Crystal the two ship cruise line rescued from obscurity by Abercrombie & Kent is celebrating 35 years at sea.
To celebrate, the company has announced the first of their 2025-themed cruises aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
The cruises will be hosted by amongst others, Abercrombie & Kent’s Geoffrey Kent. Other hosts include Crystal veteran captains and cruise directors along with the culinary expertise of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
These sailings are designed to delight and inspire while enjoying the company’s signature entertainment, award-winning service and celebrated dining experiences.
Guests will sail alongside luminaries such as Michelin-star Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa and Abercrombie & Kent Founder Geoffrey Kent. They will mingle with veteran captains John Oekland and Egil Giske. And cruise directors Paul McFarland and Gary Hunter on itineraries curated to capture the essence of Crystal’s legacy.
In honour of the year-long celebration, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will host a series of sailings featuring some of the brand’s most popular partners, performers and comedians. Both ships will host an anniversary gala, special events and Crystal Society reunions, as well as the world-class dining experiences and showstopping performances for which Crystal is known.
“Our guests appreciate our themed voyages, as they offer an immersive experience,” said VP of entertainment and enrichment Keith Cox. “Whether it’s indulging in their passion for music, culinary delights or cultural enrichment. Our carefully curated itineraries and exclusive events bring their interests to life in an extraordinary way. We look forward to celebrating our 35th anniversary with our loyal guests and some of our most popular partners and former officers throughout 2025.”
As part of the celebration, Crystal Society members will enjoy double Society Savings (5% rather than the standard 2.5%) on these commemorative sailings.
Crystal Symphony
Crystal Symphony will sail from Tarragona (Barcelona) to Civitavecchia (Rome) in June 2025. From 4th-13th June 2025 guests will have the opportunity to sail with Geoffrey Kent, founder and chairman emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, former captain John Oekland and cruise director Paul McFarland on a nine-night Mediterranean journey from Tarragona. Stops include Palma de Mallorca, Mahón, Cinque Terre, Livorno. There they will visit Pisa and Florence, and Porto Santo Stefano before concluding with an overnight stay in Civitavecchia.
The same ship will sail from Thessaloniki to Civitavecchia from 10th until 18th July 2025. This eight-night Mediterranean voyage will feature former cruise director Paul McFarland, Broadway actress Christine Andreas, and singer and multi-instrumentalist Salvatore Hasard. The journey begins in Greece’s Halkidiki Peninsula, with stops in Mykonos, Santorini and Heraklion, followed by a day at sea before visiting Lipari and Naples and culminating in Rome.
Crystal Serenity
Crystal Serenity will make a seven-night roundtrip from Copenhagen starting on 15th July 2025. This seven-night journey includes an overnight stay in Copenhagen. It will feature long-time Crystal partner Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, former captain Egil Giske and cruise director Gary Hunter. While onboard, Chef Nobu will participate in cooking demonstrations and an exclusive Vintage Room dinner. Guests will need to purchase tickets in advance to attend. “It has been an incredible journey partnering with Crystal for so many years, said Chef Nobu. He added, “I am truly honoured to be a part of the anniversary sailing,”. “Sailing with Crystal feels like coming home. Our shared commitment to excellence and providing unforgettable experiences for guests is what makes this partnership so special. I look forward to celebrating this milestone together, surrounded by the warmth and hospitality that Crystal is known for.”
Crystal Serenity will sail from Québec City to New York City in October 2025. Guests will embark on a nine-night voyage showcasing the vibrant fall foliage of Canada and New England, featuring an overnight stay in Québec City. There will be stops in Baie-Comeau and Gaspé, the historic charm of Halifax. The cruise culminates with overnight stays in Boston and New York City. This special sailing will also feature much loved former cruise director Gary Hunter.
A&K Travel Group
In 2022, A&K Travel Group (AKTG) acquired the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The cruise line offers discerning travellers industry-leading, authentic, and enriching experiences both onshore and at sea. Abercrombie & Kent have reimagined the ships. They now boast larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes, and almost one member of crew per guest. Crystal is home to the first-ever Casino de Monte-Carlo at sea as part of an exclusive collaboration with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). Fine dining onboard includes Umi Uma, the only dining experience at sea by Michelin-rated chef Nobu (Nobuyuki Matsuhisa). And the only Beefbar on the ocean! This is a collaboration with restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi. The ships also feature wellness with Aurōra Spa, and spectacular entertainment including Broadway-standard shows.