The newly christened Crystal Esprit, ready to set sail

On December 20, 2015, Crystal Cruises welcomed the Crystal Esprit to its fleet with an elegant christening ceremony in the Seychelles.
Crystal Cruises President and CEO Edie Rodriguezinvited a distinguished audience of dignitaries, passengers, and sponsors, along with executives and professionals from Genting Hong Kong (GHK, the company's new partner), for a day of celebration. The Crystal Esprit marks the beginning of one of the most significant expansions in the history of luxury travel.
The christening of the Crystal Esprit was presided over by Lady Gaenor Anne Meakes, fiancée of Mark Richards, one of the most decorated and renowned yacht captains. Richards is a senior executive at Grand Banks Yachts, whose Australian branch is located. He was also named champion for the eighth time of the 628-mile Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Lady Meakes christened the yacht in the traditional manner, breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull, culminating the ceremony with fireworks.
“To say that today is a special day goes without saying,” said Rodriguez. “Since I joined the company two years ago, a personal goal of mine has been to see the company take another step forward in continuing to be the pioneer in luxury travel; and today I am seeing my dream come true.” He also thanked the company's CEO, Genting Hong Kong, for his collaboration.
Crystal Cruises Line is taking luxury travel even further, as it is preparing to launch Crystal River Cruises in 2016 and 2017, which will feature five luxurious river yachts sailing the waterways of Europe, including the Rhine, Seine, Danube, Main, Garonne, and Dordogne.