Crystal Cruises has announced they are looking to build four new luxury cruise ships over the next six years. The expansion will increase their fleet to six ships which is a significant growth for the cruise line
The announcement came from Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group while onboard the preview voyage of Crystal Serenity. While no ships are currently being built the cruise line is working toward signing a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders for four new ships—two expedition and two classic ships.
Levis stated, “We have ambitious growth plans for Crystal and are proud of what we have accomplished with the relaunch of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in just under a year following the purchase of the brand. We are now thrilled to formally announce that we will be growing our fleet and continue to offer the most exceptional cruising experiences in the industry.”
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were purchased by A&K Travel Group in February 2022 after Crystal Cruises went out of business. A&K Travel Group retained Crystal Cruises President and CEO Jack Anderson to lead the company as well.
After a major refurbishment, Crystal Serenity is embarking on her inaugural voyage from Marseille today. Additionally, her sister ship, Crystal Symphony, will embark on her inaugural voyage on September 1, 2023, from Athens.
Crystal Serenity’s inaugural cruise is a 12-night Mediterranean sailing from Marseille, France with ports of call in Cannes, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Corsica, an overnight in Barcelona, Ibiza, Cartagena, Malaga, Portimao, before disembarking in Lisbon, Portugal.
Crystal Serenity will offer various sailings in Northern Europe, Iceland, and North America and Canada before she homeports in Miami to offer longer Caribbean cruises. In January 2024, the ship will embark from Miami on a roundtrip 141-night World Cruise. After returning in June 2024, the ship will sail to Alaska and homeport for the summer season.