CRYSTAL PULLS CRYSTAL ESPRIT FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN FOR 2018

In a move that took quite a few people by surprise, Crystal Cruises has announced that it is transferring the Crystal Esprit from her usual Seychelles winter season over 2017, positioning the 62 guest luxury yacht in the Caribbean instead. At the same time, the guillotine also fell on her entire Mediterranean programme in 2018 as well; the ship will also spend all of that year in the Caribbean.

The move comes after the line first cancelled the entire 2017 Mediterranean programme for it's flagship, the 68,000 ton Crystal Serenity. Instead, that award winning ship will sail from US ports on both the east and west coasts to destinations in Alaska, Honolulu and the Caribbean. However, Crystal Serenity is currently on course for a return to the Mediterranean in 2018.

As far as the new Caribbean itineraries go, the Crystal Espirt will sail from the port of Marigot, Saint Maarten, on two alternating, seven night routes that can be combined to form one full, fabulous fourteen night adventure. One cruise will call at St. Barts, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola, as well as Virgin Gorda. All of these ports will feature an overnight stay.

The second route will include Anguilla, Saba, Antigua, Nevis and St. Barts, again with overnight calls in each. Both itineraries are well thought out, off the beaten track voyages and, as such, they offer a real alternative to the well tried and tested routes taken by the much larger mega ships.

With just sixty-two guests on each sailing, and all inclusive fares, Crystal Esprit offers all suite accommodation, each one complete with the services of a private butler. One of the ship's signature experiences is a chance to dive below the surface in a small, two passenger submarine. In the crystal clear (no pun intended) waters of the Caribbean, this feature alone should give the Crystal Esprit a huge marketing edge over any potential rival.

However, this latest shift in emphasis from one of the cruise industry's platinum chip players again points up just how volatile the Mediterranean remains as a cruising arena for many. And, with the near and mid term future of the region looking unstable to say the least, Crystal is simply hedging it's bets and sending the ships to regions preceived as safer, both economically and actually.

That said, how enticing will these voyages look to potential UK passengers dealing with the double whammy of a devalued pound and increased air fares? Time alone will tell on that front.