Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) and sister brand Crystal have launched a strategic partnership “offering guests an elevated experience whilst maintaining A&K’s signature intimate, educational approach to cultural exploration”.
Launching in August 2026, the ‘By Abercrombie & Kent’ partnership extends Crystal’s voyages beyond the ship, offering guests both curated land adventures and A&K’s cultural expertise while they’re aboard.
The inaugural voyage will launch with A&K x Crystal: Cruising Italy, Greece and the Balkans, a 12-day Mediterranean expedition from Rome to Venice aboard Crystal Serenity.
In 2027, A&K will offer six cultural voyages, including Hong Kong to Yokohama, Lisbon to Portsmouth, a variety of Mediterranean routes and a Canadian exploration, with each voyage beginning with two nights at a luxury hotel.
The collaboration will feature A&K’s expedition elements, including its expedition team which accompanies guests throughout the cruise, as well as a choice of included shore excursions organised by A&K’s global network of local specialists, pre-cruise programmes featuring luxury hotel stays, and exclusive cultural experiences.
AKTG says the launch “represents a significant evolution in luxury cruising, leveraging Abercrombie & Kent’s six decades of expertise to deliver unprecedented access to authentic, world-class experiences both onshore and at sea”.
AKTG CEO Cristina Levis says it is redefining what a luxury cruise experience can be.
“By Abercrombie & Kent isn’t just an excursion program – it’s a complete reimagining of how our guests discover the world, combining Crystal’s exceptional onboard hospitality with A&K’s unparalleled destination expertise.”
AKTG Chief Product Officer Fernando Delgado adds, “By bringing together A&K’s unmatched destination expertise and cultural access with Crystal’s ultra-luxury shipboard experience, we’re creating something truly revolutionary in the cruise sector.
“Our guests will enjoy the intimate, educational approach they expect from A&K whilst experiencing a new level of luxury and comfort that only Crystal can provide.”
The new partnership includes:
- Overland adventures by A&K. Multi-day adventures allowing guests to disembark mid-voyage and rejoin at subsequent ports, visiting iconic sites like the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal, and Uluru.
- Pre- and post-cruise extensions by A&K. Bespoke land journeys before or after sailing with immersive experiences ranging from archaeological explorations to cultural and wildlife adventures.
- Expertise. Each By Abercrombie & Kent experience leverages A&K’s international network of more than 3,000 staff in over 65 offices and 40 countries.
Reservations for the pilot programme are now open here.
