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Veteran luxury cruise executive Jack Anderson has been named interim president and CEO of Crystal Cruises, effective Oct. 2.
Anderson is taking over for Tom Wolber, who Crystal said is stepping down at the end of his three-year contract to spend more time with his family and to pursue other interests. Wolber has served as the luxe line’s president and CEO since September 2017.
Anderson has worked for Crystal in various capacities over the past decade, most recently as a consultant and prior to that as vice chairman and senior vice president for 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,” Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Crystal’s parent company, Genting Hong Kong, said in a statement, crediting Wolber for the successful introduction of Crystal’s river ships and expanding the line into the expedition market. “He is uniquely suited to step into this role during this pivotal time in travel, ensuring a seamless transition.”
Under Wolber, Crystal launched its four new river ships and ordered it first expedition vessel, the Crystal Endeavor, set to launch in 2021. Anderson oversaw Crystal’s commercial efforts as an advisor to Wolber.
Prior to his roles with Crystal, Anderson held senior marketing and sales positions with Seabourn, Holland America, Windstar Cruises and Carnival Corp.
In August Crystal sought to reassure clients and travel advisors that it was solvent after Genting, also parent company to two of Asia’s largest cruise lines, suspended payments to creditors on almost $3.4 billion, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Crystal said that although Genting “is engaged in a financial restructuring and fundraising exercise to address liquidity issues … It is important to understand that the company is not going out of business. Whatever option our parent company pursues, it will allow Crystal to operate its business.”
Source: travelweekly.com
