crystal cruises wine list

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Crystal Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

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Basic Information

Crystal cruises ocean ships, crystal cruises river ships, crystal cruises yacht, crystal cruises expedition ship, departure ports, private ships/islands, complimentary dining, specialty restaurants, bars and beverages, crystal ocean cruises, crystal river cruises, crystal yacht cruises, crystal expedition cruises, crystal society, final thoughts.

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Crystal Cruises has been offering luxury cruise vacations since 1990. This all-inclusive cruise line doesn’t have a large fleet, but what they do have focuses on total luxury and intimate, small ship sailings.

With Crystal Cruises you won’t find mega-ships like Royal Caribbean or discount party ships like Carnival . What you will find are luxury ocean and river ships along with a yacht and an expedition ship.

Let’s explore what makes Crystal Cruises a unique experience.

Name: Crystal Ltd.

Parent Company: Genting Hong Kong

Number of Ships: 8

Destinations: 800+

Loyalty Program: Crystal Society

Credit Card: None

Crystal Cruises operates 2 ocean ships, 4 river ships, 1 yacht, and 1 expedition ship.

• Crystal Serenity
• Crystal Symphony
• Crystal Bach
• Crystal Debussy
• Crystal Mahler
• Crystal Ravel
• Crystal Esprit
• Crystal Endeavor

Crystal Cruises sails to over 800 destinations on all 7 continents from 84 departure ports.

Crystal Cruises does not have a private island or port.

Onboard Activities

Here are some of the activities you may experience on a Crystal Cruises ship (not all activities are available on every ship).

• 360 Degree promenade deck
• Afternoon tea
• Computer University@Sea
• Crystal Life Sauna
• Crystal Life Spa & Salon
• Fitness center
• Golf driving nets
• Junior activities program (seasonal)
• Paddle tennis courts
• Personal training
• Photography workshops
• Resorts World at Sea Casino

You’ll be able to find the dress code for your ocean or expedition voyage, either Crystal Casual or black tie optional, for each day at sea in your Personal Cruise Calendar.

Crystal River Ships Dress Code

• Comfortable and casual attire is appropriate during the day, however, swimsuits, cover-ups, and baseball hats are not permitted in the dining rooms.
• Crystal Casual attire is appropriate for evenings on board. This is a slightly dressed up version of daytime wear.

Crystal Esprit (Yacht) Dress Code

• Tasteful swimwear, sandals, shorts, casual short sleeves, and cover-ups are appropriate during the day.
• Stylish resort wear should be worn for nights on board. This includes capri pants, blouses, sundresses, and sandals for women. Men should wear khakis, Bermuda shorts, short-sleeve button-down shirts, or golf shirts.

Hot Tip: Be prepared for your cruise’s action-packed days and fun-filled nights — check out our printable cruise packing list!

Dining and Beverages

Dining is a little different on Crystal Cruises because everything is included . There are 3 specialty restaurants across the fleet and each guest is entitled to dine at each of these once or twice per cruise (depending on cruise length) at no extra cost. All beverages in the restaurants, including alcohol, are included as well.

Look out for these restaurants on your next cruise; not all locations are available on every ship.

• 24-hour room service
• Bistro Bach
• Bistro Debussy
• Bistro Endeavor
• Bistro Mahler
• Bistro Ravel
• Churrascaria
• Marketplace
• Scoops Ice Cream Bar
• Silk Kitchen & Bar
• Sunset Grill
• The Vintage Room*
• Trident Grill
• Umi Uma & Sushi Bar*

*Denotes a specialty restaurant that requires reservations.

All locations with the exception of specialty restaurants Umi Uma, Prego, and The Vintage Room have open seating. That means you can dine anytime (usually between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. for dinner) you wish without reservations.

Umi Uma & Sushi Bar, Prego, and The Vintage Room are considered specialty restaurants and require reservations. You can dine at each of the specialty restaurants once per cruise for free. Each additional reservation you make at a specialty restaurant will incur a $30 per person fee.

For any cruise that is 14 days or longer, each guest is allowed 2 complimentary visits to each specialty restaurant before the $30 fee is charged. The Vintage Room wine pairing dining experience is also subject to additional charges.

All beverages are included on your Crystal cruise. Wine, Champagne, premium spirits, and specialty coffees? Yes, they’re all included!

Look out for these bars and lounges on your next cruise; not all locations are available on every ship.

• Avenue Saloon
• Connoisseur Club
• Crystal Cove
• Galaxy Lounge
• Starlite Club

Bottom Line: Crystal Cruises goes the all-inclusive route. Beverages (including wines, Champagne, and specialty coffees), specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, and gratuities are all included.

Accommodations

No matter which room type you choose or what type of ship you’re sailing on, you’ll find luxury accommodations across the Crystal Cruises fleet.

Every stateroom on a Crystal ocean cruise comes with standard amenities including:

• Sitting area
• Double-vanity bathroom
• Full bathtub/shower
• Bathrobes, kimonos, and slippers for onboard use
• Luxury bath products
• Twice-daily housekeeping
• Evening turndown service

Here are some of the highlights:

The Seabreeze Penthouse with Verandah features butler service, a walk-in closet, private verandah, in-suite tea or cocktails, plus canapés and dining from specialty restaurants Umi Uma and Prego.

For the ultimate in luxury, choose the Crystal Penthouse with Verandah. This amazing room features over 1,300 square feet of living space. You’ll find a separate living and dining area featuring a custom entertainment center. The master bathroom includes a Jacuzzi tub, flat-screen TV, heated floor, and bidet. There’s also a guest bathroom with a shower.

Sailing on a river cruise is so different than a more traditional ocean cruise. Crystal river cruises are a great way to travel if you’re looking for luxury because every room on each river ship is a suite!

The “basic” room on a Crystal river cruise is anything but basic. The Petite Suite with Panoramic Balcony-Window features a king-size bed with Egyptian cotton linens, glass shower with 2 shower heads, single vanity with halo-lit mirror, and a huge panoramic window so you won’t miss the spectacular views.

The Two-Bedroom Crystal Suite with Panoramic Balcony-Window sleeps up to 5 guests and comes with butler service. This elegant room features 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a fireplace with ambient lighting, a separate dining area, and an extra powder room.

Cruising on a yacht is a special treat. Crystal Cruise’s yacht, Crystal Esprit, accommodates only 62 guests, so you’ll enjoy personalized service along with deluxe accommodations.

The Yacht Suite features a king-size bed, bed-side iPads, and large picture window. The bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower, double sink, and a natural stone floor. Personalized butler service and twice-daily housekeeping will round out your luxurious experience.

The 500+ square foot Owner’s Suite features a living area with sofa and chairs, flat-screen TV, and dining table. The bathroom includes a glass-enclosed rain shower and double vanity with a backlit mirror and integrated TV.

On the Crystal Endeavor Expedition ship, all rooms are suites and every suite has a private verandah.

The Penthouse Suite with Verandah features a king-size bed, living area, and a heated storage closet for expedition gear. The bathroom features a glass-enclosed shower with dual shower heads, double vanity, and a separate water closet.

For even more space and luxury, check out the Expedition Suite with Verandah. This expansive suite features 2 bedrooms in over 1,200 square feet of space. Each bedroom features a king-size bed, bedside iPads, and interactive TVs. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom with dual sinks, heated floors, Jacuzzis, and separate water closets.

The Crystal Society is Crystal Cruise’s loyalty program. It’s free to join , and you’ll be automatically enrolled after you complete your first full-revenue cruise. As a member, you’ll receive special offers, upgrades, onboard credits, special events, and savings on future cruises.

Every member receives benefits including:

• 2.5% savings on all voyages
• 2.5% onboard booking savings when you book your next cruise on board
• Exclusive onboard cocktail party

Plus, you’ll earn cruise credits each time you sail. Each time you hit a new milestone, you’ll be eligible for even more benefits like unlimited free reservations at specialty restaurants, credits towards future sailings, and recognition pins.

Hot Tip: Not sure which credit card to use to get the most bang for your cruise buck? Check out our guide to the best credit cards to book cruises for some guidance.

Crystal Cruises is a luxury cruise line offering ocean, river, yacht, and expedition cruises. Each of its 8 ships is designed for the luxury traveler and includes elegant accommodations and exquisite cuisine.

On Crystal Cruises, everything is included. You won’t pay extra for specialty restaurants, beverages, gratuities, or Wi-Fi.

If you’re looking for mega-ships with endless activities, check out other lines like Disney Cruises , Norwegian , or Princess. However, if you prefer smaller ships or the intimacy of a river or yacht cruise, Crystal Cruises has a lot to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a crystal cruise all-inclusive.

Yes, Crystal Cruises is an all-inclusive line. You won’t have to pay extra for beverages like wine, Champagne, spirits, or specialty coffees. The specialty restaurants are included as is Wi-Fi, room service, and gratuities.

Do Crystal Cruises include excursions in the price?

If you’re sailing on Crystal Cruises’ yacht, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Cruises’ Expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, or a Crystal Cruises river ship, some shore excursions are included. However, if you’re sailing on a Crystal Cruises ocean ship, shore excursions will come with an additional charge.

Are children allowed on Crystal Cruise ships?

Yes, children aged 6 months and older are welcome on any Crystal Cruises ship with a few exceptions. When traveling on the Crystal Esprit, children younger than 7 are not allowed on the Zodiacs. Some ports require Zodiac transportation to disembark the yacht, so young children would have to stay on board with an adult in those situations. Children under 6 years old are not allowed on Crystal Endeavor expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctic.

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Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Crystal Cruises segues into “All Inclusive” luxury

Good news for all-inclusive luxury cruise fans; after a year of planning, Crystal Cruises has now officially begun its transition to an all-quality “All Inclusive.”

Launched with the start of Crystal Symphony’s Miami to Lisbon Trans-Atlantic, guests can now enjoy a generous and impressive selection of complimentary fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship, as well as open bar service in all lounges, and pre-paid gratuities for all housekeeping, butler, bar and dining staff. Crystal Serenity follows suit with her spring Trans-Atlantic sailing on May 8.

To satisfy the most discerning of palettes, Crystal’s gratis “well” liquors offer superior brands, such as  Grey Goose, Maker’s Mark, Macallan Select, Hennessy V.S.O.P.,  and  Herradura Silver .

Wines and champagnes include higher-end vintages from both boutique makers and big-name wineries, including  Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay, St. Michael-Eppan Sauvignon Blanc Lahn, Edge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008, Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Bolgheri Varvara, Chateau Macquin St. Emilion,  and  Jacquart Brut Mosaique, Reims, France.

Dinner restaurants offer recommended pairings nightly, and sommeliers certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers remain on hand to assist with wine selections. There is no corkage fee on board if one wishes to enjoy wine purchased ashore.

An optional Connoisseur menu features award-winning, renowned and/or rare vintages, select single malt whiskeys and other aged spirits at reasonable in-store prices, as opposed to traditional upscale restaurant and hotel rates. Vintage Room experiences further tap into Crystal’s extensive wine cellar. Silver and Gold Connoisseur Packages of four and six fine wines, respectively, are also available for on-board gifts.

Source and photo: Crystal Cruises

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Crystal serenity.

Carrie Finley-Bajak

Orange county, ca, cruiseclout score: 20.0, crystal serenity: modern, stylish luxury cruising.

Think of Crystal Serenity as a floating Four Seasons Resort. Discerning travelers longing for comfort, enrichment, high-touch service and contemporary surroundings will find all of that and more on this gorgeous high-end ship, the largest ultra-luxury vessel at sea.

• A festive pre-Christmas cruise on Crystal Serenity

When it sailed for Crystal Cruises, the ship already had one of the highest space-to-passenger ratios at sea with a capacity of 1,070 passengers. Now under the new ownership of Abercrombie & Kent, which bought the company during bankruptcy proceedings and rebranded it as simply Crystal , the high-end ship has reduced the max number of guests to 740. And check it out: That gives Crystal Serenity the highest passenger space ratio at sea – a crazy-high 1-to-93.1, meaning each guest has about 93 square feet. That means you can roam its 13 decks without ever feeling crowded.

While the money people figured out the finances, the ship underwent refurbishment in Trieste, Italy, in July 2022 and re-entered service a year later, sporting several upgrades. Select guest rooms and suites were revamped and the ship was given a fresh design incorporating a palette of neutral shades. Other touches include a full-sized paddle tennis and pickleball court and a revamped fitness center.

Serenity's expansive itineraries are among the most drool-worthy at sea: Choose from cruises to the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia and South Pacific. Voyages last anywhere from seven days to a few months.

Who will like sailing on Crystal Serenity

Love style, comfort, gracious service and space to wander? Passengers seeking an all-inclusive luxury cruise experience need look no further than Crystal Serenity. This ship experience is a great choice for well-traveled individuals who value quality. No expense has been spared when it comes to the luxury touches discerning travelers are looking for. From the galley, the best ingredients that can be sourced are used in the restaurants; the wine list is appealing to aficionados; top shelf liquors are used for house pours; the staterooms are appointed with 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows, plush duvets, Aveda bath products and English mohair lap blankets; and throughout the ship, you will see contemporary interiors that rival the best hotels on land.

Where Crystal Serenity sails

Destinations: Crystal Serenity sails to ports of call around the world. You can book a vacation anywhere from five to 115 days. The ship offers a delectable selection of itineraries to such destinations as Tahiti, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Japan, Canada and many countries in between, such as a 31-night Grand Journey from Arabia to the Mediterranean. Most passengers will choose a cruise of shorter duration to focus on one region of the world.

Ratings & awards

About Ratings & awards

Dining on Crystal Serenity

Crystal Cruises has perfected the art of innovative, delicious dining at sea. Passengers can choose to dine in the Crystal Dining Room, at an alternative restaurant or in their stateroom or suite.

Crystal Dining Room

The menu offers an extensive selection of regionally inspired cuisine prepared in the classical French tradition. The array of tantalizing options includes “lighter fare” low-sodium, low-cholesterol and low-carb selections, plus vegetarian offerings.

New: The Crystal Dining Room offers open seating for breakfast and lunch; with their Perfect Choice Dining options for dinner. Passengers can select from Classic Main (beginning at 6:15 pm), or Classic Late (beginning at 8:30 pm). In addition, guests may choose their  Dining by Reservation option (available between 6:15 pm and 9:15 pm). Keep in mind that the actual times can vary by itinerary, so once onboard double check.

Open only for dinner, Prego offers Italian pasta, meat and fish entrees served a la carte or through a tasting menu. Its signature dishes include Scaloppine Di Vitello Servite Con Capelli D’angelo and Linguine Con Aragosta E Zucchini. The mushroom soup is a crowd favorite.

Silk Road & The Sushi Bar

Passengers who love sushi and creative twists on Asian cuisine will flock to the stylish Silk Road and its fabulous, diminutive sushi bar, located at the restaurant's entrance. The kitchen, set up by world-renowned master chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, features Nobu-trained chefs preparing classically styled Japanese foods with distinct Peruvian and European influences. Highlights include salmon tartar, Tiradito Nobu-style and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Lobster with Truffle-Yuzu Sauce, Grilled Wagyu Beef Rib-Eye with Wasabi Pepper Sauce, and the signature dessert, which is a Bento Box filled with Chocolate Soufflé Cake with Shiso Syrup and Sesame Ice Cream. 

The Vintage Room

Foodies who want an intimate experience will like the Vintage Room with its wine- and champagne-themed dinners in a wine cellar setting. Expect to wine and dine while tasting and discussing some of the best wines on the ship. Ask the head sommelier to make reservations. 

Other choices

Other choices include Tastes , a casual eatery near the Neptune Pool that's a good casual dinner option with a new global-inspired evening menu (it's closed on formal evenings though); The Bistro , an evening café for small bites, tapas, desserts and snacks, and the poolside Trident Grill and Lido Cafe .

Book ahead for an alternative restaurant

All guests can enjoy one complimentary meal at Prego and Silk Road and The Sushi Bar at least once during their cruise. Because these venues are so popular, make sure to inquire in advance with your Cruiseable travel professional or outside travel agent or make it a priority to secure a reservation as soon as you board the ship.

All-inclusive pricing — goodbye, surcharges!

Now that Crystal Cruises has adopted an all-inclusive cruise fare, that means guests no longer pay extra for wine, cocktails, soda, bottled water or specialty coffees. It also means gratuities are included in the cruise fare, which should help you plan your budget. Note that you'll still pay extra if you choose to dine more than once at one of the specialty restaurants.

Renewed, refreshed: Little touches that matter

The Serenity's makeover included a full remodel of its Crystal Penthouses, the coveted top accommodations on board. And you have to love the little touches throughout, from the Wedgwood bone china teacups to the Riedel leaded crystal wine glasses to the Frette linens adorning the dining tables.

Entertainment

Crystal offers a wide range of entertainment options from large-scale productions featuring shows from Broadway and Britain's West End, as well as performances from singers, dancers and musicians playing classical and contemporary music. In addition, there are celebrity speakers and headline magicians from Crystal's Magic Castle at Sea.

Some 85 percent of all staterooms come with balconies, compared to 65 percent of the rooms on sister ship Crystal Symphony. All rooms come with seating areas, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar,  bathroom with bathtub and double sink and wi-fi access — for a fee (drat!). Guests staying in a penthouse room have access to extras like Jacuzzis, nightly hors' d'oeuvres and personal butler service.

Crystal Serenity's entry-level cabin is called a deluxe stateroom with large picture window, measuring 226 square feet. The deluxe stateroom with veranda is 269 square feet and its penthouses range from 403 to 1,345 square feet. Penthouse guests get private Jacuzzis, nightly hors d'oeuvre and personal butler service.

Passenger makeup

Crystal Serenity attracts a friendly, sophisticated, uppercrust crowd with a majority age 50 and older. Depending on the itinerary, the passenger mix is often 85 percent North American (many from California) and 15 percent other nationalities. The crew and staff speaks English.

Other highlights

• Computer University@Sea
• Digital Filmmaking with iMovie
• Creative Learning Institute
• Wellness lectures
• Wine tastings
• Art classes
• Crystal Visions seminars
• ACBL Bridge lessons and supervised games
• Extreme Thrill Seekers program 

With so much to do, there is no reason for anyone to be bored on Crystal Serenity.

Final word 

Crystal Cruises has done a lot of evolving to emerge on the cruise scene with a fresh new taste and feel. Most notable is the move towards a more casual shipboard environment. Put it this way, although you can still wear your long formal gowns, it is no longer required. And with the Dining by Reservation program in place, you have the flexibility to choose with whom you wish to dine as well as your dinner time (within the applicable dining hours).

Carrie Finley-Bajak sailed on Crystal Serenity on a press/blogger trip before its purchase by A&K as a guest of Crystal Cruises. See Cruiseable's Ethics & Disclosure policy . 

Have you cruised on Crystal Serenity? What was the highlight? I'd love to hear about your experience.

Help improve this article. See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Crystal Serenity, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773 .

SEE ALL CRYSTAL SERENITY SAILINGS

Carrie Finley-Bajak I'm a cruise journalist, blogger, CLIA Accredited Cruise Counselor and a columnist for Travel Weekly. Follow me on Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest and Instagram.

Top highlights on this ship

• What: Wrap-around teak deck
• Where: Deck 7

• What: Newly refurbished staterooms
• Where: Throughout the ship

• What: Inventive, regionally inspired cuisine
• Where: Onboard dining
• $52 million of "extreme makeover" improvements
• Chic and contemporary public areas
• Lido Cafe has new "California Riviera" vibe
• 70 PURE hypoallergenic deluxe veranda staterooms
• Look for extra space, quality, service and choices that goes above and beyond
• One of the highest space per guest ratios at sea
• Up to seven evening dining options
• Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa & Salon
• Gracious European-trained waiters anticipate your every desire
• 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, down pillows, plush duvets and featherbeds (upon request)
• Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, bottled water

Top dining options on board

• Style: Regionally inspired cuisine
• No additional cost
• Open: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

• Style: Italian
• Open: Dinner

• Style: Japanese with Peruvian, European influences

Editor & community ratings

“Few cruise ship restaurants affiliated with celebrated chefs come close to Silk Road and The Sushi Bar. Most superstar chefs with restaurants worldwide can’t micro-manage each venue’s quality. But Japanese-born Nobu, who shot to fame with his Asian cuisine with Peruvian and European influences, makes it work.”

Porthole magazine

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Related reviews & articles, 10 of my favorite things about a crystal cruise.

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Crystal Cruises

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Crystal Cruises fleet

Crystal serenity, crystal symphony, review of crystal cruises.

Crystal Cruises (1988-founded/1990-launched/2023-relaunched) is a top-luxury travel brand and a premium passenger shipping company. It currently operates only ocean voyages with two smaller-sized vessels (full-scale refurbished in 2023) with all-inclusive travel package deals. Both Crystal ships (Serenity and Symphony) are top-ranked in numerous categories and provide 5-star hotel amenities and superior services, as well as an intimate cruising experience marked by elegance and perfection in every detail.

New Crystal Cruises (2022-reestablished company)

After being acquired by Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group in 2022, the company was officially relaunched in February 2023 as just "Crystal", opening bookings for past guests on February 13th, and for the general public on February 22nd. The relaunched cruise company started with the maiden voyages of its (for now only) two ships - Crystal Serenity (debut on July 31st) and Crystal Symphony (debut on September 1st).

Until 2022, the company's chief officers were Tom Wolber (President and CEO) and Karl Muhlberger (COO / Chief Operating Officer). On July 24, 2020, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary. In June 2022, the company was quired by Abercrombie & Kent Ltd.

In July 2022, to manage the new company were appointed Jack Anderson (President) and Bernie Leipold (Senior VP of Hotel Operations). In November, the A&K Travel Group's management team joined Andrew Burrett (Group CFO/Chief Financial Officer), Fernando Delgado Vintimilla (CPO/Chief Product Officer), Camille Drevillon (Chief of Staff), Martin Froggatt (Chief Destination Officer), Kerry Golds (Chief Tour Operating Officer), Fabio Agostini (CIO/Chief Information Officer), Kim Robins Berman (Chief Legal & People Officer). In December were appointed Jacqueline Barney (Senior VP of Global Marketing), Spyros Almpertis (Director of Port Operations), Roberto Fazi (Senior VP of Marine Operations) and Julio Solvas  (Finance Director).

In August 2022 were hired Matias Lira (as Senior VP) and Brandon Townsley (as VP of Sales and Trade Partnerships).

In September 2022 were hired Monique Ross (as Director of Strategic & National Accounts/previously employed by Crystal and Seabourn ), Paul Girouard (as East North America's Regional Sales Director for USA and Canada/previously employed by Crystal and Mystic Cruises' Atlas Ocean Voyages ), Melissa Nightingale (as West North America's Regional Sales Director for USA and Canada/previously employed by Crystal) and Jeff Herzfeld) and Jeff Herzfeld (as Director of Reservations, Sales Support & Guest Relations/previously employed by MSC and Virgin Voyages ).

In November 2022, A&K Travel Group appointed Jack Anderson as Crystal Cruises' President.

In December 2022 were rehired four veteran Captains - Birger Vorland (with the company since 2003), Nenad Willheim (with Crystal since 2006), Tonci Hladilo (with Crystal since 2006) and Vincent Taillard (former Silversea employee).

In February 2023 were rehired four veteran Hotel Directors - Hubert Buelacher and Scott Peterson (Crystal Serenity) and Herbert Jaeger and Josef Matt (Crystal Symphony). In March 2023 was contracted GMT-Global Marine Travel (2001-founded/London UK-based, part of the V.Group Marine Services Division) to provide access to specially negotiated net-fare airline contracts (including for crew members) allowing Crystal Cruises to create more affordable "flight+cruise" packages as well as additional itinerary planning services/flight charter options.

In April 2023 were rehired two veteran Cruise Directors - Rick Spath (for Crystal Serenity/with the company since 2004) and Russ Grieve (for Crystal Symphony/with the company since 2018).

In June 2023 was announced that Crystal has retained ~80% of the staff/crew who served the brand under the previous ownership.

Currently, both travel companies "Crystal Cruises Inc" and "Abercrombie & Kent Ltd" (now sister-brands) are managed by Cristina Levis (A&K Travel Group's CEO).

Abercrombie & Kent company's management team includes Geoffrey JW Kent (President, CEO, Co-Chairman), Ronald Veno (Vice President), Brett Fichte (CFO-Chief Financial Officer), Stephanie Witmer (VP of Finance), Ann Epting (Senior VP Product Development), Robin Warne (Senior VP Finance), David Vass (Senior VP Global Cruise Business and Operations), Gillian larkin (Senior VP Consortia Relations), Stefanie Schmudde (VP Product Development and Operations), Marett Taylor (VP Sales), Jennifer Leska (VP Tour Sales), Courtney Reagan (VP Marketing), Keith Sproule and Norma Cooke (Executive Directors of A&K Philanthropy), Stephanie Papaioannou (VP Private Travel and Guest Relations), Scot Anderson (VP IT), Linda Wischmeyer (VP Private Jet Division).

Geoffrey Kent is A&K's Founder, as well as Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group and Crystal Cruises Inc.

A&K cruises are offered on time-chartered boats (from the fleet of Ponant ) with passenger capacity 150-200 per ship. The voyages visit polar destinations (Arctic and Antarctica), as well as Pacific Ocean islands (Japan, Australia), Europe (Greek Isles, Mediterranean, Baltic), Africa. A&K's Ponant-chartered voyages are inclusive of A&K Expedition Team (18 experts on every sailing), all English-speaking staff, butler service, luggage packing/unpacking and laundry service, WiFi Internet.

Note: This CruiseMapper page also contains information on the brand's three former (until 2022) subsidiary companies - Crystal OCEAN ,  Crystal RIVER  and  Crystal YACHT , their fleets (liners, riverboats, superyachts), cruisetour itineraries, destinations, homeports, as well as live cruise tracker. We have listed Crystal ships' schedules (itinerary calendars with prices) and current position tracking maps based on satellite AIS data.

Company History

Crystal Cruises LLC (CrystalCruises.com) was founded in 1988 (headquartered in Los Angeles' Century City neighborhood) as a subsidiary of NYK Line Japan (abbrev "Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha") - one of the world's largest container shipping companies .

In March 2015, NYK Line sold Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong Ltd/GHK (Malaysian corporation/1993-2022) for USD 550 million. Until 2022, GHK also owned the subsidiaries/Asian travel brands "Star Cruises" and "Dream Cruises" and was a shareholder in NCLH/Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings .

Note: At the following link are listed all CruiseMapper's news related to Crystal's previous owner/parent company GHK/Genting Hong Kong .

Following GHK's acquisition and up until 2022, the company (renamed Crystal Ltd) grouped the brands "Crystal Cruises" (2x ocean-going ships), "Crystal River Cruises" (5x Europe-based newbuild riverboats ), "Crystal Yacht Cruises" (2x mega-yachts), "Crystal Luxury Air" (an aircraft) and "Crystal AirCruises" (flight operator/airline).

For its premium service and overall superb product, the brand consistently received "World's Best" readers awards from prominent and influential magazines like "Travel+Leisure" and "Conde Nast Traveler". Crystal's ships were at top positions in the Conde Nast's votes for "Top 10 cruise ships" ("mid-sized ships" pole) and in "Top 10 luxury cruise ships in the world" (votes for all-inclusive vessels).

The company's sustainable travel policy (part of the Crystal Cares program) was implemented on June 8, 2019. By this fleetwide initiative, all plastic straws were completely eliminated and replaced with paper straws. Crystal Cares comprises various fleetwide environmental efforts and sustainable practices. In 2019 was signed the partnership deal with the global conservation organization ORCA (Organization for Respect and Care for Animals). By this partnership and as part of the OceanWatch Master Fisherman program, on select Alaskan cruises, Crystal ships are boarded by "Cruise Conservationists" for training, research and marine data collection.

In 2020 was the company's 30th anniversary, which had planned a special program with themed voyages, unique events, commemorative gifts, 30th Anniversary savings on bookings fleetwide. Crystal Society members (loyalty program) benefited from double regular savings (totaling 5%), while first-time customers enjoyed 2% savings on select voyages. These savings were in addition to 2-for-1 prices and "Book Now Savings" that reward early booking with up to US$5000 per stateroom. All these special offers (30th Anniversary Collection) were offered on bookings made by June 30, 2019. The Crystal brand was officially launched on July 24, 1990, when Crystal Harmony (now Asuka 2) departed San Francisco CA on a 12-day inaugural cruise to Alaska.

In September 2021, Crystal Esprit was sold to Lindblad Expeditions .

In June 2022, Crystal Endeavor was sold to Silversea .

In November 2022, Crystal Mozart was sold to Seaside Hotels (Riverside Collection).

Company changes in 2022 (bankruptcy and reacquisition by A&K/new ownership)

On January 19, 2022, Crystal's parent company GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd (Malaysia) filed for bankruptcy. On Jan 10th, for insolvency filed two GHK-owned shipbuilding companies in Germany - MV Werften and Lloyd Werft. GHK also owned Genting Cruise Lines grouping two Asian subsidiaries (Dream Cruises, and Star Cruises).

On February 11, 2022, each of the subsidiaries "Crystal Cruises LLC" (California), "Crystal Holdings USA LLC" (Delaware) and "Crystal AirCruises LLC" (Florida) filed an "Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors" (insolvency proceeding by Chapter 727 of the Florida Statutes). The filings were addressed to Mark C. Healy in the Florida 11th Circuit Court (Miami-Dade County, Complex Business Litigation Division). The cases were assigned to Judge Alan S. Fine and Judge Michael A. Hanzman.

• The assignee (Michael Moecker & Associates Inc/Florida-based insolvency firm) developed a liquidation plan to maximize the company assets' value and minimize expenses and administrative costs, as well as to establish a procedure to allow customers and creditors to file claims.
• In March, attorney Healy's list of potential creditors showed 30,000+ names, including booked customers, travel agents, vendors, suppliers.

As a result of the January-February shutdown process, Crystal's Miami office (at Suite 501/"1501 Biscayne Boulevard") permanently laid off a total of 238 shoreside employees.

In June 2022 were auction-sold Crystal Serenity , Crystal Symphony and Crystal Endeavor .

• On June 15th, Bahamian sources announced that both vessels are sold in the auction - Symphony to CSY Ltd for USD 25 million (EUR 24M / GBP 20,5M) and Serenity to CSE Ltd for USD 103 million (EUR 99M / GBP 84,6M).
• Reportedly, both shipowning companies (CSY and CSE) were owned by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio de Clunieres di Balsorano (1953-born multibillionaire, co-owner of Silversea, Chairman of Heritage Group, Co-Chairman of A&K/Abercrombie and Kent, and the Executive Chairman of Crystal Cruises).
• The financiers were presented by the Bahamian law firm Alexiou Knowles & Co.

On June 22nd was announced that both vessels are now owned by A&K Travel Group Ltd - a joint venture of Abercrombie & Kent Ltd (owned by Geoffrey Kent) and Heritage Group Monaco (Lefebvre family-owned private equity specializing in luxury travel, VIP tourism, medical technologies).

Company changes in 2024

In January, Crystal signed a partnership with Ensemble Travel Group (1968-founded consortium, member-owned and run organization of ~850 independent travel agencies in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). Under this deal, Crystal provides an onboard amenity program, Ensemble Travel-hosted voyages, and access to discounted cruises for travel agents.

In February, Crystal signed a partnership with Beefbar (Monte Carlo-based restaurant brand with 20+ locations globally) to enhance the shipboard culinary program. Beefbar menu (available during lunches and dinners) features vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as specialty cocktails.

In April was launched the Crystal Referral Program encouraging past guests (loyalty program members) to refer their family, friends, and colleagues to travel with Crystal Cruises. For every first-time Crystal cruiser a past traveler refers, the new customer receives 5% cruise fare discount, while the past guest receives the 5% value in OBC/onboard credit applicable towards a future cruise. The number of guests one can refer is unlimited.

Company changes in 2023 (relaunch)

Following extensive drydock refurbishments , in 2023 both ships (Serenity and Symphony) restarted operations for the Cristal Cruises brand, which was fully acquired by A&K (brand name, customer list, websites, social media accounts, other assets) from the Bahamas-based "Crystal Cruises Ltd" for USD 13 million.

For the ship management, A&K contracted the Monaco-based company "V.Ships Leisure Ltd" (part of V.Group Holdings Ltd).

In June 2023 Crystal announced the Aurora Spa - the new onboard wellness concept through the company's collaboration with TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden) and partnerships with the premium cosmetic brands ELEMIS and KERASTASE. On both ships, the Spa facilities were completely redesigned, modernized and expanded with new treatments and services. Crystal also renewed its 2019-signed partnership with OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd (2018-founded, Bahamas-based company) for staffing and managing the fleet's shipboard wellness (spa and fitness) facilities and services.

In July 2023, as Head Nutritionist was appointed Dalila Roglieri. She works with the fleet's culinary teams to develop balanced menus catering to different types of diets and meal requirements.

In a presentation onboard Crystal Serenity in late July (during the preview cruise/for VIP guests only from Trieste), Cristina Levis announced that A&K has plans to sign an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with two shipbuilders (Fincantieri-Trieste, and Meyer Werft-Papenburg) for ordering a total of four sea-going vessels (to be delivered by 2029), including two standard (max 650 passengers each) and two smaller/expedition-type (max 220 pax).

Crystal OCEAN Cruises

The company's most special itinerary is the "Crystal World Cruise ". These regularly scheduled voyages visit each year some of the world's most exotic vacation destinations, among which are Hawaii, South Pacific Islands, Australia New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Alaska. Crystal Ocean cruise ships call on over 180 ports in 60 different countries worldwide.

Crystal's clientele is mostly wealthy couples (50+ years old), who prefer Crystal's onboard environment of sophistication, style, impeccable, highly personalized service, gourmet cuisine, unique destinations. The ocean-going Crystal ships feature:

• Spacious, exquisitely appointed accommodations (most of them with verandas), with in-room Internet access, complimentary in-room dining (24 hours a day), penthouses with personal butler service.
• An abundance of dining options, excellent alternate dining venues, with specialty restaurants like "Prego" (signature of "Valentino Restaurants), "Silk Road" and the "Sushi Bar" (overseen by Nobu Matsuhisa). Wine cellar with a selection of over 200 vintages, and more than 20,000 bottles.
• The lavish Feng Shui-inspired "Crystal Spa" center. State-of-the-art fitness facilities with panoramic sea views, Yoga- and Pilates classes, the "Walk on Water" fitness program by Debbie Rocker.
• Crystal special lounges: "Caesars Palace" at Sea Casino, "Galaxy Lounge" (with its state-of-the-art sound- and lighting systems), "Crystal Dining Room" and "Vintage Room", "Avenue of the Stars" (with its shops and boutiques), "Trident Grill and Ice Cream Bar", "Palm Court" (daily served afternoon tea), "Connoisseur Club" (also offering a selection of fine cigars), "Avenue Saloon" (jazz lounge).
• Broadway-style productions, variety shows, indoor- and outdoor pool, paddle tennis courts, a casino (with complimentary cocktails), movie theater, nightclub, bingo.
• Since 2017, onboard Wi-Fi on all Crystal ships - ocean, yachts, and riverboats - is complimentary (unlimited and free of charge).
• "Creative Learning Institute" program (series of interactive classes) include: "Computer University@Sea", Keyboard lessons (Yamaha), Language classes (Berlitz), Wellness lectures (the Cleveland Clinic), Tai chi instructions (the Tai Chi Cultural Center), Professional ACBL Bridge instructors, Dance lessons (including ballroom dances) with professional instructors, Golf lessons (Callaway golf equipment and PGA golf professionals), the "Crystal Visions Enrichment Program" (in which attend lectures renowned authors, culinary stars, journalists, historians, etc.)
• "Ambassador Host Program" (for single travelers).
• Themed cruises , many onshore activity options.

In 2018, Crystal contracted Jean-Michel Cousteau (oceanographic explorer, environmentalist, educator, film producer, founder of Ocean Futures Society) to host onboard lecturers and interactive media presentations on the fleet's 3 ocean ships. The three "Jean-Michel Cousteau"-themed voyages were scheduled for:

• March 12, 2018 (themed "Far East Vistas", a 15-day itinerary from Manila to Singapore) on Crystal Serenity
• November 8, 2018 (themed "Amazon Discovery", 24-day roundtrip itinerary from Fort Lauderdale Florida to Caribbean and Brazil Amazon) on Crystal Symphony
• December 9, 2018 (themed "West Indies Yachting Explorer", 7-day Caribbean roundtrip itinerary from Marigot / St Martin Island) on the superyacht Crystal Esprit/now Nat Geo Islander 2 .

Crystal's both ocean ships (Serenity and Symphony) are Bahamas- flagged , 5-star rated, with some of the highest space-per-guest ratios at sea. They are also among the industry's most expensive (as cabin rates) and generally operate longer itineraries (2+ weeks in length). The clientele they serve is affluent and mainly mid-aged. Life on board is marked by superior style and sophistication, impeccable service, tranquility, perfection in every detail, one of the best enrichment programs at sea.

Cabin amenities include complimentary beverages, Jacuzzi/bathtub, stationery, Wi-Fi Internet, smart UHDTV (satellite reception), electronic safe box. The boats have several dining venues, 2 swimming pools, wellness facilities (Spa and Fitness, Beauty Saloon, treatment rooms, sauna, steam room), golf simulators (and instructors), wraparound Promenade Deck, Crystal Theater (indoor show entertainment venue), Bar Lounge, Library (movies, music, books), Observatory Lounge (top-deck).

Crystal RIVER Cruises

Crystal River Cruises was a division of the old Crystal Cruises (managing 4x newbuild riverboats ) and a separate branch offering fully all-inclusive deals. The product was marked by gourmet dining, expert enrichment, high-class entertainment, top-luxury amenities and impeccable service. In each port along the itinerary were offered culture-themed tours and excursions. In some of the ports, the river ships had overnight stays allowing tourists to enjoy high-class gourmet dining experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants ashore and also exclusive evening events and entertainment on board.

In January 2016, Genting bought the remaining 30% stocks of Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven . The deal also included ~50% stake in the shipbuilder's real estate subsidiary company "Investitions und Verwaltungs". The acquisition plans were first announced on September 18, 2015.

The announcement said that Star Cruises together with the German companies Petram Beteiligungs, Ehlerding Beteiligungs, and BLG Logistics Group entered into a stock purchase agreement that allows GHK to acquire a majority stake in Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven GmbH. Before the agreement's announcement, Genting signed a letter of intent with the shipbuilding company for Crystal's new polar-class ships scheduled for deliveries in 2018-Q4 (later pushed back to 2019).

• To start operations, Crystal River Cruises purchased an existing riverboat that was fully refurbished and renamed "Crystal Mozart" (launched in July 2016). Additionally were ordered 4 new luxury "river yachts" (by Lloyd Werft) to be launched in 2017. Crystal Mozart is currently Europe's largest river ship, except, of course, the old-design Russian ships on Volga River. Mozart has capacity 160 passengers, large accommodations (sized 19-80 m2 / 200-860 ft2), multiple restaurants, an indoor swimming pool.
• In July 2016, Crystal River launched fleet's first boat Crystal Mozart . The newbuilds debuted in 2017 ( Crystal Bach , Crystal Mahler ) and in 2018 ( Crystal Debussy , Crystal Ravel ).
• In October 2016, ALMACO Group (specializing in the construction of offshore accommodations, staterooms, newbuilding galleys) won its ever first river cruise ship contract to supply galley/kitchen areas and suites for the 4 new "river yachts". The contract included 220 top-luxury cruise suites, corresponding hallways and corridors, turnkey delivery of the ship's galleys and pantries (equipment and lining). Earlier in 2016, ALMACO refurbished the crew cabins and catering areas of Crystal Mozart.
• Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler cruised on Main, Danube and Rhine rivers. Crystal Ravel and Crystal Debussy cruised in France - on Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Seine rivers. Crystal Mozart cruised only on Danube due to its size.

Crystal riverboats were Malta- flagged and provided dedicated (per cabin) butler service, Egyptian cotton linens, King-size double beds facing toward French Balcony windows, full-length mirrors, walk-in closets, ETRO robes and slippers, Nespresso machines, wall-mounted TVs.

Onboard dining options included Waterside Restaurant (dining room/open-seating), Vintage Room (wine bar / private dinner/party venue), Palm Court (show lounge), Cove Bar, Bistro (casual cafe). The river yachts have Fitness Center, full-service Spa, indoor infinity pool (resistance swimming pool), top-deck Vista Bar & Grill.

Onboard dining menus were based on food prepared with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and cruise itinerary-based traditional specialties - fresh seafood and fish (Holland), seasonal fruits and vegetables (Holland, Germany), meat and poultry (Austrian Alps and Bavarian farms), local draught and craft beers, regional wines and cheeses. Specialty coffees and teas were served complimentary by the Vienna Austria-based company Julius Meinl.

Crystal river cruise deals

The all-inclusive Crystal river cruise deals (as cruise price inclusions) offer the following complimentary amenities and services:

• Gratuities for all the ship's staff, including housekeeping, bar, dining, butlers
• All meals (featuring 6-star gourmet cuisine and regional specialties)
• Unlimited soft drinks, premium beverages (including champagne, fine wines, spirits, beers, bottled water)
• 24-hour self-service pantry (specialty coffees, teas, wines, non-alcoholic drinks)
• 24-hour room service
• 24-hour Wi-Fi access, free WiFi and satellite Internet (60 min pp per day)
• interactive TV (infotainment system) with movies on demand and music library
• Airport-to-ship group transfers - luxury coaches transport the passengers from the airport to the riverboat on embarkation day.
• Ship-to-airport group transfers (on disembarkation day).
• Onboard daily yoga and fitness classes, daily choice of digital international newspapers
• Onboard entertainment and enrichment programming (destination / itinerary-focused), including lectures, destination expert (on each cruise), local experts and tour guides.
• Self-service guest laundry
• Twice daily housekeeping services (evening turndown service)
• In-cabin dining (hors-d'oeuvres)
• Butler service for each cabin
• Two complimentary "Crystal Adventures" shore excursions in every port (curated). Additional excursions are available for purchase.
• Complimentary culinary tours to renowned local establishments
• Complimentary Atlanta eBikes, Nordic walking poles and audio headphones on all "Crystal Adventures" (land tours).

In 2018, Crystal River had 200 shore excursions (~80% complimentary) and themed on culture, cuisine, adventure. The new "Design Your Time" excursion option allowed tourists to use concierge service on their private tours.

Every Crystal river cruisetour itinerary included food-and-wine themed excursion to Michelin-star restaurants in major European cities.

Crystal YACHT Cruises

In March 2016, Crystal revealed plans to build the world's first purpose-built polar class megayacht - Crystal Endeavor . The brand's first-ever expedition ship was initially planned to enter service in August 2018 but due to shipyard issues, the construction was delayed and the delivery was rescheduled for 2021. The superyacht has max passenger capacity 200 and 100 passenger suites.

The yacht as technology features 8 electric amphibious Zodiacs/RIBs, two 7-person minisubmarines, 2 helicopters, 2 helipads. It also offers complimentary jet skis, sea kayaks, wave runners, paddleboards, fishing facilities, snorkeling, and scuba diving equipment.

The yacht is fitted with offshore dynamic positioning technology and computer-controlled navigation systems allowing it to automatically maintain position using its own propulsion (thrusters and propellers). This allows the vessel to stay above coral reefs without using anchors, which could damage the seabed. The ship is similar to the "discovery yacht'" Scenic Eclipse (2018) built for Scenic Cruises .

In November 2016, Crystal announced a yacht fleet expansion - from 1 to 3 new vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (Endeavor), 2021 (TBN1) and 2022 (TBN2). The sisterships were designed to have as "standard" the "megayacht cruising" industry's first mini-subs, helicopters and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles).

Crystal's yacht fleet had to operate in polar and coastal regions - European Arctic (during summer), migrating whales route (sailing along the coasts of Europe and the Americas), down to Antarctica (during winter). The bold decision for 3 new polar ships followed a 3-year research that found that nearly 70% of Crystal's customers are highly interested in polar expedition travel.

new DIAMOND-Class ships (2022-2025/canceled)

In January 2018, Crystal Yacht Cruises announced significant changes to the new ship design, downsizing the initial "EXCLUSIVE Class" (Genting Cruise Lines ships) and removing from the original design the top-deck private residences.

The first vessel's delivery was initially scheduled for 2018, then pushed back to 2019, and finally set for 2022.

In 2018, the EXCLUSIVE-Class design was changed to DIAMOND-Class. The vessel's size/volume was reduced (from 100,000 to 67,000 GT-tons) and the max passenger capacity was decreased by 20% (from 1000 to 800).

Staterooms included 48x "Crystal Residences" - ultra-luxury suites sized between 600-4000 ft2 (56-372 m2) each, but these were later removed from the design.

DIAMOND-Class megayachts were also with ice-classed hulls and propulsion based on 4x AzipodXO units (by ABB Marine). The gearless propulsion system comprised 1x electric drive motor (per unit) contained in a submerged pod (outside the hull). AzipodXO units are specifically designed for high ice-class navigation. ABB Azipods reduce the vessel's lifecycle costs and guarantee optimum efficiency operations. Of all 4 units per ship, 2 had power output 22 MV (each), and 2 had 19 MW (each).

The new ships had to be also fitted with the "ABB 800xA DCS" (distributed control) system, EMMA Energy Management System (historical data analysis, with a comparison to current sea conditions) and fleet management suite (fleetwide benchmarking).

Crystal AirCruises

"Crystal AirCruises" was GHK's newest venture of Crystal Cruises. This travel division (established also as a subsidiary company) was served by two aircraft - Boeing 777-200LR (building cost USD 296 million per unit) and the planned for purchasing Boeing 787 Dreamliner (building cost USD 225 million per unit).

Crystal AirCruises operations were via partnership with Comlux Aruba (subsidiary of Comlux) - 2003-founded as a private-plane management company headquartered in Zurich Switzerland).

Boeing 777-200LR

The airplane operates on 14-, 21- and 28-day "fly-cruise" itineraries. It has capacity 88 passengers (down from the aircraft's original capacity of 300 pax) and serves all Crystal cruise itineraries' air-and-land portions.

The top-luxury aircraft features lay-flat seats (reclining to 73,5 inches / 1,87 m) positioned in clusters of 2, 2 aisles, dining lounge (with 4 dining tables), 24-seat bar lounge (with stone veneers, color-changing LED lighting), 2 galleys (kitchens). All passenger seats can convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds.

Onboard complimentary amenities include free Wi-Fi, premium wines, meals prepared by an executive chef, use of iPads and noise-canceling headphones (by Bose), power outlets and USB ports (at each seat), on-demand movies and music, custom-made plush bedding (for onboard sleeping), premium bath amenities (by ETRO).

Crystal Skye "air cruise ship"

Officially named "Crystal Skye", the aircraft Boeing 777-200LR ("Longer Range", aka Worldliner) was introduced in 2006 as one of the world's longest-range commercial airliners. The plane is able to continuously fly between almost any 2 airports in the world, holding the record for longest nonstop flight done by a commercial aircraft - 15844 km (9845 mi).

Crystal Skye aircraft was officially delivered to Crystal AirCruises on August 1, 2017. The ceremony was held at the Boeing Field in Seattle WA . The new airplane was delivered by Greenpoint Technologies to Edie Rodriguez (Crystal's President and CEO). It became known as the world's largest privately owned tour jet. The airplane was officially christened in Las Vegas Nevada on August 12, 2017.

Crystal Skye's inaugural "flight cruise" (9-night itinerary, September 29 through October 8, 2017) was themed "Golden Week Holiday AirCruise" leaving out of Hong Kong . The voyage visited Nairobi Kenya and Tahiti.

Boeing 777 model 200LR has an increased MTOW (maximum takeoff weight) and 3 auxiliary fuel tanks allowing up to 19 hours non-stop flight. The plane also features raked wingtips and additional structural strengthening, wingtip extensions (3,9 m / 13 ft). As of June 2017, this aircraft was ordered by 11 different customers (a total of 59 units).

In addition to the Boeing 777, GHK's brand "Crystal Luxury Air" has plans to double its fleet by purchasing a second Boeing aircraft - the 787 Dreamliner. This plane is a long-haul, twin-engine jet airliner with a passenger capacity of 242 to 335 (3-class seating). The aircraft was the world's first built with composite materials as the primary construction material for the airframe. The aircraft was introduced in 2011.

At the end of 2015, Crystal AirCruises announced planned purchase of two more aircraft - Airbus ACJ319 (corporate jet with removable extra fuel tanks) and Bombardier Global Express XRS (Canada-manufactured ultra-long-range business jet). Bombardier Global Express XRS is an epitome of luxury and comfort with a spacious 2-cabin configuration (up to 13 guests), 4 executive wide seats (with foldout tables), a 4-seat conference space (opposite a 1-seat workstation and cabinet), cabin HD monitors, surround sound, high-temperature oven, even an aft lounge with large LCD screen. Airbus ACJ319 jet's capacity is 30 guests and features 16 lay-flat seats.

Crystal Cruises planes provide private charters (1- to 28-night charter deals) and transportation for customers with booked Crystal cruises (regardless ocean, river or yacht). Private charter jet service is of superior quality and caters to corporate executives, small groups, wealthy families and discerning travelers looking for flexible and private luxury travel.

Crystal's fly-cruise deals are inclusive of all hotel stays (at the world's most luxurious hotels), top-quality gourmet dining (at premium restaurants with Michelin star-level cuisine) and local cultural entertainment.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Crystal suspended its ocean fleet's passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through July 2021.

• Crystal River resumed in late August 2021, but season 2022 (planned to start in April) was canceled thru early June due to GHK's bankruptcy.
• Crystal Yacht restarted on September 15 (Crystal Endeavor/Maiden Voyage)​.
• Crystal Ocean restarted on July 3 (Serenity/Caribbean from Nassau and North Bimini Island ) and August 5 (Symphony/Caribbean from St Johns Antigua).

All affected bookings received full monetary refunds including on prepurchased through Crystal Cruises packages and services. With rebooking, all fully paid reservations received 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) of the fare paid, plus a full monetary refund of prepaid port charges, Gov taxes-fees, any flight and hotel packages (if prebooked through Crystal Cruises). Not fully paid reservations received FCCs based on the deposits. All FCCs are valid on any Crystal cruise (Ocean, Yacht, Expedition, River) with departure through December 31, 2023.

Itinerary of Crystal Cruises

Now being fully owned by A&K/Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, the "new Crystal Cruises" brand was officially relaunched in February 2023 - as just "Crystal".

Bookings (2023-2024 itinerary program) for the ships Serenity and Symphony were opened on February 13th (for past guests), and for the general public on February 22nd (2023). The relaunched company started operations with the maiden voyages of Crystal Serenity (July 31st) and Crystal Symphony (September 1st).

Grand Voyages 2025

In October 2023, Crystal announced five Grand Voyages/world cruise itineraries. Ranging from 40 to 70 nights, the voyages visit exotic destinations, offering multiple overnight port calls, and optional overland experiences in collaboration with A&K/Abercrombie & Kent (Crystal's sister company).

The longest itinerary (70-night, on Crystal Symphony ) starts on January 7, 2025. The roundtrip from Mumbai India visits 15 countries and 32 destinations.

On January 18, 2025, Crystal Symphony starts a 47-night roundtrip from Singapore that visits destinations in Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong China , and Japan.

On March 5, 2025, Crystal Serenity starts a 44-night voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai. Call ports include St Helena Island UK , Walvis Bay Namibia , Cape Town South Africa , Zanzibar, Mombasa, the Seychelles, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

On March 20, 2025, Crystal Serenity starts a 51-night itinerary from Cape Town to Barcelona , visiting destinations in South Africa, Zanzibar, India, the Seychelles and Maldives, the Middle East, Greece, and Italy.

The last Grand Voyage (scheduled for Crystal Serenity) is a 40-night itinerary from Stockholm to Liverpool (leaving on July 29, 2025), with call ports in Northern Europe/Baltic, including Tallinn , Visby , Riga , Copenhagen , Kristiansand , the UK's Shetland and Orkney Isles, Iceland, Norway, and Amsterdam .

Early bookings (made before January 12, 2024) received benefits like 5% savings (Crystal Society members only), allowances for business class flights (OBC/onboard credit for the first two guests), 2x A&K one-day ashore experiences (during the voyages), up to US$1500 "As You Wish Credit", private land transfers, free shipboard laundry service, a free-of-charge first Infirmary visit/medical consultation.

Crystal Serenity's World Cruise 2024

In April 2023 was announced World Cruise 2024 scheduled for Crystal Serenity.

The 141-night itinerary is a roundtrip from Miami (Florida USA) departing on January 18th and ending on June 8th, 2024. The grand voyage visits 70 destinations/ports in 35 different countries and features a Panama Canal transit followed by a Transpacific crossing to French Polynesia, Australia, and New Zealand. Follow ports/islands in the Indian Ocean, Suez Canal transition , European/Mediterranean destinations (Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, France), and Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA/Miami.

An alternative option allows the voyage to be booked as a 125-night segment from California USA ( San Diego /Feb 3-Jun 8) to Miami, as well as a 141-night roundtrip from San Diego (Feb 3-Jun 24).

Prices for the full/roundtrip voyage started at US$67800 (EUR 61280/GBP 54190) per person with double occupancy.

Grand Voyages 2024

In May 2023 Crystal unveiled four Grand Journeys/extended voyages scheduled for 2024.

The 68-night itinerary (from Sydney NSW Australia to Singapore) on Crystal Symphony departs on January 4, 2024, and visits destinations across Asia, Australia and New Zealand, including the Great Barrier Reef, Pulau Komodo Indonesia, island hopping in the Philippines. Overnight stays are offered in Benoa Bali, Singapore, Bangkok Thailand, Saigon and Hanoi Vietnam, Hong Kong China, Manila Philippines. Prices started from US$50600 pp (US$744 per night).

Also are offered several European excursions, a Mediterranean itinerary (Lisbon to Monte Carlo/May 20th, 2024) visiting ports in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey (overnight in Istanbul). Prices started from US$37700 pp.

In Northern Europe, Crystal Symphony has scheduled a 38-night Baltic voyage (Stockholm to London) visiting Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Germany, Holland, the UK and Iceland (Reykjavik overnight followed by more Icelandic ports before the Faroes). Fares started from US$30100.

Crystal Serenity's 42-night Canada to the USA voyage (Vancouver to Quebec City) traverses Alaska, continues through Canada, then along the US Californian coast and Baja California Mexico. This journey also visits ports in Central and South America, with stops in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, the Caymans, follows Florida and East Coast USA (Miami, New York City, Portland ME) and Canada (Halifax NS and Quebec City). Fares started from US$29900.

Itineraries 2025

In September 2023, Crystal announced that its 2-ship fleet's deployment in 2025 would feature 281 ports/destinations (including 144 new) in 112 countries.

Ending its World Voyage in May (2025), Crystal Serenity starts voyages in Europe (first in the Mediterranean, then in the Baltic. In September, Serenity has a Transatlantic crossing to North America for Canada and New England voyages (through November) between Quebec City and NYC. Follows a Caribbean and South American deployment for the winter, featuring a full Panama Canal transit.

Crystal Symphony's 2025 program starts in Southeast Asia. Follows a Suez Canal transit repositioning to Europe/Mediterranean, and 2025 ends in the Middle East.

Crystal Serenity 2025 Itineraries

Crystal Serenity 's 2025 Itinerary Highlights include:

After concluding the World Cruise in May 2025, Crystal Serenity departs from Marseille and cruises the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, visiting places like Malaga (Pablo Picasso's hometown), the picturesque Ronne , Latvia's capital Riga , and more.

Guests will have a unique opportunity to explore Longyearbyen in Svalbard Norway , known for its stunning Northern Lights displays.

Visits to the Faroe Islands and Iceland showcase the dramatic landscapes and stunning Nordic destinations such as Torshavn , Djupivogur , and Reykjavik .

For those seeking fall foliage, September to November 2025 voyages include iconic North American ports like Quebec City , Gaspe , Newport , Boston , Portland , and New York City .

Sun-filled holiday voyages feature Caribbean and South American destinations like Montego Bay , Aruba , Cayman Islands, Cartagena , the Panama Canal , and more.

Crystal Symphony 2025 Itineraries

Crystal Symphony 's 2025 Itinerary Highlights include:

Starting the year in Southeast Asia, the newly refurbished ship explores remote destinations such as Sihanoukville (known for Cambodia's best beaches), Sabang , and Weh Island (an active volcanic island near Sumatra).

Extended port calls to urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City , Halong Bay , Laem Chabang , and Shanghai allow for in-depth cultural experiences.

Guests can also visit Palawan , the Philippines' ecological gem with pristine beaches, and Brunei , famous for its lush rainforests.

Timed with the Grand Prix, the ship visits Monaco and Villefranche-sur-Mer , offering guests the chance to witness the iconic race in two European destinations.

Mediterranean highlights include visits to Haifa , Dubrovnik , Cyprus, and Greece's popular destinations like Zakynthos , Corfu , and Santorini .

The latter part of 2025 sees voyages to the Middle East, with stops at Safaga (Luxor) in Egypt, Dubai (known for luxury shopping and modern architecture), and Salalah , Oman's third-largest city, renowned for its marine life.

OLD Crystal Cruises itineraries

In mid-March 2021 were announced plans for restarting passenger shipping with "Bahamas Escapes". Starting on July 3, 2021 (first departure), Crystal Serenity had scheduled 16x 7-night roundtrips from Nassau . Another 16x 7-night roundtrips from North Bimini Island (Bailey Town) were scheduled for Serenity beginning July 4, 2021.

The "Luxury Bahamas Escapes" itineraries included the call ports Harbour Island , Great Exuma Island (Georgetown) , San Salvador Island and Long Island . In August, to the itinerary was added Miami as both call port and homeport/departure port. The expanded itinerary's first departure was on August 7 (from Nassau) and August 9 (from Miami). This way, the 7-night itinerary offered 3x embarkation ports - Nassau (Saturdays departures), North Bimini (Sundays), Miami (Mondays).

In mid-April 2021, Symphony ship's entire 2021 program in Europe-Mediterranean (June 6 through December 21) was canceled and replaced with 10-night "Luxury Caribbean Escapes" (roundtrips from St Johns Antigua/Aug 5 through Dec 23). The new itinerary (first-time for Crystal) included as destinations Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries), Trinidad (Port-of-Spain), St Maarten (Philipsburg), BVI Tortola (Road Town). Bookings opened on April 20, 2021.

Crystal Serenity's World Cruise 2023

The themed "Wild Kingdoms and Exotic Discoveries" world voyage of Crystal Serenity visits 73 destinations in 40 countries and includes 5 maiden ports and 16 overnights. Featured destinations include Seychelles, Maldives, Tahiti, Africa (Serengeti safaris), PNG-Papua New Guinea, Indonesia (Bali, Java, North Maluku), Sri Lanka, Zanzibar; Ephesus, Bagan, Petra, Machu Picchu, beach sites along the Adriatic's Dalmatian coast, Yasawa-I-Rara, Saint-Tropez, Bora Bora, St Barthelemy.

The 140-night-long itinerary starts from Miami Florida (January 11, 2023) and ends in Barcelona Spain (May 31). Two alternate disembarkation options are offered - Venice (128-night itinerary) and Piraeus-Athens (119-night itinerary). Crystal offers a total of 9 separate itinerary segments ranging from 9- to 23-nights.

The voyage's highlights included:

• Visiting the Pyramids of Giza (Egypt), the ruins of Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (Turkey) and Ephesus' Temple of Artemis (Turkey).
• 70x UNESCO Sites
• 5 maiden port calls - Gladstone QLD Australia, Madang PNG, Wewak PNG, Ternate Indonesia, Haa Alif Atoll Maldives.
• Overnights in Panama City, Callao, Easter Island, Bora Bora, Papeete Tahiti, Sydney NSW, Rabaul, Bali (Benoa), Singapore, Chennai/Madras, Colombo, Mahe/Victoria, Barcelona, plus double overnights in Yangon, Mombasa, Venice.

Signature destinations include South America, Caribbean, South Pacific, and French Polynesia, Australia, PNG, Indonesia; India, Southeast Asia; Indian Ocean islands, Africa's east coast, Arabian Peninsula, and Egypt, Adriatic Sea (Dalmatian Coast).

Fares for Crystal Cruises 2023 World Voyage started at USD 46,700 per person (double occupancy).

Crystal Cruises 2023-2024 Global Itineraries

The complete 2023 deployment for Crystal Serenity includes 32 voyages ranging in length 7-23 nights, including a 140-night World Cruise (themed " "Wild Kingdoms and Exotic Discoveries"). Signature regions and destinations include South Pacific Islands, Africa (Egypt), Canada and New England, the Americas, Caribbean, Mediterranean.

Highlights of Crystal Serenity's deployment planned for 2023 include:

• "Wild Kingdoms and Exotic Discoveries" world voyage - 73 destinations (40 countries), 5 maiden ports, 16 overnights
• (June through August) Mediterranean, Black Sea and Western Europe - Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Black Sea ports (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey), Adriatic Sea/Dalmatian Coast (Croatia and Montenegro), Iberia (Spain-Portugal)
• (September through October) Canada - New England ports - Bar Harbor, Newport, Quebec City, Manhattan, Boston
• (November through December) Caribbean islands - St Johns Antigua, Gustavia St Barthelemy, Basseterre St Kitts, Philipsburg St Maarten

Outside the full World Cruise, itineraries can be combined for up to 100 days of cruising without repeating a port.

Crystal YACHT Cruises 2023-2024

Note: In September 2021, Crystal Esprit was sold to Lindblad and all planned for the superyacht voyages (reviewed below) were canceled.

The second yacht - Crystal Endeavor was sold to RCG-Royal Caribbean Group and transferred to Silversea in July 2022.

In November 2020 was announced a new 9-night "Iconic Passages: Corinth and Suez " itinerary on Crystal Esprit. The 62-passenger superyacht departs (on April 1, 2021) from Dubrovnik Croatia and sails to Aqaba Jordan. The voyage offers to visit UNESCO-listed sites like Saint Catherine’s Monastery (from Sharm El-Sheik), Luxor and the Valley of the Kings (from Safaga Egypt) and Petra City, Jordan (from Aqaba). Highlights also include Itea (Delphi), Santorini Island, the transition of both the Corinth and Suez canals.

In April 2021, Crystal announced a new partnership with the COA-California Ocean Alliance, an organization dedicated to "cutting-edge marine research to safeguard oceans for the protection of marine mammals worldwide." COA scientists were due to join Crystal Endeavor for a series of 5 remote expedition voyages to collect data on the behavior of whales utilizing submergible acoustic recorders, suction cup tags, drones, and remote biopsy sampling, as well as engage passengers to assist with the research efforts while traversing the Antarctic.

Ranging in length from 11 to 19 nights, the company also had planned roundtrip departures from Ushuaia Argentina , between December 2021 and February 2022.

Crystal's partnership with COA expands upon the wildlife conservation efforts of the company, including its partnership with ORCA, the leading marine conservation organization dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Wildlife experts from ORCA traveled on Crystal Symphony in Alaska in 2019 to train Crystal's Navigation Bridge crew in the protocol for collecting scientific data about the behavior of animals and treated passengers to hours of whale watching. ORCA experts were to join Crystal Endeavor for 3 destination- and culture-themed expeditions in April-May of 2022, including a 13-night journey of the isles and coastal cities of Spain, Portugal, and Africa, a 14-night voyage to Seville and Bordeaux, and 14-night British Isles.

Crystal Endeavor's Antarctic Expedition program featured:

• 11-night Expedition Antarctica (December 10-21, 2021) roundtrip from Ushuaia, fares start at US$14,650 pp
• 15-night Antarctic Holiday Expedition (December 21, 2021-January 5, 2022) roundtrip from Ushuaia, fares start at US$22,050 pp
• 11-night Expedition Antarctica (January 5-16, 2022) roundtrip from Ushuaia, fares start at US$16,000 pp
• 19-night Falklands, South Georgia, & Antarctic Wildlife Expedition (January 16-February 4, 2022) roundtrip from Ushuaia, fares start at US$28,900 pp
• 11-night Expedition Antarctica (February 4-15, 2022) roundtrip from Ushuaia, fares start at US$16,000 pp

Crystal Endeavor's "Spring Destination & Cultural Voyages" (with ORCA Experts) included:

• 13-night Expedition Africa (April 16-29, 2022) from Dakar to Malaga, fares start at US$10,600 pp
• 14-night River Discovery: Heart of Seville & Bordeaux (April 29-May 13, 2022) from Malaga to Bordeaux, fares start at US$13,000 pp
• 14-night Exploration: Springtime in the British Isles (May 25-June 8, 2022) from London to Edinburgh, fares start at US$13,600 pp.

Crystal OCEAN Cruises 2023

On August 1, 2020, were opened bookings for Crystal Symphony's 2023 program - 36 itineraries (6- to 15-night) with 23x of 10-days or fewer. Signature regions include India, Southeast Asia; Holy Land , Egypt, Middle East; Baltic, Mediterranean, Australia.

March and November itineraries are through India and Southeast Asia. March, April and October itineraries are through Egypt, Holy Land, Middle East. Spring, summer and autumn voyages are in Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea (Dalmatian Coast).

Crystal Symphony’s 2023 program features 5 maiden port calls (Kampot, Khor Fakkan, Bristol, Malmo, Gisborne), new homeport (Eilat Israel), return to Skagen Denmark (first time in 9 years), overnight in Antwerp Belgium. Boutique ports include Bordeaux’s downtown, Antalya, Port Vendres, Paphos.

A turnaround in Rouen France features a land tour to Paris City. The overnight in Le Havre brings passengers to Seine River, Paris, Giverny. The overnight in Edinburgh allows them to enjoy the Military Tattoo festival. New routes include Scandinavia-Paris (Copenhagen-Le Havre), Iceland-Baltic, London-Bordeaux. Visited UNESCO Sites include Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, Rioja Wine Region (Spain), Israel's Old City of Acre and Western Galilee, Egypt's Giza Pyramids, Luxor and the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

In 2023, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony sail a total of 68 itineraries (6 to 23 nights) with B2B (back-to-back) options for longer voyages. The program has 216 call ports (10 maiden) in 92 countries on 6 continents. Crystal Serenity in 2023 is deployed in North America (Caribbean, Canada and New England USA). Both ships have extended summer seasons in Western Europe and the Mediterranean.

Crystal RIVER cruise itineraries

In July 2015, Genting announced its expansion plan to build new ships for its river cruise line (brand). The new boats feature larger staterooms and a bigger space-to-guest ratio in comparison to other riverboats. Their itineraries are planned to maximize port times for quality tour experiences ashore.

Crystal's new river brand started operations in 2016 and exclusively on European waterways. The company’s product is well known worldwide for its exceptional quality and fully all-inclusive deals. Itineraries are on the rivers Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, and intentionally deviate from traditional routes to avoid congestion in call ports. The list of destinations (visited countries along the itinerary) includes Germany, Switzerland, Holland, France, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary.

On Grand European itineraries (between Baltic Sea and Black Sea) are additionally included river ports of call in the Balkan countries Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania.

Crystal River Cruises operated a fleet of all 5 ultra-luxury "river yachts" - Crystal Bach (2017), Crystal Debussy (2018), Crystal Mahler (2017), Crystal Ravel (2018) and Crystal Mozart (2016, fka MS Mozart / 1987-built).

The riverboats were eventually acquired by Riverside Collection Cruises (part of Riverside Hotels). Crystal's river cruisetour itineraries included:

• Crystal Mozart (maiden voyage July 13, 2016) - Danube itineraries (10 or 11 nights) visited Wachau Valley (Vienna, Passau, Bratislava) or Eastern Danube (Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade).
• Crystal Debussy (maiden voyage June 4, 2017) - offers 5-, 7- and 10-day Seine River itineraries with multiple overnights in Paris. Visited port city destinations included Honfleur, Normandy beaches, Deauville, Rouen.
• Crystal Bach (maiden voyage June 18, 2017) - the 14-day inaugural cruise (on Rhine and Moselle rivers) visited Amsterdam, Basel, Antwerp,
• Crystal Ravel (maiden voyage August 8, 2017) - cruises on Garonne (also Gironde Estuary) and Dordogne Rivers in France on 7-day itineraries with 2-days (overnight stay) in Bordeaux and visiting Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne.
• Crystal Mahler (maiden voyage August 29, 2017) - cruises on Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The Inaugural Cruise (16-day "Grand Europe") included overnights in Budapest, Vienna, Passau, Amsterdam.

All riverboats also offered themed Christmas and New Year's Eve voyages . "Crystal River Getaways" itineraries included:

• (Crystal Bach) 7-day "Romantic Rhine" between Amsterdam and Mainz, 7-day "Rhine Serenade" between Mainz and Frankfurt, plus 3 previously announced Getaways to Belgium and Holland, highlighting region's springtime tulips (high-season) in April-May.
• (Crystal Mahler) 7-day "Delightful Danube" between Regensburg and Budapest, 9-day "European Escape" between Amsterdam and Regensburg
• (Crystal Ravel) 8-day "European Treasures" between Nuremberg and Basel, 6-day Danube Getaway, between Vienna and Nuremberg.

River cruises 2022 itineraries (canceled)

River cruise prices on 2020 itineraries started at USD 2550 per person (double occupancy cabin rates). In January 2020, Crystal announced its collection of 2022 itineraries. The 4 riverboats (Bach, Debussy, Mahler, Ravel) operate 7- to 10-night itineraries through Holland and Belgium. Itineraries 2022 include:

• 7-night "Tulips and Windmills" (April-May) and "Dutch and Belgian Waterways" (July and August) cruises, both beginning and ending with overnight stays in Amsterdam. Ports of call include Kinderdijk, Hoorn, Rotterdam, Middleburg, Ghent, and Antwerp.
• 7-night "Legendary Rhine" cruise from Basel to Amsterdam with calls in Cologne, Rudesheim, Mannheim, and Strasbourg.
• 7-night "Romantic Rhine" from Amsterdam to Basel with overnights in Koblenz and Amsterdam, and calls in Cologne, Rudesheim, Mannheim, and Strasbourg.
• 9-night "Revel on the Rhine" holiday cruise roundtrip from Amsterdam with stops in Cologne, Rudesheim, Mannheim, Koblenz, and Arnhem.
• 7-night "Treasures of Southeast Europe" from Giurgiu to Budapest or the reverse with overnights in Budapest, Vidin (westbound only), and Novi Sada (eastbound only), and stops in Mohacs, Vukovar, and Belgrade.
• 7-night "Danube Dreams and Discoveries" cruise roundtrip from Vienna with overnights in Vienna and Budapest, and calls in Esztergom, Bratislava, Krems, Melk, Linz, including sailing through the Wachau Valley.
• 7-night "Delightful Danube" from Vilshofen to Budapest featuring overnights in Vienna and Budapest, and calls in Durnstein, Melk, Linz, Bratislava, Passau, and Wachau Valley sailing.
• 9-night "Joyous Danube Celebration" cruise roundtrip from Vienna. It features overnights in Budapest and Vienna, calls in Bratislava, Krems, Melk, and Linz, and Wachau Valley sailing.

Note: You can see CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.

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Wine Connoisseur Paradise: Navigating the Wine Personalities of Ultra-Luxury and Ultra-Premium Cruise Ships

Are you an oenophile yearning for a truly immersive wine journey on the high seas? Whether you prefer the elegance of French Bordeaux, the vibrancy of Italian Sangiovese or the complexity of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, every pour on a luxury cruise line will ignite your passion for wine. From hidden gems to rare vintages, each sips tells a unique story of the regions visited. Join us on a wine odyssey as we delve into a world of luxury cruises and their exceptional wine offerings.

Embark on opulent wine adventures with Ultra-Premium Cruise Lines:

One of the major regions wine fans will be attracted to Azamara is their itinerary design. Although some lines repeat the same route week after week, Azamara gradually moves its ships around the globe, allowing wine enthusiasts to book a segment calling on ports in their favorite wine regions.

Wine on board: Azamara includes beverages as part of their all-inclusive pricing. They offer a selection of several varietals in almost unlimited quantities along with a high standard of liquors like Gordon’s Gin. Passengers can sip Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Champagne to their heart’s content by upgrading to the Ultimate Beverage Package priced at $23.95/day or choosing their “By the bottle” wine list.

Spectacular wine experiences: If your itinerary includes the city of Bordeaux, expect an overnight stay to explore the city and spectacular tour options like a visit to both Chateau Lynch Bages in Paulliac and Chateau Kirwan in Margaux.

You would expect a line that encourages tuxedos and kilts for men on formal nights to excel in the wine department. Cunard is the only line offering regular transatlantic service on seven-night voyages aboard Queen Mary 2.  On voyages like these, the ship is your destination, and the wines do not disappoint.

Wine on board: Cunard’s wine list offers over 480 wines from 27 countries. The Port Bar features that namesake beverage, offering vintages dating back to 1840, the year Samuel Cunard founded the company. Cunard offers classes from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) onboard in addition to wine and food pairing themed lunches. Their wine list features some of the world’s rarest bottles like Domaine Leflaive Montrachet, Penfold’s Grange and Domaine de la Romanee Conti selections.

Spectacular wine experiences: As a wine connoisseur you are familiar with the five famous first growths of Bordeaux, but have you ever tasted them side by side in a five-wine flight? Cunard offers this tasting of these famous Premier Crus at around $350.

Began an extraordinary wine journey with the Ultra-Premium Cruise Lines below and discover curated wine lists that elevate your taste buds to new heights of luxury.

Here is a line offering nine dining options. There are times you prefer a salad and rose wine alfresco. You might want champagne and canapes in your stateroom or Italian cuisine in Osteria D’Ovidio.

Wine onboard: The Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony also feature The Vintage Room, an ideal venue for food and wine pairings. The line has redefined inclusive luxury by offering wines like Jacquart champagne and Bandi Chianti Classico Reserva.

Spectacular wine experience: The Vintage room is the setting for their six-course tasting menu matched with appropriate wines ($300/head) or the Ultimate Vintage Room Dinner ($1,200/head).

Explora Journeys

Explora is MSC Cruises’ entry into the luxury cruise market. You can tell you are an honor guest as you are greeted with a welcome bottle of champagne in your suite and your choice of spirits.

Wines onboard: The thinking behind the inclusive wine list is to identify wines by varietal while featuring those varieties from undiscovered places or producers within the wine regions where the ship is sailing.

Spectacular wine experience: Every ship has at least one wine sommelier, but how many other ships have a Sake sommelier to help compliment your Asian entrée?

Holland America

Here is a line ideal for wine fans. Their ships have a series of specialty restaurants, ideal for the wine fan seeking to match wines with courses. Expect to find an American steakhouse, French seafood restaurant, Italian venue along with an Asian restaurant. Suitable wines are available in each venue.

Wine onboard: Holland America Line won the top spot from VIBE Vista, an industry group, for best wine program in 2020. They teamed up with James Suckling, longtime Wine Spectator editor to offer a wine list comprised of wines all rated 90+ points. These wines are at all price points.

Spectacular wine experience: In addition to an excellent wine program, Holland America also has a Whisky bar onboard. The selection is extensive and large tags are attached to each bottle eliminating the uncertainty of the cost of each whisky. They hold tutored tastings too.

Oceania has had a longstanding relationship with world famous chef, Jacques Pepin. In partnership with Wine Spectator, they have brought La Reserve, a wine sanctuary to their Marina and Riviera ships.

Wine onboard: You are expecting good wine, but it’s always a treat to discover great wines that are hard to find elsewhere. Oceania has recently introduced its Rare Wine Collection including hard to find names like Mouton Rothschild and Ornellaia.

Spectacular wine experiences: Wine enthusiasts enjoy nothing more than a leisurely served tasting menu with wines paired with each course. La Cuisine Bourgeoise is one example of what’s in store for you.

Regent Seven Seas

For a cruise line known for ships that are not too large, Regent Seven Seas features The Compass Rose, the largest specialty restaurant across their fleet. Regent maintains a partnership with Food & Wine Trails, who provide shore excursions for the gourmet traveler. If you want to visit a distillery in Ireland or a vineyard in Bordeaux, this is an ideal choice.

Wine onboard: This is the place to find an excellent selection of California wines. The complimentary wines are ones you would be proud to serve at home, like a 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape.

Spectacular Wine Experience: Wine fans know the Wine Spectator compiles an annual list of top restaurants with spectacular wine lists. The latest list includes The Compass Rose, located on the Regent Seven Seas ship Seven Seas Explorer. They have held a WS Award of Excellence since 2020.

Here is a line that was known for smaller ships and larger luxury before other cruise lines jumped on the bandwagon. If you have sailed with Seaborne before, you know what to expect.

Wine onboard: A substantial selection of approximately 15 whites and another 15 reds from around the world are included with your cruise fare. Nicolas Feuillate champagne is on the list too. For wine fans thinking they might need to “trade up” to find better wines, you should find favorites like Saint Emilion from Bordeaux, Provence rose and Albarino from Spain on the list.

Spectacular wine experience: Seaborne has an interesting option for lovers of fine wine. Select a package at one of three tiers ($350, $600, $850) and enjoy a 17-24% bonus.

SeaDream Yacht Club

SeaDream’s theme is “It’s yachting, not cruising.” If you want to sail on a vessel with 112 passengers max, served by 95 crew, look no further. Now combine a smaller ship with a wine-themed destination.

Wine onboard: Expect wine themed activities like a tasting menu dinner hosted by a winemaker who pairs wines with each course. Wine tasting sessions are hosted by local winery personnel.

Spectacular wine experience: The “Champagne and Caviar Splash” takes place on Caribbean voyages. Enough said.

Silversea ships are smaller and sail to all seven continents. Smaller ships can get into ports that larger ships cannot. Venice, Italy and Hamilton, Bermuda are examples of ports where smaller ships have an advantage,

Wine onboard: With 70 selections on the complimentary list, industry experts credit their list as the largest inclusive selection at sea.

Spectacular Wine Experience: If 70 selections is not enough, the Connoisseur list includes Vega Sicilia Unico (2005), possibly Spain’s rarest and most expensive wine. Red Burgundy is represented by Jacques Prieur Clos de Vougeot (2012) and Chateau d’Yquem (2006) is a tempting dessert wine from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux.

Swan Hellenic

Here is a line known for expedition cruises to destinations like the North and South poles and other beautiful remote parts of Europe, Scotland, Africa and many others. Although you are retracing the steps of explorers, you are not forgoing luxury. Every suite onboard has its own fireplace!

Wine onboard: Swan Hellenic has partnered with Jeunes Restauranteurs (JRE) to provide a dining experience hosted by visiting chefs, many with Michelin stars to their credit. The wine sommeliers are beyond capable with finding the wine you may desire from a very interesting wine list.

Spectacular Wine Experience: S hips have a very well-stocked bar with a selection of wines and beers included, a selection of premium beers, wine and spirits are available at an additional cost. In the evening the maître d’ can accommodate any special requests.

Viking Ocean

Viking River Cruises is a household name. Building on that success, they launched a fleet of ocean-going vessels. One of the features making Viking unique is the inclusion of shore excursions. If you are traveling to a wine region, you should expect a visit to a vineyard.

Wine onboard: Viking offers complimentary house wines, beers and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners, plus specialty coffees and assorted hot teas that are available 24 hours a day. For those who would like to upgrade and enjoy unlimited beverages, Viking offers a Silver Spirits beverage package, which covers any drinks (excluding champagne) up to $18.00 USD, including premium wines by the glass, cocktails, all house pouring wines, champagnes, beers, liquors, well drinks, mixers/long drinks and soft drinks throughout the day for a flat fee per guest.

Spectacular Wine Experience: Viking allows passengers to bring their own wine (within limits) and does not charge corkage fees for wine you bring into the dining room. This can be your opportunity to find spectacular bottles onshore and share them with your tablemates as you recount your experiences.

Whether you are exploring the wonders of the seas or engaging in opulence, these cruise lines ensure every glass raised onboard is a celebration of the finest wines. Cheers to a journey of luxury and flavors!  Written with help from Bryce, a true wine connoisseur.

See cruise here:

Azamara Cruises

Crystal Cruises

Cunard Line Cruises

Explora Journeys Cruises

Holland America Line Cruises

Oceania Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Seabourn Cruises

SeaDream Yacht Club Cruises

Silversea Cruises

Swan Hellenic Cruises

Viking Ocean Cruises

1 thought on “Wine Connoisseur Paradise: Navigating the Wine Personalities of Ultra-Luxury and Ultra-Premium Cruise Ships”

For a wine fan, there is plenty of choice. Several lines have spectacular wines onboard along with tasting menus. If you are traveling to ports in “wine country” it looks like they offer seriously wine themed shore excursions.

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The best new cruises in the world: 2024 Hot List

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: every spring when we pull together the Hot List, our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of travelling the globe – to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage – it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali . We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List cruise winners for 2024.

Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity is a premium big-ship cruise brand, focusing on exquisite dining, cutting-edge amenities, Instagram-worthy public spaces chock-full of bespoke art pieces, and avant-garde onboard entertainment. The ship makes passengers feel, in a word, glamorous. Celebrity Ascent’s sumptuously designed interiors are flooded with natural light and evoke an air of playful sophistication that makes a week on board an escape worth cherishing. Passengers may find themselves longing to return for just one more succulent crab claw at Raw on 5, one more martini poured by bottle-spinning bartenders in the Martini Bar, or one more dazzling, acrobatic stage show, in the days following their farewells to this beautiful ship. From around £574 per person for a seven-night sailing. Scott Laird

Emerald Sakara, Emerald Cruises

Now with two oceangoing vessels joining Emerald’s more established fleet of nine river-dedicated “Star-Ships,” the decade-old cruise line is extending a brand built on unpretentious luxury to more corners of the world. Christened last August , the 100-guest superyacht, Sakara, is a near twin to Azzurra, which in 2022 ushered in a new era for Emerald by taking to the high seas. Sakara, like its sister, delightfully blurs the line between the luxury and ultra-luxury cruise categories, offering attentive service, gourmet cuisine, tasteful decor, and an eclectic slate of activities at a price point friendly to more budgets. The cherry on top with both superyachts is a slew of perks atypical of small-ship sailing, ranging from an impressively comprehensive spa to a marina platform well equipped for more fun in the sun. Despite having so much good stuff, each vessel is remarkably spacious. Getting a sense of being on a private yacht is easy like Sunday morning. Sakara is homeported in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean through at least March 2026; Azzurra, too, in addition to the Middle East, Kenya, and the Seychelles . Emerald’s river operations are based in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that a third ship, the Kaia, has just been announced by the cruise line; it debuts in April 2026, and, for all the early birds, it is now open for bookings.) From around £3,112. David Dickstein

Explora I, Explora Journeys

With a showpiece lobby bar, upscale restaurants, and a sultry infinity pool, Explora Journeys' relaxed luxury-resort-at-sea vibe strikes the perfect balance on Explora I. Launched in August 2023, the all-inclusive ship is disarmingly beautiful. A sleek navy blue exterior cocoons 461 suites, all with deep balconies, walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms. There is free-flowing Champagne, 7,500 square feet of wellness space, and 18 drinking and dining venues. From Emporium Marketplace, with its decadent raw bar, to pan-Asian restaurant Sakura, the dining on Explora I is sensational. Marble & Co. Grill is an intimate steakhouse where ageing meats hang in temperature-controlled cabinets. At Anthology, the ship's only supplementary restaurant, guest chefs – such as Claude Le Tohic of San Francisco's O' by Claude Le Tohic – curate sublime tasting menus. There's more: The only Rolex boutique at sea, huge hot tubs, and a shore program that sees some land experiences developed in partnership with revered explorer Mike Horn. From around £564 per person per night. Kerry Spencer

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International

Aboard the Icon, you can really get lost. The behemoth is just plain big, with a capacity for nearly 8,000 when combining passengers and crew across 20 decks and 250,800 gross tons. Two and a half laps around the ship’s jogging track, a particular highlight onboard, and you’ve run a mile. So one can find themselves in need of a map – forgetting your sunscreen , for example, in your cabin is a bit of a chore depending on how far you’ve made it. But the abundance of things to do is also narcotic, and you feel a bit like a lotus-eater attempting to navigate it all while keeping your head. Amid the relentless entertainment, not to be missed are the top-notch performers present everywhere, from the Olympic-level aquatics show that you can watch from the windows of the speciality seafood restaurant should seating be elusive (it often is) to the cafeteria, where crewmembers dressed as food items sing songs reminding (commanding, actually, which is fabulous) passengers to wash their hands at sinks near the entrance. If you wish to enjoy the largest waterpark at sea, by the way, do what I did not and pack a swimsuit without zippers. From around £1,818 . Charlie Hobbs

CNT Editors

CNT Editors , CN Traveller

MSC Euribia, MSC Cruises

Looking at a row of cruise ships in port, you'll spot MSC Euribia right away. She's covered bow to stern by an ocean-themed mural by German artist Alex Flämig that bears the hashtag #SaveTheSeas nodding to the MSC's dedication to sustainable cruising: the Italian cruise line aims to be net-zero by 2050. MSC Euribia brings it one step closer to that goal, as it's the fleet's greenest ship yet, operating on liquified natural gas (LNG) and running advanced water and waste treatment systems onboard. But enough with the technical details – this mega-ship is packed with activities and entertainment, with 10 restaurants, 21 bars, five pools, two performance venues, and a bevvy of family-friendly amenities, like an F1 simulator, a waterpark, and a bowling alley. More adult-oriented highlights include the MSC Aurea Spa, with a thermal suite outfitted with thalassotherapy pools, a salt cave, and a snow room, as well as the Helios Wine Maker bar for wine tastings. Itineraries from around £420. Stefanie Waldek

Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Cruise Line

The second entry in Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Prima Class, Viva is like an Irish twin of older sister Prima. There’s the same stateroom count at 1,586, done in pristine and pleasing neutrals, as well as familiarly tricked-out amenities like the zippy 1,400-foot go-kart racing track that undulates over-the-top decks. Importantly, the Ocean Walk, which my colleague Mercedes Bleth adored aboard the Prima, remains. But round two afforded the premier name in large-ship cruising a chance to tweak and perfect, with an influx of seating options both in the ship’s complimentary dining hall as well as on its myriad decks. Across from the signature “zero-waste” Metropolitan Bar, where yummy drinks are whipped up from the ship’s food waste (I particularly enjoy a buttery Croissant Mai-Tai, for which hardening pastries are boiled down into sweetening syrup; the same is done with banana peels) is an interactive piece of digital art 52 feet wide that sees butterflies flit beside passersby. Breezy class all around. From around £791. Charlie Hobbs

Oceania Vista, Oceania Cruises

Vista, Oceania’s first new ship in more than a decade and the first of its Allura Class, debuted with small but mighty upgrades to its previous ships: better stabilisers for a smoother sailing experience; stronger Wi-Fi; lighting and architecture designed to make the ship’s common spaces look and feel roomier; a resort-like pool deck; and balconies in every cabin. The real star of the show, though, is the food and beverage experience – Vista’s culinary program delivers on its promise of top-quality venues you’ll want to make the rounds at. New to the lineup are Ember, a steakhouse with decor straight out of Napa Valley , and Aquamar Kitchen, serving up lighter fare that doesn’t skimp on taste. Celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or a just-because occasion with the Cellar Masters Wine Luncheon, a five-course meal and wine pairing. And don’t miss the elaborate sea day brunch, where towers of lobster, crab, and caviar await. Of course, the ship is just one destination. This year, Vista is splitting time between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean; next year, it will venture farther into Europe with ports of call like Istanbul , Stockholm, and Klaipeda, Lithuania. Its sister ship, Allura, sets sail in 2025. From around £2,182. Madison Flager

Scenic Eclipse II, Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours

The eagerly awaited Scenic Eclipse II is the new and improved version of Scenic's first expedition vessel, Scenic Eclipse. Dubbed "discovery yachts" for their sleek look and top-tier service, the sisters are nearly identical, with most changes so subtle that most guests might not even notice them, such as the slight enlargement of the steam room in the spa. But a big difference can be found on deck 10, where a plunge pool with jets for simulated lap swimming has taken the place of two hot tubs – and there's a new Sky Bar up here. Otherwise, Scenic Eclipse II has the same beloved amenities of its sister, most notably 10 exceptional dining experiences, from a sushi bar to a French restaurant with an attached Champagne bar; a 5,920-square-foot spa; two helicopters; and a submersible. Capable of sailing all over the world, including the polar regions, Scenic Eclipse II has itineraries for every type of traveller. From around £6,025. Stefanie Waldek

Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn Cruise Line

Pursuit is a small, “yacht-like” expedition ship with a distinct green exterior whose destinations range from Antarctica to warmer climes like the Kimberley in Australia. The decadent cabins, bigger than some standard hotel rooms, feel spacious and relaxing, complete with all the subtle touches that make you feel immediately at home. You can hang your evening attire in the walk-in closet and dry your wet swimwear – or damp Arctic expedition gear – in the built-in warming compartment; have sunrise breakfasts or sunset cocktails mixed at the in-room wet bar on your private balcony; and sleep in a plush, queen-sized bed. But what truly sets this cruise apart is the attentive and personable staff who quickly learn your name and personal preferences, providing VIP treatment throughout the journey. From around £8,729. Taylor Eisenhauer

Seven Seas Grandeur, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ports in the Caribbean, the Greek islands , and the Riviera might be the draw, but the all-inclusive luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises produces ships that have travellers looking forward to those days at sea, as its sixth offering, Grandeur, further proves. All of the 372 suites, which start at a roomy 307 square feet, are decorated in calming neutral blues and beige, and feature furnished balconies; most have L'Occitane bubbles for the marble tub. Quiet comfort can also be had in the Serene Spa & Wellness outdoor lounge area, following a massage on a quartz crystal bed that mimics the feel of warm sand. Cravings for a porterhouse or a vegetarian Salisbury steak can be sated by Prime 7, with other venues serving speciality pan-Asian cuisine, French fare, ample buffets, and Italian offerings. Mainstay Compass Rose has been reimagined as a light, airy space where diners breakfast under playfully elegant pillars that resemble crystal trees. Grandeur's whimsy extends to its reception area, where guests can check out Journey in Jewels, the Fabergé egg made specifically for the vessel, where it will remain for the rest of its jewelled ovoid days. The maximum number of 744 guests ensures unhurried service and uncrowded environs as you recover from a sunny day of swimming with Caribbean pigs. From around £3798. Alexandra Sanidad

Silver Nova, Silversea Cruises

A voyage on Silversea’s latest ship, Silver Nova, is one of taste and style. With expansive glass features throughout each of the 11 decks, and an ocean-facing saltwater swimming pool , the ship’s unique asymmetrical design leaves room for adults to run and play (with swank, of course). The Nova’s reimagined culinary experience, SALT (Sea and Land Taste), is the first large-scale, regional restaurant at sea, and acts as an invitation to guests to experience more than an excursion. While initially introduced on Silver Moon, the Nova’s SALT program includes SALT Lab by day: an intimate cooking class with highly acclaimed chefs and regional cuisine recipes inspired by the next destination. With one nightly seating, SALT Chef's Table offers an exclusive and creatively interactive dining experience. It’s all very intimate – as chefs showcase the art of their crafts firsthand, guests peek into a new culture and place before even disembarking. From around £2465. Jessica Chapel

Viking Aton, Viking River Cruises

In the style of all Viking ships, the Rottet Studio – designed Aton is intended for comfortable and thought-provoking exploration – just look to the book-filled shelves in the cabins, curated by London’s Heywood Hill library, and the revolving door of on-board lecturers (on my trip, an English curator spoke about the evolving depictions of Egypt in 1900s popular art). It should be no surprise that in a destination as rich and storied as Egypt ’s Nile, where the Aton is permanently based, the guides set apart what may read as a quintessential itinerary. On the Pharaohs & Pyramids journey, which takes travellers from the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut lies, to the Great Pyramid of Giza and well beyond over 12 days, esteemed Egyptologists oscillate from translating hieroglyphics on temple walls in real-time to shepherding travellers through modern night markets with endless fervour. On this ship it isn’t just what you see but how much you listen – and the team here, predominantly Egyptian, has much to say. These days, travellers crave perspective-altering experiences more than ever; get on the Aton, and you’ll get once-in-a-lifetime access (until that is, your next Aton sailing). From around £4849. Megan Spurrell

Resilient Lady, Virgin Voyages

Stepping onto Resilient Lady feels a bit like heading to summer camp. The massive vessel is like a giant playground for adults, which is why it draws a fun-loving crowd. Theme night parties, a nostalgic arcade room, plenty of board games, and basketball courts are just a few of the seemingly limitless onboard activities. Compared with its sister ships, the newest Virgin Voyages addition includes upgraded onboard entertainment and exciting new ports of call like the Greek Islands, Bali, and Mumbai . Most of the shows on this specific ship are new to the line, such as Persephone, an interactive performance developed in collaboration with famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes, and Another Rose, an immersive dinner experience. Dining options are abundant on the ship – 20-plus to be exact – and all of them are included with every passenger ticket. Plus, you can’t miss out on a visit to the several different sauna experiences in the Thermal Suite inside the Redemption Spa. From around £1616 . Rachel Dube

World Voyager, Atlas Ocean Voyages

There are superbly comfortable spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows aplenty on World Voyager, the latest vessel from Atlas Ocean Voyages. On an Antarctica expedition, you might watch turquoise icebergs float by from the sauna or the spa’s relaxation room, with its heated loungers perfectly positioned in front of a wall of glass. Back in your cosy stateroom, Champagne and strawberries await, as do the views from a Juliet or walkout balcony. The look throughout the 100 cabins and public spaces is Scandinavian modern, thanks to blond woods, marble floors, plush carpets in geometric patterns, and curvaceous furniture draped in velvety fabrics. In the elegant dining room, the focus is on international cuisine with a farm-to-table slant – think mushroom risotto and smoked duck with chargrilled vegetables. Meanwhile, the multipage cocktail menu beckons guests to a pair of spacious lounges. Blending yacht-style elegance and boutique-resort intimacy, this is a ship where you can make new friends easily but also retreat to a favourite spot to enjoy high tea in peaceful solitude while awaiting details from the crew on the adventures that lie ahead. From around £1495. Celeste Moure

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The Best New Cruises in the World: 2024 Hot List

By CNT Editors

It’s inevitable: Every spring when we pull together the Hot List , our annual collection of the world’s best new hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships, a staffer remarks that this latest iteration has got to be the best one ever. After a year’s worth of traveling the globe—to stay the night at a converted farmhouse in the middle of an olive grove outside Marrakech , or sail aboard a beloved cruise line’s inaugural Antarctic voyage—it’s easy to see why we get attached. But this year’s Hot List, our 28th edition, might really be the best one ever. It’s certainly our most diverse, featuring not only a hotel suite that was once Winston Churchill’s office, but also the world’s largest cruise ship and restaurants from Cape Town to Bali. We were surprised and inspired by this year’s honorees, and we know you will be too. These are the Hot List cruise winners for 2024.

Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2024 .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler 's Hot List issue. Never miss out when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler .

Celebrity Ascent — Celebrity Cruises Arrow

Celebrity is a premium big-ship cruise brand, focusing on exquisite dining, cutting-edge amenities, Instagram-worthy public spaces chock-full of bespoke art pieces, and avant-garde onboard entertainment. The ship makes passengers feel, in a word, glamorous. Celebrity Ascent ’s sumptuously designed interiors are flooded with natural light and evoke an air of playful sophistication that make a week on board an escape worth cherishing. Passengers may find themselves longing to return for just one more succulent crab claw at Raw on 5, one more martini poured by bottle-spinning bartenders in the Martini Bar, or one more dazzling, acrobatic stage show, in the days following their farewells to this beautiful ship. From $710 per person for a seven-night sailing. —Scott Laird

Emerald Sakara — Emerald Cruises Arrow

Now with two oceangoing vessels joining Emerald’s more established fleet of nine river-dedicated “Star-Ships,” the decade-old cruise line is extending a brand built on unpretentious luxury to more corners of the world. Christened last August, the 100-guest superyacht, Sakara, is a near twin to Azzurra, which in 2022 ushered in a new era for Emerald by taking to the high seas. Sakara, like its sister, delightfully blurs the line between the luxury and ultra-luxury cruise categories, offering attentive service, gourmet cuisine, tasteful decor, and an eclectic slate of activities at a price point friendly to more budgets. The cherry on top with both superyachts is a slew of perks atypical of small-ship sailing, ranging from an impressively comprehensive spa to a marina platform well equipped for more fun in the sun. Despite having so much good stuff, each vessel is remarkably spacious. Getting a sense of being on a private yacht is easy like Sunday morning. Sakara is homeported in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean through at least March 2026; Azzurra, too, in addition to the Middle East, Kenya, and the Seychelles. Emerald’s river operations are based in Europe and Southeast Asia. (Note that a third ship, the Kaia , has just been announced by the cruise line; it debuts in April 2026, and, for all the early birds, it is now open for bookings.) From $3,850. —David Dickstein

Explora I — Explora Journeys Arrow

With a showpiece lobby bar, upscale restaurants, and a sultry infinity pool, Explora Journeys' relaxed luxury-resort-at-sea vibe strikes the perfect balance on Explora I. Launched in August 2023, the all-inclusive ship is disarmingly beautiful. A sleek navy blue exterior cocoons 461 suites, all with deep balconies, walk-in closets, and marble bathrooms. There is free-flowing Champagne, 7,500 square feet of wellness space, and 18 drinking and dining venues. From Emporium Marketplace, with its decadent raw bar, to pan-Asian restaurant Sakura, the dining on Explora I is sensational. Marble & Co. Grill is an intimate steakhouse where aging meats hang in temperature-controlled cabinets. At Anthology, the ship's only supplementary restaurant, guest chefs—such as Claude Le Tohic of San Francisco's O' by Claude Le Tohic—curate sublime tasting menus. There's more: The only Rolex boutique at sea, huge hot tubs, and a shore program that sees some land experiences developed in partnership with revered explorer Mike Horn. From $698 per person per night. —Kerry Spencer

Icon of the Seas — Royal Caribbean International Arrow

Aboard the Icon, you can really get lost. The behemoth is just plain big, with capacity for nearly 8,000 when combining passengers and crew across 20 decks and 250,800 gross tons. Two and a half laps around the ship’s jogging track, a particular highlight onboard, and you’ve run a mile. So one can find themselves in need of a map—forgetting your sunscreen, for example, in your cabin is a bit of a chore depending on how far you’ve made it. But the abundance of things to do is also narcotic, and you feel a bit like a lotus-eater attempting to navigate it all while keeping your head. Amid the relentless entertainment, not to be missed are the top-notch performers present everywhere, from the Olympic-level aquatics show that you can watch from the windows of the specialty seafood restaurant should seating be elusive (it often is) to the cafeteria, where crew members dressed as food items sing songs reminding (commanding, actually, which is fabulous) passengers to wash their hands at sinks near the entrance. If you wish to enjoy the largest waterpark at sea, by the way, do what I did not and pack a swimsuit without zippers. From $2,249. —Charlie Hobbs

Harrison Pierce

María Casbas

CNT Editors

MSC Euribia — MSC Cruises Arrow

Looking at a row of cruise ships in port, you'll spot MSC Euribia right away. She's covered bow to stern by an ocean-themed mural by German artist Alex Flämig that bears the hashtag #SaveTheSeas nodding to the MSC's dedication to sustainable cruising: the European cruise line aims to be net-zero by 2050. MSC Euribia brings it one step closer to that goal, as it's the fleet's greenest ship yet, operating on liquified natural gas (LNG) and running advanced water and waste treatment systems onboard. But enough with the technical details—this mega-ship is packed with activities and entertainment, with 10 restaurants, 21 bars, five pools, two performance venues, and a bevy of family-friendly amenities, like an F1 simulator, a waterpark, and a bowling alley. More adult-oriented highlights include the MSC Aurea Spa, with a thermal suite outfitted with thalassotherapy pools, a salt cave, and a snow room, as well as the Helios Wine Maker bar for wine tastings. From $519. —Stefanie Waldek

Norwegian Viva — Norwegian Cruise Line Arrow

The second entry in Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Prima Class, Viva is like an Irish twin of older sister Prima . There’s the same stateroom count at 1,586, done in pristine and pleasing neutrals, as well as familiarly tricked-out amenities like the zippy 1,400-foot go-kart racing track that undulates over the top decks. Importantly, the Ocean Walk, which my colleague Mercedes Bleth adored aboard the Prima, remains. But round two afforded the premier name in large-ship cruising a chance to tweak and perfect, with an influx of seating options both in the ship’s complimentary dining hall as well as on its myriad decks. Across from the signature “zero-waste” Metropolitan Bar, where yummy drinks are whipped up from the ship’s food waste (I particularly enjoy a buttery Croissant Mai-Tai, for which hardening pastries are boiled down into sweetening syrup; the same is done with banana peels) is an interactive piece of digital art 52 feet wide that sees butterflies flit beside passersby. Breezy class all around. From $979. —Charlie Hobbs

Oceania Vista — Oceania Cruises Arrow

Vista, Oceania’s first new ship in more than a decade and the first of its Allura Class, debuted with small but mighty upgrades to its previous ships: better stabilizers for a smoother sailing experience; stronger Wi-Fi; lighting and architecture designed to make the ship’s common spaces look and feel roomier; a resort-like pool deck; and balconies in every cabin. The real star of the show, though, is the food and beverage experience— Vista ’s culinary program delivers on its promise of top-quality venues you’ll want to make the rounds at. New to the lineup are Ember, a steakhouse with decor straight out of Napa Valley, and Aquamar Kitchen, serving up lighter fare that doesn’t skimp on taste. Celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or a just-because occasion with the Cellar Masters Wine Luncheon, a five-course meal and wine pairing. And don’t miss the elaborate sea day brunch, where towers of lobster, crab, and caviar await. Of course, the ship is just one destination. This year Vista is splitting time between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean; next year it will venture farther into Europe with ports of call like Istanbul, Stockholm, and Klaipeda, Lithuania. Its sister ship, Allura, sets sail in 2025 From $2,699. —Madison Flager

Scenic Eclipse II — Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours Arrow

The eagerly awaited Scenic Eclipse II is the new and improved version of Scenic's first expedition vessel, Scenic Eclipse . Dubbed "discovery yachts" for their sleek look and top-tier service, the sisters are nearly identical, with most changes so subtle that most guests might not even notice them, such as the slight enlargement of the steam room in the spa. But a big difference can be found on deck 10, where a plunge pool with jets for simulated lap swimming has taken the place of two hot tubs—and there's a new Sky Bar up here. Otherwise, Scenic Eclipse II has the same beloved amenities of its sister, most notably 10 exceptional dining experiences, from a sushi bar to a French restaurant with an attached Champagne bar; a 5,920-square-foot spa; two helicopters; and a submersible. Capable of sailing all over the world, including the polar regions, Scenic Eclipse II has itineraries for every type of traveler. From $7,455. —Stefanie Waldek

Seabourn Pursuit — Seabourn Cruise Line Arrow

Pursuit is a small “yacht-like” expedition ship with a distinct green exterior whose destinations range from Antarctica to warmer climes like the Kimberley in Australia. The decadent cabins, bigger than some standard hotel rooms, feel spacious and relaxing, complete with all the subtle touches that make you feel immediately at home. You can hang your evening attire in the walk-in closet and dry your wet swimwear—or damp Arctic expedition gear—in the built-in warming compartment; have sunrise breakfasts or sunset cocktails mixed at the in-room wet bar on your private balcony; and sleep in a plush, queen-sized bed. But what truly sets this cruise apart is the attentive and personable staff who quickly learn your name and personal preferences, providing VIP treatment throughout the journey. From $10,799. —Taylor Eisenhauer

Seven Seas Grandeur — Regent Seven Seas Cruises Arrow

Ports in the Caribbean, the Greek Isles, and the Riviera might be the draw, but the all-inclusive luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises produces ships that have travelers looking forward to those days at sea, as its sixth offering, Grandeur, further proves. All of the 372 suites, which start at a roomy 307 square feet, are decorated in calming neutral blues and beige, and feature furnished balconies; most have L'Occitane bubbles for the marble tub. Quiet comfort can also be had in the Serene Spa & Wellness outdoor lounge area, following a massage on a quartz crystal bed that mimics the feel of warm sand. Cravings for a porterhouse or a vegetarian Salisbury steak can be sated by Prime 7, with other venues serving specialty pan-Asian cuisine, French fare, ample buffets, and Italian offerings. Mainstay Compass Rose has been reimagined as a light, airy space where diners breakfast under playfully elegant pillars that resemble crystal trees. Grandeur 's whimsy extends to its reception area, where guests can check out Journey in Jewels, the Fabergé egg made specifically for the vessel, where it will remain for the rest of its jeweled ovoid days. The maximum number of 744 guests ensures unhurried service and uncrowded environs as you recover from a sunny day of swimming with Caribbean pigs. From $4,699 . —Alexandra Sanidad

Silver Nova — Silversea Cruises Arrow

A voyage on Silversea’s latest ship, Silver Nova, is one of taste and style. With expansive glass features throughout each of the 11 decks, and an ocean-facing saltwater swimming pool, the ship’s unique asymmetrical design leaves room for adults to run and play (with swank, of course). The Nova ’s reimagined culinary experience, SALT (Sea and Land Taste), is the first large-scale, regional restaurant at sea, and acts as an invitation to guests to experience more than an excursion. While initially introduced on Silver Moon, the Nova ’s SALT program includes SALT Lab by day: an intimate cooking class with highly acclaimed chefs and regional cuisine recipes inspired by the next destination. With one nightly seating, SALT Chef's Table offers an exclusive and creatively interactive dining experience. It’s all very intimate—as chefs showcase the art of their crafts firsthand, guests peek into a new culture, and place, before even disembarking. From $3,050. —Jessica Chapel

Viking Aton — Viking River Cruises Arrow

In the style of all Viking ships, the Rottet Studio–designed Aton is intended for comfortable and thought-provoking exploration—just look to the book-filled shelves in the cabins, curated by London’s Heywood Hill library, and the revolving door of on-board lecturers (on my trip, an English curator spoke about the evolving depictions of Egypt in 1900s popular art). It should be no surprise that in a destination as rich and storied as Egypt’s Nile, where the Aton is permanently based, the guides set apart what may read as a quintessential itinerary. On the Pharaohs & Pyramids journey, which takes travelers from the Valley of the Kings, where King Tut lies, to the Great Pyramid of Giza and well beyond over 12 days, esteemed Egyptologists oscillate from translating hieroglyphics on temple walls in real time, to shepherding travelers through modern night markets with endless fervor. On this ship it isn’t just what you see but how much you listen—and the team here, predominantly Egyptian, has much to say. These days, travelers crave perspective-altering experiences more than ever; get on the Aton and you’ll get once-in-a-lifetime access (until, that is, your next Aton sailing). From $5,999. —Megan Spurrell

Resilient Lady — Virgin Voyages Arrow

Stepping onto Resilient Lady feels a bit like heading to summer camp. The massive vessel is like a giant playground for adults, which is why it draws a fun-loving crowd. Theme night parties, a nostalgic arcade room, plenty of board games, and basketball courts are just a few of the seemingly limitless onboard activities. Compared with its sister ships, the newest Virgin Voyages addition includes upgraded onboard entertainment and exciting new ports of call like the Greek Islands, Bali, and Mumbai. Most of the shows on this specific ship are new to the line, such as Persephone, an interactive performance developed in collaboration with famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes, and Another Rose, an immersive dinner experience. Dining options are abundant on the ship—20-plus to be exact—and all of them are included with every passenger ticket. Plus, you can’t miss out on a visit to the several different sauna experiences in the Thermal Suite inside the Redemption Spa. From $2,000 . —Rachel Dube

World Voyager — Atlas Ocean Voyages Arrow

There are superbly comfortable spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows aplenty on World Voyager, the latest vessel from Atlas Ocean Voyages. On an Antarctica expedition, from the sauna or the spa’s relaxation room, with its heated loungers perfectly positioned in front of a wall of glass, you might watch turquoise icebergs float by. Back in your cozy stateroom, Champagne and strawberries await, as do the views from a Juliet or walkout balcony. The look throughout the 100 cabins and public spaces is Scandinavian modern, thanks to blond woods, marble floors, plush carpets in geometric patterns, and curvaceous furniture draped in velvety fabrics. In the elegant dining room, the focus is on international cuisine with a farm-to-table slant—think mushroom risotto and smoked duck with chargrilled vegetables. Meanwhile, the multipage cocktail menu beckons guests to a pair of spacious lounges. Blending yacht-style elegance and boutique-resort intimacy, this is a ship where you can make new friends easily but also retreat to a favorite spot to enjoy high tea in peaceful solitude while awaiting details from the crew on the adventures that lie ahead. From $1849. —Celeste Moure