Crystal

The name Crystal has been synonymous with luxury cruising for more than 30 years, so when the cruise line’s Hong Kong-based parent company faced financial collapse in February 2022, resulting in the seizure of its two ocean ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, there was a collective gasp. Just 18 months later and under new ownership, Crystal returned to sea with the July 2023 relaunch of Crystal Serenity, followed by Crystal Symphony in September 2023. 

Now owned by London-based A&K Travel Group Ltd. and luxury cruise visionary Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, and known simply as Crystal, the brand counts just the two newly refreshed ocean vessels in its fleet — for now. A&K plans to add four new-build ships by 2029: two 650-guest ocean cruise ships and two 220-guest Polar-Class-6-rated expedition ships. All will be designed to offer similar amenities to those on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. 

Crystal is no longer in the river cruise business (its former ships are now in the German-owned Riverside fleet) and its expedition ship is now owned by Silversea Cruises as Silver Endeavour. 

Looking forward, A&K Travel Group said that it plans to create synergy between Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent, its luxury tour company, beginning with pre- and post-cruise tours curated by A&K in 2025. 

The new Crystal will seem reassuringly familiar to past guests. Ship renovations to both Serenity and Symphony have added an elegant polish to certain spaces — notably specialty restaurants, the spa and fitness center, and many but not all staterooms and suites — while leaving most of the well-maintained public spaces as they were with just minor touch-ups. This was possible because Crystal Symphony underwent a major refurbishment in 2017 and Crystal Serenity in 2018. 

Notably, the cruise line has created a greater number of suites on both ships, reducing passenger capacity and creating an even more highly personalized experience. Loyal Crystal fans will be delighted that 80 percent of the crew on both ships are past employees who’ve returned “home” to deliver the attentive and refined service for which the brand is known — including butler-serviced staterooms and suites. They will also love that Michelin-starred Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma restaurant is back in a setting that’s more inviting than ever, while a new Italian specialty restaurant delivers an incredible dining experience.