Crystal Adds Acupuncture to Its Wellness Options
Crystal Cruises is introducing onboard acupuncture along with a menu of Chinese herbs revered for restoring and enhancing health, beauty and longevity. A menu of optional acupuncture treatments, launching this month on Crystal Serenity, focuses on weight loss, pain management, stress reduction, detoxification, smoking cessation, facial rejuvenation and sea sickness. "For many, a vacation offers the freedom to try something new," said Thomas Mazloum, Senior Vice President-Hotel Operations. "Whether one is just curious or one wants to pursue new treatments, acupuncture complements Crystal's myriad of onboard wellness activities, which have transformed guests into devotees of disciplines like yoga, reflexology or Spinning." Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to ease pain and for other therapeutic purposes.
The Crystal acupuncture program features a licensed acupuncture physician, Nancy Kerastas, who has been practicing the art since 2002. Menus of Chinese herbs include remedies said to reactivate the body's fat-burning process, stabilize blood sugar metabolism, and relieve swollen or immobile joints. Three to five classes will be held per cruise, discussing acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Feng Shui practices and benefits. Guests receive pre-session consultations to discuss their conditions and medical histories. Cost is $150 for a 60-minute session and can be booked through Crystal's Feng Shui-designed spa. In December and in 2009, both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity host "Mind, Body & Spirit" theme cruises, focusing on general wellness through classes and discussions with guest instructors in Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates and general fitness.
Crystal Cruises is announcing three brand new Crystal Adventures in
St. Petersburg, Russia.
The first will enable Crystal guests to bicycle through Krestovsky Island; The second is a visit to the more modest memorial apartment of author Fyodor Dostoevsky; the third is a journey to Moscow for two nights.
Crystal Symphony will make six Baltic cruises from June through August ranging in length from seven to 11 days. Five of the six cruises boast three-day stays in St. Peteresburg (the other is two days).
Here is a list of the more unusual St. Petersburg tour options Crystal provides include:
Crystal Adventures range from less than $50 to as much as $38,695 for the ultra-exclusive MIG flight. Crystal Cruises' 2008 Baltic cruises depart from London, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Cruise fares begin at $3,395 per person, double occupancy.
