Crystal Symphony

Concept and construction

Crystal Symphony was ordered in December 1992 and entered service in May 1995.

The ship was docked in Sydney Harbour for the Olympics in 2000.

The ship was refitted a second time in 2006. This process, which cost US$23 million, was the largest refit ever for Crystal Cruises. During this refit, Crystal employed over 750 external workers to join the existing 545 crew to ensure a timely completion. The refit was done in BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 2009 Crystal Symphony underwent a third refit costing US$25 million. The refit was completed at Boston Ship Repair's South Boston Dry dock.

In June 2012, the ship completed a two-week "extreme makeover" done by 1,100 workers (including the crew) at the Blohm + Voss docks in Germany.

Insolvency and arrest

At the beginning of 2022, Crystal Cruises' parent company, Genting Hong Kong, was experiencing financial difficulties. Due to the outstanding balance of approximately $4.6 million in fuel bills, a warrant was issued in January 2022 for the vessel's arrest should it re-enter U.S. waters. As a result, the ship changed course to Bimini, Bahamas, and arrangements were made to transport its passengers back to the United States. Genting Hong Kong subsequently filed for bankruptcy and suspended operations of its cruise ships. Thereafter, on February 4, 2022, both Crystal Symphony and its sister ship, Crystal Serenity, were arrested in Bahamian waters. The ships were then placed under the management of V.Ships Leisure, which was appointed by the liquidators to assume control of Crystal's ships.

Change of ownership

On June 22, 2022, it was announced that A&K Travel Group had purchased the brand and two ocean vessels of the bankrupt cruise line, intending to return the ships to service in 2023. The Crystal Symphony was acquired for $25 million.

Beginning in July 2022, the ship underwent a refurbishment in Trieste, Italy, and on September 1, 2023, returned to service under the Crystal Cruises brand.

References

References

1. (2012). "Crystal Symphony Fact Sheet". Crystal Cruises.
2. (30 August 2006). "A New Crystal Symphony To Emerge Following Crystal Cruises' Largest-Ever Dry Dock This Fall". Crystal Cruises.
3. (9 November 2009). "Final Touches Complete Crystal Symphony's Dramatic New Look". Crystal Cruises.
4. (18 June 2012). "The Big Reveal: Crystal Symphony Completes Dazzling Extreme Ship Makeover". Crystal Cruises.
5. (30 April 2012). "Extreme Makeover: Crystal Symphony Dry Dock 2012 - Photos". Crystal Cruises.
6. (5 February 2022). "Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity Arrested in Freeport, Bahamas".
7. "Cruise diverted to Bahamas after arrest warrant issued for Crystal Symphony". WPLG.
8. (8 February 2022). "Crystal Cruises Shutting Down; V.Ships To Manage Ships". Cruise Industry News.
9. (22 June 2022). "A&K Purchase Of Crystal Cruises Receives Applause From Travel Industry". Forbes.
10. (15 June 2022). "Crystal Symphony, Serenity reported sold for $128m". seatrade-cruise.com.
11. "Crystal Cruises".
12. (2023-09-01). "Crystal Symphony Returns to Service Following Multi-million Dollar Refurbishment".