Crystal Cruises’ 2012 itineraries will include calls to 20 new ports, 12 new itineraries and an almost 50 per cent increase in overnight stays. Other notable changes include additional shorter-length cruises and at least one two-day call on 86 per cent of voyages.

“Our goal for the year was to enhance the ease and value of traveling with Crystal,” said president Gregg Michel. “For example, by adding more overnights to the cruises, especially at embarkation, travelers only have to unpack once, yet get even more time to experience a culture, while still having their Crystal home as a luxurious base.”

Port-stay-packed itineraries include a February/March sailing up the coast of Brazil with maiden calls in Buzios, Ilha Grande, Paraty, Sao Paulo/Santos and Itajai, numerous unusual ports on Europe’s Western Coast in May (including a maiden call in St Jean-de-Luz) and three maiden calls on an Eastern Canada Cruise in September (including Sept-Îles, Magdalen Islands, and France’s Saint-Pierre/Miquelon).

What’s the most unusual cruise port you have visited?