With the North American cruise industry still mired in a pandemic pause pending clearance from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) to begin sailing again in US waters, Crystal Cruises has determined that it is “better in the Bahamas” with a plan to launch cruises from the islands in July.
The significant move will make Crystal the first ocean cruise line to return to sailing from the Americas since the cruise industry’s voluntary halt in operations almost a year ago.
It also marks a developing trend of cruise lines considering alternate departure points in the Caribbean as bases of operations while waiting for approval from the CDC. During a virtual press lunch on Thursday, Jamaica’s director of tourism Donovan White revealed to select reporters that Jamaica was currently having such discussions. Barbados is another likely candidate.
Meanwhile, in a high-profile virtual announcement last week attended by Bahamas tourism minister Dionisio D’Aguilar and Crystal Cruises interim president Jack Anderson, Crystal announced its plans to restart cruising with new “close-to-home” cruises beginning July 3 in Nassau and July 4 in Bimini.
The series of “Bahamas Escape Cruises” will utilize the Crystal Serenity to sail 16 seven-night voyages from each port – and replace the ship’s previously scheduled itineraries for the period July 8 to Oct. 19, 2021.
“Like our guests, we have been eagerly looking forward to the day we can welcome them back on board, and we’re thrilled that this day will come in The Bahamas,” Anderson said. “The new Bahamas Escapes cruises will allow travellers to enjoy luxury cruising now, as well as bring much-needed benefits to the local workforce, airlines, restaurants, retailers and hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays.”
In addition to being the first cruise line to sail in the Americas since the pandemic began, Crystal will become the first cruise line to homeport in The Bahamas.
“Crystal Cruises will go on record as the only cruise line offering Bahamas-only voyages that highlight the signature features and experiences travellers can find here in our islands,” enthused D’Aguilar, adding, “The support that these cruises will bring to multiple communities within the country will be tremendous.”
D’Aguilar noted that The Bahamas has worked “tirelessly” to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all travellers in the face of the pandemic – a claim echoed by Anderson, who said: “We can offer these cruises with mutual confidence, thanks to the meticulous planning and health and safety protocols that both Crystal Cruises and The Bahamas have put in place.”
The cruise line boss referenced Crystal Cruises’ sister cruise line, Dream Cruises, which he says has successfully implemented health-safety measures in Taiwan and Singapore for over seven months with no incidents on board.
When the Serenity returns to sailing, it will do so with reduced capacity, providing guests a passenger space ratio that is twice that of contemporary cruise lines and allowing for ample social distancing.
Additionally, in February Crystal announced that all guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship.
Subject to final confirmation, Crystal’s Bahamas Escapes will feature four Bahamian destinations: Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador, and Long Island, and guests can extend their cruise vacations through Crystal’s Extended Land and Hotel Programs, which features accommodation at Nassau’s SLS Baha Mar and Hilton Resorts World Bimini.
Reservations for the cruises open Thursday (March 18) with various booking incentives available. The Crystal Confidence program also offers a no-money-down deposit window until April 5 and a reduced deposit of 15 percent. Travellers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these sailings and guests who were booked on the previously scheduled/cancelled Serenity voyages have the option to transfer their bookings with an applicable 115 percent cruise credit based on cruise fare paid.
“The all-Bahamas itineraries allow us to sail without risk of border closures,” said Anderson, “and our North American guests to sail as close to home as possible.”