Crystal has officially relaunched under the new guardianship of A&K Travel Group, as Crystal Serenity set sail Sunday following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The original Crystal cruise line filed for bankruptcy in 2022 and sold off its two ships.

Departing on its inaugural voyage from Marseille, the cruise line’s largest vessel accommodates 740 guests and is the first of two ships returning to service this summer.

Boasting an industry-leading space-to-guest ratio (1 to 93.1 cu. ft.) and nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Serenity features larger, redesigned suites, specialty dining restaurants and restorative public spaces.

“Crystal has been recognized for decades for exceptional experiences and we are excited to welcome guests back onboard for its new gilded era,” said A&K Travel Group CEO, Cristina Levis. “In just one year, we’ve been able to revitalize the ships, a feat nearly unheard of in our industry. It is an honour to be signaling this new chapter better than ever and right on schedule, all while retaining 80% of Crystal’s beloved crew on board.”

Itineraries

After the first voyage from Marseille to Lisbon, Crystal Serenity will sail towards Northern Europe unearthing the most alluring locales including, UK, Ireland, and Iceland. The ship then travels to the Americas offering experiences as north as Canada to as south as Cartagena, Colombia, before beginning the 2024 World Cruise. Sailing from San Diego or Miami over the course of 125 nights, this highly anticipated voyage visits 29 countries and 62 breathtaking destinations and iconic landscapes.

Suites & Guest Rooms

Crystal enlisted leading cruise ship architectural firm, GEM, to guide the redesign of select guestrooms and suites. Accommodations feature neutral tones and high-end fixtures, complemented by subtle hues of pastel colors that resonate with the color of the ocean. Elevated details, contemporary craftsmanship, and artisanal finishes embody modern refinement, while the spacious layouts maximize in-room relaxation.

As part of the ship’s refurbishments, there are two new guest room categories – the Jr. Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View – that serve as an option for solo travelers without the worry of paying additional single supplements. These new categories will also increase the availability of the popular Sapphire Suite category.

• Single Guest Room with Ocean View: Cozy bedroom (up to 215 sq ft) redesigned in 2023, with welcoming and comfortable detailing, butler service, and ocean views.
• Sapphire Veranda Suite: Spacious suite (up to 430 sq ft) with living area, elegant finishings and private veranda, accompanied by attentive butler service. Sapphire suites are available to book in new and classic design.
• Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite: Redesigned in 2023, this large suite (up to 645 sq ft) includes spacious rooms with separate dining and living areas looking onto a private veranda, also accompanied by attentive butler service.

Dining

With eleven distinct dining options, including 24-hour in-suite dining service, guests have access to unparalleled culinary experiences, including the return of renowned Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma – the only Nobu dining concept at sea where guests can enjoy award-winning, innovative Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.

Wellness

Crystal’s new spa concept, Aurōra, aims to be the most serene wellness destination at sea with a new design boasting light-bright neutral colours, an illuminated fiber optic starlight ceiling, organic materials and a natural salt crystal and silk brushed slate stone. The extensive treatment offerings include more signature facials, massage treatments and a full-service Salon.

Fleet

Crystal Serenity’s sister ship Crystal Symphony is currently undergoing renovations and will resume service for its inaugural voyage in Athens on Sept. 1.

Meanwhile, during an executive briefing to media and travel advisors sailing onboard Crystal Serenity’s preview voyage, Levis, announced that the brand is working with their advisors, lenders and export credit agents in order to sign a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders for four new ships that will include two classic ships and two expedition vessels.

During the presentation, Levis stated, “We have ambitious growth plans for Crystal and are proud of what we have accomplished with the relaunch of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in just under a year following the purchase of the brand. We are now thrilled to formally announce that we will be growing our fleet and continue to offer the most exceptional cruising experiences in the industry.”