Crystal River Cruises’ first two purpose-built river cruise ships are one step closer to reality. On August 19, the keels were laid for Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, which will be the lead ships in Crystal’s new Rhine Class river cruise vessels.
Scheduled to debut in the summer of 2017, the two vessels are being built by the MV WERFTEN shipyard in Wismar, Germany. Both ships will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers when they are introduced next year.
Crystal Chief Executive Officer Edie Rodriguez was joined by Tan Sri Lim, Chairman of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong, and Erwin Sellering, Prime Minister of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in the laying of the keels.
This keel laying marks an important milestone for us. These river yachts are not only the first brand new vessels under the Crystal River Cruises brand, but also the first constructed in our very own shipyard,” said Genting Chairman Tan Sri Lim.
“This phase of the expansion of Crystal River Cruises is in the hands of the expert shipbuilders and designers at MV WERFTEN,” said Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to take this step toward offering our travel-savvy guests another option in which to explore the world in the utmost luxury.”
Genting is so serious about building Crystal’s new river cruise ships that it acquired the Lloyd Werft shipyards in Germany in order to complete the company’s expansion plans on the rivers and oceans of the world. In addition to these new river cruise ships – the first of an order of six – Crystal is also building a new polar expedition ship and three brand new oceangoing vessels for its Crystal Cruises brand.
Measuring 135 metres (442 feet) long and 11 metres (36 feet) wide, Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler will carry just 110 guests. The line is designing the two sister-ships to be some of the most beautiful and innovative river vessels afloat, with a brand new design that is unlike any other river cruise ship afloat.
Both vessels – which Crystal calls “river yachts” – will offer Crystal guests luxurious amenities that surpass the comforts of home, including Crystal’s acclaimed butler service for every suite, plush king-sized beds that face toward the Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets, dual vanity in the bathrooms, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines. Additional enticing features include Crystal’s highly-acclaimed cuisine in multiple eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive Vintage Room; Cove Bar and Palm Court.
“We are happy and proud to start now. It is our great pleasure to build these ships and push ahead our building program. We have grand plans, are headed in the right direction and will strengthen our staff and skills further in the fields of planning, design, procurement and project management,” Jarmo Laakso, the Managing Director of MV WERFTEN said.
