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A Revived Luxury Cruise Line Wants You To Spend 4 ½ Months At Sea Sailing To 27 Countries For $84,000
Crystal announced a 2026 world cruise itinerary with 72 ports across 27 countries.
Crystal
- Crystal says its around-the-world cruise in 2026 will sail to 72 ports in 27 countries.
- Luxury travel company Abercrombie and Kent acquired Crystal in 2022 following the latter's tumultuous demise.
- Crystal's first world cruise following its revival and rebrand departed in February.
Recently relaunched luxury cruise line Crystal wants to woo you back. How does a 135-day around-the-world sailing sound?
In 2026, Crystal says one of its two ships will sail from Los Angeles to Rome on a 4 ½ -month cruise. Along the way, travelers can expect to see 72 ports in 27 countries, from Australia's recognizable Sydney Opera House to Monaco's legendary Grand Prix.
On January 11, 2026, the cruise line says its Crystal Serenity will head west from California to Pacific Islands like Bora Bora.![]()
Crystal says its 2026 world cruise will stop at Dubai.
Lu ShaoJi/Getty Images
Then, it's off to New Zealand and Australia before hitting destinations like Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Bali, Indonesia.
Let’s not forget stops in Athens, Greece, and the Mediterranean before an exciting call in Monaco.![]()
The luxury cruise line says its 2026 world guests will arrive in Monaco for the Grand Prix.
Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
From there, about 4 ½ months at sea later, the global journey would finally conclude in Rome on May 26, 2026.
Bookings for a double occupancy cabin will open on March 19 at $84,000 per person.
Throughout the journey, travelers will get to luxuriate in Crystal Serenity's venues, which include a piano bar and cognac and cigar club.![]()
The Crystal Serenity has 8 restaurants, an "ice cream bar," and venues like a library
Crystal
Active guests can spend their afternoons at the putting green or pickleball court.
Travelers seeking a relaxing vacation can instead head to the spa or sip on afternoon tea at the floor-to-ceiling window-lined lounge.
The only thing more dramatic than this global cruise? The journey Crystal took to get here. ![]()
The Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony recently underwent a $150 million refresh.
Crystal
It wasn't always smooth sailing for the luxury cruise line. In early 2022, Crystal, then Crystal Cruises, made a big splash — and not the good kind.
At the time, the company — then owned by Genting Hong Kong — was facing bankruptcy, the sudden shutdown of its US operations, and the arrest of two of its cruise ships over millions of dollars in unpaid fuel bills.
A few months later, luxury travel group Abercrombie and Kent acquired the cruise line and its previously arrested ships. ![]()
Abercrombie and Kent uses a custom Boeing 757 with 48 first-class seats for its global "air cruises."
Abercrombie & Kent
Abercrombie and Kent, like the luxury travel company that organizes around-the-world trips via private jets.
Not the clothing store that smells like cologne (that's Abercombie and Fitch).
These days, Crystal and its ships look a bit different.![]()
The Crystal Serenity's refurbishment gave it larger suites, a new spa, and pickleball courts.
Crystal Cruises
Like your best friend post-breakup, Crystal has taken on a new identity: The company dropped "cruises" from its name and spent $150 million refreshing its two ships, the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Both resumed service in 2023.
In February, the company’s first world cruise since its revival departed San Diego on a 125-night sailing. ![]()
Travelers on the Crystal Serenity have plenty of opportunities to relax under the sun.
Crystal
The Crystal Serenity is now traveling around the globe with almost 200 guests, a company spokesperson told Business Insider. (Baby steps: The ship has a guest capacity of 740.)
However, the spokesperson said bookings for its 2025 around-the-world sailing are "even stronger, with a significant portion" of its 2024 world cruise guests having also booked the 2025 itinerary.
Crystal’s upcoming sailings currently start at five nights long.![]()
The Crystal Serenity resumed service in 2023.
Crystal
But like other premium operators, it looks like Crystal will continue leaning into its around-the-world itineraries, as signaled by its recently announced 2026 global sailing.
Read the original article on Business Insider
