Crystal Teams with Hollywood's Magic Castle for Shows, Classes

Crystal Cruises new Magic Castle at Sea, orchestrated by master magician Rich Bloch, is taking magicians from Hollywoods private magicians club, the Magic Castle, on board to entertain passengers of all ages.

Starting today aboard Crystal Symphony and on Crystal Serenitys Aug. 6 voyage, the intimate evening shows add another live entertainment option to 13 European cruises this year, and every voyage in 2013.

The new affiliation also offers free classes for adults to develop their own magic acts, educational enrichment on subjects like Houdini, and childrens shows on select summer and holiday sailings, plus access to the Magic Castle itself when cruisers are in Los Angeles.

Typically, club guests can only gain entrance if theyre in Los Angeles and invited by a member, said Crystals Bret Bullock, vp entertainment.

As at the Magic Castle itself, on-board performances are invitation-only, with advance, complimentary invitations/tickets available at the ships libraries. Passengers can choose from multiple, half-hour performances over the course of several nights. Come showtime, they go through a special entrance to find the ships Pulse or Luxe lounge transformed into the mysterious spirit of the Victorian-era Magic Castle, with flameless candles, lighting, music, murals, bookshelves and magic movies from the 1920s.

With attendance limited to just 25, audience members are privy to an extremely up-close look at sleight-of-hand tricks and other magical feats.

After vacations end, invitations can further be used for one-time access to the real Magic Castle in Hollywood. Show attendees must call the number on the back of their used ticket to reserve entry, then present the same ticket upon arrival at the Castle.