Crystal's Annual Wine & Food Festival

Michelin Stars, Master Sommeliers And Iron Chefs Headline An Award-Winning Menu During Crystal Cruises’ 10th Annual Wine & Food Festival

Master Chefs Share Spotlight with Hot New Culinary Talent

on 12 Cruises Dedicated to Culinary Enrichment

LOS ANGELES, January 25, 2006 - Some of the hottest names in food - Lucques' Suzanne Goin, Fleur de Lys' Hubert Keller, La Pergola's Heinz Beck, CityZen's Eric Ziebold, and Sam Choy of his eponymous collection of international restaurants, among others - join iconic Master Chefs André Soltner, Anton Mosimann, and newcomer Hiroyuki Sakai, known as the Iron Chef French on the popular TV series - in Crystal Cruises' 10th annual Wine & Food Festival at sea.

Toasting a decade of culinary achievements, an A-List of chefs are paired with the finest names in wine to host cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and gala dinners spotlighting the signature cuisine of each guest chef. Complementing each itinerary is a mouth-watering collection of culinary-themed Crystal Adventures shore tours - from private cooking lessons in Florence and Monte Carlo to wine excursions at Bordeaux's renowned chateaus, and even a wine lesson with the Italian Association of Sommeliers in Rome.

Aboard the ultra-luxurious, award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, guest chefs and wine experts inspire guests with their knowledge and passion for food and wine on 12 diverse itineraries. The 2006 series features voyages of 11 to 19 days throughout the Mediterranean, the Baltic and Black seas, South America, Australia, Egypt, the Panama Canal and Mexico.

Crystal pays careful attention to balancing its Festival with established talent - Atria's Christian Thornton, Alan Wong of Hawaii's Alan Wong's restaurant, and Conny Andersson of the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel - and innovative newcomers such as progressive sushi chef and newly published author Tracy Griffith, and the line's own Best Young Chefs of Italy showcasing the emerging talent from a country legendary for its cuisine and led by legendary owner of Valentino restaurants, Piero Selvaggio. Exceptional wine educators include Master Sommeliers Emmanuel Kemiji and Steve Geddes, Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, journalist/author Leslie Sbrocco, as well as vineyard founders and wine educators.

"I jumped at the chance to do another cruise with Crystal. The staff is amazing, the guests are interested and excited about the food and wine program and then, there's the cruise itself - how could I resist the invitation!" says Suzanne Goin of Lucques, a Food & Wine magazine 1999 Best New Chef, who returns in 2006 for the second time.

During each Festival cruise, the guest chef prepares a five-course dinner featuring his/her signature dishes utilizing the sailing region's freshest ingredients, matched with wine pairings by the guest wine expert. The menu, showcasing an appetizer; soup, salad or pasta; seafood/fish and meat entrées; and dessert, is offered to all guests in the Crystal Dining Room. By day, the visiting chef also demonstrates cooking techniques, share recipes and tips, and participates in question and answer sessions.

The Master Sommelier and other guest wine experts host wine tastings to compare vintages and varietals; provide a bit of history on wines in the regions sailed; and share valuable hints on choosing and pairing wines. Guests become more familiar with Crystal's cellar of more than 200 selections, one of the most extensive at sea.

"The caliber of our program and the top name chefs and wine experts it continues to draw is a reflection of Crystal's culinary philosophy and commitment," says Toni Neumeister, Crystal's vice president, food and beverage operations. "It is a testament to our culinary team that these masterful chefs are assured of our ability to deliver their award-winning menus to our guests on itineraries around the world with the same attention to detail they are accustomed to in their home restaurants."

In addition to the Wine & Food Festival cruises, Crystal is building on its reputation for excellence with innovative new concepts. The cruise line recently released its second vintage of C Wines, its proprietary label featuring three reserve and three premium selections of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and merlot. Further, the intimate Vintage Room plays host to the ultimate gourmet experiences with the first-ever, at-sea wine-makers dinners.

The line's devotion to cuisine is further evidenced by its alliances with some of the world's most celebrated names in food, wine and hospitality - Nobu Matsuhisa brings his legendary cuisine to the aptly-named Sushi Bar and Silk Road restaurant aboard Crystal Serenity; specialties from Wolfgang Puck's Chinois on Main are showcased at Jade Garden, the intimate Asian restaurant aboard Crystal Symphony; and Piero Selvaggio's, Italian specialties are featured in Crystal's Prego restaurants.

The Crystal Difference

Aboard the ultra-luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices, and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea.

The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity are among the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising in the luxury market. Their unique size allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. Their features include grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities, complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty restaurants, and the popular Computer University@Sea®, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as hands-on instruction. Other distinguishing features include expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

Crystal Cruises enjoys a reputation for excellence, grounded in a decade of prestigious accolades including having been voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines - the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have achieved such distinction.

For additional information, please contact Lighthouse Travel at 800-719-9917.