MIAMI — Crystal Cruises is looking back on 30 years in the luxury cruising industry, reflecting on how much the line has grown since its maiden voyage on July 24, 1990.
On that date 30 years ago, Crystal Harmony sailed from San Francisco to Alaska, debuting a single ship full of innovations including private verandah staterooms, alternative dining venues and extraordinary spaciousness.
Since that time, Crystal Cruises has welcomed its two highly awarded ocean ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, to the fleet and said goodbye to Crystal Harmony in 2005.
Genting Hong Kong purchased the company in 2015, empowering Crystal’s vision to expand to new waters. Crystal Yacht Cruises launched in December that year with Crystal Esprit, followed by Crystal River Cruises in 2016, which now boasts the youngest and most luxurious fleet on Europe’s rivers.
“I am immensely grateful for the officers and crew, Crystal Society Members and travel partners who have made this 30th Anniversary milestone possible,” said Crystal’s president and CEO, Tom Wolber. “I want to thank all the members of the Crystal Family over the years who had the passion and dedication to create this company, and the vision for all the possibilities it represented, and our parent company, who has continued to empower this vision and steadfastly supports us every day.”
Crystal observed the occasion by hosting a special 30th Anniversary edition of Friday Nights at the Galaxy as part of its Crystal@Home: A Virtual Cruise Experience series of digital programming. The broadcast is available for viewing on Facebook and on www.crystalcruises.com. The Crystal website also features a detailed timeline of Crystal’s milestones and innovations through its three decades.
In addition, Crystal’s 30th Anniversary guest-curated playlist – Crystal: Sailing Through 30 Years – is now available for download on Spotify. The playlist of 30 songs is curated by Crystal Society members, who submitted selections of songs that most reminded them of the voyages and experiences they have enjoyed with Crystal over the past 30 years. Iconic tunes like Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’, Andy Williams’ ‘Moon River’ and Israel Kamakawiwo’le’s ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ – the traditional sail-away songs of Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Yacht Cruises, respectively – are complemented by guests’ musical choices.
Plus, travellers can purchase Crystal’s 30th Anniversary Cookbook, which was previously exclusively available to guests sailing aboard a designated 30th Anniversary itinerary. The culinary tome comprises more than 260 pages of Crystal’s acclaimed recipes for classic and modern dishes, desserts, cocktails and more. To order a personal copy go to cookbook.crystalcruisesbrochure.com.
While its fleet is paused, the company has been developing new procedures and policies that will support all public health and regulatory requirements. The new Crystal Clean+ 2.0 protocols, announced on July 22, are the initial set of measures for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, developed with the latest data available from health experts and will be updated as new information and guidelines becomes available. Currently in development are measures for Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises.
