Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises will soon become the first cruise line to return to the Caribbean since the pandemic, with a new Bahamas-only itinerary exclusively for vaccinated travelers.

The program, which launches this summer, is called Bahamas Escapes, and will include a series of 16 seven-night, round-trip cruises out of Nassau on the company’s Crystal Serenity flagship, beginning July 3, 2021.

Crystal will also offer 16 seven-night voyages round-trip from the island of Bimini beginning July 4, 2021.

The cruises will stop at four islands in The Bahamas: Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador and Long Island.

The biggest question, of course, is how the cruise line is handling passenger safety.

Accordingly, Crystal will require all guests to have been fully inoculated with a vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship.

All guests will additionally have to follow the company’s Crystal Clean+ 4.0 measures, including negative tests for guests and crew, reduced capacity, social distancing, a mask policy and health screening questionnaires.

“The Bahamas is ready and delighted to welcome cruise visitors back to the islands and to partner with Crystal Cruises in the effort to restore and help re-activate our tourism industry and protect jobs and businesses,” D’Aguilar said. “Crystal Cruises will go on record as the only cruise line offering Bahamas-only voyages that highlight the signature features and experiences travelers can find here in our islands, and the support that these cruises will bring to multiple communities within the country will be tremendous. We have worked tirelessly to ensure a safe and healthy stay for all travelers, enhancing the innately spacious and outdoor-focused experience the islands provide. Guests will find ample room to roam and a warm welcome from the people of this unique destination.”

It’s a boon for The Bahamas, whose 700-island archipelago provides a diverse destination for cruising in its own right, from the historic charms of Harbour Island to the sparkling blue waters of Exuma.

Crystal Serenity will become the first-ever cruise ship to homeport in Nassau.

“Like our guests, we have been eagerly looking forward to the day we can welcome them back on board, and we’re thrilled that this day will come in The Bahamas,” Anderson said. “The new Bahamas Escapes cruises will allow travelers to enjoy luxury cruising now, as well as bring much-needed benefits to the local workforce, airlines, restaurants, retailers and hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays. The launch of these cruises will also drive economic growth to The Bahamas, which, like other destinations around the world, has been negatively affected by the global pandemic,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president.

Crystal is also launching an extended “land and hotel” program that will include stays at Nassau resorts like the SLS Baha Mar and Hilton Resorts World Bimini.

“Travelers’ sense of exploration has only grown over the past year, and the destinations featured on the new itineraries are ideal for unwinding and renewing the spirit, as well as adventures that remedy restlessness brought on by extended stays at home. Some of the destinations we are calling on are only visited by private yachts and our guests will have the opportunity to visit these idyllic places that are not on other cruise itineraries.”

For more, visit Crystal Cruises.

— CJ