cancellations
in River Cruising
Posted
Mangiantini,
Per your earlier request, here's the letter from Crystal
Dear Valued Travel Partner,
We are writing today with an important update regarding your clients' "Rhine Christmas Markets" river cruise aboard Crystal Bach, scheduled to depart on December 5, 2018.
There are two developments we wish to bring to your attention. First, as a result of a technical issue that arose on an earlier cruise, Crystal Bach is undergoing repairs that will not be completed in time for your clients' voyage and therefore her identical sister ship Crystal Mahler will be sailing in her place. Additionally, due to unseasonably dry conditions in central Europe, the Rhine River, specifically in the area upstream of Cologne and heading toward Basel, is currently not accessible due to extremely low water levels. Based on these circumstances, forecasts for the near future, and our effort to offer our guests a selection of Christmas Markets to visit, we are obliged to amend the itinerary for this sailing with one of two potential plans that will be finalized closer to departure based on water levels. For easy reference, below is the original itinerary followed by the two possible new itineraries.
Original Itinerary: Crystal Bach
Date
Location
Arrive
Depart
Dec 5
Basel, Switzerland
Embark
Overnight
Dec 6
Basel, Switzerland
-
10 pm
Dec 7
Breisach, Germany
9 am
9 pm
Dec 8
Strasbourg, France
10 am
10 pm
Dec 9
Speyer, Germany
9 am
11 pm
Dec 10
Mainz, Germany
6 am
1 pm
Rüdesheim, Germany
3 pm
Overnight
Dec 11
Rüdesheim, Germany
-
8 am
Koblenz, Germany
1 pm
10 pm
Dec 12
Cologne, Germany
6 am
8 pm
Dec 13
Amsterdam, Netherlands
2 pm
Overnight
Dec 14
Amsterdam, Netherlands
-
Overnight
Dec 15
Amsterdam, Netherlands
-
Disembark
NEW Itinerary #1: Crystal Mahler - Rhine & Moselle Christmas Markets
Requires favorable water levels in the area of Koblenz for the ship to access the Moselle River. The Moselle River Valley is home to a number of picturesque villages and cities that have some of the most charming and atmospheric Christmas Markets in Germany. Here's the complete itinerary:
Date
Location
Arrive
Depart
Dec 5
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Embark
Overnight
Dec 6
Amsterdam, Netherlands
-
1 pm
Dec 7
Düsseldorf, Germany
9 am
5 pm
Dec 8
Koblenz, Germany
8 am
7 pm
Dec 9
Bernkastel, Germany
1 pm
11 pm
Dec 10
Trier, Germany
7 am
Overnight
Dec 11
Trier, Germany
-
6 pm
Dec 12
Cochem, Germany
2 pm
8 pm
Dec 13
Andernach, Germany
9 am
4 pm
Dec 14
Nijmegen, Netherlands
9 am
6 pm
Dec 15
Amsterdam, Netherlands
4 am
Disembark
NEW Itinerary #2: Crystal Mahler
Excursions to Christmas Markets in Antwerp, Düsseldorf and Cologne will be among our offerings. Here's the complete itinerary:
Date
Location
Arrive
Depart
Dec 5
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Embark
Overnight
Dec 6
Amsterdam, Netherlands
-
1 pm
Dec 7
Düsseldorf, Germany
9 am
Overnight
Dec 8
Düsseldorf, Germany
-
6 pm
Dec 9
Nijmegen, Netherlands
8am
6 pm
Dec 10
Rotterdam, Netherlands
9 am
8 pm
Dec 11
Ghent, Belgium
9 am
Overnight
Dec 12
Ghent, Belgium
-
11 pm
Dec 13
Antwerp, Belgium
6 am
Overnight
Dec 14
Antwerp, Belgium
-
1 pm
Dec 15
Amsterdam, Netherlands
4 am
Disembark
*Please note that due to congestion along the river, the times and order of ports are subject to change. Itinerary may be subject to further change based on water levels.
As a result of these changes, guests will now embark the ship in Amsterdam, Netherlands (rather than Basel). Amsterdam International Airport (AMS) is the closest airport, located about 45 minutes from the port. Complimentary motor coach transfers will be provided between the airport and the ship on the day of embarkation.
Inbound Flights
We are pleased to provide guests with independent flight arrangements up to USD $1,000 per guest reimbursement for the cost of amending the inbound transoceanic flight from Basel (BSL) to Amsterdam (AMS). Alternatively, the same allowance can be used towards the purchase of a separate economy-class ticket for travel to Amsterdam from Basel on the day of embarkation. So that we can arrange transfers from the Amsterdam airport to the ship, please email any new or revised flight information to RiverButler@CrystalCruises.com by Thursday, November 15 (please include your clients' booking number). Please send complete documentation of your clients' out-of-pocket cost and proof of payment to GuestRelations2@crystalcruises.com so that we may process reimbursement. Kindly allow four to six weeks for processing.
For guests with flights arranged by Crystal, we will adjust those flights (same class of service) to match the new itinerary at no additional cost. Please note: stopovers and custom itineraries on the new flight arrangements are subject to additional charges. Alternatively, we can provide a separate economy-class ticket for travel to Amsterdam from Basel on the day of embarkation. Please contact Guest Support Services at GuestSupport@crystalcruises.com or (800) 290-0032 with your clients' preference no later than Thursday, November 15.
Shore Excursions
Details of our shore excursion offerings will be provided on board the ship along with registration forms.
Although this situation is beyond our control, we wish to apologize for any inconvenience your clients might experience. For guests who wish to continue on the amended itinerary, as a gesture of goodwill, we are pleased to extend a Future Cruise Credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid, valid towards any Crystal Experience (Ocean, River or Yacht Expedition) embarking on or before December 31, 2020.
Guests who do not wish to travel on the amended itinerary may cancel and receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 100% of the cruise fare paid, valid towards any Crystal Experience (Ocean, River or Yacht Expedition) embarking on or before December 31, 2020.
So that we may prepare accordingly, please review these options with your clients, and let us know their preference no later than Thursday, November 15, by contacting our Guest Support Services team at GuestSupport@crystalcruises.com or (800) 290-0032.
Thank you for your partnership. It will be our pleasure to welcome your clients aboard Crystal Mahler for a lovely river journey.
Sincerely,
Crystal
Guest Services