WHY IT RATES: Cruise travelers should be ready for Crystal'sinaugural season under new ownership.-Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.
Crystal has announced the return of several onboard leaders as the brand continues to prepare for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony's inaugural season under new ownership later this year.
Crystal Symphony will once again be led by Herbert Jaeger and Josef Matt, while Crystal Serenity, will be under the guidance of Hubert Buelacher and Scott Peterson. As part of the senior leadership team, they oversee the departments and crew that will provide exceptional service, experiences and suites along with world-class dining and entertainment.
"We are thrilled to have such a strong group of officers returning to lead our ships back into service," said Senior Vice President Hotel Operations of Crystal Bernie Leypold. "With decades of experience with Crystal, they know what it takes to oversee the day-to-day functions of shipboard operations while providing our guests with the extraordinary experiences they love when they sail with us."
Herbert Jaeger has been with Crystal since the start of the line in 1990 where he helped establish the brand's unrivaled culinary program and served as Executive Chef on Crystal Harmony. He has since been an integral part of each ship's launch from the construction of Crystal Symphony and then served as Hotel Director until Crystal Serenity debuted in 2003 and he served as the ship's first Hotel Director. Hailing from Salzburg, Austria Jaeger began his career with a degree as a Chef from one of Europe's most illustrious culinary institutes.
Josef Matt joined the Crystal family in 1994 as a Hotel Director managing all aspects of hotel operations. His career spans both land and sea having worked at a hotel in South Africa and then with the Royal Viking line where he followed the management path leading to Hotel Director. Matt grew up in western, Austria and studied at the renowned Hotel Management School in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Hubert Buelacher has nearly 40 years' experience in the hotel industry serving in several capacities including Executive Chef onboard Crystal's first ship, Crystal Harmony, Food & Beverage Manager and ultimately Hotel Director. He was an integral member of the ship launches and is looking forward to the restart of the brand this summer and welcoming back loyal guests. Hubert lives in southern Austria after having recently moved there from the beautiful Tyrolean Alps where he grew up.
Scott Peterson returns with more than 20 years' experience at Crystal serving in several positions, including Cruise Director, before being promoted to Hotel Director in 2015. A New Jersey native residing in North Carolina with his wife Lucinda who he met while working on the same ship, Peterson is excited to return to Crystal and be part of the relaunch
Crystal Serenity's inaugural sailing will depart July 31, from Marseille for a Mediterranean cruise, and Crystal Symphony will depart on Sept. 1, from Athens. Planned voyages will travel throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
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