Crystal Symphony Returns to Service Under New Ownership

The 606-guest Crystal Symphony officially re-entered service on Sept. 1 following an extensive refurbishment after the Crystal brand was purchased by Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group in July 2022. Departing on its inaugural voyage from Athens, the vessel joins sister ship Crystal Serenity in a new chapter for the renowned brand.

With nearly one staff member per guest, Crystal Symphony now has larger, revamped suites, noted specialty restaurants and expansive public spaces. With Crystal Symphony’s re-entry, it’s been one year that Crystal revitalized two ships – a combined $150 million investment – and returned more than 80 percent of the line’s crew.

“We are so proud that Crystal Symphony has officially joined Crystal Serenity back in the water, signaling an exciting new chapter for Crystal – two ships refurbished and back in service in under a year is completely unprecedented,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group. “The ship’s exceptional enhancements reflect our unwavering commitment to providing guests with inspiration and enrichment as they sail to the globe’s most coveted destinations.”

Following the ship’s inaugural voyage from Athens to Istanbul, Crystal Symphony will sail eastward, towards exciting destinations such as Santorini, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai. For the remainder of 2023, the ship will sail throughout Oceania visiting locales including Sydney, Auckland, Papua New Guinea and Bali.

Select guest rooms and suites were refreshed in neutral shades, enhanced by pastel tones reminiscent of the ocean’s colors. Two new guest room categories were added – the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View, which measures up to 215 square feet. which serves as an option for solo travelers. The Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite is up to 645 square feet and includes separate dining and living areas, private veranda and butler service.

Crystal Symphony has 10 dining options, including 24-hour in-suite service. Returning is Japanese-Peruvian cuisine in Umi Uma from Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa’s. Osteria D’Ovidio, named for Crystal Executive Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, specializes in traditional Italian meals.

Waterside Restaurant is the main dining room with open seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Marketplace is a buffet-style dining venue with floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air dining area. Tastes Kitchen & Bar serves globally inspired cuisine and casual family-style dining, and Tastes offers tapas-style cuisine.

In addition to now offering a full-sized paddle tennis and pickleball court and a revamped fitness center, Crystal’s new spa concept, Aurōra offers a fresh design with a fiber-optic starlight ceiling and organic materials like natural salt crystal and silk-brushed slate stone. The extensive treatment offerings include more facials, massage treatments and a full-service salon.

With Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity now back in service, Crystal recently announced it is working with advisors, lenders and export credit agents to sign a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders for development of four new ships in the next six years including two classic ships and two expedition vessels.

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