Two Crystal Cruises ships seized in the Bahamas

Two Genting Hong Kong owned Crystal Cruises ships that shifted to the Bahamas to avoid repossession in the United States, have now been seized by authorities.

Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were taken by authorities in the Bahamas apparently due to unpaid bills rather than the US court order outstanding against the ships.

The ships were carrying no passengers and crew members are ‘being well cared for,’the cruise line said.

A federal judge issued arrest warrants for the ships for failing to pay $4.6 million for fuel bills.

The company suspended operations until late spring to ‘provide Crystal’s management team with an opportunity to evaluate the current state of business.’

The cruise line’s other ship Crystal Endeavor ended a 19-night Antarctica voyage last week in Argentina.

It has since left Argentina but its intended destination remains a mystery.