Genting Hong Kong Finishes Acquisition of Crystal Cruises

 Genting Hong Kong has finished the US$550 million acquisition of Crystal Cruises from Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha.

GHK also appointed a new chairman for Crystal and promotions' present senior management team, guaranteeing a seamless transition and no disruption in operations to guarantee world-class services.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of the Genting Group, replaced Nobuyoshi Kuzuya as chairman of Crystal.

Edie Rodriguez, a travel industry veteran and former chief operating officer and president will be promoted to president and chief executive officer.

Thomas Mazloum, who has been in Crystal's management team for more than 20 years, will be promoted to chief operating officer. Mazloum previously served as president and executive vice president.

Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said: "Genting Hong Kong is thrilled by the addition of Crystal to our global hospitality and leisure brands."

"The present team, both management and crew, will run Crystal's six-star operation while Genting will offer its proven expertise and financial resources in innovative ship design to create a new luxury ocean vessel by 2018."

Founded in 1993, GHK is part of the Genting Group, a company specialised in leisure and hospitality that operates in more than 20 countries.

GHK is a major shareholder of Norwegian Cruise Line and wholly owns Star Cruises.

The company's first award-winning luxury vessel was Crystal Harmony, which embarked in 1990, followed by its sister ships Crystal Symphony in 1995 and Crystal Serenity eight years later.