The luxury line marks a historic return to shipbuilding with its first vessel in a quarter-century
For devotees of intimate luxury cruising, 2028 promises to be a watershed year. Crystal has revealed crucial construction milestones for its first new vessel in 25 years – a ship that represents not merely an expansion but a renaissance for the storied brand under Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group ownership.
The timeline is now set: steel cutting commences in May 2026, followed by the ceremonial keel laying in December of the same year. These aren’t just construction benchmarks; they’re promises etched in metal and maritime tradition. The vessel, built in partnership with Italian shipbuilding powerhouse Fincantieri, is scheduled for delivery in May 2028, with inaugural voyages going on sale next northern spring.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, speaks to the meticulous preparation behind the project. The work extending beyond blueprints and engineering encompasses design philosophy, technical innovation, and that intangible quality Crystal has cultivated over three decades – an atmosphere where guests feel perfectly at home, even thousands of miles from shore.
A legacy reimagined
Since A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal in 2022, the line has quietly redefined what exceptional means at sea. The existing fleet – Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony – underwent comprehensive transformations, emerging with expanded suites featuring artisanal finishes and a crew-to-guest ratio approaching one-to-one. It’s the kind of staffing that allows for genuine anticipation of needs rather than mere reaction to requests.
The culinary program alone distinguishes Crystal in crowded luxury waters. Umi Uma brings Nobu Matsuhisa’s Michelin-caliber cuisine to the ocean – the only such collaboration afloat. Beefbar, through partnership with restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, offers another exclusive at-sea experience. The Osteria d’Ovidio menu, crafted by Italian culinary luminaries Massimiliano and Raffaele Alajmo, completes a dining triumvirate that would anchor any major city’s restaurant scene.
Then there’s the Casino de Monte-Carlo – a first for any ship – through Crystal’s partnership with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. It’s an amenity that speaks to a particular kind of sophisticated voyager, one who appreciates storied institutions and the romance of chance taken in elegant surroundings.
What the new vessel promises
Details remain closely held – the ship’s name will be announced shortly, with suite categories and inaugural itineraries following by year’s end. But the fundamentals are clear: this will be a ship designed from keel to crow’s nest for discerning passengers who measure luxury not in size but in thoughtful detail and genuine care.
The Abercrombie & Kent connection proves particularly compelling here. That partnership grants Crystal access to A&K’s decades of expertise in crafting immersive, authentic experiences in the world’s most sought-after destinations. It suggests shore excursions that transcend the typical cruise port experience, reaching instead into the privileged and the profound.
For those accustomed to Crystal’s approach – Broadway-caliber entertainment, the wellness-focused Aurōra Spa, spaces designed for both convivial gathering and quiet contemplation – this new build represents evolution rather than revolution. The brand isn’t chasing trends or courting a different clientele. It’s deepening its commitment to those who value sophistication, who understand that true luxury whispers rather than shouts.
A waitlist will open before the inaugural season goes on sale next spring. For the luxury-ship cruise enthusiast who has watched Crystal’s careful resurrection under A&K stewardship, that wait may prove shorter than the years until launch – but considerably more difficult to endure.
For reservations and information on Crystal’s current itineraries and the forthcoming new build, contact your travel advisor, or visit crystalcruises.com.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
