Bimini Bahamas – Waiting to Disembark

It is now 9am Sunday morning and we are on Day 2 of our extra days onboard the Crystal Cruise Lines Symphony. After Crystal announced they were suspending operations we were to return to the port of Miami, get our car and then drive back to our RV park in Florida. Obviously, the arrest warrant issued by a Florida court (as previously noted) required the vessel to sail to the Bahamas, out of the US jurisdiction. So, here we are in Bimini Bahamas…

The current plan is to disembark around 10 am, walk to the Balearia Fast Ferry, and then enjoy the 2-3 hour transit to Ft. Lauderdale, then bus ride back to Miami. Hopefully, arrive in Miami by 3pm to begin the 5 hour drive back.

I did notice a USA Today news article about the predicament that we are in. Feel bad for all the crew and entertainers who may or may not be paid. Here is a link to that article: LINK.

The latest that I have heard is that the ship (Symphony) will retain only a skeleton crew until it is sold or a final decision is made. The official word from Russ, cruise director, was the Crystal line will resume operations by the end of April and all the crew’s contracts would be honored. Perhaps a private equity group will purchase the company. Or another deeper pocket cruise line could obtain it to fill out their offerings.

And here is the latest on the arrest warrant from Bloomberg News: LINK

The Crystal Symphony, a luxury cruise ship operated by financially-strapped Genting Hong Kong Ltd., will be seized to repay $1.2 million in unpaid fuel bills if it docks in Miami, amid reports the vessel is being diverted to the Bahamas after a U.S. court issued an arrest warrant.

A U.S. marshal and a court-appointed custodian are ready to arrest the ship if it comes into port as scheduled Saturday in the Florida city, according to J. Stephen Simms, the lead attorney representing Peninsula Petroleum Far East Pte. Ltd. who said he has been told of the plan. Ship-tracking data indicates that the vessel docked in the Bahamas on Saturday evening, where a U.S. arrest warrant can’t be executed.

All is well, so far. The service and food continues to be world class. They even had a great final musical show last night in the Galaxy Lounge. Enjoy your Sunday. Take care and God Bless.