(CMR) US Marshals seized a pair of Crystal Cruises ships in the Bahamas on Friday after the company diverted them there to avoid the vessels being seized in the US after failing to pay $4.6 million in fuel bills.
The Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity were seized after a US judge issued a warrant for their seizure. It is unclear how these two Crystal ships were seized in the Bahamas, which is not subject to the jurisdiction of the US Marshal’s Office.
‘We are unable to comment on pending legal matters at this time. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s voyages ended last month and there are no guests on board,” Crystal Cruises spokesman Vance Gulliksen told The Daily Mail.
“The officers and crew onboard are being well cared for and staying in single accommodations, some of which are guest staterooms. We are making sure they are comfortable and able to enjoy the various amenities on board. Crew members have been paid per their normal schedules, and we are meeting and exceeding all contractual obligations,” Gulliksen added.
The Crystal Serenity reportedly cut short a scheduled expedition in late January and set course to Aruba, where it was not allowed to dock. It was then diverted to Bimini where passengers were ferried to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The cruise line's parent company, Genting Hong Kong, has reportedly been struggling with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the cruise industry. Last month, one of its shipyards filed for bankruptcy protection in Germany.
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