Crystal Cruises says it wants to do right by the crew

About 400 crew are on board.

'Our intention to ... timely meet our financial obligations to crew'

Crystal Cruises said the officers and crew are being well cared for and all are being moved into single accommodations, some of them guest staterooms.

'We are making sure they are comfortable and able to enjoy the many amenities on board,' the company said in a statement Wednesday. 'It is our intention to take care of the crew and timely meet all our financial obligations to each crew member and recognize their continued valued contributions to Crystal.'

According to legal experts, maritime law requires crew to be paid prior to most other creditors.

Too early to consider repatriation

Crystal has indicated it's too early to consider planning for crew repatriation.

If it were decided to send crew home, a cruise operations expert not associated with Crystal estimated about 40 crew would need to remain aboard to keep Crystal Symphony in warm layup.

Bimini

The Bahamas-flag vessel is off Bimini, where a Genting affiliate operates a resort and cruise ship dock. This is a different entity from Genting Hong Kong, Crystal's parent, which is under the control of court-appointed joint liquidators after filing to wind up the company.

Crystal Serenity nearing cruise end

Meanwhile, Crystal Serenity is nearing the end of a Caribbean cruise and due to arrive in Aruba on Jan. 29 to disembark passengers Jan. 30, while expedition ship Crystal Endeavor is scheduled to end its Antarctica cruise Feb. 4 in Ushuaia, Argentina. Then both ships, along with Crystal Symphony, are to be out of service through April 29, according to an earlier company announcement.