When Crystal prepared to ride the ocean waves once more in 2023, the new owner, A&K Travel Group, knew it must honor a treasured legacy. Crystal holds a very special place in the hearts of both guests and crew for exemplary service, superb dining, exciting entertainment, fascinating excursions, the sheer beauty of the ships and, most of all, the camaraderie onboard. Combined, these elements elevate the art of cruising to a truly exceptional level and provide the quality of experience that anyone would prize for a memorable occasion.

From the moment work began in the Trieste dockyard on the multimillion-dollar upgrade of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, to the launch of these elegant vessels in summer 2023, every effort was made not only to match what had gone before but to exceed expectations for a new era. With the additional expertise of leading tour operator Abercrombie & Kent now part of the mix, Crystal can deliver excellence on land and sea to offer seamless delivery of unforgettable vacations and milestone moments.

Once reimagined Crystal became a reality, guests and crew could not wait to rejoin what so many of them refer to as their “family” – a fact confirmed by the return to work by 80% of Crystal’s loyal team. When the first guests stepped aboard the revitalized ships, those who had never sailed with Crystal before could sense that they were about to experience something special, while those returning were overwhelmed by a powerful feeling that they were coming home. 

“Our ships, now finer than ever, have once again become the home away from home to all our Crystal family of beloved guests and staff,” said Cristina Levis, CEO, A&K Travel Group.

Referral rewards 

Crystal’s perfect blend of utter comfort, thrilling adventures and impeccable style is why so many guests return again and again, and they choose Crystal not only for relaxing vacations but as the setting for a celebration, be it a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon, often bringing aboard friends and generations of family. Yet, as well as choosing Crystal based on first-hand experience of everything that the cruise line not only promises but delivers to guests, there is another compelling reason to pick Crystal; its generous Referral Program.

Refer a friend or member of the family who has never sailed with Crystal before and they will receive a 5% discount on the price of a cruise, which can be picked from a world of stimulating itineraries and would certainly mark a special occasion in style. What’s more, the guest who makes the referral will receive the equivalent value of credit to use onboard the ships or to put towards the price of their next voyage – perhaps even use this bonus to join the very same celebration. 

It isn’t difficult to see the cumulative benefit of this already advantageous offer if it is used to introduce more than one friend or family member to the Crystal experience, and there is no limit to the number of guests who can be referred through the program. It's simple: the more people you introduce, the more you save. So how might this generous bonus contribute to enhancing an already exclusive experience?

Superb setting

Crystal is a superb setting for any occasion and in many ways, starting with the ships themselves. Cruise architecture firm G.E.M. and world-leading cruise design house Tillberg Design of Sweden have reconfigured and refurbished public and private areas to bring in the light, lend more space, and create a timeless look with a modern touch. Crystal’s ships have the X factor – the essential component for a very special event. 

Fresh and tranquil spaciousness is key to the transformation of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, which now welcome a third fewer guests than before – a maximum of 606 and 740 respectively – allowing more space per passenger than any other cruise line. In the reimagined public areas, the careful balance of cozy corners and spectacular social venues ensures that there are places for both quiet times apart and fun times together.

Space is particularly evident in the stylish accommodation, with all suites and rooms blessed with large picture windows through which every guest is afforded an ocean view. The new Sapphire Veranda Suites, in particular, are the size of two former cabins, with airy sitting, dining and sleeping areas, a large bathroom with double sinks and a huge shower, walk-in wardrobe, and a balcony on which to relax and watch the world go by. 

Sumptuously furnished, the new suites have been decorated in a contemporary palette of pastels and neutral tones, with jewel-like blue accents in the soft furnishings and the eye-catching glass sculpture on the living room wall, resonating with the color of the ocean. Natural materials feature, including marble from the Italian Alps, while silky linens by the venerable Venetian family firm Jesurum, dressing gowns by Milan-based Etro, and seductively fragranced toiletries by Sicilian brand Ortigia enhance the guest experience. Booking such a covetable suite is just one of the ways a welcome bonus from the Referral Program can add a special touch.

Sublime service

Yet it’s not just the look that makes Crystal stand out from the crowd. Comfort is of paramount importance, so there are Butlers for every room and suite. Always on call, always smartly dressed, and always ensuring every journey runs smoothly, Crystal’s Butlers are notable for their intuitive service, anticipating guests’ every wish. They also have a naturally warm demeanor, a quality possessed by all the staff and crew, from the chambermaids to the captains (and there is nearly one staff member per guest).

Welcome champagne, assistance with packing and unpacking, and a pillow menu are just a few of the top-quality services and amenities offered to all guests. Opt for a Sapphire Veranda Suite or subsequent upper tiers and you’ll also enjoy the kind of little extras that make a voyage feel carefree and indulgent, from complimentary laundry to afternoon canapés. Staying on Crystal’s ships is more than a comfortable bed for the night, it’s a real treat.

Dynamic days

As much attention to detail is paid to time spent on shore, with Crystal's itineraries now supercharged by the partnership with Abercrombie & Kent and its unrivalled global network of travel experts. Unforgettable experiences in incredible settings provide new views of the world from Alaska to Zanzibar. Gorilla safaris, helicopter tours, rainforest hikes, wine-tasting in vineyards – the list of amazing experiences that can be selected to enrich and enhance a voyage is seemingly endless. Yet, from kayaking over rapids or simply gazing at the Pyramids, Crystal offers a breadth of choice that balances appreciation and adventure with its variety of extraordinary itineraries. These, alone, are the sort of moments that can define a celebration and provide stories to dine out on for many years to come.

As for making someone feel special, perhaps nowhere does it better than the Aurōra Spa, which redefines the word pampering. Light spreads and shimmers throughout the day in this beautiful, serene space, in keeping with its namesake, the goddess of dawn. The friendly team prioritizes needs and desires when advising on choices of beauty and spa treatments. Next-generation technology is blended with ancient rituals, such as The Chariot of Light, which mixes traditional massage with the healing benefits of LED light therapy. There is also a Medi-Spa, with a physician on hand to help maintain youthful radiance through serious aesthetics treatments. Feel good and look great – from a revitalizing facial to a glamorous new hairstyle, this is the place to get ready for a big celebration.

Exciting evenings 

So where to hold that special dinner? Guests are spoilt for choice, because there are eight restaurants on Crystal’s ships (plus an ice-cream parlor), including Umi Uma, the only restaurant at sea by Nobu Matsuhisa. Continuing his long association with Crystal, the celebrated chef has designed menus of his fêted Peruvian/Japanese fusion food, with dishes such as delicate seafood ceviche in a sharp and salty dressing to fire the tastebuds, and his signature marinated black cod, with its delectable interplay of sweet and savory flavors. 

Italian restaurant, Osteria d’Ovidio, named for Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, is similarly chic with its white-jacketed waiters. Here, the hand of Michelin-starred chef Stefano Di Gennaro is evident in fine interpretations of regional Italian cuisine, such as Lobster in “Aquasale”, tomato essence and basil olive oil.

Beefbar will be added to the roll call soon, the first edition at sea of the trendsetting restaurant. Guests will discover why it has been wowing diners from Hong Kong to Monaco with its “Beef, Reef and Leaf” menu, serving fabled prime cuts of meat and imaginative interpretations of street and comfort food. For a private dinner, The Vintage Room offers a grand sense of occasion, with gourmet food paired with vintage wines.

After dinner, it's showtime, with electrifying entertainment by Broadway producers, concerts by disco legends, and recitals by classical music stars. From dawn till dusk, it’s one long celebration on Crystal.

Are you ready to celebration on a Crystal voyage?