The article in Travel Weekly that Shippax is making reference to:
Smaller ships, fewer cabins: Crystal's plans change for new ocean vessels
MIAMI -- In what is perhaps the biggest decision by Crystal Cruises CEO Thomas Wolber since he moved to the position from Disney Cruise Line last fall, Crystal will downsize its next generation of oceangoing ships.
The size of the three newbuilds had been announced in 2015 as 100,000 gross tons, with a passenger capacity of 1,000 at double occupancy. They will now be in the 60,000- to 65,000-ton range with a maximum passenger count of 800.
In an interview in Crystal's office here, Wolber said he thought the announced size was "slightly aggressive," in terms of luxury service.
"The delivery of the service is what Crystal is known for," Wolber said. "To be able to continue that, I think we need to take a step back and focus on the size of the ship."
Wolber also said the previously announced plan to carve out 48 private apartments on the top deck of each ship "will not materialize."
He said the first of the three new ocean vessels is still scheduled for delivery in 2022.
When they were announced in 2015, the trio of ships marked the first new tonnage in decades for Crystal, which under Japan's NYK Cruises was content to refine the service and amenities on two luxury ships, rather than expand.
After Genting Hong Kong acquired the line from NYK for $550 million, it rapidly unveiled a number of new ventures, including expansion into river cruising, luxury yacht cruises and air tours/charters.
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