While onboard Crystal Serenity’s preview voyage, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, announced that the brand is working with its advisors, lenders and export credit agents in order to sign a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders for four new ships.
This will include two classic ships and two expedition vessels, the company said.
During the presentation, Levis stated:” We have ambitious growth plans for Crystal and are proud of what we have accomplished with the relaunch of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in just under a year following the purchase of the brand. We are now thrilled to formally announce that we will be growing our fleet and continue to offer the most exceptional cruising experiences in the industry.”
In just a few short days on July 31, Crystal Serenity will set sail for its inaugural voyage departing from Marseille following an extensive refurbishment. The Crystal Serenity’s sister ship, the Crystal Symphony will depart from Athens on Sept. 1, for its inaugural sailing.
The ex-Global Dream will be remodelled and imaginered to fit the Disney Cruise theming.
Disney Cruise Line has acquired the partially completed ship Global Dream, which was left unfinished following the failure of Genting Hong Kong, the former owner of Crystal Cruises. The ship will be renamed with certain features reimagined under the Walt Disney brand and is expected to sail to new destinations in 2025 from the US.
“Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chair of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
The new ship will feature Disney experiences along with entertainment and dining options, and the exterior will be adorned in the Mickey Mouse-inspired colours of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels.
The 208,000-gross-tonne ship is expected to be among the first in the cruise industry to be powered by green methanol, one of the lowest-emission fuels available.
Disney expects the passenger capacity to be approximately 6,000 with around 2,300 crew members.
More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced later.
Crystal Cruises’ ocean-going fleet has found new homes. Here’s the latest on the new destinations for Crystal’s ships:
Crystal Endeavor Year Built: 2021 Capacity: 200 guests Status: Sold to Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises acquired the former Crystal Endeavor earlier this month. Sold for $275 million, the 2021-built expedition vessel will be renamed Silver Endeavour before entering service for the ultra-luxury operator.
Set to debut in time for the 2022-2023 season in Antarctica, the ship is expected to undergo a minor refit work that includes signage changes, the addition of Silversea’s livery and a few restaurant adjustments.
Crystal Serenity Year Built: 2003 Capacity: 980 guests Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
Crystal Symphony Year Built: 1995 Capacity: 848 guests Status: Sold to A&K Travel Group
The Crystal Symphony was sold at a judicial auction in June. Like its fleet mate Crystal Serenity, it was bought by the A&K Travel Group, who bought the ship with a bid of $25 million for a 1995-built luxury vessel.
Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel Year Built: 2017 and 2018 Capacity: 106 guests each Status: Pending
While all the former ocean-going Crystal ships have now met their fates, the company’s river fleet continues to sit in limbo.
Built by the MV Werften between 2017 and 2018, the four Rhine-Class sister ships are currently laid up in the Netherlands.
Crystal Mozart Year Built: 1987 Capacity: 154 guests Status: Pending
Like its Rhine fleet mates, the Crystal Mozart is also waiting for a decision regarding its future. Rumours suggest the ship has been sold.
Currently docked in Austria, the vessel was built in 1987 and underwent a full revitalization before joining Crystal in 2016. As the biggest river ship in the fleet, it has the capacity for a total of 160 guests.
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