Crystal River Cruises has officially welcomed its newest ship to the fleet, as Crystal Debussy was christened in Amsterdam.

Crystal has marked an important construction milestone in Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises’ expansion, as it cut the first piece of steel for Crystal Endeavor at Mv Werften shipyard in Stralsund, Germany.

In a rare endeavour, Crystal Serenity has embarked on a 32-night journey through the Northwest Passage, the Arctic region north of Canada that was unattainable until just 100 years ago. Following more than three years of planning and preparation, Crystal’s vessel welcomed nearly 1,000 intrepid guests aboard in Seward, Alaska.

Together with the SS United States Conservancy, Crystal Cruises today announced it will save the “America’s Flagship”, the SS United States, and embark on the enormous undertaking of bringing the ship into compliance with the latest standards, and returning her to oceangoing service. During the announcement, made today at a press conference at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City, Crystal also committed to covering all costs associated with preserving the ship while undertaking a technical feasibility study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Crystal Cruises has welcomed Crystal Esprit to its fleet of vessels, as the sleek yacht was christened in an elegant ceremony held at Eden Island Marina in Mahé, Victoria, Seychelles. Crystal president Edie Rodriguez welcomed a distinguished audience of local dignitaries, yacht guests, travel partners and professionals and executives from the line’s new parent company, Genting Hong Kong, for a day of celebration.

Genting Hong Kong, a leading global cruise and resort company, has entered into an agreement to acquire Lloyd Werft, a shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. The deal will see the company invest €17.5 million for 70 per cent of the new shipbuilding business and a 50 per cent ownership of the shipyard land.