Tony Archbold, VP Sales APAC for Crystal, gives Karryon the backstory of Crystal’s remarkable resurgence and tells us what’s on the horizon for A&K’s Travel Group’s new cruise division.
Just before he set sail on the freshly refurbished Crystal Symphony for a series of travel advisor famils, Crystal’s Tony Archbold sat down with Karryon for an update about the new-look cruise line.
Noting that we now talk about ‘Crystal’ and not ‘Crystal Cruises’, Tony says it’s important to understand the history leading up to A&K Travel Group’s acquisition of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony: “We bought the ships but not the company.”
Back in January 2022, Crystal Cruises’ then-owner Genting Hong Kong collapsed, seven years after it bought the line from its original Japanese owners. In June 2022 it was announced that A&K Travel Group had bought the two ocean ships, planning to relaunch them in 2023. In July Silversea bought Crystal Endeavor, renaming her Silver Endeavour, and the five river ships were sold in early 2023.
The A&K Travel Group is owned by A&K founder Geoffrey Kent and the Heritage group, which is chaired by Silversea veteran Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio.
“There is great synergy between Crystal and A&K,” Tony says.
“A&K is a very long-established high-end travel company and Manfredi and the d’Ovidio family have been involved in the shipping and luxury cruise business for many years.
“Royal Caribbean bought Silversea between 2018 and 2020, Manfredi had been looking for another cruise venture and this opportunity was too good to miss.”
Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony have had a devoted worldwide following for more than 30 years. Serenity entered service in 2003, Symphony in 1995, and over the years millions of dollars have been invested in regular refits and refurbs for both ships. Tony says keeping the name Crystal was a no-brainer because it is so well known among guests, crew and the industry.
Multi-million-dollar refurbishment
Next came the challenge of updating the ships and having them ready for relaunch within 12 months. The detailed planning process took about six months, and then the shipyard work took another six months.
“It was a huge effort by the entire team,” Tony says, “like a start-up on steroids. The ships were refurbished by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy and delivered on time – Serenity officially re-entered service in August 2023 and Symphony in September.
“One of the most pleasing aspects of the relaunch is that 85 per cent of the original crew returned last year, and more are coming back,” Tony continues. “Our crew is the ‘secret sauce’ of Crystal’s enduring success and many say it’s like being part of a family. The hotel director on Symphony, for example, joined the ship on day one – almost 34 years. Incredible.”
Both ships now boast reduced guest capacity (740 on Serenity, 606 on Symphony) with only a slight reduction in the number of crew members. In fact, Symphony’s crew-to-guest ratio is 1:1.1 (the highest in the industry); Serenity’s crew-to-guest ratio is very similar, but she scores the best guest-to-space ratio at sea at 1:93.1 square feet.
So, what’s new?
Crystal worked with Tillberg Design of Sweden to redesign public spaces, dining venues and the new Aurora Spa, and employed GEM to revamp select guest rooms and suites. There are two new stateroom categories – the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite and the Single Guest Room with Ocean View.
The smallest staterooms on both ships are the 20-square metre Double Guest Room with Ocean View and the largest are Serenity’s 117-square metre Crystal Penthouse Suite and Symphony’s 87-square metre Crystal Penthouse Suite.
All accommodation has butler service and there are no inside staterooms. The newly decorated suites sport fresh, neutral and pastel colour palettes.
As for Crystal’s illustrious reputation for dining, “everyone is thrilled that Nobu is back”, says Tony. Umi Uma is one of 10 dining venues onboard both ships; Osteria d’Ovidio is a fabulous new Northern Italian restaurant that replaces Prego.
“The feedback from travel advisors and guests who have recently sailed on Crystal Symphony has been amazing,” Tony adds. “Even people who never usually eat meat are raving about the steaks!”
Dining in all restaurants is included except at The Vintage Room, which is open to just 12 guests at a time (reservation only). The six-course wine-paired menu costs USD$300 per person. Talking of inclusions, all soft and alcoholic drinks, gratuities and WiFi are covered in your fare.
Exceptional experiences at sea and on land
Crystal Serenity will sail in New Zealand and Australia during March and April on her world cruise, but in 2025 her 123-night voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona will have a strong focus on South America, Africa and the Middle East. These are destinations where guests can enjoy exclusive events and optional overland tours designed by A&K.
“We’re playing to the strengths of both brands with this itinerary,” Tony explains. “The A&K elements are being phased in gradually to make sure we get it absolutely right. It is a brilliant combination. Guests can leave the ship to go on safari in Tanzania, say, and rejoin a few days later.
“Because Crystal and A&K manage the onboard and onshore experiences from start to finish, there is consistency, quality control and communication. It is important not just to do it really well, but if we have to react to an emergency. As happened in Israel last year; we had our guests accounted for and out of the country within hours.”
Looking ahead
Crystal is planning to build four new ships over the next five years – two polar-class expedition vessels and two 650-guest oceangoing ships. A coffee-table quality brochure and agents’ online portal will be available soon.
All in all, it’s a remarkable comeback for a much-loved brand on the brink; as Tony says, “It’s Crystal, but better.”
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com. Additionally, book by 31 January 2024 to take advantage of their amazing Suite Dreams Upgrade Offer.
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