MV Werften handed over Crystal Debussy ahead of her debut on Europe's Rhine and Moselle rivers
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal River Cruises has taken early delivery of Crystal Debussy in Germany, bringing its river fleet up to four luxury ships.
Shipbuilder MV Werften handed over Crystal Debussy to the line’s president and CEO Tom Wolber during a traditional flag exchange ceremony at its yard in Wismar on 8 March. The ceremony was also attended by Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong (GHK); Colin Au, group president of GHK; and Jarmo Laasko, CEO of MV Werften.
“With the Crystal Debussy, another exclusive ship has left our shipyard,” said Jarmo Laakso, CEO of MV Werften. “We would like to thank our employees for their service and commitment to this ahead-of-schedule delivery, as well as our customers for their renewed outstanding co-operation. We wish the ship and her crew safe journeys and may there always be water beneath her keel.”
Equipped with advanced safety and navigation systems and an optimised bridge design with a single operator’s platform, the 135-metre-long Crystal Debussy took around one year to build. She is the third Rhine Class vessel that MV Werften has built for Crystal – it previously delivered Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler, and will officially hand over Crystal Ravel this April.
Like Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Mozart, the 106-guest Crystal Debussy is an all-balcony, 53-suite vessel that offers Crystal’s signature butler service. Onboard highlights include a spa, a wellness and fitness area, and farm-to-table cuisine in the Waterside Restaurant, the Bistro café and the Vintage Room. Guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment and enrichment presentations in Palm Court.
Starting from 9 April, Crystal Debussy will sail seven- and 10-day itineraries along the Rhine and Moselle rivers between Amsterdam, Netherlands and Basel, Switzerland. Guests will be able to visit destinations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. The ship will offer these throughout 2018 and 2019.
“We look forward to welcoming Crystal Debussy to our river fleet as we continue to expand Crystal’s hallmark brand of luxury to the river cruising industry,” said Wolber. “She will debut next month with the same superior onboard amenities, caring service, world-class dining, complimentary experiences ashore, and highly sought-after itineraries that our guests have enjoyed onboard all of our river vessels. Once again, the experts at MV Werften have demonstrated their masterful skills and attention to detail. We offer our deepest thanks for their hard work.”