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Cruise Line Guide

About Crystal: Ultra-luxury midsize

The relaunched ultra-luxury line of A&K Travel Group, styling itself the custodian of excellence on the ocean with all-inclusive fares, butler service for every room, and nearly one staff member per guest.

2022, under A&K Travel Group Relaunched Crystal Serenity (740 guests) and Crystal Symphony (606 guests); Crystal Grace arrives 2028 Fleet Nearly one staff member per guest; butler service for every room Service All-inclusive — every restaurant and every bar Fare style 235 sailings bookable now
Crystal Crystal — view sailings →

About Crystal

“Aboard the two highest-rated ships in the world, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, you will discover the hallmarks of Crystal... extraordinary service, abundant space, exceptional quality and incredible choices. This is the very essence of the company; this is the Crystal Difference. A steadfast commitment to excellence has earned Crystal Cruises unprecedented recognition as the World’s Best for an incredible 15 years – an accomplishment unmatched by any other cruise line, hotel or resort anywhere in the world.” — Crystal

Crystal was founded three decades ago and reborn in 2022, when A&K Travel Group acquired the storied name and set about an exacting revival. Its two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, were comprehensively reimagined in 2023 — Serenity now carries just 740 guests across 402 ocean-view suites and rooms, Symphony 606 guests across 330 — giving Crystal what it describes as an industry-leading space-to-guest ratio and nearly one staff member per guest.

All-inclusive here means exactly that: every restaurant and every bar is complimentary from start to finish, from breakfast through tasting-menu dinners with wine pairings, and a personal butler attends every guest room and suite. Serenity offers ten dining venues and Symphony nine, headlined by Umi Uma — the only restaurant at sea from award-winning chef Nobu Matsuhisa — alongside Waterside's à la carte celebration of local, seasonal produce. Evenings bring Broadway-standard entertainment; days can drift through the Aurōra Spa.

Crystal was named No. 1 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for the second consecutive year in 2026. Its itineraries span the Americas and Caribbean, extended Grand Journeys, and full World Cruises, and a new chapter opens in 2028 when Crystal Grace — the line's first new ocean ship in 25 years, carrying 650 guests — joins the fleet. It suits travelers who want luxury delivered quietly, completely, and without an extra bill in sight.

New & notable: Crystal Grace, the line's first new ocean ship in 25 years, begins sailing in 2028 with capacity for 650 guests, and Crystal has previewed its next wave of 2028 itineraries.

Save on Crystal with Pavlus Travel

Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book Crystal through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows Crystal inside and out, from first quote to final port.

  • Exclusive Pavlus savings on every Crystal sailing
  • Lowest Price Guarantee — matched or beaten
  • Never any service or planning fees
  • A dedicated personal travel advisor, not a call center
  • 30+ years of negotiated cruise-line relationships
Exclusive Savings

Get Your Crystal Quote

Our advisors quote the real bottom-line price — exclusive savings included — in minutes, with zero obligation.

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The Crystal Experience

Truly all-inclusive

Every restaurant and every bar is complimentary from start to finish — including tasting-menu dinners with wine pairings — with no onboard surprises.

Butler service for all

A personal butler attends every guest room and suite, part of a staff corps that numbers nearly one crew member per guest.

Umi Uma by Nobu

The only restaurant at sea from award-winning chef Nobu Matsuhisa, serving his signature Peruvian-Japanese fusion aboard both ships.

Space and serenity

Midsize ships of 606 and 740 guests deliver what Crystal calls an industry-leading space-to-guest ratio, refurbished throughout in 2023.

Crystal Grace, arriving 2028

Crystal's first new ocean ship in 25 years will carry 650 guests while upholding the line's standards for dining, entertainment, and service.

Grand Journeys and World Cruises

Extended voyages — including full World Cruises — carry Crystal's all-inclusive standard across whole seasons of travel.

What's Included with Crystal

  • All restaurants, from casual venues to tasting-menu dinners with wine pairings
  • All bars and beverages
  • Personal butler service for every guest room and suite

The Crystal Fleet (3 ships sailing bookable itineraries)

Crystal Grace

Crystal Grace

First new ocean ship in 25 years will represent a bold, industry-leading evolution of Crystal’s celebrated heritage.Arriving in May 2028, Crystal Grace will embark upon her inaugural voyage on June 11, 2028, following a series of preview sailings. Along with spacious all-suite accommodation, first-rate entertainment, and world-class dining, the ship will also feature our signature promenade deck wrapping around the whole perimeter. Like Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Crystal Grace will offer one of the highest crew-to-passenger ratios at sea, ensuring the personalized service and attention to detail that has made Crystal an award-winning brand for more than three decades.

See Crystal Grace sailings →
Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity

With an industry-leading space to guest ratio across an array of social areas, crystal serenity offers the utmost comfort, quality, personalisation and choice.

See Crystal Serenity sailings →
Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony

With elegant lines and sweeping ocean views, the intimate ship houses expansive suites and guest rooms, alongside a world-class choice of dining, wellness and entertainment.

See Crystal Symphony sailings →

Good to Know Before You Book

Gratuities & tipping
With Crystal’s all-inclusive cruising, complimentary gratuities for housekeeping (Penthouse Butler, Penthouse Attendant, Stateroom Attendant and Trainee Stateroom Attendants), bar and dining staff (including specialty restaurants and in-room dining service staff) are included. If you would like to present gratuities for other service personnel, please do so at your discretion, or if you have any questions regarding gratuities, please contact the Reception Desk on board. Cruise line suggests a 18% gratuity for Crystal Spa & Salon services, which will be automatically added to your bill and charged to your shipboard account for your convenience.
Cancellation policy

Cancellation By Guest

 Voyages of 39 days or less in duration 
Days prior to departureCancellation fee
121 days or more$125 per booking administration fee*
120 days - 91 days25% cancellation fee
90 days - 76 days50% cancellation fee
75 days - 51 days75% cancellation fee
50 days - 0 days100% cancellation fee
 For Voyages of 40 days or longer 
Days prior to departureCancellation fee
181 days or more$250 per booking administration fee*
180 days - 151 days25% cancellation fee
150 days - 121 days50% cancellation fee
120 days - 91 days75% cancellation fee
90 days - 0 days100% cancellation fee
 2027 & 2028 World Cruises 
Days prior to departureCancellation fee
407 days or more - Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior Penthouses & Penthouses only$500 per booking administration fee
406 days - 181 days - Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior Penthouses & Penthouses only10% cancellation fee
181 days or more - Single / Double Guest Room only$500 per booking administration fee
180 days - 151 days25% cancellation fee
150 days - 121 days50% cancellation fee
120 days - 91 days75% cancellation fee
90 days - 0 days100% cancellation fee
 2029 World Cruise 
Days prior to departureCancellation fee
365 days or moreSuite categories up to and including Sapphire - $500 per booking administration fee / Junior Penthouse & Penthouses - 10% cancellation fee
364 days - 151 days25% cancellation fee
150 days - 121 days50% cancellation fee
120 days - 91 days75% cancellation fee
90 days - 0 days100% cancellation fee

*The administration fee is assessed on a per person basis, double occupancy per suite/guest room and can be used toward a future sailing within twenty-four (24) months of the cancellation date.

The above cancellation and administration fees are subject to change without notice. In the event of any conflict between the Cancellation and Administration Fees described herein and those described on Crystal's Website, the Website Cancellation and Administration Fees shall prevail.

Last updated: March 16, 2026. Click this link to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.
Smoking on board
Guests shall observe the nonsmoking areas on board the Ship. Indoor smoking is permitted only in the Connoisseur Club smoking lounge. Smoking is prohibited in all other indoor areas of the ship including all other public rooms, lounges, corridors and restaurants, as well as all staterooms, suites and verandahs. If smoke is detected in a stateroom or suite, Guest acknowledges and agrees that a cleaning fee of $250 per occurrence will be billed to Guest's account. Outdoor smoking is allowed in designated spaces posted on the Ships. If there is any ongoing violation of the non-smoking policy, Carrier reserves the right and Guest acknowledges that he or she may incur additional fines up to and including disembarkation without refund.
Traveling with minors
No infants under six (6) months shall be booked on a cruise or cruise tour, nor brought on board the Ship by any Guest under any circumstances, and Carrier reserves the right to restrict the number of those Guests under three (3) years of age aboard the Ship. Any Guest under the age of 18 shall be considered a minor and must travel with a parent or legal guardian or such other person as may be permitted by Carrier’s policies. Unwed, unrelated couples must be eighteen (18) or over to be booked in the same guest room or suite. In addition, if the adult accompanying this child is not a parent, a “Parental Consent Guardianship Form” must be signed by a parent or legal guardian and received by Carrier at least thirty (30) days prior to sailing. Guests under the age of eighteen (18) must be in a guest room either with a parent or a guardian over twenty-one (21) years of age. No one under the age of eighteen (18) is permitted to participate in any monetary-based games of chance (including Bingo) on board. When accompanying a minor or minors on the Ship, the adult Guest agrees, for all purposes, to accept and maintain full responsibility for supervising and ensuring the safety and health of such minor(s) and to bear full responsibility for the actions of such minor(s). Guest further ensures such minor(s) shall abide by the provisions of this Contract, all shipboard rules and regulations including Carrier’s COVID-19 Policy, and all applicable laws. The adult Guest further agrees that Carrier is not liable for injury to minor(s) in the adult Guest’s supervision arising from the willful or negligent acts or omissions of other Guests or persons who are otherwise not acting on behalf of Carrier. The adult Guest also agrees that under no circumstances will a minor be left aboard the Ship while the adult Guest responsible for the minor leaves the Ship for any reason, and in such circumstance the adult Guest agrees to indemnify and hold Carrier harmless for any and all loss, injury, or death of the minor or any other person involving the minor whatsoever. Adult Guest must accompany all minors on any independently operated shore excursion purchased through Carrier. Proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required. Carrier shall not be liable to make any refunds or for any damages concerning any Guest’s failure to provide proper proof of age or marriage or otherwise comply with this provision.
Pregnancy policy
Pregnant women who will enter the 24th week or more of estimated fetal gestational age at any time during the Cruise or Cruise Tour will be ineligible to sail and agree not to book the Cruise or board the Ship under any circumstances. Carrier reserves the right to request a letter from Guest’s physician attesting to Guest’s fitness to travel, but requesting such letter does not waive Carrier’s right to disembark or refuse to embark Guest as set forth herein.

Policies are provided by Crystal and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.

Crystal Questions, Answered

What is Crystal Cruises?

Crystal Cruises is an ultra-luxury cruise line with one of the most storied histories in the industry. The original Crystal Cruises — founded in 1990 — won more “World’s Best” awards from Condé Nast Traveler than any other cruise line in history over its three decades of operation. After the financial collapse of parent company Genting Hong Kong forced the line to cease operations in early 2022, the brand was acquired by A&K Travel Group (the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent) and relaunched in 2023. Crystal Symphony was the first ship to return to service, followed by Crystal Serenity. The relaunched Crystal operates as an intimate luxury ocean line, positioning both ships for a discerning clientele who valued the original Crystal experience.

What happened to Crystal Cruises and what is the relaunched line like?

The original Crystal Cruises — long regarded as one of the finest cruise lines ever operated — ceased operations in January 2022 following the financial collapse of parent company Genting Hong Kong. The Crystal brand and intellectual property were subsequently acquired through bankruptcy proceedings by A&K Travel Group. A&K — owner of the legendary Abercrombie & Kent luxury travel brand — relaunched Crystal in 2023 with Crystal Symphony returning to service first, followed by Crystal Serenity. The rebuilt team and genuine commitment to restoring the brand’s legendary standing have been well-received, with many former Crystal loyalists returning and finding the experience close to what they loved.

The relaunched Crystal is a separate legal entity from the original company. Credits, future cruise deposits, and loyalty status from pre-2022 bookings do not automatically transfer. Confirm current terms with your Pavlus advisor.
How does the relaunched Crystal compare to Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent?

Crystal occupies the same ultra-luxury tier as Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent, with meaningful distinctions. The relaunched Crystal operates intimate luxury ocean ships — Crystal Symphony carries approximately 606 guests and Crystal Serenity approximately 740 — positioning them in the same tier as other intimate luxury ocean vessels. Crystal’s traditional strengths — exceptional enrichment programming, outstanding dining, and a genuinely convivial onboard culture — have been preserved under A&K’s stewardship. Compared to Regent, Crystal does not include unlimited shore excursions as standard. Compared to Seabourn, Crystal lacks an equivalent to Solis, Seabourn’s own specialty restaurant, but counters with the only Nobu Matsuhisa restaurant at sea — a genuine point of distinction none of its ultra-luxury peers can match.

Is the relaunched Crystal Cruises worth booking?

The feedback from the relaunched Crystal has been strongly positive, particularly from guests who knew the original product. A&K’s operational expertise — they have run ultra-luxury land experiences for decades — translates well to the ship environment. The culinary program, service training, and enrichment quality that made Crystal legendary have been preserved. For travelers who valued the original Crystal, the relaunch represents a genuine restoration worth returning to. For new travelers, Crystal offers a compelling ultra-luxury option with intimate ship character — sophisticated enrichment programming, exceptional dining, and a warm social atmosphere that are hallmarks of the brand.

Is Crystal Cruises good for solo travelers?

Crystal has historically been one of the most solo-friendly luxury lines, with a loyal and vocal solo traveler following. The line offers solo stateroom options and periodic reduced single-supplement promotions. Crystal’s famous social culture — a particularly warm and friendly guest atmosphere that has been a brand hallmark since the original line — makes solo travel feel natural rather than isolated. The enrichment programming (lectures, classes, performances) provides shared experiences that facilitate genuine conversation. Many solo Crystal regulars cite the social community as the primary reason they return.

See all Crystal FAQs →