In what is the biggest news in the world of luxury cruising all year, ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises has just announced a major expansion, which isn’t limited to the just the ocean.
OK, it’s Crystal’s 25th anniversary this year, so the prospect of an extra-special announcement was a very realistic one but even the most seasoned cruiser lucky enough to have a place on the special President’s Cruise or Chairman’s Cruise was sure to have been surprised at the news of plans for three new ships. Not only that, but the line also has its compass set on the world of luxury yachting, as well as plans to enter the worlds of both river cruising and air travel. In speeches which were sure to get everyone else talking too, Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriquez and Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay announced a three-year plan for the most significant expansion ever in the world of luxury cruising.
Crystal certainly isn’t wasting any time getting things underway and the initial phase of the expansion starts in November 2015 when the line’s first vessel in the Crystal Cruises Yacht program, Crystal Esprit, is launched. Catering to just 62 guests, she’ll be dedicated to luxurious exploration, equipped with her own two-passenger submarine and a four Zodiac craft, as well as a host of jet ski, scuba and snorkel facilities.
Spring 2017 sees the launch of Crystal River Cruises, where the line will transport its signature ultra-luxury values to the rivers of the world, while also in the year, Crystal Luxury Air will also take off, with the advent of the line’s very own Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The luxuriously-appointed aircraft will take 60 guests to locations which are difficult to reach by major airlines and visit some of the world’s most coveted destinations and some of its finest resorts, too.
Spring 2018 will see Crystal bring everything back to the ocean, with three new Crystal Exclusive Class vessels, with the first expected to appear on the horizon late 2018. These will be polar ice class vessels, signalling the line’s intention to charter a course for luxury expedition waters, will cater to 1,000 guests and offer all the ultra-luxury features and facilities we’ve come to expect from the line.
We’ll of course keep you updated with you more information about Crystal’s new ships, so keep watching this space. Alternatively, if you can’t wait until 2018 to try out one of the new ships, you’ll be pleased to know we have an excellent selection of Crystal Cruises available. Just call our dedicated Cruise Concierge team to find out more.