Last week was a "seesaw" for cruise industry recovery. On the positive side, American Cruise Lines announced that it's building a new coastal fleet of 12 hybrid-catamarans for deployment in and around U.S. waters. On the U.S. river side, operators also are seeing soaring demand this month.
Also positive, Explora Journeys, a new luxury category brand owned by MSC Group, continues to prepare for its inaugural year of service in 2023. Offering 461 suites, Explora 1, will begin sailing in May 2023. Three other ships will follow. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, spoke with Chris Austin, Explora Journeys' chief sales officer, for an update of what guests can expect on board and on shore.
But, in sad news, ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises suspended operations through April 29, 2022. In a press statement, Crystal said it will restart sailing after that point. That action, as reported by Luxury Travel Advisor, was taken after parent Genting Hong Kong's earlier “wind up” filing with the Supreme Court of Bermuda. Genting asked that court to either help it reorganize and negotiate with creditors or liquidate the company.
The fall-out continued: Last week a U.S. federal judge approved “the arrest” of Crystal Symphony, based on a Singapore-based Peninsula Petroleum's claim of more than $2 million in unpaid fuel bills for Crystal. The court ruling means that U.S. federal marshals can seize the ship if it returns to a U.S. port. So, Crystal ended the ship's cruise last week at Bimini in the Bahamas rather than Florida. Passengers disembarked and were transported back to the U.S. by high-speed ferry.
Looking ahead, Cunard Line unveiled its new line-up of 2023 voyages. On the culinary front, Chef Regina Charboneau, culinary consultant for American Queen Voyages, will host eight of AQV's 2022 river, lakes, ocean and expedition voyages. Plus, Windstar Cruises announced a line-up of guest chefs for three culinary cruises in 2022, according to Luxury Travel Advisor.
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