Crystal Cruises new ships to offer more space

The boutique luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises, have announce a major fleet expansion. Crystal cruises new ships will include an uber-luxe yacht, river cruisers and three new ocean liners.

The plans were revealed simultaneously aboard the line’s existing vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Crystal Cruises new ships will be debuted over the next three years, effectively establishing three brand new classes of cruising. And in a surprise move the line also revealed plans to operate its own private Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

An uber-luxe yacht

The first of Crystal Cruises new ships will be the 62-guest Crystal Esprit set to debut in December 2015. The Crystal Esprit will be an extravagantly appointed, all-suite yacht designed to reflect the stylish elegance for which Crystal is renowned. The 3,300 ton vessel will offer 7-day warm-water itineraries and provide guests with an unrivalled array of activities including a two-passenger submarine, four 10-passenger zodiacs for special excursions, water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, fishing, scuba, and snorkel equipment.

The first voyage sails on 23 December 2015, exploring the Seychelles Islands. Other itineraries include Venice – Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik – Athens. Fares start from $US2,690 per person.

Entry into river cruising

One of the fastest growing segments of the cruise market is river cruising, so Crystal’s announcement of its entry into this market has been greeted with much excitement. The line is keeping details of its river vessel under wraps, however they have told CruiseOyster that guests can expect spacious suites with exquisitely designed interiors and elegant public rooms. Crystal intend debuting their river cruises in the second quarter of 2017.

New ocean liners

Perhaps most exciting is the announcement of three brand-new ocean-going ships for the line. These all-suite, all balcony Crystal Exclusive Class vessels will accommodate 1,000 guests. Crystal Cruises new ships will undoubtedly set new standards for luxury cruising with minimum suite sizes of 37m² (400ft²) – nearly double the size of other luxury vessels, and increased ceiling heights – raised by one foot to 8 feet in all suites and decks.

The new Crystal Exclusive Class vessels will be built by Lloyd Werft in Germany with the first expected for delivery in late 2018. They will meet polar ice class specifications, making Crystal the first-ever cruise line to have expedition-capable ships with all the signature features and amenities of a luxury ship.

The scale of the expansion program announced by Crystal Cruises eclipses the recent new ship announcements by competitors Silversea and Regent Seven Seas.

Crystal Luxury Air program

In another first for the industry Crystal Cruises have announced plans to operate their own private, super-luxury Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Similar to the popular Private Jet concept offered by Four Seasons, the line’s plush aircraft will fly 60 guests in fully reclining business class seats to coveted destinations where major airlines do not offer nonstop service. The line promises that each approximately 28-day itinerary will visit 10-12 remote and/or sought-after locales, with accommodations at some of the world’s finest hotels and resorts; cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs inspired by the destination; and world-class cultural entertainment.

Crystal Cruises is the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line and has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 21 years. The line’s expansion plans are sure to cement it’s place as a leading luxury travel brand.