Crystal Cruises Announces New Luxury Bermuda Escapes for Crystal Symphony First Cruise Ship to Sail from Boston and New York Since Industry Pause
Seven-night cruises depart round-trip from Boston beginning on August 22 and New York beginning September 24
Crystal Cruises announced that Crystal Symphony will re-deploy to sail from U.S. homeports in Boston and New York for its new Luxury Bermuda Escapes, a series of seven-night voyages to Bermuda beginning in August. The first four voyages will depart round-trip from Boston’s Flynn Cruiseport beginning on August 22, 2021, featuring Sunday-to-Sunday itineraries, followed by nine voyages set to depart round-trip from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal beginning on September 24, 2021, featuring Friday-to-Friday itineraries.
When Crystal Symphony sets sail in August with reduced capacity, all guests and crew will be vaccinated as a requirement of the company’s Crystal Clean+ protocols, a set of measures established in response to COVID-19. Additionally, Crystal’s guests and crew will follow all local health guidelines and protocols when visiting Bermuda.
Crystal Symphony’s Luxury Bermuda Escapes will feature two full days and two nights in Bermuda with the opportunity for travelers to enjoy the service and amenities of luxury cruise travel close to home. These new voyages will replace Crystal Symphony’s previously scheduled 10-night voyages round-trip Antigua and St. Maarten.
“As the entire travel industry emerges from the restrictions of the global pandemic, flexibility has been key in re-establishing meaningful experiences for travelers. For cruising, in particular, the recent positive developments of ships sailing from U.S. ports have prompted U.S. travelers to show an increased preference for more direct access to luxury cruise options closer to home,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s president. “The Luxury Bermuda Escapes out of Boston and New York are a perfect fit, allowing us to welcome guests back on board to enjoy the service and amenities of the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line. Guests can enjoy a gorgeous destination famous for its pink sand beaches, turquoise seas, historic harbors and UNESCO World Heritage sites, paired with the ease and convenience of departing from these well-connected travel hubs both for those driving to the pier or those flying into the cities.”
“We are delighted to welcome Crystal Symphony’s guests to Bermuda’s 21-square miles of beautiful open spaces and pink sand beaches and invite them to relax and enjoy all the culture, adventure and fun we have to offer knowing that stringent protocols ensure them a healthy, safe and pleasurable experience,” said Bermuda’s Minister of Transport, The Hon. Lawrence Scott, JP, MP.
“We look forward to welcoming cruise passengers back to Flynn Cruiseport Boston this summer and providing an opportunity for New England residents and others to experience Bermuda,” said Massport Port Director Michael Meyran. “Pre-pandemic, the Cruiseport served more than 400,000 passengers aboard 20 major cruise lines and generated $100 million to the local economy. Massport and Crystal Cruises are actively working on a port agreement that will align with local and state public health authorities, as well as meet all the necessary CDC protocols.”
“Ports America is extremely pleased to welcome Crystal Symphony back to New York City as her homeport,” said Steve Loevsky, vice president, Cruise Ports America. “We have had a long-standing partnership with Crystal Cruises for many decades serving their vessels at Manhattan Cruise Terminal and throughout many ports in the U.S. and we look forward to a successful return this fall.”
According to Anderson, the line unfortunately had to cancel Crystal Symphony’s Caribbean voyages this year due to the redeployment. “We would like to thank our friends in Antigua, St. Maarten and the Caribbean for their partnership as well as their understanding as we make this change,” Anderson said. “We look forward to calling on these wonderful destinations, as we always have, in future deployments.”
In Bermuda, Crystal Symphony will call into the Royal Naval Dockyard, a British stronghold for more than 150 years, now home to historic architecture, shopping, galleries, restaurants, and more. The crystal-clear waters of Bermuda offer endless adventures including reefs and shipwrecks for snorkeling and diving, sport fishing, sailing, kayaking, and more. Whether exploring the centuries-old brick streets in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. George, biking the scenic Bermuda Railway Trail for cross-island sightseeing or visiting the spectacular Crystal Caves, guests will encounter endless wonders and stunning natural beauty.
Designed with inherently abundant personal and social space throughout the ship, Crystal Symphony will also return to sailing with reduced capacity, increasing its social spaciousness even more. As the eagerly anticipated return to cruising approaches, Crystal is excited to welcome its guests home to a luxurious shipboard experience punctuated by spacious guest staterooms, suites and social areas; diverse and engaging choices for activities and enrichment; elegant surroundings and amenities; and, most importantly, the genuine, personalized service provided by Crystal’s celebrated crew.
In addition to the ease and convenience of departing from a U.S. home port, Crystal is enticing travelers with compelling savings, reduced deposits, and an extended final payment date to 60 days prior to first date of service, as well as other incentives. Best Available cruise fares for the new Luxury Bermuda Escapes cruises start at $1,999 per guest, including $1,000 Book Now Savings. Guests will also enjoy reduced deposits of just $100 per passenger; $125 As You Wish shipboard credit per passenger; Crystal Society Savings doubling to five percent; new-to-Crystal guests saving 2.5 percent; and solo fares starting at just 125 percent. Travelers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these sailings.
A leader in unrivaled luxury cruising for 30 years, Crystal Cruises distinguishes its ships and its voyages with fine details and nuances that make a big impact for discerning travelers. All-inclusive experience with award-winning entertainment; diverse enrichment options; globally-inspired dining, including Nobu Matsuhisa’s only seagoing restaurants; unlimited pours of fine wines, beers and premium spirits and an unwavering standard of genuine, personal service for each guest underscores the Crystal difference.
