Lady Gaenor Meakes to christen Crystal Yacht Cruises first vessel

Crystal Yacht Cruises has chosen Lady Gaenor Meakes – the partner of champion sailor Mark Richards – as godmother for its first vessel, Crystal Esprit.

Lady Meakes will christen Crystal Esprit during a dockside ceremony in the Seychelles on 20 December before the yacht departs on her sold-out inaugural voyage on 23 December.

“Among many choices for Crystal Esprit’s godmother, few are so passionately devoted to the world of yachting as Lady Gaenor,” said Edie Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO, in a Crystal Cruises blog post.

Richards is the chief executive of Grand Banks Yachts and was a seven-time champion skipper of the 628-mile Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race in Australia between 2005 and 2013. He also Australia to victory in the 2003 Admiral’s Cup race in the UK, has represented Australia in two America’s Cup regattas and is currently the skipper of Wild Oats XI, a 100ft maxi yacht that has competed in events worldwide.

“While the yacht is designed to feel like a private home away from home, the encounters and experiences guests will enjoy are largely tailored around specific interests, hobbies and enrichment that tend to unite travellers and foster camaraderie between former strangers,” said Rodriguez. “We are excited with the fact that we are preparing to embark into new waters, with new vessels and new guests, and we ask you to prepare yourselves for the new perspectives, friends and memories you’ll gain when you set sail.”