Jack Anderson assumes Interim President & CEO role at Crystal – Tom Wolber to step down

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 02 October 2020 02 October 2020

Effective October 2, longtime cruise industry executive Jack Anderson will take the helm of Crystal as the company’s interim President and CEO. The announcement comes as Tom Wolber, Crystal’s President and CEO since September 2017, is stepping down to spend more time with his family and to pursue other interests, after completing his three-year service contract with the company. Wolber’s expertise in cruise ship operations and newbuild construction has been a guiding force in Crystal’s expansion of brand experiences that now includes an award-winning fleet of four new river ships and the upcoming 2021 launch of the company’s first expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor. Since 2017, Anderson has overseen Crystal’s commercial efforts serving as advisor to Wolber following his previous executive positions as Crystal’s vice chairman and senior vice president of marketing and sales.

“Jack’s history with Crystal runs deep; with nearly a decade of senior leadership and executive consultant roles at the company – combined with his 30-plus years of cruise industry experience – he possesses a profound knowledge of the Crystal brand and the luxury cruise market. He is uniquely suited to step into this role during this pivotal time in travel, ensuring a seamless transition,” says Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, CEO and Chairman of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong. “We are grateful to Tom for his dedicated leadership, the successful introduction of our river ships and expanding Crystal into the expedition market, while maintaining Crystal’s commitment to an award-winning luxury experience.”

Prior to his roles with Crystal, Anderson served as senior vice president of marketing and sales for Seabourn, Holland America and Windstar Cruises, and senior vice president of marketing for Carnival Corporation.

“It is an honor to be entrusted with Crystal’s stewardship during this transitional time in our industry,” Anderson said. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Tom, growing this brand I care so deeply about, and I wish him all the best in his personal endeavors.”

As Wolber looks ahead to the future, his sights are set primarily on greater time with family.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the very best professionals in this industry – all of whom embody the philosophy of ‘Crystal Family’,” Wolber said. “At this time, my focus is shifting toward my family and loved ones. I will always appreciate the rewarding experience I have had with Crystal and I know the company is in very good hands with Jack.”

The expansion of Crystal’s portfolio of award-winning brand experiences beyond lauded ocean ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity began in 2015 with Genting Hong Kong’s purchase of the company and the launch of Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit. This was followed by Crystal River Cruises in 2016 with four new-build river ships following in 2017 and 2018 with the company preparing for the launch of Crystal Expedition Cruises next year.

CDC extends 'No Sail Order' through October 31, 2020

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 01 October 2020 01 October 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S. announced today the extension of a No Sail Order for cruise ships through October 31, 2020. This order continues to suspend passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Cumulative surveillance data reported to CDC from March 1 through September 29, 2020, shows at least 3,689 COVID-19 or COVID-like illness cases on cruise ships in U.S. waters, in addition to at least 41 reported deaths. We recognize these numbers are likely incomplete and an underestimate.

Recent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,—even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities—and would likely spread the infection into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume prematurely in the United States.

The challenges described in the No Sail Order highlight the need for further action before cruise ships can safely resume passenger operations in the United States. Recent passenger voyages in foreign countries continue to have outbreaks, despite cruise ship operators having extensive health and safety protocols to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on board and spread to communities where passengers disembark. When health and safety protocols were apparently observed, resuming passenger operations significantly burdened public health authorities by creating the need for additional SARS-CoV-2 testing, isolation of infected travelers, contact tracing, and quarantine of exposed people.

The continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, risk of resurgence in countries that have suppressed transmission, ongoing concerns related to restarting of cruising internationally, and need for additional time to assess industry measures to control potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission on board cruise ships with passengers without burdening public health, support continuation of the No Sail Order at this time.

On cruise ships, passengers and crew share spaces that are more crowded than most urban settings. Data show that when only essential crew are on board, ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2 still occurs. If unrestricted cruise ship passenger operations were permitted to resume, passengers and crew on board would be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and those that work or travel on cruise ships would place substantial unnecessary risk on healthcare workers, port personnel and federal partners (i.e., Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard), and the communities they return to.

This Order will remain in effect until the earliest of:

– The expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency,
– The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or October 31, 2020.

CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations to specify basic safety standards and public health interventions based on the best scientific evidence available. For more information about COVID-19 and cruise ships, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html. To view the No Sail Order, go to www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise.