Crystal Cruises has suspended operations for three months after its parent company announced plans to wrap up operations.
Crystal said it will suspend operations for its ocean and expedition ships through April 29 and its river cruises through the end of May. The move will allow the management team an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business and examine its options, Crystal said in a statement.
“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 Crystal president Jack Anderson. “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.”
Crystal’s three ships currently in operation will complete their current voyages, the company said. Crystal Symphony will end in Miami on January 22; Crystal Serenity in Aruba on January 30; and Crystal Endeavor in Ushuaia, Argentina, on February 4.
Guests and travel partners are being notified of the decision, and full refunds will be given to anyone booked on a cruise impacted by the news.
“We wish to thank our guests and travel advisors for their incredible support during these ongoing challenging times,” Anderson said.
Earlier in the week, Genting Hong Kong announced plans to wind up operations, saying it would run out of cash by the end of the month.
In addition to Crystal, Genting owns the Star and Dream Cruises brands.
Cruise Industry News reported that Genting, in a filing, said it had “exhausted all reasonable efforts to negotiate with the relevant counterparties under its financing arrangements.”
Genting said some operations would continue, pointing to Dream Cruises in particular, but it would “preserve and protect the core assets and maintain the value of the Group; however it is anticipated that majority of the Group’s existing operations will cease to operate.”
Genting stock, listed on the Hong Kong exchange, has been suspended.
The ability to book cruises on the company’s website has been suspended. Instead, users are told to call for availability.
Crystal’s website shows that it travels all over the world, including Asia, Australia, South America, Antarctica, Europe, the Middle East, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, Mexico, and more.
It offers river cruises along the Danube, Main, Moselle, and Rhine rivers, according to its website.
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