Crystal hotel directors: veteran shipboard leaders appointed

Crystal Cruises have announced four key appointments to the shipboard leadership team ahead of the company’s relaunch in July. Each are industry veterans who will take up all-important Hotel Director positions on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Indeed, they will all be returning to Crystal Cruises having previously spent years with the company.

Insofar as guests are concerned, the position of Hotel Director is arguably the most important on board. The Hotel Director is ultimately responsible for everything guests experience, from accommodation to dining and entertainment to service.

Crystal Symphony will once again be led by Herbert Jaeger and Josef Matt. While Crystal Serenity will be under the guidance of Hubert Buelacher and Scott Peterson. 

“With decades of experience with Crystal, they know what it takes to oversee the day-to-day functions of shipboard operations while providing our guests with the extraordinary experiences they love when they sail with us.”

Bernie Leypold – Senior Vice President Hotel Operations, Crystal Cruises.

Meet the hotel directors

Herbert Jaeger is well known to many Crystal guests. In fact he has been with the cruise line since its inception in 1990. He was integral to the launch of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Incidentally, he was Serenity’s first Hotel Director.

Josef Matt is equally well known to Crystal guests. He joined the company in 1994 as a Hotel Director managing all aspects of hotel operations.

Hubert Buelacher joined the cruise line’s first vessel, Crystal Harmony, as Executive Chef. He ultimately became a Crystal hotel director and also oversaw the launches of other Crystal vessels.

Scott Peterson returns to Crystal Cruises with more than 20 years experience at the company, most recently serving as a Hotel Director.

Crystal Cruises itineraries

Crystal Serenity will be first to return to service, sailing from Marseille to Lisbon on 31 July 2023. Her return season will include an Atlantic crossing followed by back-to-back Caribbean voyages.

Crystal Symphony will return on 1 September 2023 with a brief Mediterranean sojourn before making her way to Australia for a two month season down under.

For more information visit the Crystal Cruises website.