Breaking the ice: The new Exclusive class ships from Crystal (Picture: Crystal Cruises)
Three new ships, a yacht, river cruises – and even a plane – have been announced in a major expansion of Crystal Cruises.
The polar-ice class ships – each 100,000 tons and carrying 1,000 guests – will be delivered from 2018. Crystal says they will give passengers the chance to go on expeditions while enjoying the facilities of a luxury ship or private yacht.
The all-suite, all-balcony ‘Exclusive’ class vessels will be made by Lloyd Werft in Germany, owners Genting Hong Kong announced. So far, Crystal has only two ships – Symphony, which carries 922 passengers, and Serenity, which takes 1,070.
With 100 tons of space per passenger, the new ships will be far above the average of 60, Crystal’s president Edie Rodriguez said.
There will even be 48 ‘homes’ on the top deck – similar to apartments on land – with their own private restaurant, reception and 9ft-high ceilings. These flats will range from 600 square feet to more than 4,000.
Normal guest room suites will be at least 400 square feet big with 8ft ceilings. Service is likely to be very personal too, with 1,000 crew on board – one to every passenger.
Your private yacht: The Crystal Esprit (Picture: Crystal Cruises)
Sleek: The stern of the Esprit (Picture: Crystal Cruises)
Exploring: The Esprit even has a two-person submarine (Picture: Crystal Cruises)
Crystal is also starting yacht cruises at the end of this year, with the introduction of the Crystal Esprit. The all-suite, 62-passenger yacht features a two-passenger submarine, four ten-passenger Zodiacs and a 12-passenger yacht tender – as well as water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis and scuba.
The 3,300-ton yacht will sail seven-day itineraries, starting with a Christmas voyage around the Seychelles and a new year’s eve celebration at the Taj Dubai Hotel.
New heights: The Crystal Dreamliner (Picture: Crystal Cruises)
2017 will see the launch of Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Luxury Air.
The line’s Boeing 787 will offer round-the-world trips to 60 all-business-class passengers on 28-day itineraries.
The company’s chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: ‘Our intent is to make Crystal Cruises the core of what will become the world’s premier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand portfolio, not only for the immediate future but for years to come.’
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