| LOS ANGELES, May 11, 2000 - Crystal Cruises,
renowned for its luxurious worldwide cruises, has received the 2000 Five
Star Diamond Award from the Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The award,
presented to Crystal Cruises at a gala event held at Berlin�s Hotel Adlon,
recognizes the cruise line�s overall excellence in service and commitment
to hospitality in every aspect of its operations. Crystal Cruises is the
only cruise line with ships carrying more than 300 guests to receive this
accolade.
The Academy, founded in 1989, is comprised of trustees and members from
all over the United States and international communities who recommend
quality hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, wineries, products
and services that are compatible with the hospitality industry and are
considered to be the best in their respective fields. �We are honored
to have been chosen for the Five Star Diamond Award. This recognition validates
the efforts of Crystal Cruises� shipboard and shoreside staff and their
pursuit of service excellence,� says Joseph A. Watters, president, Crystal
Cruises.
| Nominations for the Five Star Diamond Award are
made by industry professionals and discerning world travelers under guidelines
set by the Academy. Anonymously they visit establishments evaluating ambiance,
gastronomy, cleanliness and, most importantly hospitality, to ensure that
the selected establishments continuously maintain the high standards set
by the Academy. Other recipients include prestigious properties and resorts
such as Hotel de Crillon, in Paris; Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos;
and The Oriental in Bangkok. �Academy members agree that Crystal
Cruises consistently maintains the overall standards of high quality and
superb performance necessary to designate it as one of the finest cruise
lines in the world,� says Joseph V. Cinque, the Academy�s director of operations.
The Five Star Diamond Award is the latest in a string of industry and
consumer accolades for Crystal Cruises, which offers worldwide itineraries
on the luxurious Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony. Among other honors,
the line outscored all other cruise lines�large and small ship�in the most
recent readers� polls conducted by Conde Nast Traveler and Travel Leisure
magazines.
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Harmony each carry 940 guests in elegant
comfort. The ships feature expansive decks, a wide variety of spacious
lounges, state of the art fitness facilities, a luxurious spa, pool, outdoor
Jacuzzis®, Caesars Palace at |
The American
Academy of Hospitality Sciences is the only international award program
that honors establishments with its most prestigious symbol of excellence,
"Five Star Diamond Award". The Academy is governed by a board of internationally
renowned trustees which oversees the decision to recognize establishments
and organizations worldwide for their outstanding commitment to hospitality
within their category and classification. Members of the international
financial institution, Industry professionals and world travelers recommend
hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruiseships and exceptional chefs. Anonymously
they visit establishments evaluating ambiance, gastronomy and most importantly
hospitality, and cleanliness to ensure that the selected establishments
continuously maintain these high standards set by the Academy. After a
final selection is made, nominations are voted upon by the Academy's Board
of Trustees. The Academy was formed in 1989 as an offspring of a restaurant
rating bureau, founded in 1949. The decisions of The American Academy of
Hospitality Sciences are solely based on whether the establishment demonstrates
a commitment to hospitality in every aspect of its operation. This standard
of dedication is what sets the American Academy Five Star Diamond Award
apart from all others. |
|
Sea casino and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which
offer private verandahs. Flexible gourmet dining, with alternative Italian
and Asian specialty restaurants, is a highlight. Expert bridge, dance
and golf instruction, as well as an extensive onboard enrichment program,
is offered on each cruise. |
