http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/stevegordon Three new
polar-ice-class rated Crystal Cruises ships will carry Zodiacs and
allow the ships to offer more destination-related experiences, even
in Antarctica. // Rendering courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Media and travel agents expected an announcement fromCrystal
Cruiseson Sunday about new ships. They received that -- and a lot
more. Fresh from new investment byGenting Hong Kong, the luxury
line's new owner,Crystal announcedthe launch of several new
high-end products. In summary: The line orderedthree new Crystal
Exclusive Classshipsfor delivery,starting in 2018. These will be
polar-ice-rated vessels. In addition to the normal cruise suite
accommodations, the new ships will have adedicated deck of 48 owned
residenceswith their own dedicated lounge and restaurant. Crystal
plans to createnew luxury cruising productsfocused on yachting
andriver cruising with the same luxury standard that it now has on
Crystal Cruises.Crystal Esprit,the new yachting vessel, will debut
later this year. Crystal plans fortwo of its own new river
vessels(to start) on European waterways. The luxury line will roll
outCrystal Luxury Airwithits own privateBoeing 787 Dreamlinerjet
for around-the-world itineraries.
From left to right: Captain Birger Vorland, Crystal Cruises
President and CEO Edie Rodriguez and Hotel Director Hubert
Buelacher
News for President's Cruise GuestsExactly 25 years after Crystal
Cruises entered the luxury cruise business withCrystal Harmony, the
line made the robust announcements to loyal past guests sailing on
theannualPresidents CruiseonCrystal SerenityandChairmans
CruiseonCrystal Symphony.Edie Rodriguez,Crystals president and CEO,
andTan Sri Lim Kok, the line's chairman, told guests that duringthe
next three years, Crystal Cruises will introduce new ships with new
classes of luxury cruising as well as its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner
aircraft.In their special address to guests, Rodriguez and Tan Sri
Lim made clear that the new parent firm, Genting Hong Kong, has a
commitment to investing in Crystal. Loyal past guests and agents
had wanted the line to order new ships for some time.Chairman Tan
Sri Limstated, Our intent is to make Crystal Cruises the core of
what will become the worlds premier luxury hospitality and
lifestyle brand portfolio, not only for the immediate future but
for years to come.Rodriguez also 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.We are ecstatic to
continue pioneering new areas of luxury travel. Crystals newly
expanded fleet will truly be travelers passport to virtually the
entire world.Crystal Yacht Cruises December 2015Late this
year,Crystal Espritwill embark on its maiden voyage as the first
expansion of the Crystal Cruises fleet. The line says the
62-guestvessel is an extravagantly appointed yacht, the
formerTaurus,to be delivered to Crystal Cruises by Genting Hong
Kong.It will be extensively redesigned in the Crystal stylish
elegance.Set for delivery in 2015, this 3,300-tonnage yacht will
offer intimate, exclusive, and immersive experiences with a
boutique ambiance.Crystal Espritmarks the debut of the new
all-inclusiveCrystal Yacht Cruisesprogram, which will sail
regional, warm-water itineraries of seven days and offer thrilling
experiences on water and ashore.
The aft section of the new Crystal Esprit will feature a
watersports platform, which can be lowered for such activities as
jet skiing, snorkeling and other water fun. // Rendering courtesy
of Crystal Cruises
The all-suite yacht will feature posh, high-end finishes and
modern technology, and is outfitted with some decidedly extreme
features, like atwo-passenger submarine, four
10-passengerZodiacsfor special excursions and a 12-passenger Wider
32-foot super yacht tender for special boating
adventures.RodrigueztoldTravel Agentthat guests are so excited
about the submarine that the line has already had requests for
guests to get married in the underwater craft.Additionally, the
vessel will carry water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis,
fishing, scuba diving equipment and snorkeling gear. The first
voyage sails December 23, 2015, exploring theSeychelles Islands,
followed by an inclusive, post-cruiseNew Years Evecelebration at
theTaj Dubai Hotel.
Bookings on Crystal Esprit through August 15 will be exclusively
available to Crystal Society members, and after that all consumers.
// Rendering courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Effective immediately, the vessel is available for booking
exclusively (through August 31) byCrystal Societymembers (the lines
repeat guest loyalty program) for voyages in 2015 through early
2018. After that, the bookings will open to other consumers.For
2016 and 2017, and early 2018,Crystal Espritroutes for the
Seychelles Islands, Dubai and Adriatic Coast include: Seychelles
Islands Mah, Victoria; St. Anne Island, La Passe, la Digue; Baie
Ste. Anne, Praslin; Laraie Bay, Curieuse Island; Anse Saint Jose,
Curieuse Island; Cousin Island; Aride; Big Sister Island; and
Desroches Island Dubai -Khasab and Muscat, Oman; Doha, Qatar; Sir
Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi, UAB) Venice, Italy/Dubrovnik,
Croatia -Rovinj, Sibenik, Trogir, Vis, Hvar, and Korcula, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia/Venice, Italy -Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Zadar,
and Opatija, Croatia; and Piran, Slovenia Dubrovnik, Croatia/
Athens, Greece -Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Parga, Itea, Hydra, and
Navplion, Greece)All-inclusive Book Now yacht fares start at just
$2,690 per person for a four-day, roundtrip Mah, Victoria,
Seychelles itinerary in 2017.Crystal River Cruises 2017The spring
of 2017 brings more growth withCrystal River Cruises.In what the
line terms "expertly curated itineraries," Crystal River Cruises
will offer the hallmarks of the all-inclusive Crystal experience
six-star service, world-class dining, and enriching shore-side
adventures.The line's press release said "spacious suites with
exquisitely designed interiors and elegant public rooms will
punctuate Crystals entry into worldwide river
cruising."Rodrigueztold Travel Agent on Monday that the line
doesn't plan to partner with any existing river line -- such as in
the way thatAdventures by Disneyhas done withAmaWaterways.Instead,
she said, Crystal plans at least two new river ships dedicated to
the European market. She said no further details will be released
as yet.Crystal Luxury Air 2017Also in 2017, Crystals brand of
luxury will soar to new heights with the launch ofCrystal Luxury
Air,making it the firstin the luxury travel industry to offer
extravagant around-the-world trips on the worlds most advanced
twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner.The plush aircraft, which
typically seats 300, will fly 60 guests in fully reclining business
class seats to coveted destinations to which major airlines do not
offer nonstop service.
A rendering of Crystal Luxury Air's new Boeing 787 Dreamliner //
Provided courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Each approximately 28-day itinerary will start on the first of
each month and visit 10-12 remote and/or sought-after locales, with
accommodations at some of the worlds finest hotels and resorts;
cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs inspired by the destination;
and world-class cultural entertainment.Will the line package the
air travel with a cruise? "TheCrystal Exclusive Class vacation
exprience allows individuals to totally customize their vacation to
their individual needs," says Rodriguez, so she says that Crystal
won't package the air-cruise together.What will happen, says
Rodriguez, is that that the client could go on the 28-day air trip,
get off for a few days, take commercial air to hook up withCrystal
Espritor one of its larger ships. "They're all combinable," says
Rodriguez, "but not as combination packages."Rather,Crystal's
luxury global guests like to put together their own vacation pieces
-- perhaps taking the air, including a city stay, flying off in a
private jet to meet a cruise ship and so on. "It's all about
options and exclusivity," says Rodriguez.Ocean Vessels: Crystal
Exclusive Class Late 2018Crystal also is focusing on its core
cruise product -- orderingthree newCrystal Exclusive Classcruise
ships with the first expected for delivery in late 2018.The
all-suite, all balcony ships will accommodate 1,000 guests, similar
to the capacity onCrystal Symphony(922 guests) andCrystal
Serenity(1,070 guests), and weigh more than 100,000-grt or gross
registered tons.What's unusual?Genting Hong Kong has signed a
letter of intent withLloyd WerftinGermanyto build
thepolar-ice-class vessels.Lloyd Werft has much experience in
shipbuilding, having built many new vessels and
lengthenedsixNorwegian Cruise Linevessels, including thePride of
America.Our vision and revolutionary plans for Crystals ocean
vessels requires us to partner with a premium shipyard that has the
expertise and resources to deliver the Crystal Exclusive Class,
said Tan Sri Lim.Lloyd Werft is synonymous with successful
world-class new builds and luxury mega yachts, includingLuna, the
second largest expedition private yacht in the world, measuring at
337 feet long."With the introduction of these new vessels, Crystal
says it's the first cruise line to deliver expedition-capable ships
with all the signature features and amenities of a luxury ship or
private yacht.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, said Rodriguez.Will the line add more
jets down the road? Rodriguez said "never say never," and that if
that the luxury air product is as successful as she thinks it will
be, that's definitely a possibility.Dedicated Deck for Crystal
ResidencesAdditionally, for the first time ever, guests will have
the opportunity to call a Crystal ship home, with innovativeCrystal
Residences.Situated on the top deck of the new ships will be48
homes, boasting their own private restaurant, reception and
facilities, and much higher ceilings (ninefeet) than residences on
any other cruise ships or yachts.Crystal says the individual
homeswillequal in size tomost land apartments. Residences will
start at 600 square feet and go to more than 4,000 square feet of
interior living area, which will be the largest on the high
seas.Rodrigueztold Travel Agent that she doesn't anticipate this
will detract from the existing guest loyalty program orWorld
Cruiseproduct, as the line already has some guests living on its
ships year-round.Also, she noted the number of homes is limited,
and since it's within the pre-construction period, a guest could
buy up two homes and combine those for a larger space, even more
limiting the number of owned residences on each ship. Apparently,
Crystal has already had inquiries about combination of several
apartments.New Ship Features & AmenitiesOther revolutionary
features being introduced on Crystals new vessels are: A minimum
of400 squarefeetfor the guestroom suites. That compares to a
minimum of 226 square feet onCrystal Serenityand 202 square feet
onCrystal Symphony. Increased ceiling heights by one footto
eightfeet in all suites and decks; Raising the bar on personal
attention and service with1,000 crew members per shipor aone-to-one
crew-to-guest ratio; Options centered on the art and expertise of
Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs; Adventurous yacht-like
special amenities includingsubmarines,helicopters and Zodiacs.The
newly announcedplans fulfill Rodriguezs growing vision for the
company since taking the helm in 2013, while also solidifying
Crystals reputation for innovation within the luxury segment.It has
been a personal mission of mine since joining Crystal to see this
incredible company reach new potential and thus, new luxury
travelers as we continue to deliver unparalleled guest experiences
and superior standards of excellence.Rodriguez said she's having
the time of her life dreaming up higher and higher levels of luxury
experiences -- the besttime in her entire34-year cruise industry
career. For Info and Booking
http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/stevegordon