Crystal Symphony will return sailing in August with new 10-night Luxury Caribbean Escapes.
The cruise line will offer a series of 15 round-trip itineraries from St. John’s, where Crystal Symphony becomes the first ship ever to homeport in Antigua. Beginning August 5 through December, including a holiday sailing on December 23, Crystal Symphony will visit Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Maarten and British Virgin Islands. Reservations for the new Luxury Caribbean Escapes open on April 20, 2021.
Crystal Symphony’s return to sailing marks the resumption of service for 97 percent of Crystal’s oceangoing fleet in the summer of 2021. The new Caribbean itinerary, as well as Crystal Serenity’s recently announced Luxury Bahamas Escapes and Crystal Endeavor’s inaugural Luxury Iceland Expeditions season, combine to offer travel advisors the most capacity for earning potential as cruising returns. With every booking on the three ships’ newly announced itineraries, Crystal is offering travel professionals bonus commission of $100.
“The islands of the Caribbean are a warm welcome back to traveling the world, rich in fascinating history and the kind of natural beauty that astounds even the most seasoned travelers, and St. John’s is an ideal home port to begin luxury journeys through such a paradise,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and CEO, in a press statement. “Minister Charles Fernandez and his team, and the local tourism businesses throughout the islands, have been working to renew travel to the islands safely and we are thrilled to partner with them to support economic growth in the region and to deliver the kind of luxuries and hospitality Crystal guests have been craving for the past year.”
He added, “We’re looking forward to welcoming our Crystal onboard family back, as well, as Crystal Symphony’s new itinerary, combined with Crystal Serenity’s Luxury Bahamas Escapes and Crystal Endeavor’s Luxury Iceland Expeditions will mean that nearly all of our Ocean crew members will return to work very soon and we know they are as excited about returning to the seas as our guests.”
Crystal Symphony’s Luxury Caribbean Escapes’ itinerary spends overnights in St. John’s, Bridgetown and Phillipsburg, with sunset-sail-aways in Tobago, Castries and Tortola.
“We are delighted to welcome Crystal Symphony and her guests to Antigua and the Caribbean, as this represents an important milestone in reinvigorating tourism here, as well as deeper support of our island communities’ economies as Crystal becomes the first cruise line to homeport on a scheduled basis in St. John’s,” said the Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment for Antigua and Barbuda, in a press statement. “Together with the local health authorities, we have developed the requisite health and safety protocols to ensure the protection of residents and our guests. With the continued commitment of the government of Antigua and Barbuda and our port operator, Global Ports (Antigua) Ltd., we are certain that Crystal guests will find themselves at home here, as our local businesses and tourism specialists share Crystal’s spirit of hospitality and relish sharing the rich culture and beauty of our islands with travelers.”
“To have Crystal Cruises as our new homeport partner is truly a milestone in Antigua’s cruise history and reaffirms our commitment to the development of our country’s cruise experience,” said Done Regis-Prosper, general manager of Global Ports (Antigua) Ltd., in a press statement. “We are very happy to play an integral role in restarting cruise travel in the Caribbean after this long pause. Having just completed construction of our fifth berth just in time for the start of the season developing our port health and safety procedures in collaboration with local health authorities, we’re prepared to welcome Crystal guests to this beautiful island.”
“These voyages are wonderful opportunities for our valued travel partners, as well, as they help their clients plan the luxury vacations they’ve been missing. This return to traveling the world is one we have all looked forward to, and Crystal’s ships offer more luxury options for discerning travelers, plus greater incentives for travel advisors,” added Anderson.
Crystal announced in February that guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship. This new requirement is in addition to existing, comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including negative COVID-19 tests for both guests and crew, reduced capacity, social distancing, mask requirements and health screening questionnaires.
Rates start at $2,999 with Book Now Savings of up to $1,000 per guest and As You Wish spending credits of $200 per guest. Returning guests will enjoy double Crystal Society Savings of five percent while new to Crystal guests will save 2.5 percent. Travelers can book their Crystal Symphony Luxury Caribbean Escapes with a reduced deposit of just 15 percent and have until 60 days prior to departure to make final payments. Single supplements for these voyages begin at just 125 percent. Guests with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these voyages.
Advisors, keep in mind that Trinidad and Tobago is subject to government review with changing health and safety conditions. And, as more islands in the Caribbean begin to open, Crystal may add additional ports to the itinerary and will inform its guests and travel partners of any changes.
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com/special-offers/luxury-caribbean-escapes.
