Crystal Cruises announced an expansion plan under new owners
Genting Hong Kong that includes three 1,000-passenger vessels, its first new ships
in decades.
Plus, Crystal will expand into adventure, yacht and river cruising,
and luxury jet trips.
The line has signed a letter of intent with Lloyd Werft to
build the ocean ships, which will have an unprecedented space ratio of 100 gross tons
of space per guest, Crystal said. The minimum size of the cabins on the ships
will be 400 square feet.
The first ship is due for delivery in late 2018. The ships
will be built to sail in polar waters, Crystal said.
It also said 48 residences ranging from 600 to 4,000 square
feet will be sold on each ship. The residences will be situated on the top decks, have 9-foot
ceilings and come with their own restaurant and other amenities.
Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez and Genting Chairman Tan Sri Lim
Kok made respective announcements on the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony
on cruises to mark the line’s 25th anniversary.
In addition to the new ships, the executives announced plans
to expand the Crystal brand beyond ocean cruising. Plans call for a super-yacht, the Crystal Esprit, to begin sailing in
November.
The Crystal Esprit will be equipped for adventure crusing with Zodiacs, a yacht tender and a small submarine.
The 62-passenger Esprit will have a two-person submarine, four 10-passenger Zodiacs and a 12-passenger yacht tender. Also available: water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, and fishing, scuba, and snorkel equipment.
Crystal said the yacht will sail warm-weather itineraries in the Seychelles, Dubai and the Adriatic Coast.
Crystal also plans to offer branded river cruises and luxury
jet tours.
“Spacious suites with exquisitely designed interiors and
elegant public rooms will punctuate Crystal’s entry into worldwide river
cruising,” the announcement said.
A Boeing 787 configured for 60 passengers will have all
business-class seating and offer “extravagant round-the-world trips." Each
approximately 28-day itinerary will visit 10 to 12 remote and/or sought-after
locales, with accommodations at top hotels and resorts. Meals will be cooked by
celebrity chefs and "world-class cultural entertainment” will be part of
the tour, Crystal said.
Crystal's Boeing 787 Dreamliner will take guests on luxury jet tours.
Genting completed its $550 million acquisition of Crystal in
May. When Genting announced the deal in March, Tan Sri Lim Kok said, “Genting
will provide financial resources and proven expertise in innovative ship design
to build a new ship that will set the highest standard in luxury cruise ships.”