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Under new ownership, Crystal Cruises is
expanding its cruising options for affluent travelers.
The luxury operator announced this week it's launching three new classes of
cruising in the ocean cruise, river cruise and specialty yachting markets.
The new offerings include;
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Crystal's yacht cruises will begin Dec. 23
aboard the Crystal Esprit 62-passenger yacht.
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Crystal Luxury Air operated with a Boeing
787 Dreamliner aircraft is set to debut in 2017.
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Crystal's new river cruise itineraries
will begin in spring 2017 also with three new-build ocean-going ships.
"We are ecstatic to continue pioneering new
areas of luxury travel," said Crystal's President and CEO, Edie Rodriguez, in a
news release Monday.
In March, Genting Hong Kong entered into an agreement with Crystal's parent
company to purchase the luxury cruise outfit for $550 million. This transaction
was expected to close in the second quarter.
On Nov. 14, one of Crystal's current two ships — Crystal Symphony — will depart
on a 14-day Caribbean cruise itinerary from PortMiami and will offer other
sailings from Miami throughout the fall and winter.
Here's an overview of Crystal's new initiatives:
An artistic illustration of the
62-passenger luxury yacht Crystal Esprit that will launch inaugural yacht
cruises to the Seychelles Islands on Dec. 23, 2015.
Crystal Yacht Cruises: Starting Dec. 23, the
Crystal Esprit 62-passenger, all-suite luxury yacht will begin offering
travelers an all-inclusive immersive cruise experience sailing on regional and
warm-weather itineraries of varying lengths.
Esprit's first cruise will explore the
Seychelles Islands, followed by a post-cruise New Year's Eve celebration at the
Taj Dubai Hotel. Yacht fares start at $5,940 per person for the 10-day inaugural
Seychelles voyage. Itineraries are also available for 2016, 2017 and early 2018.
The yacht's offerings include a two-passenger
submarine, four 10-passenger zodiacs for special excursions and a 12-passenger
Wider 32-foot super yacht tender for special boating adventures.
Crystal River Cruises: Crystal also plans to launch all inclusive river cruise
itineraries with newly built ships starting in spring 2017.
Crystal Luxury Air: Also set to launch in 2017, Crystal said it will be the
first in the luxury travel industry to offer extravagant trips around the world
in a twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The aircraft will offer 60 seats in
business class on 28-day itineraries that will visit 10 to 12 remote or
sought-after locales and include accommodations in top hotels and resorts.
Crystal Exclusive Class: In late 2018, Crystal plans to debut this new type of
ocean cruise vessel with the first of three ships on order with the Lloyd Werft
shipyard in Germany.
Lloyd Werft is known for world-class new builds and luxury mega yachts,
including Luna, the second-largest private expedition yacht in the world, noted
Crystal Chairman Tan Sri Lim.
The all-suite, expedition-capable ships will accommodate 1,000 passengers.
At 100 tons of space per guest, the three ships' guest-to-space ratios will be
higher in comparison to past, current and under-construction luxury ships, said
Rodriguez.
The top decks of these new ships will also offer Crystal Residences — 48 homes
that will have their own private restaurant, reception area and other exclusive
amenities. |
