Cruise News July 22, 2015: Crystal Expansion

Crystal Cruises’ Major Expansion in Ocean, River, Yacht, and Air Travel

Scroll through these artist renderings of Crystal Esprit and Crystal Luxury Air’s 787 Dreamliner.

Aboard Crystal Cruises’ 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 plans for Crystal’s most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality. Over the next three years, the line will introduce new ships — effectively establishing three brand-new classes of cruising — as well as its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

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

The timeline of new Crystal products begins this year:

Crystal Yacht Cruises – December 23, 2015

Crystal Esprit will embark on its maiden voyage as the first expansion of the Crystal Cruises fleet, Crystal Yacht Cruises. After an extensive redesign to reflect Crystal’s style, the 62-guest, 3,000-ton yacht will offer intimate, exclusive, and immersive experiences with a boutique ambiance. The all-suite yacht will feature high-end finishes and modern technology as well as some extreme features — such as 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. Also available will be water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, fishing, scuba, and snorkel equipment.

Set for delivery in November 2015, Crystal Esprit will sail regional, warm-water 7-day itineraries. 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. For 2016, 2017, and early 2018, Crystal Esprit will sail itineraries in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.

Crystal River Cruises – 2017

The spring of 2017 brings Crystal River Cruises, which will feature expertly curated itineraries and an all-inclusive Crystal experience with six-star service, world-class dining, and enriching shoreside adventures.

Crystal Luxury Air – 2017

Also in 2017 comes the launch of Crystal Luxury Air, which will offer extravagant around-the-world trips on the world’s 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. Each approximately 28-day itinerary will visit 10 to 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.

Ocean Vessels: “Crystal Exclusive Class” – Late 2018

Crystal will also launch three new “Crystal Exclusive Class,” cruise ships with the first expected for delivery in late 2018. With the introduction of these new polar ice class vessels, Crystal will be able to deliver expedition-capable ships with all the signature features and amenities of a luxury ship or private yacht. The all-suite, all balcony ship will accommodate 1,000 guests (similar to the capacity on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity) and weigh more than 100,000 gross tons.

 

Additionally, for the first time ever, guests will have the opportunity to call a Crystal ship “home,” with new innovative Crystal Residences. Situated on the top deck of the new ships will be 48 unique homes ranging in space from 600 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet of interior living area. They will boast their own private restaurant, reception and facilities, and much higher ceilings (9 feet) than residences on other cruise ships or yachts.

Crystal’s new vessels will also feature a 400-square-feet minimum for the suites as well as increased ceiling heights, a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs, and intrepid yacht-like amenities including submarines, helicopters, and zodiacs.

Find out more about the next chapter in Crystal’s history at www.crystalthenextchapter.com.

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