Crystal Sets Sights on Rivers, Skies

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West L.A. luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises is setting a new course for expansion, announcing plans for new ships, new routes and even its own deluxe Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Driving the expansion plans is Crystal’s new parent company, Genting Hong Kong, which bought the cruise line earlier this year from Japanese shipping company NYK for $550 million.

“We continue to think bigger, aiming to create unparalleled luxury experiences,” Crystal President Edie Rodriguez said in a statement.

Those experiences include adding three new cruise ships and also adding to the fleet a new 62-guest luxury yacht outfitted with goodies including a two-passenger submarine. Also coming soon are new river cruises – Crystal now offers only ocean cruises – and a Dreamliner aircraft.

Crystal executives said the jet will seat 60 passengers, down from the 787’s typical complement of 300, and offer month-long trips that will visit as many as 12 remote locations.

It’s not clear how much Crystal or Genting Hong Kong are investing in the cruise line’s expansion. Company representatives did immediately return calls for comment.

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