Crystal Cruises reviews 2026–2027: ships, fares and our verdict

Crystal at a glance

Crystal Cruises was founded in 1988 by Japan’s NYK and sold to Genting Hong Kong in 2015. It stopped sailing in January 2022 when Genting failed. A&K Travel Group, the Abercrombie & Kent parent, bought the brand and both ocean ships that June, spent about $170 million rebuilding them, and restarted in July 2023.

Owner

A&K Travel Group (Abercrombie & Kent)

Price tier

Luxury

Ships today

Crystal Symphony (606 guests) and Crystal Serenity (740 guests)

New ships

Crystal Grace (2028), then ships due in 2031 and 2034

Included in the fare

Butler, selected drinks, tips, Wi-Fi, most restaurants

Not included

The Vintage Room, caviar, premium cuts at Beefbar, extra specialty bookings

Regions

Europe, Americas and Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, South Pacific

Crystal ships

Crystal is a small fleet of larger luxury ships. Both current ships were refurbished in 2023, which added butler suites and cut guest numbers.

• Crystal Serenity2003, 740 guests, 68,870 GTThe larger ship, with Seahorse Pool, Palm Court and a padel and pickleball court.
• Crystal Symphony1995, 606 guests, 51,044 GTThe smaller and older ship, with the same restaurant lineup.
• Crystal GraceDue 2028, 650 guests, 61,800 GTCrystal's first new ocean ship in 25 years. Its earliest listed departure is June 11, 2028, from Civitavecchia.

Fincantieri cut the first steel in May 2026 and delivery is set for May 2028. A sister ship follows in May 2031 and a third in 2034, later than the 2032 first reported.

What does a Crystal cruise include?

Crystal’s fare includes a butler for every suite and guest room, a curated selection of wines, Champagne, spirits and soft drinks, all tips and gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi, 24-hour in-suite dining and access to the spa facilities and fitness center. Most restaurants are included too, with limits on the specialty rooms.

• Specialty dining: Umi Uma, the only Nobu restaurant at sea, and Osteria d’Ovidio each come with one reservation on sailings up to 11 nights, two for 12 to 22, and three for 23 or more.
• Top suites: Junior Penthouse Suite guests and above, plus full world cruise guests, have complimentary reservations.
• Extra bookings: US$75 per person beyond your allowance (checked October 2026).
• Beefbar: included for lunch and dinner, with evening reservations required.

What costs extra: The Vintage Room, premium cuts such as Kobe and Wagyu at Beefbar, and caviar. Crystal says its drinks list covers select beverages, so very fine wines may not be on it. Our all-inclusive cruise guide shows how this compares.

Did Crystal Cruises go bankrupt?

Yes, Crystal stopped sailing in January 2022 when its parent, Genting Hong Kong, became insolvent, and both ships were arrested in the Bahamas over unpaid bills. A&K Travel Group bought the brand and ships that June. The new owner did not get the expedition ship, which went to Silversea, or the river fleet.

So Crystal today is two ocean ships with new owners. Older reviews of Crystal’s river ships or its yacht describe a company that no longer exists in that form.

Where does Crystal sail?

Crystal lists Europe and the Mediterranean, the Americas and Caribbean, North America and Canada, the Baltic and Northern Europe, Alaska, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia and South America.

Long voyages are a Crystal specialty. Its site lists three world cruises, with fares from about $75,000 to $76,000 per guest (checked October 2026):

• 2027: San Diego to Vancouver, 139 nights, January 8 to May 27.
• 2028: round trip from Fort Lauderdale, 150 nights, January 11 to June 10.
• 2029: Melbourne to New York, 127 nights, January 7 to May 13.

World cruise guests also get a Business Class air allowance or credit, private transfers, a shipboard credit and free specialty dining. See how these compare in our world cruise guide.

Is Crystal good for solo travelers?

Crystal can suit solo travelers, as long as you take the offer. It advertises a reduced solo supplement of 25% on selected voyages and suite categories, for bookings by November 30, 2026 (checked October 2026). Check that your sailing qualifies. Our solo cruise guide covers the wider field.

Are Crystal cruises worth it?

Crystal is worth it if you value service and dining and would use the included drinks. It’s weaker value if you want excursions covered, as they are on some rivals, or a recent ship. Those two points are why Crystal Grace matters.

We haven’t sailed Crystal for this page, and we don’t publish scores here. Three things to weigh before you book:

• The service. A butler for every room is what Crystal sells hardest.
• The ships. Symphony dates from 1995 and Serenity from 2003, though both were rebuilt.
• The history. Reviews from before 2022 describe the old company, so check the date of anything you read.

How Crystal compares

• Against Silversea: Silversea has a larger fleet, a butler in every suite and expedition ships.
• Against Regent: Regent Seven Seas includes excursions on every ocean cruise, which Crystal’s list doesn’t.
• Against Seabourn: Seabourn runs small all-suite ships, with drinks and gratuities in the fare.
• Against Explora: Explora Journeys is the newer-ship option at the luxury end.
• Against Ritz-Carlton: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has three newer, smaller yachts, also with excursions outside the fare.
• Our ranking: Crystal isn’t yet a ranked pick in our luxury and small-ship ranking.

Crystal prices

Our price snapshot covers sailings sold on CruiseBound, and Crystal isn’t in it, so this page shows no from-price. Two checks help when you compare:

• Add excursions to Crystal’s bill. Then compare it with a line that includes them.
• Count your specialty dinners. A short sailing allows one booking per restaurant.

Crystal Cruises reviews FAQ

Is Crystal Cruises all-inclusive?

Mostly. The fare covers a butler, selected drinks, tips, Wi-Fi and most restaurants. The Vintage Room, caviar, premium steak cuts and extra specialty bookings cost more.

Who owns Crystal Cruises now?

A&K Travel Group, the parent of Abercrombie & Kent, which bought the brand and two ocean ships in June 2022.

How many ships does Crystal have?

Two today, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Crystal Grace is due in 2028, with two more planned for 2031 and 2034.

How many guests are on a Crystal ship?

Crystal Symphony carries 606 guests and Crystal Serenity 740. Crystal Grace is planned for 650 at double occupancy.

Does Crystal include excursions?

Crystal’s all-inclusive list doesn’t name shore excursions, so budget for them. Regent Seven Seas includes them on every ocean cruise.