Tag Archives: Crystal serenity

Genting to buy Crystal Cruises and finance new ship

Posted on by
Reply

Crystal Serenity

Genting Hong Kong has agreed to acquire Crystal Cruises from NYK Line for $550 million in cash, and the buyer said that a third ship is in the works for the two-ship line.

Crystal’s previous newbuild was the Crystal Serenity, delivered in 2003.

Genting’s CEO, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, said that Crystal’s current management and crew will remain.

“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,” said Star Cruises’ CEO.

Genting is the parent of Star Cruises, the largest cruise line in Asia. It also owns a piece of Norwegian Cruise Line. The Crystal acquisition is due to close in the second quarter.

Crystal President Edie Rodriguez said, “After 25 successful years with NYK, we are excited to have Genting Hong Kong as the new owner of Crystal Cruises. The proposed expansion of our fleet will present our loyal Crystal Society members and new luxury cruise guests with more itinerary options, accommodation choices and exceptional vacation experiences.”

Japanese shipping company NYK Line has owned Crystal since the brand was created in 1988. Crystal operates the 922‐passenger Crystal Symphony (launched in 1995) and the 1,070‐passenger Crystal Serenity (launched in 2003).

The ABC Guide on How to Retire on a Cruise Ship

Posted on by
Reply

For most people, a cruise ship is a place to relax for a week or two out of the year but for 86-year-old Lee Wachtstetter, the Crystal Serenity cruise ship has been her permanent home for the past seven years – amounting to an annual payout of $164,000 (£108,215).

After the death of her husband, the Florida widow took her daughter’s advice and sold her ten-acre, five bedroom home in Fort Lauderdale, replacing it with a 1,070-passenger vessel.

Speaking to Asbury Park Press, Ms Wachtstetter said it was her husband Mason who sparked her passion for cruising.

“During our 50-year marriage we did 89 cruises. I’ve done nearly a hundred more and 15 world cruises. The day before my husband died of cancer in 1997, he told me, ‘Don’t stop cruising.’ So here I am today living a stress-free, fairy-tale life,” she recalled.

Known aboard the 11-year-old Crystal Serenity ship as Mama Lee, Ms Wachtstetter has been living on the luxury vessel for longer than its 655 crew members.

After visiting more than 100 countries in her lifetime, it’s rare that Lee goes ashore and prefers to have the quiet ship to herself while passengers leave to explore the visiting destination.

The only time she makes an exception is when the vessel stops at Istanbul. “I can’t resist the Grand Bazaar. You can find gorgeously regal or glitzy outfits there, perfect for formal or casual wear and not terribly expensive. I have to restrain myself every time because of my limited cabin space,” Ms Wachtstetter admitted.

Living on a cruise ship means that Lee often misses her family. Her daughter has since passed away but she keeps in touch with her three sons and seven grandchildren via her laptop computer.

But despite being away from her loved ones, Ms Wachtstetter is far from lonely and frequently makes friends with passengers.

She spends lots of her time onboard in Crystal Serenity’s Palm Court lounge doing needlepoint work – a favourite pastime for the last 50 years.

There are three other women who also live on the vessel, but none have been residing for as long as Lee.

Hubert Buelacher, Serenity’s hotel director, described her as “an amazing woman, one of a kind”.

Would you ever live on a cruise ship, if so Which One?

Crystal to debut excursions for late-risers

Posted on by
Reply

Crystal Cruises has developed an excursion product aimed especially at guests who like to sleep in.

While shore excursions typically launch 30 minutes to an hour after docking or tendering operations begin, these excursions will start at 11 a.m. or noon, depending on the itinerary. They are designed to dovetail with a late-riser’s breakfast served from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on both Crystal ships.

“The ‘Late-Risers Adventures’ allow guests who prefer more sleep in the morning, are perhaps still adjusting to a time change, or simply like to enjoy a long, leisurely breakfast, to keep their preferred schedule ,” said Crystal President Edie Rodriguez.

The new, later excursions will be offered beginning with Crystal Serenity’s Sept. 19 Boston-Quebec sailing, and on Crystal Symphony’s Sept. 27 Hamburg-Lisbon sailing.