Crystal Cruises promises expansion

Crystal Cruises promises expansion
By admin


Crystal Cruises president and COO Edie Rodriguez has vowed that the company will continue to innovate and will have substantial announcements to make in the coming months.

Discussing expansion plans with assorted trade and consumer journalists at Sydney’s Chiswick restaurant yesterday, Rodriguez said “while we have nothing official for now, things will happen soon”. Her remarks came amid speculation that the company may be looking to add to its existing fleet of two vessels, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Rodriguez, who took over as president of the company little over a year ago, was in Sydney to update the trade on the company course as it heads towards its 25th anniversary, which it celebrates next July.

Describing innovation and constant improvement as a cornerstone of the company’s strategy, she confirmed that this approach would continue. “Crystal Cruises spends $120 million US dollars every two years to refresh the brand and its vessels,” Rodriguez said.

In a bid to continually engage its high end clientele, Rodriguez also alluded to a series of industry firsts. These include shore excursions for the fitness inclined that focus on running and, for the more leisure inclined, sleep late excursions, which include brunch followed by a land based tour. Rodriguez also added that the Crystal Symphony was equipped with “Olympic calibre gym equipment that only one other gym in the US has access to”.

She described the standard passenger as a 45-plus female global citizen, adding that the cruise line caters to “the top two percent of the world’s wealthiest".

In keeping with its generally well heeled clients, a lift in dining standards and options has also been at the forefront of Crystal’s strategy. Celebrity chefs, a focus on creating Michelin-star quality food and Heston Blumenthal-esque molecular dining were all mentioned as culinary innovations the company has pursued.

In terms of the local market, Rodriguez spoke of her appreciation for the Australian spirit. "I think Crystal Cruises will be a good fit for Australian travellers," she said.  

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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