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By this fleetwide initiative, all plastic straws were completely eliminated and replaced with paper straws. Crystal Cares comprises various fleetwide environmental efforts and sustainable practices. In 2019 was signed the partnership deal with the global conservation organization ORCA (Organization for Respect and Care for Animals). By this partnership and as part of the OceanWatch Master Fisherman program, on select Alaskan cruises, Crystal ships are boarded by "Cruise Conservationists" for training, research and marine data collection. "We're excited to offer both past and future Crystal guests an incredible assortment of itineraries in 2025," Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group and Crystal Cruises, said in a statement.
Company changes in 2022 (bankruptcy and reacquisition by A&K/new ownership)
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity Ship Review - Travel + Leisure
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity Ship Review.
Posted: Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The ship is similar to the "discovery yacht'" Scenic Eclipse (2018) built for Scenic Cruises. In June 2023 was announced that Crystal has retained ~80% of the staff/crew who served the brand under the previous ownership. Also of note are the educational seminars, held daily, with guest speakers who lecture on upcoming destinations and give in-depth talks into their industries — whether that’s sports, media, or “even the occasional astronaut,” per Crystal’s website. With one coveted culinary name already, Cristina Levis, A&K and Crystal Cruises CEO, told me she’s working to “bring home another celebrity chef” for Osteria. (Though, even without a Michelin-touted chef at the helm of Osteria, I loved the lobster acquasale and gnocchi blanketed in porcini mushroom ragout.) The best Italian export on board, however, is served six decks above Osteria at the gelato bar, Scoops. Levis is from a family of gelato makers, and it shows; the stracciatella and coffee gelato I savored on a poolside couch as we sailed from Portofino, Italy, was better than the cone I had in port.
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Our ships' full-time Fitness Director offers fitness advice and a variety of stretch and aerobic instruction. Familiarize yourself with the layout of our ship, and delve into a world of innovative experiences and expertly curated spaces from our world-renowned restaurants to our cutting-edge Spa, and university at sea. Another indulgence onboard Crystal’s ships is the cozy and well-stocked Library, where fans of historical fiction, travel memoirs, thrillers, and even romance novels can find something to enjoy as they relax during sea days.
Crystal Cruises Expedition Ship
The line attracts 55-plus, well-traveled guests looking for high levels of personal service -- on both ships there is nearly one crew member to every passenger -- and luxury. While Crystal is not an obvious first choice for families, a youth program is offered on select cruises, particularly during the summer school vacation period. It was founded in 1988 by Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha, and sold to Hong Kong-headquartered conglomerate Genting Hong Kong in 2015. Among luxury cruise operators, Crystal has long been known for vessels that are relatively large. Crystal Cruises (1988-founded/1990-launched/2023-relaunched) is a top-luxury travel brand and a premium passenger shipping company. It currently operates only ocean voyages with two smaller-sized vessels (full-scale refurbished in 2023) with all-inclusive travel package deals.
Dining is a little different on Crystal Cruises because everything is included. There are 3 specialty restaurants across the fleet and each guest is entitled to dine at each of these once or twice per cruise (depending on cruise length) at no extra cost. The high-end travel company A&K Travel Group on Wednesday announced it had bought the bankrupt line's brand name and two biggest oceangoing ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, with plans to relaunch the brand in 2023.
Night Cape Town To MombasaDetails
Don’t miss dessert, especially the Coffee Foam, Hazelnut Ice Cream, and Salted Caramel. Enjoy fine-dining with a daily changing menu surrounded by sweeping ocean views. Explore our two beautifully reimagined ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, and discover a world of timeless elegance at sea.
Crystal Serenity
Both of the ships will undergo extensive refurbishments before being put back in service, A&K Travel Group said. The announcement comes as various pieces of Crystal Cruises are being sold off by liquidators for the brand, which collapsed along with its parent company Genting Hong Kong earlier this year after revenues plummeted due to COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns. Lefebvre d'Ovidio also owns a controlling stake in A&K Travel Group, the parent company of luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent. Crystal has long been known for epic around-the-world voyages with stops at dozens of destinations on four, five or even six continents.
Specialty coffees and teas were served complimentary by the Vienna Austria-based company Julius Meinl. The announcement said that Star Cruises together with the German companies Petram Beteiligungs, Ehlerding Beteiligungs, and BLG Logistics Group entered into a stock purchase agreement that allows GHK to acquire a majority stake in Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven GmbH. Before the agreement's announcement, Genting signed a letter of intent with the shipbuilding company for Crystal's new polar-class ships scheduled for deliveries in 2018-Q4 (later pushed back to 2019). In January 2016, Genting bought the remaining 30% stocks of Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven. The deal also included ~50% stake in the shipbuilder's real estate subsidiary company "Investitions und Verwaltungs". In February 2023 were rehired four veteran Hotel Directors - Hubert Buelacher and Scott Peterson (Crystal Serenity) and Herbert Jaeger and Josef Matt (Crystal Symphony).
Bars and Restaurants
Due to the COVID pandemic, Crystal suspended its ocean fleet's passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through July 2021. In November 2016, Crystal announced a yacht fleet expansion - from 1 to 3 new vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (Endeavor), 2021 (TBN1) and 2022 (TBN2). The sisterships were designed to have as "standard" the "megayacht cruising" industry's first mini-subs, helicopters and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles). Every Crystal river cruisetour itinerary included food-and-wine themed excursion to Michelin-star restaurants in major European cities. In April was launched the Crystal Referral Program encouraging past guests (loyalty program members) to refer their family, friends, and colleagues to travel with Crystal Cruises.
Note that, in a luxury touch, Crystal also stocks top-of-the-line Muck Boot brand waterproof boots on board for passengers to use during landings and also gives out new, high-end parkas to each passenger on expedition sailings that are theirs to keep at the end of trips. Crystal Endeavor also offers an almost hidden, close-to-the-waterline outdoor observation area at its very tip that may be one of the ship's great secrets. Home to its own hot tub as well as lounge chairs and other seating, it is the perfect vantage point to view the passing scenery. Other major public areas on Crystal Endeavor include the top-of-the-ship Palm Court, an observation lounge and bar and the centrally located Crystal Cove lounge.
"Several years ago, Crystal took a deck of staterooms where there were three and converted them into two," Anderson said. " So, they became suites. Part of the current plan is to go much further in the conversion of three rooms into two. And in some cases, four into two or two into one." The Penthouse Suite with Verandah features a king-size bed, living area, and a heated storage closet for expedition gear. The bathroom features a glass-enclosed shower with dual shower heads, double vanity, and a separate water closet. With the tagline, "Exceptional at Sea," Crystal will sail to destinations around the world, including the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Alaska, Canada and New England and more. Royal Caribbean Group also acquired another former Crystal Cruises ship, Crystal Endeavor, which joined the Silversea Cruises fleet as Silver Endeavour.
Many loyal Crystal guests say that stepping aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony feels like coming “home.” The main reason is the cruise line’s consistent and expedient service, provided by a crew that is as loyal to Crystal as its most frequent guests are. Long-time Crystal cruisers are greeted with hugs by crew members they’ve sailed with before—and even first-timers will feel the genuine warmth as they’re welcomed aboard. Our suites and guest rooms artfully pair comfort with the exceptionally elegant design. Elevated details, contemporary craftsmanship, and artisanal finishing embody modern refinement, while the spacious layouts maximize in-room relaxation. Despite its small size, Crystal offers a diverse array of itineraries in cruise destinations around the world, from North America to Asia. You'll find the most choices among Crystal itineraries in Europe followed by the Caribbean and Alaska.
Fares for Crystal Cruises 2023 World Voyage started at USD 46,700 per person (double occupancy). The latter part of 2025 sees voyages to the Middle East, with stops at Safaga (Luxor) in Egypt, Dubai (known for luxury shopping and modern architecture), and Salalah, Oman's third-largest city, renowned for its marine life. Extended port calls to urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Laem Chabang, and Shanghai allow for in-depth cultural experiences. In 2018, Crystal River had 200 shore excursions (~80% complimentary) and themed on culture, cuisine, adventure. The new "Design Your Time" excursion option allowed tourists to use concierge service on their private tours. Cabin amenities include complimentary beverages, Jacuzzi/bathtub, stationery, Wi-Fi Internet, smart UHDTV (satellite reception), electronic safe box.
Voyages will travel throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. If you’re sailing on Crystal Cruises’ yacht, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Cruises’ Expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, or a Crystal Cruises river ship, some shore excursions are included. However, if you’re sailing on a Crystal Cruises ocean ship, shore excursions will come with an additional charge.
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