who owns crystal travel

18 Months After Bankruptcy, This Luxury Cruise Line Is Sailing Again

In 2022, crystal cruises went belly up. now, two of the original ocean ships are back on the high seas—with some enticing upgrades..

• Copy Link copied

Travelers can relax at sea in the new Aurora spa onboard the reborn Crystal ships.

Courtesy of Crystal

After declaring bankruptcy in 2022 , what was once Crystal Cruises is back on the high seas with a new look, an abbreviated name, and plans for rapid growth. The cruise line was acquired by the luxury, small-group tour operator Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), which rechristened the brand as simply “ Crystal .”

During the restructuring, Crystal sold off five river ships—which have been resurrected by the new river cruise line Riverside Luxury Cruises —and an expedition vessel, and it currently operates two of its original ships, the 740-passenger Crystal Serenity and the 606-passenger Crystal Symphony . However, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, said Crystal plans to order two new classic ships and two expedition vessels over the next six years.

“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,” Levis said. “We are now thrilled to formally announce that we will grow our fleet and continue to offer the most exceptional cruising experiences in the industry.”

The two vessels, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity , are just the beginning for the reincarnated Crystal brand.

Crystal Serenity is currently on its maiden voyage under the new ownership: a 12-night Mediterranean sailing that started in Marseille, France, and will end in Lisbon, Portugal. The ship will operate mainly in the United Kingdom and Iceland in August before heading to Canada and New England for September and then onward to the Caribbean for winter. In the spring, the ship will embark on a 141-day around-the-world cruise, starting and ending in Miami and visiting 69 ports across 29 countries, including Colombia, New Zealand, Egypt, and Italy.

Crystal Symphony , meanwhile, will restart operations on September 1, with a sailing from Athens to Istanbul. Afterward, it’s off to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand for the rest of 2023 and into early 2024.

Both ships have undergone a series of upgrades since the previous line went under; the main one is the expansion of the size of staterooms and suites. By merging smaller guest rooms into larger suites with living room and bedroom areas, Crystal has decreased the capacity of Serenity from 1,080 guests to 740. The renovations resulted in two new room categories: Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites measure 806 square feet and include separate bedroom, living, and dining areas, 1.5 baths, a walk-in closet, and a balcony, while the Single Guest Room with Ocean View category includes a single bed and a small living area within its 215 square feet. Best of all, it serves as a great option for solo travelers, who no longer need to pay a single supplement for a double room.

A new veranda suite on the updated Crystal ocean ships.

Photo by Amanda Julca/Crystal

Levis said these new categories helped increase the availability of the popular Sapphire Suite category, which measures 537 square feet and has separate sitting and sleeping areas, a walk-in closet, a balcony, and a bathroom with a rainfall shower and dual marble vanities.

In addition to room refreshes, Crystal has revamped some public spaces, the spa, and the fitness area, which now includes in-demand pickleball courts, and passengers will find a new look in the onboard restaurants, including northern Italian fine-dining spot Osteria D’Ovidio and Umi Uma, the only concept at sea for Nobu chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa.

The Umi Uma restaurant on the Crystal Symphony is overseen by Nobu chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa.

It’s worth noting that A&K also contracts ships from Ponant, a luxury French cruise company, for sailings to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. According to Levis, “When it comes to cruising, the companies will continue to operate as separate entities, with Crystal being a part of the A&K Travel Group family. Abercrombie & Kent will continue to charter Ponant ships for their expedition sailings.”

Crystal will announce itineraries for 2025 in the coming months (which, according to a Crystal spokesperson, will incorporate more A&K land expeditions), but there are still sailings available for booking in 2023 and 2024 on crystalcruises.com . Fares start at $3,800 per person, based on double occupancy.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Crystal Cruises Is Officially Back — and Just Announced It’s Expanding, With Over-the-top Tours and New Ships

Crystal Serenity has relaunched, with Symphony coming next month — and new ships already in the works.

Crystal Cruises is back on the water — and ready to expand. 

The cruise line, which went bankrupt early last year, was acquired by luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group in June 2022. A&K bought Crystal’s two ocean vessels — Serenity will sail its inaugural journey from Marseille, France, to Lisbon on Monday, July 31, with Symphony following suit on Sept. 1, sailing from Athens to Istanbul.

Today, during a preview sailing for press and travel agents, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, announced that Crystal plans to expand with four new ships by 2029, including two expedition vessels. The company will start construction on the 650-passenger ocean ship and 220-person expedition ship next year. (Crystal previously offered expedition cruising on Endeavor .) The contracts are not finalized, but Levis said the plans are “quite advanced, particularly for the expedition ship,” which will sail to the Arctic and Antarctica.

It’s worth noting that A&K already has robust Arctic and Antarctic expedition offerings, which sail on Ponant ’s Le Commandant Charcot . “For the foreseeable future, A&K will charter Ponant ships, though over 40 crew members from the former Crystal team will be on board the Ponant voyages,” Levis said. 

For the present, though, the focus is on Serenity and Symphony as Crystal returns to the seas. Both ships were given a hefty refresh before welcoming guests — 80 percent of whom are returning fans — back on board. “We went down to the steel,” Levis said. “We’ve rebuilt the rooms [and public spaces], not just refurbished.”

This summer, both Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will sail the Mediterranean Sea and Northern Europe, to destinations like Istanbul; Santorini, Greece; and the U.K.’s Isle of Man, with fares from $3,800 per guest. Symphony will then sail in Asia, Africa, and Australia this fall and winter, while Serenity will tour the Caribbean.

The fleet isn’t the only thing Crystal plans to expand. Crystal’s senior vice president of global marketing, Jacqueline Barney, confirmed plans to weave A&K land tours into Crystal’s 2025 world cruise . “Imagine, if you have a three-day gap between Guayaquil and let’s say, Lima, being able to jump off and taking an extraordinary A&K expedition to the Galápagos and checking that off the bucket list,” she said. 

Crystal will announce more itineraries for 2025 in the coming months, but you can book 2023 and 2024 sailings at crystalcruises.com .

Related Articles

Crystal Cruises to rise again under new owners

It looks like luxury cruise operator Crystal Cruises will rise again.

The high-end travel company A&K Travel Group on Wednesday announced it had bought the bankrupt line's brand name and two biggest oceangoing ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, with plans to relaunch the brand in 2023.

The purchase of the two oceangoing ships was done in conjunction with Heritage, the holding company controlled by former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, A&K said.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Lefebvre d'Ovidio also owns a controlling stake in A&K Travel Group, the parent company of luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent. He serves as its co-chairman alongside founder Geoffrey Kent.

The announcement comes as various pieces of Crystal Cruises are being sold off by liquidators for the brand, which collapsed along with its parent company Genting Hong Kong earlier this year after revenues plummeted due to COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns.

"I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart," Lefebvre d'Ovidio said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

He and his family have a long history in the cruise business. They owned Sitmar Cruises, which later was merged into Princess Cruises , in the 1980s, and later founded Silversea. Lefebvre d'Ovidio sold Silversea to Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises , in two transactions starting in 2018.

"Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely," Lefebvre d'Ovidio said in the statement. "Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice."

Lefebvre d'Ovidio owns 85% of A&K Travel Group, with the remainder owned by Kent. The two luxury travel pioneers have been friends for decades.

"The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride," Kent said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Crystal Cruises suspended operations in January after its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, ran out of money and filed for a type of bankruptcy that involves a complete liquidation of the firm. In addition to Crystal Cruises, subsidiaries of Genting Hong Kong that controlled Asia-based Dream Cruises and Star Cruises also are being liquidated.

Related: Giant Dream Cruises ship to be scrapped before it ever sails

In its announcement, A&K Travel Group only mentioned restarting Crystal Cruises with the two ocean ships that it had acquired.

The fate of several more pieces of Crystal Cruises, most notably its river cruise division, which includes five vessels, and its new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor , have yet to be announced by the brand's liquidators.

A&K Travel Group and Heritage didn't reveal how much they paid for the two Crystal ships, which were auctioned off to the highest bidder in the Bahamas last week.

Both of the ships will undergo extensive refurbishments before being put back in service, A&K Travel Group said.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

Meet Our Team

As Crystal Travel is a family run operation, we have an extremely close-knit team with many of our agents working here for over 15 years. 

Our experienced team of travel agents and tour operators are passionate about their travels, and they enjoy sharing that with you. We leverage the years of specialist experience and deep partner relationships we have developed since we opened our doors to assist you in crafting the type of travel experience you want.

There are some things you can’t travel without. Our team’s expertise is one of them.

Teresa Kelly

Kevin kelly, vivienne stanley kelly, bridie tamer, ann o’brien, josephine keenan, michaela murphy, joe donnellan, sean o’gara, niall mccann, keep up to date.

Sign up to get Crystal Travel news, travel tips, inspiration, and special offers, straight to your inbox.

Family owned since 1985 | Boston, Massachusetts

100 Spring St, Boston MA, 02132 1-617-327-4242

© 2024 Crystal Travel & Tours. All Rights Reserved. | Powered by Brave River Solutions.

Two Crystal Cruises ships will resume service in 2023 under new owners

After suspending operations earlier this year, Crystal Cruises will set sail again.

A&K Travel Group, owned by Geoffrey Kent of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent and industrial holding company Heritage, purchased the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ships, the companies announced Wednesday.

A&K Travel Group also acquired the Crystal Cruises brand, and following "extensive refurbishment," the vessels will resume operations in 2023, according to a press release . Heritage is chaired by former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio.

"The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride," Kent said in the release.

Norway winter cruise: 10 reasons to consider booking right now

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Solo cruise: What it's like to go on a cruise by yourself

Crystal Cruises reportedly shut down at least its U.S. operations earlier this year after an arrest warrant had been issued for the Crystal Symphony due to unpaid fuel bills. The cruise line had previously suspended sailings for several months after its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, declared bankruptcy in January.

The cruise line’s website at one point said its ocean cruises would be "paused" through April, but was directing visitors to crystalcruiseclaims.com by March, where passengers who had already paid could file a claim.

A source told USA TODAY in February that U.S. staff had been given termination notices.

Place your bets: Carnival Corp. to launch new sports betting and iGaming offerings on three cruise lines

Lefebvre d'Ovidio, who is also co-chairman of A&K Travel Group and Abercrombie & Kent, said when the "opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice," per the release. "Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable," he added.

Heritage did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how operations might change when Crystal Cruises relaunches.

Suggested companies

Crystal travel, business-class.com.

CrystalTravel.com   Reviews

In the Travel Agency category

Visit this website

Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.8.

2,932 total

Most relevant

Lucas at Crystal Travel did an outstanding job!…

We had to make last-minute changes to flights due to the upcoming Aer Lingus strike. I had the opportunity to work with Lucas from Crystal Travel with these revisions. He was extremely helpful and efficient, and took me step by step through challenging rescheduling with so many people trying to change their flights al at the same time. Very pleased and satisfied with the service I received and would highly recommend Lucas and Crystal Travel!

Date of experience : June 21, 2024

Service beyond the call of duty

I had many clarifications that I needed when I booked my business class tickets for the first time in my life. Mr. Martin Smith who took care of my booking was able to clarify and instill confidence that his recommendations were the best and to my satisfaction. He was so nice to send a youtube link to see for myself the seats that he was booking for my wife and me. He did a great job despite me being very tough on him. Getting him as your booking agent, I believe, will be a blessing.

Date of experience : June 17, 2024

Reply from CrystalTravel.com

Dear Ram, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Was very helpful getting an alternative flight to my destination. Just hoped for a little less round about way!

Date of experience : June 22, 2024

Dear Emily, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Marc Lee gave awesome customer service

Marc Lee was excellent! He helped me navigate through the airline website, checked to make sure all my information was correct, patiently answered all my questions, and offered to help me if I needed help checking in to the airline. Thank you Marc! Awesome customer service!

Date of experience : June 14, 2024

Dear Curtis, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Very good Lucas help me with everything…

Very good Lucas help me with everything I needed!! Thank you Lucas

Date of experience : June 24, 2024

Wonderful service!

Thank you so much Mr Lucas Stone for diligently assisting me to get the flight suited to my needs. I appreciate the time and accommodation that you have extended on my behalf. It was really a nice and enjoyable experience having you as my travel consultant. Keep up the good spirit!

Date of experience : May 30, 2024

Dear Jesusa, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Nick Harrington helped me a lot to find…

Nick Harrington helped me a lot to find tickets to Japan. He offered me good deal and that saved a lot of my money. He’s been very nice and answered any questions I had. Appreciate his help and support.

Date of experience : June 07, 2024

Dear Shinobu, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Martin Smith

The agent I worked with, Martin Smith, was amazing. He helped me find the best ticket at the best price, and he was warm and kind, calming my nerves as I booked my very first solo international flight! He even expedited my ticket for me! I highly recommend this service, and Martin personally, for your travel needs!

Date of experience : May 21, 2024

Dear Bonnie, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Excellent customer service

Marc had a personal touch with his service and went above and beyond to help resolve my travel and ticketing needs.

Dear Customer, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Michael answered right away

Michael answered right away, every time I ask a favor with regards to the ticket I bought.

Date of experience : June 12, 2024

Dear Candelito, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Good experience

I was assisted by Dylan Cooper, my booking was cancelled for no reason, Dylan reached out to me directly and resolved the issue. He even went a step further and gave me a rate that was lower than what was quoted on other websites. I appreciate the support, will definitely use his website going forward. Dylan also reached out after making the booking and confirmed that I will receive support in case of any travel changes, something that’s rare from most travel companies!

Date of experience : April 03, 2024

Dear Bryan, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Lucas was very helpful

Lucas was very helpful and got a good flight for me. Thank you!

Date of experience : June 19, 2024

Responsiveness in a difficult situation

A planned business trip to Denmark was in jeopardy, when my connecting flight to LAX was cancelled an hour before its flight time. No other options existed to reach LAX before the international flight departed.International carriers have different policies in these types of situations. Maze, who handled my rebooking for the next flight out of LAX the following day went above and beyond to smooth out the entire process.

Date of experience : April 18, 2024

Excellent service - Marc Lee

Excellent service - fast, friendly and helpful. Took time to walk me through the process and explained additional helpful tips. My experiences with Crystal Travel agents like Marc Lee have been very pleasant. Thank you!

Date of experience : April 07, 2024

Dear Abbas, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Marc’s service was exceptional

Marc’s service was exceptional, his communication skills were highly effective, he shared detailed information then confirmed my understanding of those details before moving on to answering other questions. I was grateful for Marc’s commitment to giving extra effort and going the extra mile. He confirmed information and was thorough and clear in presenting me with specific guidelines set forth by the airline. Thank you Marc for putting me on the path to a wonderful trip.

Date of experience : May 16, 2024

Dear Felice, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Deborah was very helpful

I appreciated the phone call after my original reservation didn't go through. Deborah was very helpful. She gave me her information so I could ask for her when I called back and I was able to get her right away. She was pleasant, patient and very helpful.

Date of experience : March 28, 2024

Dear Miriam, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Professional service

Scionn has been very helpful on booking an international flight for me and my wife. He quickly searched related flights when one flight we tried to book was sold out and find what we like. Great professional service.

Date of experience : March 26, 2024

Dear Jiawei, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

Nick was outstanding

Nick was outstanding. Followed up promptly when disconnected. Also confirmed receipt to ensure the transaction was done. Great job - seamless. Thanks!!!

Date of experience : April 30, 2024

Dear Mark, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

After a TERRIBLE time buying a ticket, I went with someone else. They charged me anyway, refused refund. Just stole from me. A month later, they made ANOTHER charge - total fraud. DO NOT use this company, they WILL steal from you.

Date of experience : May 04, 2023

Dear Bryan, Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us. I understand how frustrating it can be to go through the booking process only to find out that the seats are no longer available. I'm here to clarify things and help you move forward. As we discussed over the phone, I would like to confirm that we are able to process your refund using the original mode of payment or directly to the cardholder's card. This means that instead of sending a cheque, we can ensure the refund is credited back to the account associated with the card used for the purchase. We believe this will make the process smoother and more convenient for you. Thank you for your patience and attention to this matter. Regards, [email protected]

Jenny Brown

Jenny is avery experienced customer service rep. She calmly took care of the reschedulings of a flight to Mexico that had not been confirmed by the computer. Her use of the English language and some its slang made the experience delightful. She's a real keeper.

Date of experience : January 29, 2024

Dear William, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! We are delighted to hear you had a great experience using our services. We sincerely appreciate your feedback because it helps us build a better customer experience. We prioritize customer experience and satisfaction, and your positive review reaffirms the hard work we put in every day. We look forward to assisting you with any travel needs in the future. Regards, [email protected]

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise news
• Cruise Industry
• Abercrombie and Kent/A&K now owns Crystal Cruises and the ships...

Abercrombie and Kent/A&K now owns Crystal Cruises and the ships Serenity and Symphony

A&K Travel Group Ltd (ultra-luxury travel company owned by Geoffrey JW Kent (1942-born, founder of Abercrombie & Kent Ltd) and Heritage Group (Lefebvre family-owned holding chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio), acquired the cruise ships Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony .

Both vessels will restart service in 2023 after undergoing extensive drydock refurbishments and will both operate under the Crystal Cruises brand which has also been acquired by A&K.

Crystal' two ocean ships, that were under arrest in Bahamian for 4+ months , were auction-sold on June 16th for a combined USD 128 million. According to Richard Horton, attorney & partner at Alexiou, Knowles & Co, who represented the secured financier of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the vessels were sold for US$103M and US$25M, respectively.

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group, Crystal Cruises, and Abercrombie & Kent said he was thrilled to start that new chapter and to be back in an industry that had always had, and always would have a special place in his heart.

"Thirty-five years ago, my family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, building three of the first purpose-built cruise ships, and 30 years ago my family pioneered a new way of cruising. Our goal was to deliver the best experience, pampering guests from all over the world with around-the-clock butler service and extraordinary culinary experiences. Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable."

Geoffrey Kent, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group and Crystal Cruises, and Founder, Co-Chairman & CEO of Abercrombie & Kent added that even though it seemed like yesterday, 30 years had passed since the Lefebvre family and he had their first ship together.

"Manfredi and I have been best friends and business associates ever since. The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride."

Crystal Cruises and A&K will report to A&K Travel Group's CEO Cristina Levis, who commented that her return to luxury cruising after 5 years brought back many emotions.

"It is an immense privilege to serve these two incredible brands that in the past decades have disrupted the travel industry numerous times. Manfredi, Geoffrey and I look forward to welcoming past Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent guests onboard, as well as those seeking rewarding luxury experiences.”

• Tuesday, June 25, 2024

CruiseToTravel

New owners plan to relaunch crystal cruises in 2023.

A&K Travel Group Ltd. has bought the former Crystal Cruises and two of its ships. The group plans to relaunch the luxury cruise line in 2023.

A&K Travel Group Ltd., or Abercrombie and Kent, a luxury travel company based in Great Britain has bought the former Crystal Cruises and two of its ships. A&K Travel Group is owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage (chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio who is the former owner of Silversea Cruises, a family business which he sold to Royal Caribbean Group in 2018.

“I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart. Thirty-five years ago, my family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, building three of the first purpose-built cruise ships, and 30 years ago my family pioneered a new way of cruising. Our goal was to deliver the best experience, pampering guests from all over the world with around-the-clock butler service and extraordinary culinary experiences. Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable,” said  Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio , Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd., Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent.

Now the new Crystal Cruises start up has made an offer of $13 million to a Florida court to buy the Crystal Cruises brand, customer list, domain names, social media accounts and other associated assets of the former luxury brand.

A&K Travel group recently also purchased two of Crystal Cruises luxury ships. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were chained when Crystal Cruises went bankrupt in early 2022. Crystal Symphony (built in 1995) was purchased for $25 million and Crystal Serenity (built in 2000) for $103 million.

The two ships will return to service in 2023 after extensive refurbishment and will operate under the same Crystal Cruises brand.

Meanwhile luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises has aquired Crystal Endeavor. The 200-guest luxury expedition ship was delivered to Crystal Cruises from MV Werften in 2021 and completed an inaugural Iceland season and a handful of Antarctica cruises before Crystal ceased operations.

Also read : COSTA by CARNIVAL: Costa Firenze and Venezia to join the Carnival fleet

Like it share it.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Who Owns Crystal Mountain Resort Michigan?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you planning a trip to Crystal Mountain Resort in Michigan? If so, you might be wondering who owns this beautiful getaway.

Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll dive into the ownership of Crystal Mountain Resort and what that means for you as a visitor.

History of Crystal Mountain Resort

Crystal Mountain Resort was originally opened in 1956 by George Petritz. The resort started with only two runs and a single chairlift, but it quickly grew over the years. Today, Crystal Mountain Resort boasts 58 runs and 9 lifts, making it one of the premier ski destinations in the Midwest.

Ownership of Crystal Mountain Resort

So who owns this popular resort? As of 2021, Crystal Mountain Resort is owned by Jim MacInnes and Chris MacInnes.

The MacInnes family has been involved with the resort since 1986 when they purchased it from its original owners. Since then, they have continued to invest in and improve the resort, adding new amenities and activities to keep visitors coming back year after year.

Journey through Ownership

Jim MacInnes first came to Crystal Mountain as a ski instructor in 1977. He fell in love with the place and eventually married Chris Petritz, George Petritz’s daughter. Together, they purchased the resort from George and his wife Joan in 1986.

Under Jim and Chris’s leadership, Crystal Mountain has continued to grow and evolve. They added a new spa facility in 2000, expanded their lodging options with new suites and condos, and even built a state-of-the-art conference center for business events.

What Does This Mean for Visitors?

As a visitor to Crystal Mountain Resort, you can rest assured that you’re visiting a family-owned business that truly cares about its guests. Jim and Chris MacInnes are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the resort, and they are committed to providing a top-notch experience for everyone who visits.

Whether you’re coming to Crystal Mountain for skiing, golf, or just a relaxing getaway, you can expect to be treated like family. So pack your bags and head to Crystal Mountain Resort – you won’t be disappointed!

5 Related Question Answers Found

Who owns alpine valley ski resort michigan, what's the biggest ski resort in michigan, what is the highest ski resort in michigan, what is michigan's largest ski resort, who owns the grand traverse resort, backpacking - budget travel - business travel - cruise ship - vacation - tourism - resort - cruise - road trip - destination wedding - tourist destination - best places, london - madrid - paris - prague - dubai - barcelona - rome.

© 2024 LuxuryTraveldiva