Yesterday, in Southampton, England, legendray entertainer Dame Julie Andrews released the cord that sent a custom-made six liter bottle of Louis Roederer Cristal champagne crashing against the hull of Crystal Cruises' newest luxury ship, Crystal Serenity.

In doing so, she triggered a flurry of colored streamers and confetti upon the 400 guests all dressed in the day's themed attire of black and white.

"This is a moment all of us at Crystal Cruises have been working toward for more than three years," said Crystal Cruises President Gregg L. Michel. "It is such an honor for us to have someone as elegant, talented and well- respected as Dame Julie Andrews christen our new ship into service. She is the embodiment of the style and sophistication that is Crystal Serenity."

Just prior to the ceremonial breaking of the bottle, a tradition that can be traced to 17th century England, Reverend Michael Williams, chaplain for the Port of Southampton, conferred the official blessing of the new ship.

Following the quay-side ceremony, guests were escorted into Crystal Serenity's Crystal Dining Room, where they enjoyed a formal luncheon honoring Dame Julie. The ship was then available to all guests for guided tours.

Crystal Serenity, the newest addition to Crystal Cruises' Six-Star fleet, officially enters into service on July 7th when she sets sail for her Grand Inaugural Voyage, a 14-day round-trip from London's port of Southampton that will take the new ship to several Northern European capitals.

"Our past guests have been anxiously awaiting this new ship," adds Michel. "They are among the most loyal repeat cruisers in the industry. In fact, on this inaugural cruise, we have guests who have sailed with us more than 50 times. The ship will be literally flowing with our best guests."

Following her maiden voyage, Crystal Serenity continues her inaugural season with summer cruises in Europe, and the Mediterranean, followed by a trans-Atlantic crossing, two Caribbean/Panama Canal voyages, and a combined Christmas/New Year's Mexican Riviera sailing, round-trip from Los Angeles. Additionally, on January 19, 2004, Crystal Serenity will depart on Crystal Cruises' celebrated 106-day World Cruise, which departs from Los Angeles and concludes, for the first time, in New York City (on May 5, 2004).

With the launch of Crystal Serenity, Crystal Cruises expanded on its own award-winning formula for mid-sized luxury ship cruising.

While similar in style and elegance to her two sister ships, Crystal Serenity offers more dining venues, more penthouse accommodations, more staterooms with verandahs, more entertainment lounges, and more fitness options (among other features), than Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony.

At 1,080 guests and 68,000 tons, she is the largest ship in the Crystal fleet and boasts one of the highest space-per-guest ratios (63.0) in the industry offering 93,500 square feet of public space and 14 decks.

Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents. For a complimentary brochure, call 800.820.6663. Visit the web site at www.crystalcruises.com