On the eve of New Year’s Eve, Crystal Cruises is reminding travellers it is not too early to start planning next year’s holiday, with an ultra-luxe, private floating party in Sydney Harbour welcoming in New Year’s 2013.

The over-the-top celebration offers exclusive front-row “seats” to the world’s biggest New Year’s fireworks, gratis for guests of all ages on Crystal Symphony’s lavish culinary-themed holiday cruise through New Zealand/Australia beginning December 20th, 2012.

The très chic fête unfolds aboard two luxury catamarans, sailing past Sydney’s crowd-lined shores in the uber-exclusive, select-vessel Harbour of Light Parade flotilla. 

Crystal has special-arranged final VIP stationing under Sydney Harbour Bridge, inside the off-limits Harbour Exclusion Zone, for the pre-eminent fireworks vantage point. 

The intimate post-dinner soiree includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, premium open bar, music, dancing, midnight champagne countdown, Crystal’s renowned six-star service, and spectacular city views, with guests among the globe’s first ringing in 2013.

“This promises to be our most opulent New Year’s Eve in years,” says Crystal’s senior vice president operations, Thomas Mazloum.

“The night is not only an incredible backdrop for once-in-a-lifetime memories, the entire cruise is a tremendous value, considering the party, other holiday festivities, and all Wine and Food Festival events are complimentary.”