Crystal clear who’s in it for the long hull

The highly rated luxury cruise line has announced it will add new ocean vessels, a yacht and a Boeing 787 aircraft to its existing portfolio of just two ships, over the next three years.

The massive expansion plan to take off by the end of 2015 will see the cruise line foray into the increasingly popular river cruising market, yachting and expand its exposure in ocean cruising.

“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.” Crystal chief executive Edie Rodriguez said.

“We are ecstatic to continue pioneering new areas of luxury travel. Crystal’s newly expanded fleet will truly be travellers’ passport to virtually the entire world.”

Crystal’s three new “Crystal Exclusive Class,” cruise ships with the first expected for delivery in late 2018. The all-suite, all balcony ocean ships will cater for up to 1000 passengers, similar capacity to its existing Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity ships.

“With an impressive 100 tons of space per guest, the average space ratio for luxury cruise ships being 60 tons per person, our new ships’ guest-to-space rations will be vast in comparison to past, current and under-construction luxury ships, reaching all corners of the world safely, smoothly and in the utmost style and comfort,” Rodriguez said.

The company has also signed for two-custom built river cruise ships to operate under a new Crystal River Cruises brand by mid-2017. “Crystal River Cruises will offer the hallmarks of the all-inclusive Crystal experience – six-star service, world-class dining, and enriching shore-side adventures. Spacious suites with exquisitely designed interiors and elegant public rooms will punctuate Crystal’s entry into worldwide river cruising,” the cruiseline said, as per reported by etn.

Also in 2017, Crystal will launch Crystal Luxury Air becoming the first in the luxury travel industry to offer around-the-world trips on a twin-aisle 60-seater Boeing 787 Dreamliner. “Each approximately 28-day itinerary will visit 10-12 remote and/or sought-after locales, with accommodations at some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts; cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs inspired by the destination; and world-class cultural entertainment,” the report stated.

In the immediate future, Crystal Esprit, under the new Crystal Yacht Cruises brand will be the first to be deployed which will embark on its maiden voyage in December 2015. The 62-guest, all-suite yacht will offer “intimate, exclusive, and immersive experiences with a boutique ambiance”, the cruiseline said, etn reports. The first voyage sails December 23, 2015, exploring the Seychelles Islands, followed by an inclusive, post-cruise New Year’s Eve celebration at the Taj Dubai Hotel.

“It has been a personal mission of mine since joining Crystal to see this incredible company reach new potential – and thus, new luxury travellers – as we continue to deliver unparalleled guest experiences and superior standards of excellence,” Rodriguez said.

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