Crystal Cruises announced that it has added Miami as a port of call and as a port of embarkation for Crystal Serenity’s Luxury Bahamas Escapes sailings.
The seven-night round-trip itineraries now include three ports of embarkation: Nassau on Saturdays, Bimini on Sundays and Miami on Mondays, subject to Bahamian government approval.
The addition of Miami, beginning on the 07AUG departure, updates the itinerary to allow for a Saturday departure from Nassau, with Monday embarkations at the Port of Miami. Crystal says this provides guests already on board the opportunity to enjoy Miami, as well as more flight options for many guests.
“The terrific response to our deployment of Crystal Serenity’s Luxury Bahamas Escapes showcases the pent-up desire in cruising and we are thrilled to have resumed cruising on July 3 in The Bahamas,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s president. “By adding Port of Miami, we are giving travellers another convenient way to join these popular Bahamas cruises that provide vacation escapes both close to home and yet a world away, with amazing outdoor options from snorkeling and diving to eco-tours and deep-sea fishing, to just relaxing on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches."
“We're working hard to bring back safe cruising at PortMiami stronger than ever,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “I am so excited that Crystal Cruises’ new passenger service to The Bahamas from the Cruise Capital of the World will offer visitors a new travel destination from Miami and generate economic opportunities across our community. Thank you, Crystal Cruises, for choosing PortMiami as a homeport.”
The Bahamas voyages have also been extended to NOV 2021.
Crystal Cruises also announced a new 4-night Luxury Bahamas Getaway, sailing on 15NOV round-trip from Miami that will visit San Salvador and Exuma while also featuring one day at sea. These voyages with the new Miami inclusion open for reservations as of 29JUL.
Highlights
For guests embarking in Nassau and Bimini, the call in Miami offers options for exploring including the chance to stroll among the Art Deco landmarks in South Beach and a sampling of Cuban specialties on a tasting tour of Little Havana. Those wishing to experience Florida’s wilderness can venture 45 minutes west of Miami to Everglades National Park where airboats skim the “River of Grass” at high speeds and showcase a spectacular ecosystem highlighted by great blue herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills and where gators and crocodiles exist side by side.
The Luxury Bahamas Escapes explore the “Out Islands” with calls in Great Exuma, San Salvador and Long Island, exclusive enclaves of natural beauty featuring beaches, ocean reefs for snorkeling and diving and more. Optional excursions offer guests the chance to experience the swimming pigs on Big Major Cay, snorkel the waters and reefs of San Salvador and more.
Best Available fares for the Luxury Bahamas Escapes sailings start at USD $1,999 per guest, including USD $500 Book Now Savings and USD $500 air savings. Guests will receive a USD $125 per person 'As You Wish' shipboard credit with Crystal Society Savings doubling to five per cent; new-to-Crystal guests saving 2.5 per cent; and solo fares starting at 125 per cent. Travelers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on this itinerary. Crystal is also offering USD $100 reduced deposits and an extended final payment date of 60 days prior to sailing to provide greater flexibility.
For more information, click here.
Vaccination Policy Updated for Miami Embarkations
As part of Crystal's Crystal Clean+ measures, guests 12 and over must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding a Crystal ship.
However, the cruise line has announced that this policy will be adjusted for the Miami port of embarkation and will highly recommend, but not require, that all guests be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated guests must be pre-approved after initial waitlist, are subject to capacity control, and proof of valid travel insurance is required. Unvaccinated guests will need to adhere to specific protocols and further testing requirements in addition to certain restrictions during their journey, which can be found here.
Some of these restrictions for unvaccinated guests include mandatory mask requirement in all public areas except when eating and/or drinking, no access to certain public areas including specialty restaurants, lounges and night clubs and Crystal Life Spa and Crystal Life Fitness. As well, dining will be assigned in a socially distanced area. Crystal notes that unvaccinated travellers may not be able to go ashore at certain ports or attend gatherings onboard such as the Crystal Society party, etc. It also notes that unvaccinated guests will be identified by a red bracelet while vaccinated guests will be identified by a green bracelet to assist the officers and crew in enforcing restrictions. Crystal will also communicate these details in advance, as they must be agreed upon as a condition for travel.
