http://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/stevegordon Three new polar-ice-class rated Crystal Cruises ships will carry Zodiacs and allow the ships to offer more destination-related experiences, even in Antarctica. // Rendering courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Media and travel agents expected an announcement fromCrystal Cruiseson Sunday about new ships. They received that -- and a lot more. Fresh from new investment byGenting Hong Kong, the luxury line's new owner,Crystal announcedthe launch of several new high-end products. In summary: The line orderedthree new Crystal Exclusive Classshipsfor delivery,starting in 2018. These will be polar-ice-rated vessels. In addition to the normal cruise suite accommodations, the new ships will have adedicated deck of 48 owned residenceswith their own dedicated lounge and restaurant. Crystal plans to createnew luxury cruising productsfocused on yachting andriver cruising with the same luxury standard that it now has on Crystal Cruises.Crystal Esprit,the new yachting vessel, will debut later this year. Crystal plans fortwo of its own new river vessels(to start) on European waterways. The luxury line will roll outCrystal Luxury Airwithits own privateBoeing 787 Dreamlinerjet for around-the-world itineraries.

From left to right: Captain Birger Vorland, Crystal Cruises President and CEO Edie Rodriguez and Hotel Director Hubert Buelacher

News for President's Cruise GuestsExactly 25 years after Crystal Cruises entered the luxury cruise business withCrystal Harmony, the line made the robust announcements to loyal past guests sailing on theannualPresidents CruiseonCrystal SerenityandChairmans CruiseonCrystal Symphony.Edie Rodriguez,Crystals president and CEO, andTan Sri Lim Kok, the line's chairman, told guests that duringthe next three years, Crystal Cruises will introduce new ships with new classes of luxury cruising as well as its own Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.In their special address to guests, Rodriguez and Tan Sri Lim made clear that the new parent firm, Genting Hong Kong, has a commitment to investing in Crystal. Loyal past guests and agents had wanted the line to order new ships for some time.Chairman Tan Sri Limstated, Our intent is to make Crystal Cruises the core of what will become the worlds premier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand portfolio, not only for the immediate future but for years to come.Rodriguez also shared her enthusiasm about the expansion of Crystal Cruises, saying, We continue to think bigger, aiming to create unparalleled luxury experiences and adventures for our loyal and new guests, who like Crystal continue to seek broader horizons and new perspectives on the world.We are ecstatic to continue pioneering new areas of luxury travel. Crystals newly expanded fleet will truly be travelers passport to virtually the entire world.Crystal Yacht Cruises December 2015Late this year,Crystal Espritwill embark on its maiden voyage as the first expansion of the Crystal Cruises fleet. The line says the 62-guestvessel is an extravagantly appointed yacht, the formerTaurus,to be delivered to Crystal Cruises by Genting Hong Kong.It will be extensively redesigned in the Crystal stylish elegance.Set for delivery in 2015, this 3,300-tonnage yacht will offer intimate, exclusive, and immersive experiences with a boutique ambiance.Crystal Espritmarks the debut of the new all-inclusiveCrystal Yacht Cruisesprogram, which will sail regional, warm-water itineraries of seven days and offer thrilling experiences on water and ashore.

The aft section of the new Crystal Esprit will feature a watersports platform, which can be lowered for such activities as jet skiing, snorkeling and other water fun. // Rendering courtesy of Crystal Cruises

The all-suite yacht will feature posh, high-end finishes and modern technology, and is outfitted with some decidedly extreme features, like atwo-passenger submarine, four 10-passengerZodiacsfor special excursions and a 12-passenger Wider 32-foot super yacht tender for special boating adventures.RodrigueztoldTravel Agentthat guests are so excited about the submarine that the line has already had requests for guests to get married in the underwater craft.Additionally, the vessel will carry water skis, wake boards, kayaks, jet skis, fishing, scuba diving equipment and snorkeling gear. The first voyage sails December 23, 2015, exploring theSeychelles Islands, followed by an inclusive, post-cruiseNew Years Evecelebration at theTaj Dubai Hotel.

Bookings on Crystal Esprit through August 15 will be exclusively available to Crystal Society members, and after that all consumers. // Rendering courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Effective immediately, the vessel is available for booking exclusively (through August 31) byCrystal Societymembers (the lines repeat guest loyalty program) for voyages in 2015 through early 2018. After that, the bookings will open to other consumers.For 2016 and 2017, and early 2018,Crystal Espritroutes for the Seychelles Islands, Dubai and Adriatic Coast include: Seychelles Islands Mah, Victoria; St. Anne Island, La Passe, la Digue; Baie Ste. Anne, Praslin; Laraie Bay, Curieuse Island; Anse Saint Jose, Curieuse Island; Cousin Island; Aride; Big Sister Island; and Desroches Island Dubai -Khasab and Muscat, Oman; Doha, Qatar; Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi, UAB) Venice, Italy/Dubrovnik, Croatia -Rovinj, Sibenik, Trogir, Vis, Hvar, and Korcula, Croatia Dubrovnik, Croatia/Venice, Italy -Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Zadar, and Opatija, Croatia; and Piran, Slovenia Dubrovnik, Croatia/ Athens, Greece -Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Parga, Itea, Hydra, and Navplion, Greece)All-inclusive Book Now yacht fares start at just $2,690 per person for a four-day, roundtrip Mah, Victoria, Seychelles itinerary in 2017.Crystal River Cruises 2017The spring of 2017 brings more growth withCrystal River Cruises.In what the line terms "expertly curated itineraries," Crystal River Cruises will offer the hallmarks of the all-inclusive Crystal experience six-star service, world-class dining, and enriching shore-side adventures.The line's press release said "spacious suites with exquisitely designed interiors and elegant public rooms will punctuate Crystals entry into worldwide river cruising."Rodrigueztold Travel Agent on Monday that the line doesn't plan to partner with any existing river line -- such as in the way thatAdventures by Disneyhas done withAmaWaterways.Instead, she said, Crystal plans at least two new river ships dedicated to the European market. She said no further details will be released as yet.Crystal Luxury Air 2017Also in 2017, Crystals brand of luxury will soar to new heights with the launch ofCrystal Luxury Air,making it the firstin the luxury travel industry to offer extravagant around-the-world trips on the worlds most advanced twin-aisle Boeing 787 Dreamliner.The plush aircraft, which typically seats 300, will fly 60 guests in fully reclining business class seats to coveted destinations to which major airlines do not offer nonstop service.

A rendering of Crystal Luxury Air's new Boeing 787 Dreamliner // Provided courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Each approximately 28-day itinerary will start on the first of each month and visit 10-12 remote and/or sought-after locales, with accommodations at some of the worlds finest hotels and resorts; cuisine prepared by celebrity chefs inspired by the destination; and world-class cultural entertainment.Will the line package the air travel with a cruise? "TheCrystal Exclusive Class vacation exprience allows individuals to totally customize their vacation to their individual needs," says Rodriguez, so she says that Crystal won't package the air-cruise together.What will happen, says Rodriguez, is that that the client could go on the 28-day air trip, get off for a few days, take commercial air to hook up withCrystal Espritor one of its larger ships. "They're all combinable," says Rodriguez, "but not as combination packages."Rather,Crystal's luxury global guests like to put together their own vacation pieces -- perhaps taking the air, including a city stay, flying off in a private jet to meet a cruise ship and so on. "It's all about options and exclusivity," says Rodriguez.Ocean Vessels: Crystal Exclusive Class Late 2018Crystal also is focusing on its core cruise product -- orderingthree newCrystal Exclusive Classcruise ships with the first expected for delivery in late 2018.The all-suite, all balcony ships will accommodate 1,000 guests, similar to the capacity onCrystal Symphony(922 guests) andCrystal Serenity(1,070 guests), and weigh more than 100,000-grt or gross registered tons.What's unusual?Genting Hong Kong has signed a letter of intent withLloyd WerftinGermanyto build thepolar-ice-class vessels.Lloyd Werft has much experience in shipbuilding, having built many new vessels and lengthenedsixNorwegian Cruise Linevessels, including thePride of America.Our vision and revolutionary plans for Crystals ocean vessels requires us to partner with a premium shipyard that has the expertise and resources to deliver the Crystal Exclusive Class, said Tan Sri Lim.Lloyd Werft is synonymous with successful world-class new builds and luxury mega yachts, includingLuna, the second largest expedition private yacht in the world, measuring at 337 feet long."With the introduction of these new vessels, Crystal says it's the first cruise line to deliver expedition-capable ships with all the signature features and amenities of a luxury ship or private yacht.With an impressive 100 tons of space per guest, the average space ratio for luxury cruise ships being 60 tons per person, our new ships guest-to-space rations will be vast in comparison to past, current and under-construction luxury ships, reaching all corners of the world safely, smoothly and in the utmost style and comfort, said Rodriguez.Will the line add more jets down the road? Rodriguez said "never say never," and that if that the luxury air product is as successful as she thinks it will be, that's definitely a possibility.Dedicated Deck for Crystal ResidencesAdditionally, for the first time ever, guests will have the opportunity to call a Crystal ship home, with innovativeCrystal Residences.Situated on the top deck of the new ships will be48 homes, boasting their own private restaurant, reception and facilities, and much higher ceilings (ninefeet) than residences on any other cruise ships or yachts.Crystal says the individual homeswillequal in size tomost land apartments. Residences will start at 600 square feet and go to more than 4,000 square feet of interior living area, which will be the largest on the high seas.Rodrigueztold Travel Agent that she doesn't anticipate this will detract from the existing guest loyalty program orWorld Cruiseproduct, as the line already has some guests living on its ships year-round.Also, she noted the number of homes is limited, and since it's within the pre-construction period, a guest could buy up two homes and combine those for a larger space, even more limiting the number of owned residences on each ship. Apparently, Crystal has already had inquiries about combination of several apartments.New Ship Features & AmenitiesOther revolutionary features being introduced on Crystals new vessels are: A minimum of400 squarefeetfor the guestroom suites. That compares to a minimum of 226 square feet onCrystal Serenityand 202 square feet onCrystal Symphony. Increased ceiling heights by one footto eightfeet in all suites and decks; Raising the bar on personal attention and service with1,000 crew members per shipor aone-to-one crew-to-guest ratio; Options centered on the art and expertise of Michelin-starred and celebrity chefs; Adventurous yacht-like special amenities includingsubmarines,helicopters and Zodiacs.The newly announcedplans fulfill Rodriguezs growing vision for the company since taking the helm in 2013, while also solidifying Crystals reputation for innovation within the luxury segment.It has been a personal mission of mine since joining Crystal to see this incredible company reach new potential and thus, new luxury travelers as we continue to deliver unparalleled guest experiences and superior standards of excellence.Rodriguez said she's having the time of her life dreaming up higher and higher levels of luxury experiences -- the besttime in her entire34-year cruise industry career. 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