![]() One concern is how to deal with the waste products of what is basically a floating city. And while Arctic shipping may bring economic benefits to both local communities, in the form of increased trade and tourism revenue, and to the global economy, through the ability to ship goods via shorter routes, the environmental risks are undeniable. This may be the beginning of a boom in Arctic vessel activity. However unprecedented, the Serenity’s voyage is a sign of things to come. Perhaps that’s why each passenger is required to carry $50,000 in evacuation insurance in addition to the $20,000 to $120,000 they paid for their ticket. The Serenity’s hull is not strengthened against sea ice, and a conventional icebreaker won’t escort her instead, she’ll be accompanied by the RRS Shackleton, a British logistics vessel typically used to support Antarctic researchers. While a smattering of yachts and smaller passenger ships have plied these Arctic waters over the years, never before has such a large ship set sail on such an ambitious, and risky, voyage through the Northwest Passage. She’ll journey from Seward, Alaska, to New York City, stopping at several communities along the way-many of which have far fewer inhabitants than the Serenity has passengers. Yesterday, the luxury cruise ship Crystal Serenity left port with 1,725 passengers and crew on board for a 32-day voyage through the Northwest Passage. The Arctic is one of the most spectacular and pristine places on earth, and it’s no wonder people want to see it for themselves. The Crystal Serenity’s journey through the Northwest Passage, 16 August to 17 September 2016.Īs the Arctic warms, areas once clogged by sea ice are increasingly accessible to fishing, oil drilling, mining, and shipping-both for commerce and for tourism. The selected bidder, if one is selected, will be notified by June 14.Figure 1. ![]() Officials have made clear that The Bahamas has no cost to bear in the detention or sale of the vessels. The Symphony entered the service in 1995, while its sister ship, the Serenity, entered service in 2003. “The combination with Abercrombie & Kent could generate synergies that would facilitate the recovery and partially compensate for the deterioration of the brand exacerbated in the last few weeks.” ![]() “We are firmly convinced that with our knowledge and know-how of the ultra-luxury segment we could transform Crystal into a success story. “We are a very credible buyer with roots in the cruise industry that stretch back to the late ’80s.” Lefebre told Seatrade. Lefebvre sold his stake in Silversea Cruises to the Royal Caribbean Group. The cruise ships were detained in The Bahamas as the mortgage bank prepared to sell the ships to pay off the $4.6 million fuel bill that led to their arrest.Īsian cruise ship giant Genting Hong Kong, the owner of cruise lines such as Dream Cruises, Star Cruises and the luxury Crystal Cruises, filed for winding up of the company in January, setting in motion financial restructuring.īoth cruise liners, which are Bahamian-registered, diverted to Bimini, where passengers were disembarked and returned home.Ī Bahamian Supreme Court order handed down in February saw the vessels arrested by local authorities.Īccording to reports, several potential bidders have reportedly expressed interest in the cruise company or its vessels for sale, including Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, the chairman of the investment firm, Heritage Group. Up to last March, around 200 crewmembers remained on the cruise lines for safe-manning. The two cruise ships have remained in detention off Freeport, Grand Bahama since the cruise liner ceased operations in January. International sources have suggested the vessels will be auctioned. NASSAU, BAHAMAS - The Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity cruise liners will be sold to the highest bidder next week Tuesday, bringing to an end the Crystal Cruises saga that saw the two Bahamian-registered vessels enter Bahamian waters following a court made a federal judge in Miami in January, Eyewitness News can confirm.Īccording to sources close to the matter, the bank, which has taken possession of the boats will facilitate the sale.
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