A MOMENTOUS milestone was achieved overnight by the reborn Crystal Cruises, with its first departure since the iconic brand was acquired by the A&K Travel Group last year (CW 23 Jun 2022). Crystal Serenity set sail from Venice with a contingent of travel partners and media along with senior A&K/Crystal...
A MOMENTOUS milestone was achieved overnight by the reborn Crystal Cruises, with its first departure since the iconic brand was acquired by the A&K Travel Group last year (CW 23 Jun 2022).
Crystal Serenity set sail from Venice with a contingent of travel partners and media along with senior A&K/Crystal executives from across the globe, including CEO Cristina Levis and co-founder Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
It was an emotional moment for many who feared that Crystal would never return from the depths of the pandemic, when then owner Genting Hong Kong ceased trading and put Crystal’s operations into a hiatus, along with sister brands Dream Cruises and Star Cruises.
Under its new ownership Crystal has emerged with big plans, including the significant makeover of both of its ocean-going ships.
Crystal Serenity’s passenger capacity has reduced from 1,070 to just 740 guests, with suites enlarged along with new wellness facilities, a revitalised spa and new culinary experiences.
Crystal Symphony will carry 606 guests, down from 960, when she emerges from her current drydock in Trieste, Italy in the coming weeks.
At a sailaway party in Venice last night guests were welcomed aboard the inaugural voyage by the line’s brand ambassador, Fernando Barroso de Oliviera (pictured at right), who said “we are starting a new company, but a company with a spectacular name in the business”.
The new Serenity will cruise to Dubrovnik, Naples and Livorno over the next week before ending her maiden voyage in Marseille.
