The restaurants on board Crystal cruise ships never serve the exact same menu twice - Crystal Cruises

The pandemic was particularly tough on the travel industry and, in 2022, ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises was one of the casualties of Covid.

However, within two years the brand was resurrected simply as Crystal by A&K Travel Group, whose portfolio includes the tour operator Abercrombie & Kent. The acquisition resumed the brand’s three decades of dominating the luxury cruise market and returned two ocean-going ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, to service.

Crystal’s return was welcomed by the brand’s loyal following: since its re-launch, some 60 per cent of bookings have come from repeat guests.

Those who’ve sailed before will note that suites are now considerably larger – a post-acquisition refurbishment saw both ships reduce their room count by almost a third. The result? Crystal can claim an industry-leading space-to-guest ratio that’s complemented by the brand’s elevated ‘best of everything’ vibe.

The Crystal Serenity has a generous space-to-guest ratio

The ships’ seven à la carte restaurants are supported by Marketplace (the indoor/outdoor buffet) and 24-hour in-suite dining. Highlights of the culinary offering include trendy Beefbar, which has outlets in Mykonos, Monaco, St Tropez and other see-and-be-seen destinations (Crystal’s are the brand’s only ocean outposts), and Umi Uma.

Crystal is also the only cruise line to feature Casino de Monte-Carlo – an exclusive collaboration with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

1. Where does Crystal cruise?

All the world’s most desirable sea-going cruise experiences feature in Crystal’s repertoire. In Europe, that means predominantly the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas via standouts such as Greece’s islands and the far northern reaches of Norway.

In the Americas, both continents are covered from Alaska to Argentina: itineraries might take in Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena or the Caribbean islands.

Also featured are Australasia, Asia, the South Pacific and both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean seaboards of continental Africa. With around 280 ports of call worldwide, guests can experience everything from rainforests and reggae to sea-filled fjords and the Sydney Opera House. And if you want to see it all? Look to the line’s round-the-world cruises.

Summertime generally sees both ships plying European waters, allowing guests to discover the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas’ essentials before relocating for the winter season to the Caribbean or Indian Ocean.

For 2026, Crystal Symphony will start the year in Africa and Asia, catching Japan’s enchanting cherry blossom season en route to Alaska, Canada, the East Coast of the USA and the Caribbean.

Crystal Serenity, meanwhile, will remain in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic and continuing via the Panama Canal to the Pacific.

A real selling point is that both ships are constantly on the move, without the need to home-port in a particular place for a season. This means that individual itineraries are never repeated, giving guests the opportunity to book cruises back-to-back without having to re-visit the same ports more than once.

A sauna on board the Crystal Serenity - Crystal

And thanks to Crystal’s partnership with Abercrombie & Kent, guests can really immerse themselves in their chosen destination by bookending their cruise with a safari, rail tour, city break, beach holiday or any other tailor-made extension.

On longer itineraries, guests can even disembark mid-cruise to join multi-day, land-based experiences before rejoining the ship.

2. Who does Crystal appeal to?

Given its price point, Crystal appeals primarily to an affluent and extremely well-travelled audience. Although this demographic tends to be older, the brand’s customer base has drastically changed since the acquisition, with a growing slant towards multi-generational groups, younger couples, families and curious but comfort-seeking solo travellers.

And although the onboard experience is classy and refined, dedicated spaces such as Waves playroom, Fantasia teen lounge and a Junior Activities Programme (on select voyages) ensure ample diversions and amenities for all ages.

Crystal Serenity’s Wimbledon Court has a the full-sized paddle tennis and pickle ball court - Crystal

What unites Crystal’s travellers is an appreciation of elegance. The ships provide unrivalled service and sophistication at every touchpoint, making guests feel perfectly at home from the moment they step aboard.

Every suite offers sea views and butler service, plus comforts such as robes by Etro, bed linen by Jesurum 1870 and bathroom products by Ortigia Sicilia.

And if you’re a foodie? You’ll appreciate that restaurants never serve the exact same menu twice, so there are always fresh choices to be made – even on round-the-world cruises.

Those turned off by the more mainstream cruise lines’ whistle-stop approach to sightseeing will appreciate Crystal’s longer stays in key ports of call: expect overnight stays or late-night departures that allow for more meaningful experiences ashore.

3. The Crystal fleet

There are currently just two mid-sized ships in the fleet, though plans are afoot for additional ocean and expedition ships.

Crystal Serenity (740 passengers)

Both ships have an almost identical offering. Comfortably sized Crystal Serenity offers seven exquisite restaurants as well as a buffet, several bars and an authentic gelateria.

However, it’s not all about eating and drinking: facilities for helping guests stay in shape include a 3,000-square-foot fitness centre (complete with weights room and aerobics studio) and Wimbledon Court for padel tennis and pickleball.

Sails to: Europe, the Americas, Australasia, Africa, the Indian Ocean

The Crystal Serenity has plenty of facilities but with a small-ship ambience - Crystal

Crystal Symphony (606 passengers)

Much like her sister ship, Crystal Symphony offers contemporary, spacious accommodations and an abundance of space, promising one of the finest experiences you can find at sea. Setting the tone are award-winning cuisine and extensive entertainment facilities, including a cinema, theatre and a well-stocked library covering books and magazines to board games. The spa offers sauna, steam room and treatments from aqua meditation to traditional massages.

Sails to: Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific

4. Accessibility on board

Both ships offer accessible staterooms with adapted bathrooms, and are equipped with lifts, ramps, wheelchair-friendly public spaces and dedicated seating in the showrooms.

5. Loyalty scheme

Guests automatically become members of (and earn Milestones towards) the Crystal Society after their first cruise, allowing access to onboard benefits and experiences such as hosted events, dining privileges and savings (of typically 2.5 per cent) on future bookings.

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