A&K Travel Group has confirmed the appointment of Jack Anderson as President of its newly acquired ultra-luxury cruise brand, Crystal Cruises. Anderson held the same position with Crystal Cruises under its former owner, Genting Hong Kong, for 15 months before that company’s demise in February.
Before joining Crystal Cruises in 2011, Anderson was SVP Worldwide Marketing & Sales for Seabourn and had a further 10 years with Carnival Corporation and 12 years with Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.
Anderson will be joined in the reborn Crystal Cruises by Bernie Leypold as Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations. Similarly, Leypold held the same role previously with Crystal.
This week, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of the A&K Travel Group, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, and executives from shipbuilder Fincantieri welcomed the arrival of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity to Trieste, Italy, where the ships are being refurbished.
Speaking of his reinstatement as President of Crystal Cruises, Anderson said: “Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre are icons and innovators in luxury travel. With their ownership, leadership and vision for these ships and the award-winning Crystal Cruises brand, we are embarking on a new and exciting chapter.
“We and the entire Crystal Cruises family look forward to welcoming guests again soon,” Anderson added.
Leypold echoed the sentiment, saying “It is an honor to join the new Crystal Cruises with a commitment to not only recreate, but enhance the sophisticated luxury service, cuisine, entertainment, and shore experiences in collaboration with our sister company, Abercrombie & Kent.”
As LATTE flagged this month, the former crew of Crystal’s ocean ships have been encouraged to re-apply for their former roles.
“We welcome the return of members of our loyal and well-trained Crystal crew to our family and they will be given priority in the hiring process,” Leypold noted.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group reiterated extensive refurbishments were planned for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony by Fincantieri.
“Some staterooms will be combined, creating more butler suites and reducing overall guest capacity,” Levis confirmed. “This will bring a gracious new feeling of spaciousness to the restaurants and public areas.”
The CrystalCruises.com website will soon provide further updates on appointments, ship enhancements, new itineraries and employment opportunities.