Scheduled to dock in Miami, Crystal Symphony sailed to the Bahamas instead this weekend after a U.S. judge granted an order to seize the vessel as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel.
Crystal Symphony docked at Bimini and passengers were taken by ferry to Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades on Sunday, the day after their expected arrival.
Crystal Cruises had announced earlier last week that it would suspend operations for three months due to the financial difficulties at its parent company Genting Hong Kong. On Thursday, a Bermuda court approved the appointment of provisional liquidators for Genting Hong Kong as it seeks to refinance.
According to Maritime Executive, Peninsula Petroleum Far East was the first of the known creditors to seek court protection for its debts.
On January 19, the company filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida saying that it was owed nearly $5 million from Crystal Cruises for fuel deliveries made to Crystal's two cruise ships in Miami as well as other outstanding fuel bills for deliveries made to another of Genting's companies, Star Cruises.
A judge then approved the order issuing a warrant for the arrest of the Crystal Symphony when the 51,000 gross ton cruise ship was due to arrive in Miami on January 22. The vessel was to be ordered sold to satisfy the liens.
Crystal has also confirmed reports that Walter Littlejohn, managing director of its river cruise division, has resigned. Littlejohn had been with the company for six years, building a fleet of five luxury river boats. That fleet is currently on winter layup and its future unclear.
Crystal's other cruise ships continue to operate. Crystal Serenity is due to end its cruise next weekend in Aruba, while expedition ship Crystal Endeavor is currently cruising in Antarctica.
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