Trouble In Paradise For Crystal Cruises

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Trouble on the high seas for luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises, as the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ‘arrested’ in Bahamian waters over the weekend.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder confirming the acting port controller, would have taken out the actual arrest order on two Crystal Cruise Lines vessels, in accordance with maritime law.
However, he made clear that the issue stems from a private action between two parties.

“There appears to be a private matter between Crystal Cruises, who are a debtor, from what I understand, under certain amounts owed for fuel for their ships. There was litigation in the United States over the matter,” Pinder explained.

Over the weekend, international media outlets reported that two of Crystal Cruise Lines’ vessels were held up in waters just off Freeport, Grand Bahama due to non-payment of fuel.

The Miami Herald is reporting those unpaid bills equal $3.4 million.
As ships registered in The Bahamas, Pinder says the vessels fall under Bahamian maritime law.

“It does put The Bahamas in a unique situation in that the ships are flagged in The Bahamas. The ships were physically present in The Bahamas when arrested. According to statute, the Acting Port Controller is the marshal when an arrest order is made,” he added.

Pinder says the Attorney General’s office is now providing support to The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), the Ministry of Transport and the Port Department in this matter.

Last month the luxury cruise line indicated it would stop sailing temporarily, after news its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, went bankrupt.

A message on Crystal Cruise Lines website indicates, “2022 ocean and expedition cruises
[are] paused through april…” and the company’s call center is temporarily paused.