| Crystal ribbon cutting

CRYSTAL Cruises’
new dedicated
corporate office in
Sydney held a ribbon
cutting ceremony on
Fri, attended by the
Crystal chairman, ceo
and president, Edie
Rodriguez.
Speaking to Cruise
Weekly earlier
that day, Karen
Christensen, senior
vice pres/managing
director, Australia and
New Zealand said the
local HQ was going
well since opening on
03 Jan.
“It’s a quiet month
during Jan but we’ve
had regular bookings
every day, which is
fantastic,” she said.
Christensen is overseeing 11
staff and told CW there were
long-term growth plans.
“We’re built to take 25 and set
up to take 25 staff and that is the
plan,” she said.
The team is catering for the
entire luxury Crystal portfolio and
the team is focussing on boosting
sales, passenger numbers and
repeat passengers.
Speaking on board Crystal
Symphony, Christensen noted the
ship was in the region for a “much
longer season than many other
companies during the summer”.
“I think that says a lot about
the commitment of Crystal to
Australia and New Zealand and I
think that’s fantastic,” she added.
In 2018 both of Crystal Cruises
ocean vessels, Crystal Serenity
and Crystal Symphony will meet
in Sydney Harbour on 17 Feb.