Bankrupt Crystal Cruises is not going to be rescued.
The cruise line has officially confirmed it will not carry on in any shape or form and all 200-plus staff at its Miami base have been laid off. Winding down of operations is now under way.
Interim President and CEO, Jack Anderson, told press it had been an extremely difficult decision but a prudent one given the current business environment and recent developments with Crystal Cruises’ parent company, Genting Hong Kong. There was a period after the demise of Genting Hong Kong in January this year, when there were hopes that the line would be bought outright or somehow revived, but those hopes are now extinguished.
The court has appointed Michael Moecker & Associates to handle creditors’ claims – including those of passengers, travel agents, suppliers and employees.
It is believed 30 000 claims have already been lodged.
Meanwhile, the contents of the ships will be auctioned in May – from casino machines and pallets of playing cards to artworks, chairs and tables.
