MV CRISTAL
3 Continent Cruise
by Tim Anderson

MV Cristal (Three Continent Cruise - Istanbul, Delos, Jerusalem, Cairo, Agios Nikolaos)

MV Cristal, Louis Cruises

This was an enjoyable cruise in June of 2010. Different from the higher end cruise companies in quality, but more than suitably discounted in price. Some of the differences:

• Ship registry in Greece instead of the Bahamas.
• Smaller size of about 1,200 passengers plus some vacancies meant shorter line ups.
• Mainly Greek staff of many ages and with overall more understanding of English than other cruise line staff.
• An international aspect, with announcements in English, Greek, French, Spanish and German led by a cruise director fluent in multiple languages.
• A stronger team atmosphere among staff than major cruise lines. Singers also organized bus tours. Dancers arranged passport visas. Just about every staff member, including women, handled baggage delivery resulting in the fastest and most efficient processing of luggage I’ve ever seen.
• Some staff had their children on board for one or two weeks
• Excellent food quality, with a little bit of Greek option inserted in each buffet.
• Very nice draft beer on tap
• Below average shows, but still enjoyed the effort and the sense that they were giving it their best. 
• The ship staff keep your passport throughout the voyage and release it only for stops that require it.  They also arrange all visas and don't bill extra for this.  Interestingly, we went ashore in Istanbul, Turkey but all passengers left their passports on the ship.

PORTS OF CALL

Istanbul, Delos, Mykonos, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Cairo, Agios Nikolaos

RECOMMENDATION
I highly recommend the Louis Cruises MV Cristal tour of 3 continents. An excellent way to cover the eastern Mediterranean ports in style.