New Crystal Cruises could sail next summer: Travel Weekly

The new Crystal Cruises plans to launch its inaugural season in the summer of 2023, likely in the Mediterranean and northern Europe, said Jack Anderson, president of the restarted cruise line.

Anderson stopped short of details and said he and his team are still working on routes and renovation plans.

However, he said both ships in the line would undergo refurbishments in Trieste, Italy, and starting in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe “would just seem quite logical”.

“We are not intentionally vague. We want to make sure that when we give dates they are firm and reliable,” he said.

Looking further into 2023 and 2024, Anderson said destinations like the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada-New England, Alaska, the Panama Canal and Asia have the highest demand for past and potential luxury cruisers. “Over time, I think you can see the two ships making their way around the world and integrating those destinations,” he said.

The Crystal Symphony, built in 1995, and the Crystal Serenity, built in 2003, both will undergo major renovations this will include upgrading public areas and cabins, including combining cabins into larger suites and reducing capacity. In some cases, three suites will be combined into two suites, and in others, two suites will be combined into one.

It’s the first hint of what the cruise line’s operations will look like since Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group has announced its purchase of the Symphony and Serenity.

Crystal announced on Friday that she has become a member of CLIA.