Crystal Cruises Will Restart Sailing in the Bahamas on July 3
by Daniel McCarthy /Crystal Serenity will be the first ship to sail the Americas post-COVID-19. Photo: Crystal Cruises.
Travel advisors got some good news on Thursday when Crystal Cruises announced that it is now planning to restart its sailings in the Bahamas starting on July 3. The news makes Crystal one of the first major lines to give North American guests a chance to get on board a cruise ship after the COVID-19 yearlong shutdown.
Crystal will celebrate its restart with a series of 16 seven-night, round-trip cruises from Nassau on Crystal Serenity starting on July 3, 2021.
“Like our guests, we have been eagerly looking forward to the day we can welcome them back on board, and we’re thrilled that this day will come in The Bahamas,” Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president, said in a news conference on Thursday.
“The new Bahamas Escapes cruises will allow travelers to enjoy luxury cruising now, as well as bring much-needed benefits to the local workforce, airlines, restaurants, retailers, and hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays. The launch of these cruises will also drive economic growth to The Bahamas, which, like other destinations around the world, has been negatively affected by the global pandemic,” he added.
The sailings will be done with a reduced capacity, which Crystal said will guarantee passengers double the amount of space that they typically get on contemporary cruise lines. All guests must also be vaccinated at least 14-days before boarding, a requirement that the line had already announced.
The itineraries include stops at Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador Island, and Long Island near the Tropic of Cancer. All ports of call are subject to final confirmation and may change. Crystal is also offering a pre- and post- land portion in Nassau and Bimini that starts at $359 and $299 per guest, respectively, including transfers, taxes, and resort fees.
Bookings for the sailings will open on March 18.
