Tag Archives: Crystal Esprit

Crystal Appoints GMT to Meet Travel Needs

Posted on by
Reply

Global Marine Travel LLC (GMT) has entered into an agreement to provide outsourced travel management services to Crystal for their passenger Air/Sea program beginning this March.

GMT, a member of the V.Group Marine Services Division, is one of the few travel agencies with full access to specially negotiated net-fare airline contracts for passengers and crew, as well as a unique range of travel technology options, according to a press release.

Crystal will also use GMT’s itinerary planning services along with air charter options as they plan their future cruise itineraries.

All parties are currently engaged in a technology development project to link Crystal’s reservation system to GMT’s comprehensive travel fulfilment platform. This will allow Crystal to package affordable airline travel with their cruise itineraries for their guests in a seamless transaction through multiple distribution channels.

Tim Davey, founder and managing director of GMT said, “GMT has provided outsourced air/sea services to cruise lines since our inception in 2001. The ability for boutique cruise lines to market airfare with their cruises from day one with little to no start-up costs or additional technology expense is a huge benefit. We’re excited to be engaged by Crystal as they continue to forge their path as a newly independent cruise line.”

“Adding this feature to allow for a smoother booking process for our guests, is something we are thrilled to have,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “We appreciate the support of the GMT team and look forward to a seamless transition and long-term partnership.”

Here’s What Happened to the Former Crystal Cruises Fleet

Posted on by
Reply

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

In June, the Crystal Serenity was sold to the A&K Travel Group at auction for $103 million.

According to the new owners – who also bought the Crystal Cruises brand and other assets – the vessel will be subject to a major refit before resuming service in 2023.

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.

Before resuming service in 2023, the ship will also be subject to a major revitalization, the new owners revealed recently.  

Crystal Esprit
Year Built: 1989
Capacity: 48 guests
Status: Sold to Lindblad Expeditions   

Sold by Crystal Cruises in September 2021, the Crystal Esprit was acquired by Lindblad Expeditions.

Renamed National Geographic Islander II, the 48-guest mega-yacht will offer year-round expeditions to the Galapagos Islands. After a significant refit in Northern Europe, the former Esprit is set to launch service for its operator in August.

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.  

Lindblad Thinking About Additional Ships

Posted on by
Reply

“It’s fair to say that we are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase capacity that are strategically aligned with what we think is the special sauce for Lindblad around the size of the ship and the types of expeditions that we can run,” said Dolf Berle, CEO, speaking on the company’s fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call.

Berle said the company was in active conversations with a number of entities that have ships available.

And building on the strengths of the recently launched National Geographic Endurance and Resolution, more new ships could also be on the way.

“We do have an interest in thinking hard about going forward with additional ships. But at this point we’re not placing that order,” Berle noted.

In addition to the company’s recent two Polar newbuilds, the Endurance and Resolution, it also built two 100-guest coastal vessels, the Quest and Venture. Last year Lindblad also acquire the Crystal Esprit which will be refurbished for service in the Galapagos.