How Crystal sailed back from bankruptcy

The luxury cruise line and two of its ships were acquired by luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group

- Karen Tee

For many foodies, it is a treat to dine at a restaurant helmed by Japanese master chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and even more so if it happens to be at Umi Uma, the only Nobu-headlined establishment at sea, on board Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony ship.

A meal there lives up to expectations – the fare is exquisitely prepared, with the finest of ingredients. The celebrity chef's signature Japanese-Peruvian crowd-pleasers – like the miso black cod, lobster tempura, jalapeno yellowtail and wagyu beef fillet steak – are delicious, and there is even a sushi bar where chefs prepare pristine cuts of sashimi and creative maki rolls.

The dining experience is emblematic of Crystal's anticipated revival, following pandemic-era turbulence. The cruise line's former owner, Genting Hong Kong, declared bankruptcy in 2022 after exhausting all liquidity and refinancing options, and shuttered its cruise operations.

The cruise line and two of its ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, were acquired by Monaco-headquartered luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group.

Following a US$164 million (S$211 million) refurbishment by cruise ship architectural firms Tillberg Design of Sweden and GEM, the line was relaunched, and the two ships returned to service in 2023.

Since then, many Crystal guests have returned for voyages. About 30 per cent of the cruise line's guests are international, while the rest are from North America.

Crystal's Asian roots – the line was founded in 1988 by Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, before Genting Hong Kong acquired it in 2015 – have afforded it higher visibility among Asian travellers.