Extreme customization, refined design and experience, and 360-degree comfort. The Crystal Bach is a true jewel on the water, delivering upscale stays transformed into river cruises. Part of the Crystal River Cruises fleet, which sails the rivers of Northern Europe, the Crystal Bach was designed by the London-based studio AD Associates. They adopted a groundbreaking and trend-defying concept to bring the luxurious comforts of ocean cruises into the river tourism world.
It embodies elegance, refined design, precious finishes, and selected materials, which encapsulate the ship’s project, and it’s here that Ariostea‘s potentials come to life – a balance of functionality and aesthetics – as a partner in creating surfaces harmonized with the architects’ overall vision. The first step in this strategy dedicated to exclusivity was to increase the size of spaces by reducing the capacity of vessels to host a maximum of one hundred passengers.
Equally spacious are the cabins, equipped with French-balcony views, followed by the common areas, all meticulously detailed, from dining spots to the indoor pool and spa. It is in these shared spaces, intended for relaxation and conviviality, that Ariostea surfaces (part of the Iris Ceramica Group, specializing in full-body porcelain stoneware floors and wall coverings) elevate the design experience with a touch of sophistication and naturalness, reminiscent of the most exquisite stones and marbles. Starting from the hall, both on the ground and first floors, where Ultra Marmi Gris de Savoie and Statuario Altissimo personalize the spaces with a sunburst pattern that invites guests to ascend the grand staircase or enter the elevator shaft to explore and reach other areas of the ship.
Similarly, in the Waterside restaurant lobby – located on the second level – the floor with a sunburst motif creates a focal point in the atrium, playing with contrasting tones and the effects of Ultra Pietre Basaltina Antracite and Ultra Marmi (in the colors Statuario Altissimo, Arabescato Statuario, Gris de Savoie, and Grey Marble). Before entering the dining room, in a buffet area, the delicate texture of Arabescato Statuario covers the counter and walls. Lastly, in the fitness area, Ariostea surfaces even decorate a fireplace with Statuario Altissimo, adding a touch of minimalist charm.
Aesthetics and performance thus go hand in hand in Ariostea collections, a combination crucial, particularly in nautical settings. Ariostea’s technical ceramic is a versatile and high-performance material that withstands scratches, abrasions, and weather exposure, ensuring high durability in environments exposed to salt air and humidity, while also guaranteeing easy cleaning and maintenance. Moreover, the large Ultra slabs have the advantage of minimizing grout lines, creating uniform and visually continuous surfaces. Customization, versatility, quality, variety of finishes and formats: through these values, Ariostea furnishes and characterizes every environment, creating a new sensory experience on board.
