The inaugural Monte-Carlo Casino at sea has set sail on its first journey.
In July, Casino.org reported that Crystal Cruises had finalized a branding agreement with Société des Bains de Mer, a publicly listed gaming firm headquartered in Monaco that operates the iconic Monte-Carlo on the renowned French Riviera. The alliance enables Crystal Cruises to incorporate the Monte-Carlo Casino brand for its gambling services on its two ships — Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
Crystal Symphony departed on Thursday with the inaugural Monte-Carlo Casino. The gaming space encompasses more than 1,000 square feet and features 29 slot machines along with three live dealer table games, such as blackjack, American roulette, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em.
Crystal Symphony and its Casino de Monte-Carlo departed from Venice, Italy. The four-day, one-way journey concludes in Croatia.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic caused issues for the cruise line, Crystal Cruises was owned by a subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong. Italian billionaire Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, along with his private equity firm Heritage Group, acquired Crystal's two ships for $128 million. The purchase also encompassed Geoffrey Kent, the founder and chairman of the global luxury travel firm Abercrombie & Kent.
Renovations Finished
Lefebvre and Kent acquired the cruise ships through a newly established organization named A&K Travel Group. The firm spent $25 million on Symphony, which started operations in 1995, and $103 million on the more recent Serenity, which launched in 2003.
Following the acquisition of the ships, A&K committed to refurbishing each vessel, ensuring that all suites and staterooms received enhancements. New wellness programs were also introduced to the ships.
For the cruiser focused on gambling, the casinos underwent complete modernization, and a lavish interior was added to match the Monte-Carlo brand.
"We could not be prouder to unveil the first-ever Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea aboard Crystal Symphony. There was no better choice for a gaming partner than Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, founded more than 160 years ago and remains a global leader in the casino industry,” said Lefebvre, the executive chairman of A&K Travel Group.
“I’ve known the team for many years and, like Crystal, they are fully committed to delivering upscale experiences that cater to the discerning tastes of travelers from around the world. The future is bright for both of our brands,” Lefebvre continued.
The Casino de Monte-Carlo on Crystal Serenity is set to embark on its inaugural journey on December 18. That casino is a bit bigger than Symphony, featuring 32 slot machines and three table games.
Monaco Connections
Born in Rome in April 1953, Lefebvre has considered Monaco his home for a long time. The man valued at over $1.6 billion received his father’s cruise line, Monaco-based Silversea Cruises, following his death in 2011.
In June 2018, Lefebvre sold Silversea to Royal Caribbean Group for $1 billion along with a 2.5% share in the world’s second-largest cruise line, following only Carnival.
The cruise ship tycoon still lives in Monte Carlo and often visits the Casino de Monte-Carlo establishment. The Government of Monaco holds a nearly 60% share in the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which was inaugurated in July 1865.