Crystal’s newly expanded fleet will truly be travelers’ passport to virtually the entire world.” In her announcement on Crystal Serenity, Rodriguez shared her enthusiasm about the expansion of Crystal Cruises, saying, “We continue to think bigger, aiming to create unparalleled luxury experiences and adventures for our loyal and new guests, who – like Crystal – continue to seek broader horizons and new perspectives on the world.” She added, “We are ecstatic to continue pioneering new areas of luxury travel. The Chairman stated, “Our intent is to make Crystal Cruises the core of what will become the world’s premier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand portfolio, not only for the immediate future but for years to come.” In their special address to guests, Rodriguez and Tan Sri Lim made clear of new parent company, Genting Hong Kong’s investment in maintaining Crystal’s award-winning reputation and writing a new chapter in the continuing story of Crystal Cruises. Over the next three years, Crystal Cruises will introduce new ships – effectively establishing three brand new classes of cruising – as well as its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Aboard the line’s annual President’s Cruise on Crystal Serenity and Chairman’s Cruise on Crystal Symphony respectively, Crystal’s president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez and Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay announced (on July 19th 2015) Crystal’s plans for the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality. It’s also one of the most expensive, with fares ranging from around $20,000 to over $120,000 per person.Crystal Cruises Plans to Become First and Only Hospitality Brand to Offer Luxurious Explorations and Adventures for Ocean, Expedition, River, Yacht and AirĮxactly 25 years after Crystal Cruises set its course as a leader in luxury cruising with the launch of the first of three ships, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line is charting a new, much more vast, route. At 32 days, the Northwest Passage cruise is one of the longest offered by Crystal. The 2016 Crystal Serenity voyage sold out quickly, but her 2017 cruise was only 80-90 percent full. She was also accompanied by an escort vessel, the Antarctic research ship Ernest Shackleton. As a precaution, the vessel was fitted with ice navigation equipment. Crystal Serenity sailed from Alaska, through the Canadian Arctic to Greenland and then New York, the first large luxury cruise vessel to navigate the route, with the vessel maneuvering through 900 miles of waterways lined with glaciers and fjords north of mainland Canada. Concerns were raised about the potential for accidents, effluent release and the ability of the small local population and limited infrastructure to deal with the influx of tourists.Ĭrystal also faced industry concerns about the safety of using a non-ice-class cruise ship. The company said that a smaller vessel would be give more itinerary flexibility, as it is hard to get a bigger ship into some areas.ĭuring the planning stages for Crystal Serenity‘s first voyage, the line faced criticism over their plan to use such a large vessel. With a PC6 Polar Class designation, she will be able to cruise in polar regions during the summer and autumn in medium “first year ice which may include old ice inclusions.” Delivery is expected in August 2018.Ĭrystal Endeavor will be able to carry about 200 passengers, significantly less than Crystal Serenity‘s 1,000. Measuring 600 feet (183 meters) long, the 25,000 gross ton new-build with 100 guest suites is claimed to be the largest and most spacious mega-yacht afloat. “We will be returning to the Northwest Passage at a future date with our new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, which will be a polar-class vessel,” Crystal Cruises spokeswoman Susan Robison told Alaska Dispatch News. Crystal Endeavor will be the world’s first purpose-built Polar Code-compliant megayacht.Ĭrystal Cruises will not be sending Crystal Serenity along the Northwest Passage in 2019, and in the future, the route may be taken by another, smaller vessel.Ĭrystal Serenity first made the voyage in 2016 and last month finished her second.
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