Crystal
Crystal is a luxury cruise line founded in 1988 by the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha, which sold it to Genting Hong Kong in 2015. Under Genting it branched into river cruising, an expedition yacht, a small yacht and private jets, but the parent's insolvency forced Crystal to stop sailing in January 2022; its two ocean ships were arrested in the Bahamas and its U.S. headquarters closed.
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About Crystal
In June 2022 A&K Travel Group, owned by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio and Geoffrey Kent, bought the brand and the ocean ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, refitted both in Trieste and relaunched them in 2023, with headquarters in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Crystal ordered two new ships from Fincantieri in June 2024 and a third later that year; the first, Crystal Grace, is due to sail in June 2028.
The refits cut capacity to 740 and 606 guests, giving the ships what Crystal calls an industry-leading amount of space per guest. Every room faces the sea and has butler service, there are almost as many crew as guests, and dining includes Nobu Matsuhisa's only restaurant at sea and an outpost of Beefbar. Crystal sails worldwide, with annual world cruises and long Grand Journeys.
What Crystal is known for
Crystal's relaunch has been well received in reader polls: Travel + Leisure readers named it the top midsize-ship ocean cruise line in their World's Best Awards in 2025 and again in 2026. The line's own messaging and guest testimonials center on warm, personal service, butlers for every room, generous space and the dining, especially the Nobu restaurant. The drawbacks are mostly about hardware and history: the ships date from 1995 and 2003 despite their 2023 refits, and the 2022 collapse under Genting Hong Kong, which left the ships arrested over unpaid fuel bills, kept the brand out of service for well over a year before A&K revived it. Crystal Grace, due in 2028, will be its first new ship in decades.
Who it's for
Luxury · small ships, a high crew-to-guest ratio, most extras included
- Food lovers
- Couples
- Solo travelers
- History and culture
Crystal suits experienced, affluent travelers who want a classic luxury-ship experience, with butler service, fine dining, Broadway-style shows and plenty of space, especially on longer voyages and world cruises. Solo travelers get attention too, with reduced solo supplements on some sailings. Those who want the newest ship designs, the intimacy of a yacht of a few hundred guests, or a low fare should look elsewhere, at least until Crystal Grace arrives.
Cruising solo on Crystal
Crystal is one of the most solo-friendly luxury lines. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony both have Single Guest Rooms with an Ocean View, redesigned in the 2023 refits at about 216 square feet with a queen bed and sofa and sold at a fare for one. On other categories the line runs rolling solo offers, currently a 25 percent supplement on selected voyages and at times none at all. Ambassador Hosts dance and dine with solo guests, the Waterside restaurant seats solo travelers together on request, and ships of 606 and 740 guests with butlers for every room make it easy to travel alone in comfort.
- Cabins for one
- Single Guest Room with Ocean View (Single Ocean View)
- Single supplement
- The Single Ocean View rooms are sold only for single occupancy at the fare shown. Elsewhere a solo guest pays a supplement over the double-occupancy fare, and Crystal regularly reduces it: its current So Low Solo offer sets a 25 percent solo supplement on selected voyages and suite categories for bookings made by November 30, 2026, and the line has run zero single supplement offers on selected sailings.
- Meeting other solo guests
- Crystal carries Ambassador Hosts, gentlemen hosts who dine and dance with solo guests, with nightly ballroom dancing in the Palm Court. The maître d' at the Waterside restaurant offers a solo table where guests traveling alone are seated together, and every room, including the single rooms, comes with butler service.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 5/5
- Dining
- 5/5
- Entertainment
- 4/5
- Service
- 5/5
- Pools & decks
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 2 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Crystal sails
Ships
Best rated
#14.5 ★Crystal Serenity2003 · 68,870 GT · 740 guests · World cruises · CaribbeanCrystal Serenity is the larger of Crystal's two ships, built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire and named by Dame Julie Andrews in July 2003. After Crystal's former…
#24.5 ★Crystal Symphony1995 · 51,044 GT · 606 guests · Caribbean · MediterraneanCrystal Symphony is the older of Crystal's ships, built in 1995 by Kværner Masa-Yards in Turku, Finland. Major refits in 2006 at Norfolk, Virginia, and 2009 in Boston preceded…Every ship
Coming soon
Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Endeavor | 2021–2022 | 20,449 | February 2022 |
| Crystal Esprit | 2015–2021 | 3,370 | September 2021 |
Where to fly in
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)1 Crystal ship sails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida3 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Crystal known for?
Crystal's relaunch has been well received in reader polls: Travel + Leisure readers named it the top midsize-ship ocean cruise line in their World's Best Awards in 2025 and again in 2026. The line's own messaging and guest testimonials center on warm, personal service, butlers for every room, generous space and the dining, especially the Nobu restaurant. The drawbacks are mostly about hardware and history: the ships date from 1995 and 2003 despite their 2023 refits, and the 2022 collapse under Genting Hong Kong, which left the ships arrested over unpaid fuel bills, kept the brand out of service for well over a year before A&K revived it. Crystal Grace, due in 2028, will be its first new ship in decades.
Who is Crystal best for?
Crystal suits experienced, affluent travelers who want a classic luxury-ship experience, with butler service, fine dining, Broadway-style shows and plenty of space, especially on longer voyages and world cruises. Solo travelers get attention too, with reduced solo supplements on some sailings. Those who want the newest ship designs, the intimacy of a yacht of a few hundred guests, or a low fare should look elsewhere, at least until Crystal Grace arrives.
Is Crystal good for solo travellers?
Crystal is one of the most solo-friendly luxury lines. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony both have Single Guest Rooms with an Ocean View, redesigned in the 2023 refits at about 216 square feet with a queen bed and sofa and sold at a fare for one. On other categories the line runs rolling solo offers, currently a 25 percent supplement on selected voyages and at times none at all. Ambassador Hosts dance and dine with solo guests, the Waterside restaurant seats solo travelers together on request, and ships of 606 and 740 guests with butlers for every room make it easy to travel alone in comfort.
Where does Crystal sail?
Crystal's ships in service sail Caribbean (2 ships), Mediterranean (1 ship), Canada and New England (1 ship), Transatlantic (1 ship), South America (1 ship), Asia (1 ship), Australia and New Zealand (1 ship), South Pacific (1 ship) and World cruises (1 ship).
How is Crystal rated?
Crystal's fleet averages 4.5 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 2 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Crystal Serenity at 4.5.
Does Crystal have new ships coming?
Yes: Crystal has 1 new ship on the way: Crystal Grace (debuts June 11, 2028).
How many ships does Crystal have?
Crystal has 2 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.
Who owns Crystal?
Crystal is part of A&K Travel Group.
Where is Crystal based?
Crystal is headquartered in Hallandale Beach, Florida, United States. It has operated since 1988.
What is Crystal's loyalty program called?
Crystal's past-guest loyalty program is Crystal Society.
What is the largest Crystal ship?
Crystal Serenity is Crystal's largest ship at 68,870 gross tons, carrying 740 guests.
Cruising with children
Crystal’s family planning depends strongly on the sailing calendar. A departure during a family-program period can differ from one with few children aboard.
Read the Crystal family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
House wine is included in Crystal's fares, so you may not need a drinks package. If you'd want cocktails or premium wines, enter what they cost.
House wine is included in Crystal's fares, so you may not need a drinks package at all. Crystal FAQ ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about Crystal and its ships
- Crystal's new ship will stay in Rio for Carnival and visit Devil's Island in 2029. Sales open Oct. 20
Crystal released its last 2028 voyages and first 2029 ones on Oct. 13. Crystal Grace gets its first South America season, while Serenity and Symphony head to Japan, the Pacific and New Zealand.
Itineraries
- Cruising solo with Crystal: single rooms, dance hosts and a butler who knows your name
Crystal has single staterooms, Ambassador Hosts and a solo table at dinner. A look at what makes the relaunched luxury line so good for traveling alone.
Cruise lines
- 5 things Crystal does well—and 1 it doesn’t
Five strengths of Crystal, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.
Cruise lines
- Crystal's new ship will stay in Rio for Carnival and visit Devil's Island in 2029. Sales open Oct. 20
Cruise FrogCrystal Grace
- Crystal's new ship will stay in Rio for Carnival and visit Devil's Island in 2029. Sales open Oct. 20
Cruise Frog
- Crystal Serenity adds a 1,722-square-foot Owner's Suite with a fireplace and a Jacuzzi in 2028
Lounge FrogCrystal Serenity