Genting Hong Kong has completed the acquisition of Crystal Cruises.
The deal, which was first announced in early March, has seen Genting purchase the luxury cruise company from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) for a total of US$550 million.
The company will now expand Crystal’s fleet, with the addition of a third luxury vessel to operate alongside the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
“Genting Hong Kong is delighted and honoured to add Crystal to our global hospitality and leisure brands,” said Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of the Genting Group, who now assumes the role of chairman of Crystal. “We will ensure Crystal’s reputation… by maintaining its integrity and work to continue elevating its status as the highest standard of luxury cruising.
“The current management team and crew will continue to lead Crystal’s six-star operation while Genting will provide the financial resources and proven expertise in innovative ship design to deliver a new ultra-luxury ocean vessel by 2018,” he added.
Lim, the former chairman of Norwegian Cruise Line, is not the only executive change for Crystal. Edie Rodriguez, the 34 year-old who was previously the company’s chief operating officer, will be promoted to the role of president & CEO, while former executive vice president Thomas Mazloum becomes Crystal’s new COO.
“We look forward to ushering in a new era of luxury cruising with Genting Hong Kong’s support,” said Ms Rodriguez. “With the support of GHK… Crystal is set to embark upon new opportunities that will expand our offerings for our guests and travel partners, as well as broader opportunities for our wonderful team of Crystal employees on land and at sea.”
Crystal launched in 1990 and this year will offer four separate global cruise programmes aboard its two ships.
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