Crystal Expands "You Care, We Care" Worldwide Philanthropic Excursion Program

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Mar 04, 2014, 05:24 ET

LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Cruises is expanding its 2014 You Care, We Care voluntourism program, continuing its commitment to give back to its global cruise destinations. Via three new complimentary shoreside aid opportunities, guests and crew aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity can help animals, the environment, and orphans in the Channel Islands, Iceland, and Ghana:

A Crystal crew volunteer comforts a kitten during a You Care, We Care excursion to an animal shelter. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises) (PRNewsFoto/CRYSTAL CRUISES)

Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, St. Peter Port, Channel Island -- Support operations, whether it be mucking out the horse stalls or simply walking rescue dogs. (Available with August 1, 17 and 31 cruises.)
Heidmork Nature Reserve, Reykjavic, Iceland -- With guidance from a local forestologist, aid conservation efforts by planting trees to protect the volcanic land from erosion. (Available with June 1, 6 and 13 cruises.)
Father's Home Care Ministries, Takoradi, Ghana -- Help construct a building or clean the playground at a home and guidance center for vulnerable, neglected and disadvantaged children. (Available with a March 28 cruise.)

"You Care, We Care harnesses our guests and crew's spirit of generosity and connects them with people and lands in more intimate and unusual ways," says John Stoll, vice president of land programs. "New volunteer excursions allow our Crystal family to extend continued goodwill to new places, while revisiting organizations multiple times during a season or over years helps us build even stronger bonds with those communities."

Via dozens of You Care, We Care excursions, Crystal volunteers will be providing assistance to more than 15 communities in 2014, aiding:

Animal rescue organizations in Barcelona and Bergen
Park conservation efforts in Honolulu and near Belfast
Disadvantaged youths in/near Boston, Singapore, Sihanoukville, and Durban, South Africa
Disabled and underprivileged adults in Halifax, Livorno, Tallinn, and Valencia

Crystal's You Care, We Care program was launched in 2011, with at least one volunteer excursion planned for every cruise. Crystal covers all logistical arrangements and costs for participation.

A cornerstone of Crystal Cruises' culture is its genuine hospitality and service that has been internationally celebrated for two decades. This spirit of generosity extends to its respectful treatment of the environment, oceans and communities in which it travels.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

CONTACT: Mimi Weisband or Susan Wichmann 310-203-4305, [email protected]

VISIT: Crystal's Media Center and engage with us at www.facebook.com/crystalcruises, www.twitter.com/crystalcruises, and www.youtube.com/crystalcruisestv

(Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140304/LA76824)

SOURCE Crystal Cruises