1 1 5 the Genting Hong Kong in 2015, which marked the arrival of smaller ships for river cruises. Following the example of the Mitsubishi family, who were naval shipowners with multiple shipyards, Genting Hong Group purchased three German shipyards in 2016 to form MV Werften. However, the yards were unfortunately inactive during the pandemic since they are mostly suitable for the construction of big ships. Genting Hong Kong made a brave choice but at the wrong time. Following the folding of Genting Cruise Line, the first auction of the furniture and furnishing onboard its ships took place on 24 May 2022 and thus the dismemberment has begun. Despite the sad end to Crystal Cruises, I know that the brand’s late president and creator Kimio Miyaoka would have been proud of the legacy it leaves behind. For me, the spirit of Crystal remains in the people who have safeguarded it over the years and who will now go on to transfer everything they learnt from the brand into their new jobs. Although I can’t help but wonder what will happen to the beautiful ships, and what opportunities lie within them. Perhaps, they will be revitalised by another cruise line or turned into special destinations such as NYK Line’s former ocean liner Hikawa Maru, which is now a museum in Yokohama, Japan. The end of Crystal is sad but the future that lies within its ships and the interiors that it inspired will live on. CFI Vittorio Garroni is CEO of Garroni Design “ I admired Crystal Harmony from the very beginning” The interior design plan for cabins onboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Cruises’ first ship
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