According to reports, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity cruise ships were arrested in the Bahamas at 8 p.m. on Friday evening, due to unpaid bills. 

Both ships, which are flagged in the Bahamas, were anchored in Freeport after diverting to the Bahamas to end their cruises after Crystal Cruises’ parent company entered liquidation last month.

The Symphony rerouted to Bimini after a U.S. judge issued an warrant to arrest the ship due to millions of dollars in unpaid fuel bills, and the Serenity sailed to Bimini after it was denied docking in Aruba. 

Crew Center posted audio on Twitter which it said was the captain of the Symphony telling the crew over the PA system that ship has been arrested. 

“The ship has been placed under arrest by the local authorities over some unpaid bills,” the message says, adding that “this is unfortunate news, but this was quite expected.”

In a statement, Crystal said, “We are unable to comment on pending legal matters at this time. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s voyages ended last month and there are no guests onboard.

“The officers and crew on board are being well cared for and staying in single accommodations some of which are guest staterooms. We are making sure they are comfortable and able to enjoy the various amenities on board. Crew members have been paid all wages due and we are meeting and exceeding all contractual obligations.”  

Crystal paused its ocean cruise operations through April 29 and river cruises through May.

Crystal’s new expedition ship, the Endeavor, the last ship to complete its sailings for the line, docked in Ushuaia last Thursday as scheduled following a 19-day Antarctica cruise. 

Passengers disembarked Friday, Crystal said, and those that had chartered air service flew to Miami via their previously scheduled flight and were provided with overnight hotel accommodations as part of Crystal’s Antarctica cruise packages.

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