Crystal has a shortened name, a new website and a launch date

The revived Crystal Cruises is relaunching simply as Crystal and has released a list of itineraries for mid-2023 through 2024.

The Crystal Serenity will sail Crystal’s inaugural 12-day voyage out of Marseille, France, to Lisbon on July 31. The Crystal Symphony’s first cruise will a be seven-day sailing from Athens to Istanbul on Sept. 1. 

Over the next year and a half, Crystal plans to sail its pair of refurbished ships to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and through the Panama Canal. 

With a new website launching on Jan. 31, bookings open on Feb. 1 exclusively for guests who have made $500 refundable open deposits. Other past guests can book beginning Feb. 13. Bookings open for the general public on Feb. 22. 

The opening of bookings comes a year after the former Crystal Cruises collapsed under the ownership of Genting Hong Kong. In its liquidation, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group acquired the line’s two ocean ships, the brand name and its guest list. 

With its relaunch, the brand is shortening the cruise line’s name to Crystal with the tagline, “Exceptional at Sea.” 

“We’re not going to categorize ourselves as one of the luxury cruise lines,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “We believe it will be like no other, in a class by itself.”

Both the Serenity and the Symphony are undergoing renovations that will enlarge suites, reducing guest capacity by more than 20%, said Anderson. Suites will have new carpeting, drapes, furniture, Italian marble and Egyptian linens.

The line is also revamping the spa and gym and adding pickleball courts. Crystal will refresh linen, furniture and upholstery in its common rooms. Several other common areas will have new carpeting, drapes, upholstery, and upgraded furniture, Anderson said.

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