Crystal River Cruises has celebrated the resumption of European river cruise operations.

The line’s Crystal Ravel sailed from Vilshofen on 29 August on a seven-night Danube itinerary featuring calls in Germany, Austria and Hungary.

Crystal Debussy has also set sail from Basel on a seven-night Rhine itinerary with calls in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, and overnight calls in Koblenz and Amsterdam.

All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated as part of Crystal Clean+ programme, which allows guests to explore ashore independently.

Crystal River Cruises senior vice-president and managing director Walter Littlejohn said: “After months of planning and preparation, we are excited to welcome our guests back on board to experience the attentive service and personalised care of our devoted staff on cruises to the best-loved destinations of Europe’s scenic rivers and waterways.

“We know our guests are also incredibly eager to return to the luxurious accommodations, Michelin-level cuisine and unrivalled social spaces aboard our ships as well as the enriching discoveries that await ashore.

“The effortless luxury and relaxation of river cruising seems perfectly designed for the moment in which we find ourselves, allowing our guests to escape to a world of natural beauty along Europe’s rivers, highlighted by great art, architecture and history, and with unique opportunities for cultural immersion to create cherished memories of a lifetime.”

In 2021, Crystal River Cruises will offer 32 voyages ranging from seven to 11 nights on the Rhine, Danube and Moselle.

Crystal Ravel will spend the New Year period in Vienna during an extended three-night stop, while Crystal Debussy will be in Amsterdam on a two-night call.

The line said the deployment “reflects a gradual return of service and the consolidation of sailings from Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler to similar voyages on their identical sister ships, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel”.