Crystal Cruises Redirects Ship to the Bahamas After Arrest Warrant Issued

A cruise ship originally set to dock in Miami has now headed to the Bahamas, following a U.S. judge's order to seize the vessel due to a lawsuit over $4 million in unpaid fuel fees.

Cruise tracking services indicate that Crystal Symphony is currently docked at the Bahamian island of Bimini.

Passenger Stephen Heard Fales shared on Facebook, "We all feel like we’ve been captured by luxurious pirates!"

On Sunday, some passengers were transported by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. A statement from a Crystal Cruises representative noted that the ferry ride was reportedly "uncomfortable due to bad weather." The company mentioned that guests were also taken to nearby airports but refrained from commenting on the lawsuit.

The exact number of passengers on board remains uncertain, with one news outlet citing 300 and another reporting 700. According to the company’s website, the ship has a maximum capacity of 848 passengers.

The ship was supposed to arrive in Miami on Saturday. However, a federal judge issued an arrest warrant for the vessel on Thursday, a maritime procedure in which a U.S. Marshal boards the ship to take control once it enters U.S. waters.

Sergeant Kareem Woods of the Royal Bahamas Police Force stated on Monday that the Crystal Symphony is still docked in Bimini, and authorities currently do not intend to seize the ship.

"It will be permitted to remain in Bimini," he noted, adding that he was unaware if any crew members were present on the ship.

Passengers and performers expressed their surprise on social media upon learning about the legal situation. One guest shared a letter on Facebook from Crystal Cruises management, which explained that the itinerary change was due to "non-technical operational issues."

Elio Pace, a musician who has performed on and off with the ship since 2013, mentioned that approximately 30 to 50 crew members disembarked as their contracts expired. Another 400 crew members are uncertain about when they will leave or if they will retain their jobs.

"This is a human story. It revolves around people and their livelihoods," Pace told the Associated Press.

The lawsuit was initiated in a Miami federal court by Peninsula Petroleum Far East against the ship under a maritime law that permits actions against vessels for outstanding debts. The complaint alleges that Crystal Symphony was chartered or managed by Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises, both of which are being sued for breach of contract due to an alleged $4.6 million fuel debt.

Earlier this week, Crystal Cruises announced that it would be suspending operations until late April. In addition to Crystal Symphony, the company has two other ships currently at sea, concluding their journeys on January 30 in Aruba and February 4 in Argentina.

"Suspending operations will give Crystal’s management team a chance to assess the current business situation and explore various future options," the company stated in a press release earlier this week.

Crystal Serenity also shortens its voyage

Passengers aboard another Crystal Cruises vessel that left Miami a week ago reported last-minute port cancellations without any explanation provided.

The Crystal Serenity, currently docked in Costa Rica, will conclude its journey in Aruba on January 30, ending a three-and-a-half-month expedition for approximately 200 passengers.

Travelers were informed of the itinerary change just two days after departing from Miami, and many expressed that it would have been preferable to return to South Florida rather than unexpectedly end their trip in South America.

"People are extremely upset, shocked, and distressed because Aruba is not very convenient," said Barry Shulman, 75, a passenger from Las Vegas on the extended voyage that was originally scheduled to return to California in late May. "It’s a complete mess."

Crystal Cruises has not provided any responses regarding the Crystal Serenity.