Crystal Cruises officially welcomed the 3,370gt/1991 built Crystal Esprit (above) to its fleet of ultra-luxury vessels on 20th December when the sleek yacht was christened in an elegant ceremony held at Eden island Marina in Mahe, Seychelles. Crystal’s president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez, welcomed a distinguished audience of local dignitaries, guests, travel partners and professionals and executives from the line’s new parent company, genting Hong Kong, for a day of celebration, as the Crystal Esprit marks the beginning of one of the most significant brand expansions in luxury travel and hospitality history.

On hand to christen the Crystal Esprit was the vessel’s godmother, Lady Gaenor Anne Meakes, fiancée of Mark Richards, one of the world’s most awarded and recognized yachtsmen. Lady Meakes christened the yacht with the traditional breaking of Champagne against the hull (a bottle of Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut, 2004). The evening culminated in an elaborate fireworks display at sea. Meanwhile, Crystal Cruises’ 68,870gt/2003 built Crystal Serenity will reposition to North & South America in 2017. Her new roster of ultra-luxury cruises includes a repositioning voyage from Miami to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal, convenient seven-day explorations of California’s coastline, a 14-day intensive Mexico itinerary, a 16 day route through the Hawaiian islands, 7-10 day cruises through the ports and glaciers of Alaska and British Columbia, 7-10 day itineraries through the charming ports of New England and Eastern Canada, and warm-weather autumn and winter cruises along the Southern East Coast into the Caribbean.