Lonsdale: ‘Crystal is back and better’

The travel doyen of 40 plus years has worked at Mundy Cruising for well over 30 years and has been selling Crystal under its two previous owners (NYK and Genting) and is now keen to start re-introducing previous, and sourcing new, guests to sail with the new-look ultra-luxury brand under the ownership of A&K Travel Group.

Now she has sailed on both newly refurbished ships - Crystal Serenity (last month) and Crystal Symphony this week, Seatrade Cruise News asked Lonsdale for her first reaction to the ships and what the future holds.

Start-up with a key difference

‘Crystal may be a well-known brand but it’s like a start-up operation,’ commented Lonsdale on board Crystal Symphony ahead of its first revenue cruise starting from Athens on Friday.

‘However, the difference between a normal start-up compared to Crystal restarting this time round is the fact over 80% of the crew have returned and they know the ship inside out, they are fully trained in delivering the high-end luxury service which the brand is renowned for and from what I have seen so far they have easily slipped back into the ships and certainly those I have come into contact with all say it’s like being back home.’

So after sailing and experiencing the ships what is Lonsdale’s assessment? ‘Crystal is back and better’ and she is confident the old guests are going to love it.

Single suites

‘There are many loyal single Crystal guests which are still well catered for – there are 18 suites with an ocean view of 215 sq ft for singles on Symphony which are sold with no supplement.

‘The accommodation refurbishments have ensured that some classic suites (from the 2017 makeover) have kept their original feel whilst getting a cosmetic upgrade as there are guests who like this style but by turning two former suites into one and creating 430 sq ft Sapphire Verandah Suites (both 2023 redesign and classic) and in the case of the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite taking three suites and making a 645 sq ft accommodation with 161 sq ft balcony Crystal can now compete with some of the newer ships in the luxury space.’

That's entertainment

Entertainment has always stood out on Crystal says Lonsdale with the ships sporting two show lounges, and a troupe of dancers and singers supported by the Crystal ensemble which put on own choreographed shows under the direction of Keith Cox, vp entertainment.

On Crystal Symphony’s shakedown cruise guests were treated among others to the up tempo Icons in Concert music and dance tribute to legends and their music, Crystal on Broadway show featuring Something Rotten, West Side Story and Rent and Rocket Man: a tribute to Elton John.

‘These high energy music and dance shows where the audience is close the stage are really well received and the White Dress Night where everyone dresses in white and mingles in the atrium with music from the band, a violinist and dancing is quite special.’

Promenade deck

Apart from the three USPs cited above Lonsdale picked a fourth that none of the other smaller luxury ships sailing or coming on stream have - the promenade deck which fully wraps around Deck 7 and is teak - it's beautiful and unusual.

‘The biggest Crystal secret in the past was its alignment of the marketing and delivery of the product,’ said Lonsdale.

‘It will be interesting to see how this develops as the company seeks to find new to [luxury] cruisers and target younger 40 somethings,’ she added. There are many baby boomers who have the time and money to take up to three holidays/cruises a year whereas those younger might only take one cruise a year. It takes a while for a luxury buyer to say this is for me and with seven or so Luxury cruise lines to chose from it’s competitive out there.’

But with expedition newbuilds in sight, this is where Crystal could attract a new demographic, she concluded.

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