Crystal to honour comm, deposits

The relaunched Crystal Cruises has announced an “Exceptional Initiative” to support travel agents who lost commissions and guests who lost deposits under the collapose of the line’s former ownership by Genting Hong Kong, (CW 20 Jan 22).

Created in partnership with the new owners, A&K Travel Group, the program will see eligible former Crystal guests able to apply for a credit to use toward future voyages aboard Crystal Serenity or Crystal Symphony.

“This initiative is a plan we have been working on since we acquired Crystal, as it will benefit our most loyal customers,” said Crystal and A&K co-Chair, Manfredi Levebvre d’Ovidio.

“This is not something we were legally obliged to do, however we believe that being exceptional means doing what is unexpected, unusual and unprecedented.

“We are choosing to help former guests and travel agents recover their money, and hope we will be able to focus on returning to service, the exceptional crew and onboard service that has made Crystal an award-winning cruise line for three decades.”

In order to qualify for the credit, guests must have filed a valid claim in the Crystal bankruptcy case for amounts related to cancelled ocean cruises.

The amount of the credit will be restricted to the outstanding balances owed to the guest, less any funds that have already been repaid through the ongoing insolvency proceedings.

The credit will be split into five instalments, to be applied to five future bookings taking place before the end of 2025, and the first booking must be made by 01 Jul.

The announcement comes in the lead-up to the 31 Jul inaugural of Crystal Serenity ex Marseille to the Mediterranean, while Crystal Symphony will depart from Athens on 01 Sep.

Full terms and conditions of the Exceptional Initiative are now online at crystalcruises.com.