Crystal River Cruises has ordered five luxury river yachts – three more than previously announced – with the first ultra-luxury river vessel set to be delivered in 2016, a full year earlier than planned.

President Edie Rodriguez announced earlier four newly built Crystal river yachts – twice the originally planned deployment – have been ordered for delivery in 2017 from the German shipyard Lloyd Werft.

Additionally, due to travellers’ and agents’ strong demand for an earlier Crystal river experience, Crystal has also completed the purchase of the German built MS Mozart, the largest river cruise vessel in Europe.

Following an extensive dry dock to create the elegant Crystal experience on board, the newly designed vessel will be renamed “Crystal Mozart” and embark on the Danube River on July 13th 2016.

“In response to travellers’ and travel agents’ enthusiasm for Crystal River Cruises, and through Crystal’s innovation, we are upping the ante once again, bringing “true luxury” to the river cruise sector with the largest guest suites and public spaces, the highest crew-to-guest-ratio and Crystal’s award-winning service,” said Rodriguez.

“Once the transformation of Crystal Mozart is completed, it will truly be the crown jewel of the European rivers.”

Crystal Mozart is designed to fit into the wider locks of the Danube River from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary, and holds the record of being the largest river cruise vessel on European rivers, measuring 75.1 feet wide (22.9 metres), which is double the width of an average industry river boat.

The 160-guest capacity Crystal Mozart has window suites of 203 square feet, deluxe suites of 215 square feet, a penthouse suite of 322 square feet and two, two-bedroom Crystal Suites of 860 square feet, the largest suite on any river vessels.

The four new all-suite luxury river yachts will debut in June and August 2017, boasting suites of 220 square feet, deluxe suites of 250 square feet, a penthouse suite of 500 square feet and a two-bedroom Crystal Suite of 750 square feet, and all boasting plush amenities.

The suites will all feature king size beds (an industry first), walk-in wardrobes and bathrooms with double vanities.  Similar to Crystal Mozart’s concept, the luxury river yacht’s public areas and dining venues are all on one level for convenient access.

The new vessels will feature a Palm Court with dance floor and glass domed roof, a library, fitness centre, spa and sporting equipment such as electric assisted bicycles, kayaks and jet skis