Keels have been laid for Crystal River Cruises next two luxury ‘Rhine class’ vessels
The all-balcony, all-suite vessels are set to embark on their maiden voyages in spring 2018 along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, bringing the fleet up to four ‘river yachts’.
Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will each carry up to 106 passengers on seven, 10 and 14 day itineraries between Amsterdam, Basel and Vienna.
The vessels are being built at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany.
They yard has a connection with the cruise company as Crystal’s owner Genting Hong Kong completed the acquisition of the Lloyd Werft ship building yards last year in anticipation of the planned fleet expansion.
The growth will see four new river yachts, a purpose-built polar class Crystal Endeavor mega-yacht and the first of Crystal Cruises’ polar class ocean ships constructed at the yard by 2022.
Genting Hong Kong chairman and chief executive, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, said: “We are pleased to celebrate this important milestone, the start of the block assembly, for two more ships for our brand Crystal River Cruises at our own shipyard.
“These ships will offer their guests the highest standards in luxury cruising on Europe’s most beautiful river routes.”
Crystal chief executive and president, Edie Rodriguez, added: “This ceremonial act represents a tremendous achievement for Crystal River Cruises and the entire Crystal fleet, as we introduce the next chapter of the continuing story of Crystal innovations throughout the travel and hospitality industry.”