Crystal Officially Signs for Eight New Ships
Crystal Cruises has officially signed an order for its eight new ships with Lloyd Werft. Edie Rodriguez, Crystal President and CEO, signed the deal on Tuesday.
Crystal will now build six new luxury river yachts to be deployed on European rivers with deliveries from 2017 to 2019. The deal involves two previously unannounced river yachts which will join Crystal Debussy, Crystal Ravel, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Bach. The vessels are planned for embarkation in June and August 2017.
Additionally, the contract was signed for the company’s first purpose-built Polar Class luxury megayacht, Crystal Endeavor, which will be delivered in August 2018 will accommodate just 200 guests.
The final ship included in the agreement is the first of three Crystal Exclusive Class ships at 117,000 gross tons, which can will accommodate 1,000 guests and residents. Delivery is set for fall 2019. The Exclusive Class ships will also be equipped to sail the far reaches of the globe, including Polar and Arctic regions.
On Monday, Rodriguez presided over a shipyard steel cutting ceremony to begin production of the line’s first four newbuild luxury river yachts. The all-suite luxury river yachts will be the first in the industry to feature exceptional amenities and itinerary highlights including:
• 250 square-foot guest suites with walk-in wardrobes, American king size beds and bathrooms with double vanities
• Two 500 square-foot Penthouse Suites with added comforts and conveniences
• Spacious public areas, including Palm Court with dance floor and glass domed roof and a well-appointed fitness center and spa
Crystal River Cruises makes its official debut this summer with launch of reimagined Crystal Mozart on July 13 in Vienna, Austria. Crystal Mozart is designed to fit into the wider locks of the Danube River from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary. It holds the record of being the largest river cruise vessel on European rivers, measuring 75.1 feet wide (22.9 meters), which is double the width of an average industry river boat.