Crystal beats 2018 sales total in first quarter of 2019

Tom Wolber said publishing itineraries earlier had helped the company achieve the milestone across its ocean, river, yacht and expedition brands.

He was speaking onboard Crystal Serenity this week at the line’s 28th Sales Gala, attended by TTG, to which it invited 56 top-performing international agents. Their sales accounted for $136 million in the past year, with 32 making more than $1 million in Crystal bookings and 24 more than $2 million.

Wolber, who took the helm in September 2017 succeeding Edie Rodriguez, said Crystal’s goal since his first Sales Gala in 2018 had been “to stabilise our business and focus on ensuring Crystal continues to be the luxury experience our guests have come to love”.

Rodriguez oversaw Crystal’s rapid expansion during her tenure, launching multiple brands in quick succession – Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, a charter jet service, Crystal AirCruises and Crystal River Cruises.

“We have focused on stabilising the Crystal teams across the world and have really worked on those goals,” said Wolber.

“We are getting to where we need to be; we are getting back to what we were. We continue on an exciting path.”

Rolando Trejos, vice-president revenue management, told attendees the line had seen a “very strong” first three months of 2019 over its wave period, with sales for ocean up 10% year-on- year; river 12%; and yacht product 31%.

The luxury sector, Wolber explained, had “weathered” a number of issues during 2018, including the US government shutdown and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Crystal currently has “nearly three full years of sailings” available to book said Wolber, which he stressed offered “a great opportunity” for agent partners.

He announced the line’s 2022 ocean programme onboard Crystal Serenity and Symphony, due to be released this summer, would feature 21 seven-night sailings – “more than ever before” – while 300 guests had already been booked for its 2022 world cruise onboard Serenity after six weeks on sale.

Meanwhile, gala attendees heard how the line’s Wi-Fi speeds had doubled in 2018 from 2017, and were now four times faster than two years ago.