Crystal River Cruises has completed the keel-laying ceremony for its first two new-build ships, the Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler. During a ceremony at MV Werften in Germany, the official building of the two new “Rhine Class” luxury river yachts commenced. The two new ships are scheduled to set sail in summer 2017 along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers.
In the presence of Tan Sri Lim, chairman of Crystal parent company Genting Hong Kong; Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s CEO and president; and Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as well as other distinguished guests, the first sections of the ships were ceremoniously lowered into position on keel blocks.
Genting Hong Kong completed the acquisition of the Lloyd Werft ship building yards earlier this year in anticipation of Crystal’s brand and fleet expansion, which, by 2019, will see six new build luxury river yachts, the a new purpose-built polar class megayacht and the first of three Exclusive Class polar class ocean ships constructed at the yard.
The all-suite Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler will measure approximately 135 meters in length and 11 meters in breadth, accommodating 110 guests.
Onboard amenities will include Crystal’s butler service for every suite, king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets, dual vanity in the bathrooms, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines. The ships will also have multiple eateries: the Waterside Restaurant, Bistro cafés and the Vintage Room; Cove Bar and Palm Court.