Crystal Cruises is implementing a new Crystal Voyage Assurance policy for select 2020 and 2021 sailings. The new policy offers an added layer of assurance if unforeseen travel restrictions require significant changes to set itineraries, either embarkation or disembarkation port and/or more than 30 percent of the published ports of call, allowing guests seven days, from the date of Crystal’s communication of revised itinerary, to cancel for a full 100 percent cruise fare and port charges refund.
The policy is designed to provide travelers with additional peace of mind as they plan upcoming voyages for the end of the year and early 2021. In addition, should a guest booked on one of the select voyages opt to cancel, travel advisor commission will be protected on all fully paid bookings.
As always, Crystal will curate alternative destinations should any port restrictions necessitate itinerary changes.
Crystal Voyage Assurance applies to new and existing bookings on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity for departures from November 2020 through April 2021, including itineraries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the 2021 Full World Cruise and all of its segments (including the final segment, which departs in May 2021).
The new policy adds to Crystal’s selection of programs that offer guests flexibility and savings to navigate travel planning during the current environment, including:
- The Crystal Confidence program applies to all 2020 sailings with reduced deposits and revised cancellation schedules, allowing guests to cancel up to seven days before sailing for a 100 percent Future Cruise Credit. Travel advisor commissions will be protected on all fully paid bookings, while travel advisors can also earn commission on the 100 percent Future Cruise Payments extended to guests’ future booking;
- The Easy Book program includes reduced deposits and waived administrative fees for all new bookings made through June 30, 2020. The program applies to all Crystal experiences in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The reduced deposit of 15 percent of the total cruise fare (normally 25 percent) and waived administration fee (granting guests a 100% refund of deposit if they need to cancel before Crystal’s standard cancellation schedules) allow travelers to plan without the risk of losing any of their deposited money should their travel plans change;
- The Crystal Assured Savings program invites travelers to make an open booking non-refundable deposit of just $500 per person by June 30, 2020, to lock in an additional savings of 2.5 percent –an extra savings from $50 to over $6,000 or more, depending on sailing and category – for any seven-night or longer itinerary on the Crystal Experience of their choice in 2020, 2021 or 2022. Guests have until March 31, 2021, to select their preferred voyage. The additional savings of 2.5 percent is on top of other Crystal savings that may apply, including Two-for-One fares, Book Now Savings, Crystal Society Savings, Early Final Payment Savings, Back-to-Back Savings, Combination Voyage Savings, and available future cruise credits. Travel advisors can earn commission now on the deposit and later upon full payment of the future cruise.
While its fleet is paused, the Crystal team is developing new procedures and policies that will support all public health and regulatory requirements and ensure that our guests’ vacations continue to be relaxing, pleasurable, safe, and healthy. Details of these new measures and initiatives will be announced soon.
Additionally, the inherent design of Crystal ships maximizes personal and public space, offering plenty of options for those who choose to keep a healthy distance during their voyage. All Crystal ships across the fleet, including Ocean, River, Yacht and Expedition, offer nearly double the space per person than ships of a similar size, which is among the highest space ratios in the industry and will be further augmented through the new measures we will be implementing. Crystal Endeavor and Crystal’s River ships are all-suite, featuring all-balcony suites and most staterooms on our two Ocean ships feature private verandas for fresh airflow.
For more information on the Crystal Voyage Assurance policy, click here. For more updates on new protocols, visit Recommend’s Safe Travels page. Stories about future travel can be accessed at #AmazingDaysAhead.
