At Crystal Bach’s christening in Rüdesheim, Germany (from left to right): Josef Lumetsberger, General Manager Operations, Crystal River Cruises; Crystal Bach Godmother Anna-Maria Kaufmann; Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez; Captain Thijs van der Lee, Master of Crystal Bach

RUDESHEIM, Germany — Crystal River Cruises is giving agents a first look at Crystal Bach, the first of its four new-build Rhine Class river ships.

The new ship was christened earlier this week in a ceremony hosted by Crystal’s CEO and President, Edie Rodriguez. Also in attendance were the ship’s cruise guests, local travel partners and executives from Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong.

“The enthusiasm surrounding this groundbreaking ship has been tremendous already, and we could not be prouder to welcome her to the award-winning Crystal River fleet,” says Rodriguez. “The fact that she is Crystal’s first-ever new build river ship means that we had the opportunity to go beyond the best and create a luxury river cruise experience that is truly unprecedented. She is the first – and, until her sisters join her – the only all-balcony, all-suite river ship.”

Crystal Bach and the Rhine Class ships feature all categories of accommodations positioned above the water line, with king-sized beds and Crystal’s personal butler service.

The festivities of Crystal Bach’s christening reached far beyond those in attendance in Germany, as Crystal broadcast the live stream of the ceremony via its Crystal Cruises Facebook page.

Crystal Bach crew

Sailing 10- and 14-day voyages predominantly along the Rhine River, Crystal Bach will call in medieval towns and modern hubs in Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.

Crystal Mozart, Crystal River Cruises’ first river ship, launched in July 2016 in Vienna. The arrival of Crystal Mozart marked the official launch of Crystal River Cruises, and now four additional river yachts will be launched in 2017 and 2018, including the first of the new ships, Crystal Bach.

River Suite