A&K Travel Group hinted that the new Crystal Cruises may offer
incentives to attract cruisers to the brand following its financial
collapse earlier this year.
"We
sympathise with those travel partners and customers that are still
waiting for claim settlements from the Crystal Cruises case," said
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. "We recognise that we must
rebuild trust and confidence, and expect to soon communicate about
goodwill initiatives for 2023 sailings."
A&K Travel Group's announcement comes after Royal Caribbean Group
unveiled plans on Monday, 18 July to honour lost deposits of Crystal
Cruises customers who were booked to sail the Crystal Endeavor before
its parent company filed to wind down, leading Crystal to cease
operations.
Royal Caribbean will acquire the ship and add it to the fleet of Silversea Cruises with plans to rename it the Silver Endeavour.
"Delivering the best vacations in the world, responsibly, is Royal
Caribbean Group's purpose," said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason
Liberty. "While our acquisition only covers the physical vessel, we want
all of our guests to know we go above and beyond to take care of them.
We believe those Crystal guests will receive back their deposits, but we
want to give them added assurance."
According to Royal Caribbean, "To the extent the Crystal Endeavor
guests do not receive their deposits back from Crystal or other sources,
the Royal Caribbean Group will refund any amount paid on their new
booking up to the amount of their lost deposits from Crystal."
A&K Travel Group, which acquired the Crystal Serenity and Crystal
Symphony cruise ships as well as the Crystal brand, plans to return the
ships to service in 2023 following significant refurbishment. A&K
also announced it is reaching out to former Crystal crew members to join
its team, as has Silversea Cruises.
While
A&K hinted it would incentivise cruisers to return to the brand
under new ownership, Levis attempted to distance the new Crystal from
the financial woes of the former brand whose customers lost deposits and
travel agents lost commissions when the brand folded in February. Both,
along with other creditors, are seeking redress though bankruptcy
proceedings.
"We are not involved in the case and have nothing to do with
approving or paying claims. We are legally not a party to, and have no
say in these court-appointed efforts," said Levis, who added that
questions regarding claims or credits should be directed to Michael
Moecker & Associates, which is managing the bankruptcy.
She said past guests have expressed hope and support for the brand's revival, which has been "overwhelming and heartwarming."
While the new Crystal Cruises team is finalising itineraries, the
brand will soon enable customers to do an "open booking." Such bookings
would require a $500-per-suite refundable deposit and give those
customers the first opportunity to select their voyage and suite
category.
Source: Travel Weekly