Hobbit Home Dinner Party Offers “Precious” Movie Experience For Crystal Holiday-ers

Known for its ingenuity in global adventure, CRYSTAL CRUISES is offering an exclusive new dinner experience this December, on the “Hobbiton” set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and new prequel film. The unique shoreside opportunity will debut just days after The Hobbit opens worldwide, when CRYSTAL SYMPHONY calls in TAURANGA during a NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA HOLIDAY CRUISE beginning December 20.  The CRYSTAL adventure will also be offered on a January 29 voyage through the region.

Crystal’s exclusive dinner at the Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand includes visiting ‘Hobbit Holes’ — i.e., Hobbit homes build into hills

The two local cultures of NEW ZEALAND and “Middle Earth” will come alive, starting with a private, after-hours, guided tour of the village movie set. From Frodo and Bilbo Baggins‘ Hobbit holes to the Brandywine Bridge, guests will enter buildings and stroll rolling hills, while learning about the massive efforts undertaken to build the site. On the grounds of the hobbit-frequented Green Dragon Inn, with a beautiful sunset view overlooking the lake and Mill, guests will enjoy a bevy of extraordinary local wine and beer, a traditional Kiwi barbeque, and other fresh fare served by wait staff in LORD OF THE RINGS garb.

SPOTLIGHT ON: CRYSTAL SUMMER SAILINGS DEBUTING TOMORROW’S BRIGHTEST MUSICAL STARS

EUROPEAN ITINERARIES FEATURE MARQUIS PERFORMANCES FROM THE MUSIC CENTER OF LOS ANGELES

Aboard two Northern Europe cruises next summer, CRYSTAL CRUISES‘ guests will have the rare opportunity to enjoy live performances from some of tomorrow’s brightest stars at the beginning of their professional careers. Continuing its exclusive partnership with the MUSIC CENTER OF LOS ANGELES‘ distinguished SPOTLIGHT PROGRAM, the ultra-luxury line will showcase the talents of the program’s most acclaimed young artists on its 2013 “EMERGING ARTISTS” EXPERIENCES OF DISCOVERY VOYAGES:

— CRYSTAL SYMPHONY ICELAND/NORWAY VOYAGE (Reykjavic to London, June 4): Flamenco guitarist TIM CALLOBRE, vocalist GEOFFREY HAHN, and flautist SARAH JOHNSON will perform jazz, blues, and international classics, with Broadway personality KAREN MORROW leading a master class in vocal performance.

— CRYSTAL SERENITY SCANDINAVIA/GERMANY/RUSSIA CRUISE (Copenhagen to Stockholm, June 15): Opera singer SEAN PLUMB, classical pianist TIANPENG YU, and ballet dancers CHARLIE ANDERSON and SHELBY ELSBREE will perform classical and operatic pieces, with ballet mistress FRANCINE KESSLER-LAVAC leading a master class in ballet.

Ballet dancer Charlie Anderson ‘warms up’ during one of Crystal’s Master Classes at Sea, offered during their ‘Emerging Artists’ theme cruises

The 11-day, June 4 “Emerging Artists” voyage overnights in REYKJAVIC, then visits HEIMAEY, ICELAND; TORSHAVN, DENMARK; ALESUND, HELLESYLT, BERGEN, EIDFJORD and STAVANGER, NORWAY; and LONDON.  The 10-day, June 15 sailing overnights in Copenhagen on June 15 before calling in BERLIN, GERMANY; HELSINKI, FINLAND; ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (two overnights); TALLINN, ESTONIA; and STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (overnight).  Through December 28, all-inclusive “Book Now” cruise fares start at $4,565 for 11 days and $4,580 for 10 days, respectively.

In addition to solo and ensemble performances on/in the ships’ stylish stages and expansive atriums, MASTER CLASSES AT SEA will offer behind-the-scenes insight into the discipline required to perform at/with such esteemed institutions as CARNEGIE HALL, JULLIARD, NEW YORK CITY BALLET, and KENNEDY CENTER at such young ages. A new, dedicated, in-stateroom Music Center television channel will also showcase the Music Center’s Spotlight program and the performers’ intensive training.

Crystal Serenity

“Like Crystal, the Music Center has been a preeminent leader in its field for decades, with the highest standard for talent and a reputation for excellence,” says CHRISTOPHER ESCAMILLA, CRYSTAL’S MANAGER, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT INTEGRATION. “When you consider the extraordinary stages these young artists have performed upon already, and the growing success sure to come in their futures, we’re thrilled to have them playing exclusively for Crystal guests during even a few short weeks en route to the top.”

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

CONNIE BRITTON TEAMS UP WITH CURÉL®SKINCARE TO SUPPORT DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL®

For years, CURÉL® SKINCARE has been the go-to brand for dry skin relief. Now the CURÉL® skincare experts are partnering with the charitable organization DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL® to offer relief to those who need it most in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. At a moment when many New Yorkers are still without even the most basic personal care essentials, the CURÉL® SKINCARE TEAM donated its new CURÉL® INTENSIVE HEALING CREAM for 500 care packages that were distributed by DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL® at THE RYAN/CHELSEA-CLINTON COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (645 Tenth Avenue (between 45th and 46th Streets, New York, New York), giving the city’s disenfranchised women and families staples that are critical to their health and well-being. CONNIE BRITTON, star of the new hit television show, NASHVILLE, joined forces with Curél® skincare and DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL® to give out packages to those in need on December 3rd.

Connie Britton working with Curel Skincare and Direct Relief International to pass out relief Packages

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Curel Skincare and Direct Relief International, an extraordinary organization,” says Britton. “As witnessed very recently during Hurricane Sandy the simplest things such as toothpaste and body lotion become hard to come by, and these items are often taken for granted.”