Crystal Cruises is an American luxury cruise line with its headquarters in Los Angeles in the United States. Crystal and its brand experiences have been awarded many top industry accolades, winning "World's Best" recognition from Travel + Leisure magazine a record number of years, as well as honors from Condé Nast Traveler.
In March 2015, former parent company Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) announced that it was selling Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong (GHK). Since the acquisition, Crystal Cruises has become Crystal, Ltd., now including brand expansions Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air and Crystal AirCruises.
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History
The company was founded in 1988 and is notable for its two medium-sized, innovative luxury ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, each of which accommodates approximately 1,000 guests. In 2003, the new Crystal Serenity entered service with Crystal Cruises. In 2005 its first ship, Crystal Harmony, was retired from the Crystal fleet and transferred to the parent company, underwent some renovations, renamed the Asuka II, and now caters to the Japanese cruise market as part of Asuka Cruises.
On March 3, 2015, NYK announced that it was selling Crystal Cruises to GHK, the owner of Star Cruises and a major shareholder in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The sale price was US$550 million in cash, subject to certain adjustment items. Simultaneously, NYK announced that Crystal Cruises would be building a new ship, but did not provide any specifics, such as the new ship's size, or date of entry into service. In a statement accompanying NYK's announcement, GHK said that it would provide financial resources and proven expertise in innovative ship design, to build the new ship so as to set the highest standard in luxury cruise ships. On May 15, 2015, GHK announced that it had closed on the acquisition.
Luxury Rhine River Cruise Video
Brand expansion
On July 20, 2015, Crystal announced its blueprint for an ambitious series of brand expansions in the luxury travel and hospitality industry. Apart from Crystal Cruises, the group would now include the following divisions:
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises launched in December 2015 with the Crystal Esprit. The 62-guest, 3,000 ton yacht is outfitted with features including a two-passenger submarine, four 10-passenger zodiacs for excursions and a 12-passenger yacht tender for boating adventures. Additionally, water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, fishing, scuba, and snorkel equipment are available. On January 15, 2018, the company cut steel for Crystal Endeavor at MV Werften. Crystal will debut its new expedition yacht in 2020.
Crystal River Cruises
In July 2016, Crystal launched Crystal River Cruises with the debut of the re-furbished Crystal Mozart. Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, the first two of four "Rhine Class' new-build river ships, were added in 2017, becoming the first all-suite, all-French balcony river ships in Europe, with all categories of accommodations set above the waterline and offering Crystal's butler service. The next two, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, will join the fleet in 2018. All five Crystal river ships will sail itineraries along Europe's waterways, focusing primarily on the Danube and Rhine Rivers, with trips along the Moselle and Main Rivers as well.
Crystal Luxury Air/Crystal AirCruises
Crystal Luxury Air private jet service launched in 2015 with the company's Bombardier Global Express jet, available for charter and accommodating 12 guests. In August 2017, Crystal AirCruises took flight with the launch of Crystal Skye, a Boeing 777-200LR configured with 88 first class flat-bed seats, a lounge/dining room that seats 24 and a full bar. The charter price is estimated by the company to be $55,000 per hour. The National Hockey League is one of its first three charter customers. In addition the company took delivery of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in May 2017. This aircraft is currently stored.
SS United States
It was announced on February 4, 2016 that Crystal Cruises has signed a purchase option for the SS United States, Crystal would cover docking costs in Philadelphia for nine months while it conducted a feasibility study.
The plan was formally dropped on August 5, 2016, citing too many technical challenges. But Crystal Cruises did announce a donation of $350,000 to cover docking costs through to the end of the year.
Fleet
Current fleet
Future fleet
Former fleet
Casinos
Crystal Cruises originally set sail in partnership with Caesars Palace at Sea casinos on its first ship, Crystal Harmony. The partnership continued with Crystal's subsequent ocean ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. After the acquisition by GHK, the casinos were re-branded under a new partnership with Resorts World Casinos.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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