PHOTO: Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez, center, released some thoughts on the luxury line's acquisition. (Courtesy of Crystal Cruises)
It's a thrilling but bittersweet time for executives and employees of Crystal Cruises as they bid farewell to Japanese owner NYK and hello to Genting Hong Kong (GHK), which on May 15 announced it had closed on its $550 million acquisition of the two-ship luxury line.
That's the message from Crystal President and CEO Edie Rodriguez, who posted "A Special Message" with some of her thoughts on a Crystal blog and Facebook. Click here to read it in full.
"Today is thrilling, yet bittersweet, for Crystal Cruises. As we celebrate our official acquisition by Genting Hong Kong (GHK), we also say farewell to a long, prosperous and mutually supportive relationship with our former owners, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)," Rodriguez wrote. "As the focus of luxury travel shifts toward authentic and exclusive opportunities that bring travelers to edge of their horizons - and then past them - we, too, will expand our offerings. Our new owners at GHK share our belief that we must continue to grow in order to continue at all. With the backing of GHK's financial resources and reputation for creating world-renowned leisure, entertainment and hospitality properties, we will embark into new waters, so to speak."
And that definitely includes a new ship in 2018, as GHK promised when it announced the purchase agreement on March 3.
"Yes, with its financial resources and expertise in ship design, GHK will expand Crystal Cruises' fleet size with an innovative ship design and set the highest standard in luxury cruise ships that together with Crystal's legendary six-star service will reinforce Crystal Cruises' reputation as the world's leading luxury cruise line for decades to come. This new ship is expected to be delivered in 2018," the company said in a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to the purchase.
"Yes, both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will remain in the Crystal fleet, and we will continue to invest in redesigns, as well as continuing to exceed safety and security features on both vessels," another FAQ response says.
Very little will change, the company confirmed again. "Our Los Angeles headquarters, staffing - including sales and onboard crew - will remain in place. There are no plans to change the structure of the Crystal cruise staff, in fact, there will be more potential for career growth and expansion for personnel onboard and at the corporate level as we add to our fleet," the FAQs said. "The planned itineraries, as announced and published, through 2018 will not change as a result of the ownership transition."
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