It’s been a big week for Crystal’s plan to expand the luxury brand across ocean, air and river cruises — here’s everything you need to know.
Coming up first is Crystal’s plan to showcase its expansion with a series of TV ad spots during the presidential election, which will consist of two 60 second ads highlighting Crystal Cruises and Crystal River Cruises. Both ads will run under Crystal’s “All Exclusive” branding on CNN and Fox leading up to and immediately following the election.
Further ahead, this week Crystal laid out an updated timeline for the expansion, including the announcement of a plan to rebrand its current Crystal Yacht Cruises as Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises. The new branding will encompass three new build expedition mega-yachts, including the previously announced Crystal Endeavor. The updated timeline is as follows:
2017: Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler launch; Crystal AirCruises takes flight; Crystal Symphony enhancements and Crystal Luxury Air debuts second Global Express Jet.
2018: Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel launch; Crystal Serenity enhancements.
2019: Crystal Endeavor expedition mega-yacht launch.
2020: Second Crystal expedition mega-yacht to launch.
2021: Third Crystal expedition mega-yacht to launch.
2022: Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences debuts
Finally, this week Crystal offered a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the 2017 and 2018 itineraries onboard CrystalAirCruises. Taking flight on a Boeing 777-209LR, the trips will range from 15 to 29 days with options for culinary enthusiasts, history buffs and adrenaline seekers. Guests will spend an average of two to three nights in each destination.
The itineraries will include The Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise; Around the World: Iconic Sites & Legendary Locales; Savoring the Winelands; Sacred Sites, Seashells & Safaris; Exotic Adventures; and South Pacific Explorer.
In Case You Missed It: Carnival’s Big Tampa, Long Beach Expansion
Finally, in case you missed it this week, Carnival Cruise Line announced a plan to expand capacity from the ports of Tampa and Long Beach.
The cruise line will add seven-day Carnival Miracle Caribbean sailings from Tampa and week-long Carnival Splendor Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, both starting in 2018. Prior to launching the new service, both ships will sail extended Panama Canal cruises in January 2018, calling at ports throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Carnival Splendor will also operate 14-day Hawaii cruises round trip from Long Beach.
The move means Carnival will now have two year-round ships out of Tampa and a newer, larger vessel on the West Coast.
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