Ultra-luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with a series of special cruises aboard its ships Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These cruises will sail to iconic destinations accompanied by notable figures from the industry and entertainment, such as Michelin-starred chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa and Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent. Former Crystal captains John Oekland and Egil Giske will also be joining the cruises, along with former cruise directors Paul McFarland and Gary Hunter.
In 2022, it was announced that A&K Travel Group, owned by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, had acquired the prestigious luxury cruise brand and its two ocean-going vessels, the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony, with the intention of returning the ships to service in even greater splendor. Now, on the brand's 35th anniversary, Crystal demonstrates that onboard luxury is a combination of sensations with exceptionality at its core.
Special itineraries aboard the Crystal Symphony:
The first cruise to highlight is from Tarragona to Civitavecchia (Rome), from June 4 to 13, 2025. This nine-night Mediterranean voyage will feature Geoffrey Kent and former captain John Oekland. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Mahón, La Spezia, Livorno (with visits to Pisa and Florence), and Porto Santo Stefano, culminating in an overnight stay in Civitavecchia.
From Tarragona, famous for its ancient Roman ruins, to other equally fascinating destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. First, the beauty of the Balearic Islands, with stops in Palma de Mallorca and Mahón (Menorca). After a day at sea enjoying the ship's luxurious amenities, you'll arrive in the charming coastal villages of Cinque Terre, Italy.
The journey continues along the coast to the Tuscan port of Livorno, with an overnight stay, from where you can visit Pisa and Florence. The Tuscan adventure doesn't end there, as the ship also stops in Porto Santo Stefano before the final night on board in Civitavecchia, just a short trip from Rome. As part of this special experience, guests will enjoy an anniversary gala, which will be one of the most memorable moments of the voyage.
The second is from Thessaloniki to Civitavecchia from July 10 to 18, 2025. This eight-night cruise will celebrate Crystal's 35th anniversary, accompanied by former cruise director Paul McFarland, Broadway actress Christine Andreas, and singer and instrumentalist Salvatore Hasard.
The journey begins on the Halkidiki peninsula in mainland Greece, before setting sail for two of the country's most famous islands: glamorous Mykonos and spectacular Santorini. Later, you'll sail to Heraklion, Crete, to discover the history of the ancient Minoan civilization at the Palace of Knossos.
After a relaxing day at sea, you'll arrive in Italy to explore Lipari, the largest of the volcanic Aeolian Islands, and savor the exquisite cuisine of Naples. Finally, you'll arrive in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Italy's magnificent capital, Rome.
Special itineraries aboard the Crystal Serenity:
A round trip from Copenhagen from July 15 to 22, 2025.
This unforgettable round-trip from Copenhagen will be in the distinguished company of Chef Nobu, who in 2003 chose Crystal to open his only restaurant at sea, a guest favorite to this day. He will be joined by former cruise director Gary Hunter, Broadway actress Rachel York, and entertainer James Fox, so expect a voyage filled with entertainment and glitz.
The voyage departs from Copenhagen bound for Skagen, a destination highly prized by artists for its exceptional light. From there, you'll sail to Kristiansand, Norway, to enjoy the revitalizing Nordic countryside. The next stop is Gothenburg, Sweden, the country's second-largest city, famous for its wide, tree-lined boulevards. Return to Norway for an overnight stay in Oslo, where you can explore its revitalized waterfront. The final stop is Copenhagen again, providing ample time to discover the enchanting Danish capital.
During the cruise, Chef Nobu will conduct culinary demonstrations and host a special dinner in the Vintage Room.
The Vintage Room is one of the Crystal Serenity 's gourmet spaces , offering guided pairings and exclusive dinners that showcase the ship's extensive wine cellar. This intimate and innovative concept provides guests with an educational experience about wine and gastronomy, allowing them to gain privileged insights into the art of winemaking. In addition to daytime tastings and expert discussions, guests can enjoy a variety of private wine-themed lunches and dinners, specially arranged with the head sommelier.
The renowned chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, better known as Nobu Matsuhisa, was born on March 10, 1949, in Saitama, Japan, where he learned to prepare sushi from a young age. He later traveled to Peru and Argentina, where he continued his culinary training. He managed several restaurants before arriving in the United States, where he achieved great success. First with Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills, and then with the opening of Nobu in New York City. One of his most loyal customers, actor Robert De Niro, convinced him to partner with him in 1994, leading to a hotel group that now boasts 26 restaurants in 13 countries. Crystal Cruises is the only cruise line in the world to have a Nobu restaurant on board, Umi Uma, where guests can savor all of the acclaimed chef's specialties.
Another noteworthy cruise departs from Quebec City and sails to New York City from October 22 to 31, 2025. This nine-night voyage offers the opportunity to experience the vibrant fall foliage of Canada and New England. It includes overnight stays in Quebec City, Boston, and New York City, with stops in Baie-Comeau, Gaspé Peninsula, and Halifax.
The transformation of the foliage from green to gold, orange, purple, and red with the arrival of autumn in North America will be the perfect backdrop for this final 35th anniversary cruise, in the company of former cruise director Gary Hunter.
Begin with an overnight stay in Quebec City, allowing you to explore its French heritage before marveling at the golden hues of the trees in Baie-Comeau and discovering more about the region's flora and fauna at the Musée de la Nature. The third stop takes you to Gaspé, where you can immerse yourself in Quebecois culture and sample traditional dishes.
After a day at sea, you'll arrive in Halifax, a city with a unique Scottish charm. Later, you'll travel to historic Boston for an overnight stay before concluding this memorable adventure in vibrant New York City.
Throughout the year, both ships will host anniversary galas and Crystal Society gatherings. This society is the cruise line's exclusive loyalty program, whose members receive significant benefits both when purchasing new cruises and during their time on board.
With a very high space-to-guest ratio and exceptional service quality, Crystal Cruises' two ships offer a very high level of comfort, quality, and personal attention.
In 2024, the construction of 2 new ships was commissioned, the first with delivery scheduled for 2028 and the second for 2030.
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