Crystal to initiate first cruises from NYC, Boston since pandemic

The first four voyages will depart round-trip from Boston’s Flynn Cruiseport beginning Aug. 22, featuring Sunday-to-Sunday itineraries, followed by nine voyages round-trip from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal beginning on Sept. 24, featuring Friday-to-Friday itineraries.

Replaces Antigua/St. Maarten program

Crystal Symphony had been planned to sail 10-night cruises from Antigua and St. Maarten, a program that Crystal Cruises canceled earlier this month, citing the 'ongoing uncertainty regarding ports of call and availability of adequate airlift.'

Fully vaccinated cruises

All crew will be vaccinated for COVID-19, and Crystal has a passenger vaccination mandate, too. The 848-passenger ship will go out at reduced capacity.

Crystal Symphony’s Bermuda cruises will feature two full days and two nights in Bermuda at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

'... The recent positive developments of ships sailing from US ports have prompted US travelers to show an increased preference for more direct access to luxury cruise options closer to home,' Crystal President Jack Anderson said. 'The "Luxury Bermuda Escapes" out of Boston and New York are a perfect fit ... Guests can enjoy a gorgeous destination famous for its pink sand beaches, turquoise seas, historic harbors and UNESCO World Heritage sites, paired with the ease and convenience of departing from these well-connected travel hubs both for those driving to the pier or those flying into the cities.'

Minister of Transport Lawrence Scott welcomed Crystal Symphony’s guests to Bermuda’s '21 square miles of beautiful open spaces and pink sand beaches' and invited them to 'enjoy all the culture, adventure and fun we have to offer knowing that stringent protocols ensure them a healthy, safe and pleasurable experience.'

Boston welcome

'We look forward to welcoming cruise passengers back to Flynn Cruiseport Boston this summer and providing an opportunity for New England residents and others to experience Bermuda,' Massport Port Director Michael Meyran said. 'Pre-pandemic, the Cruiseport served more than 400,000 passengers aboard 20 major cruise lines and generated $100 million [for] the local economy. Massport and Crystal Cruises are actively working on a port agreement that will align with local and state public health authorities, as well as meet all the necessary CDC protocols.'

New York

'Ports America is extremely pleased to welcome Crystal Symphony back to New York City as her homeport,' added Steve Loevsky, VP cruise, Ports America. 'We have had a longstanding partnership with Crystal Cruises for many decades serving their vessels at Manhattan Cruise Terminal and throughout many ports in the US and we look forward to a successful return this fall.'

Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.