Earlier this week, we learned that Genting Hong Kong had filed to wind up the company, citing the company will “imminently be unable to pay its debts as they fall due”. Genting Hong Kong is the parent company of Star Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Crystal Cruises. Thus, it wasn’t too surprising to hear yesterday that Crystal Cruises suspends operations in light of the situation.
Crystal Cruises Suspends Operations as Parent Company’s Cash Runs Out
Crystal Cruises issued a travel advisory on its website yesterday suspending all ocean, expedition, and river voyages.
The cruise line suspended operations for its Ocean and Expedition ships through April 29, 2022. Likewise, the cruise line suspended River cruises through the end of May 2022.
Suspending operations will provide Crystal’s management team with an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business and examine various options moving forward.
Crystal’s three ships currently in operation are Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony, and Crystal Endeavor. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have been sailing in the Caribbean. Crystal Endeavor has been offering voyages in Antarctica.
These ships will complete their current voyages. Crystal Symphony’s current voyage ends in Miami on January 22nd. Crystal Serenity ends in Aruba on January 30th, and Crystal Endeavor in Ushuaia, Argentina on February 4th.
“This was an extremely difficult decision but a prudent one given the current business environment and recent developments with our parent company, Genting Hong Kong,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s president.
“Crystal has been synonymous with luxury cruising for more than 30 years and we look forward to welcoming back our valued guests when we resume operations. We wish to thank our guests and travel advisors for their incredible support during these ongoing challenging times.”
Guests and their travel partners are currently being notified. Crystal will provide a full refund of cruise fare paid automatically to the original form of payment. If the cruise was paid via a Future Cruise Payment or Credit, the full value will be returned to guests’ Crystal Society profile account.
While Crystal Cruises is optimistic for a return to service, it remains to be seen what will become of this luxury cruise brand.
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