Young Stars to Shine on Crystal European Cruises

Distinguished Alliance Brings Top Talent to New Emerging Artists Series

LOS ANGELES, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Through a new cultural partnership with
the Music Center - Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County, Crystal
Cruises is showcasing some of tomorrow's brightest stars "today." Beginning
this summer, Crystal's new Emerging Artists Experiences of Discovery cruises
will boast performances by Grand Prize Finalists of the center's coveted
Spotlight Awards.

Like Crystal, the Music Center has long been a leader in its field, having
fostered the development of arts education and mentored young talent for more
than two decades. The Music Center Spotlight Awards is one of the nation's
most acclaimed performing and visual arts education programs for teens,
awarding over $100,000 in scholarships annually. Each year, more than 2,000
high school students audition in ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice,
non-classical voice, classical instrumental, and jazz instrumental before
professional judges. Students receive feedback preparing them for careers in
the performing arts and finalists perform at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Many alumni have joined or performed with professional companies, including
the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theatre, The Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater, New York Philharmonic and even American Idol. (Finalist Adam
Lambert is a winner.)

For each Emerging Artists cruise, Spotlight Awards Director Jeri Gaile has
personally selected three recent alumni, most of whom are still teenagers.

June 30, Crystal Symphony - Stockholm to Copenhagen

-- Garret Lang, Jazz Bassist
-- Kelsey Porter, Vocalist

-- Melinda Sullivan, Tap Dancer

July 28, Crystal Serenity - Venice to Athens

-- Athena Sterig, Contemporary Dancer
-- U-Jung Jung, Classical Pianist

-- Anna Schubert, Soprano

September 14, Crystal Serenity - Istanbul to Venice

-- Julia Metzler, Mezzo-soprano
-- Phillip Golub, Jazz Pianist

-- Timo Nunez-Bellamy, Flamenco Dancer

"We're thrilled to collaborate with the Music Center and Spotlight Awards to
present such an astounding caliber of talent aboard Crystal Cruises," says
Christopher Escamilla, senior production coordinator, entertainment. "With
the world's most fascinating cultural centers as a backdrop, Crystal guests
will be introduced to some of the best as-yet-unknown talent."

Crystal's Europe Celebration cruise fares begin at $4,245 per person, double
occupancy, plus up to $1,000 per person shipboard spending credit to customize
one's vacation. For more information or Crystal reservations, contact a
travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line's website,
crystalcruises.com.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband or Julie Dibble (310) 203-4305
publicrelations@crystalcruises.com

SOURCE Crystal Cruises

Mimi Weisband or Julie Dibble, both of Crystal Cruises, +1-310-203-4305,
publicrelations@crystalcruises.com