Crystal Symphony – Arrest Warrant Issued!!

Perhaps a couple of red flags have gone up as warning signs. First it was the shutdown of the Crystal cruise operations after our ship returned to the port in Miami on Saturday morning. Today, Friday 1/21, the captain made an announcement that due to “non-technical operational issues” our ship would not be ending the cruise at the Miami port. What’s up now?

Instead, we will sail to Bimini in the Bahamas and dock by Saturday afternoon. Spend the night aboard the ship and then catch the 11am Sunday ferry boat to Ft. Lauderdale where we will need to clear customs. From there they will provide buses to the Miami port.

What can go wrong with that plan? With these new plans and multiple luggage transfers, who knows. On the bright side, we get one more day of the cruise. Plus, I’m retired and have no hard schedule to get back home. So, we are pretty chilled about it. We’ll get home sooner or later.

A couple hours later while dining at the Umi dining room, Pat came across a breaking news story about our ship. An actual arrest warrant has been issued for the ship from a United States district court in Florida! With that bit of shocking news, we now better understand the captain’s decision to avoid Miami and instead flee to the Bahamas. LINK

In another web search, we found an article that US marshals are trying to locate the ship for the arrest. The articles go into more detail about the issue of unpaid fuel bills. The parent company Genting Hong Kong, has filed for liquidation of assets to completely running out of cash and credit.

Total claims are $1.2 million against the Crystal Symphony, $2.1 million against Crystal Cruises, and $1.3 million against Star Cruises. The fuel supplier is asking the court to arrest the vessel to secure payment. On Thursday United States Distrcit Judge Darrin P. Gayles ordered that the court issue a warrant for the arrest of the Symphony.

It is now Saturday morning and we are on the run from the law! What changes will happen next? Stay tuned! With all that excitement it has worked up some hunger for a big breakfast. So on to the dining room for another feast! Maybe a mimosa or two as we contemplate our lawless situation.

Take care and God Bless.