Celestyal Crystal Collides With Tanker Near Turkey

Celestyal CruisesOn Saturday, June 27, the Celestyal Cruises' Celestyal Crystal collided with the tanker STI PIMLICO.

All 852 passengers and the 382 members of crew are well and so are the crew members of the tanker, Celestyal Cruises said in a statement. The cruise ship has only suffered some structural damages and awaits inspection from its class surveyor.

The damage to the ship must be repaired before it can continue with its scheduled itineraries. Celestyal Cruises has cancelled the ship's current cruise, and is offering the following options to passengers:

- For passengers who were traveling from Istanbul to Piraeus, Lavrio to Piraeus and from Kusadasi to Piraeus:

Passengers will be transported from Gelibolu to Istanbul. A one night or a two night complimentary stay at a hotel in Istanbul will be arranged as well as a free excursion. On Monday, passengers will be flown from Istanbul to Izmir where a complimentary overnight stay at a hotel in Izmir or Kusadasi will be arranged. For those staying in Izmir transportation to Kusadasi will be arranged and a complimentary shore excursion in Ancient Ephesus will be offered to all passengers. They will then board Celestyal Odyssey or Celestyal Olympia on Tuesday to join the cruise either from Kusadasi to Lavrio or from Kusadasi to Piraeus, accordingly. Passengers will be fully refunded and offered a complimentary cruise, valid until the end of 2016.

- For Greek Passengers or for all passengers who were scheduled to disembark in Piraeus after a seven-day cruise: 

Passengers will be transported from Gelibolu to Istanbul where a fully complimentary overnight stay at a hotel will be arranged. They will then fly on Sunday or Monday (upon availability) from Istanbul to Athens. A complimentary excursion in Istanbul (highlights of Istanbul) will be offered. Passengers will be fully refunded and offered a complimentary cruise valid until end of 2016.

Irrespective of the option passengers choose, Celestyal Cruises will be refunding their cruise fare and shall also be offering a complimentary seven-day cruise, valid until the end 2016. This will not be applicable to those who would be ending their cruise in Istanbul.

Visit www.celestyalcruises.com