Crystal has set two key milestone dates for the construction of potentially three new ocean ships. These are set to arrive by May 2028- just in time for the summer season!
Revel in the award-winning all-inclusive voyage that takes care of everything. From butler service to unlimited gourmet dining in the only Nobu and Beefbar restaurants at sea. The TED-style talks will inspire you, and the Broadway-standard shows will dazzle you. Rest and recharge with the array of wellness options, including the indulgent spa services.
See our Crystal cruises here, or chat to a Tour + Cruise consultant for more itineraries.
What Are the Key Dates?
These new vessels were actually first announced in July 2023, so it’s definitely exciting to see the steady progress. Steel cutting by Fincantieri for the first yet-to-be-named ship will begin in May 2026, with the keel laying set for December 2026 – officially commencing the next chapter in Crystal’s storied 25-year legacy. They represent the first new builds for the cruise line in a quarter of a decade, and under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, spoke on the excitement behind these new ships.
“Behind the scenes, our teams have been working diligently on every element of this extraordinary project- from design and craftsmanship to technical innovation,” remarked Cristina.
“These milestones represent more than construction progress; they are a testament to our shared commitment with Fincantieri to deliver the most exceptional ship at sea, on schedule and with an unparalleled attention to detail.”
The New Crystal Season
The cruise line plans to reveal the name of the new build “shortly”. Details of the all-balcony suite ship’s inaugural voyages and new suite categories will be released before the new year.
The inaugural 2028 season is set to go on sale next year, with a waitlist opening in advance, according to Crystal.
Make sure to keep in touch with one of our Tour + Cruise consultants for any further questions and updates on Crystal’s new ships.
The Look and Feel of the Crystal Ships
The new all-balcony suite Classic ships will have a capacity of just 690 guests, making it the ultimate small-ship luxury cruise. Furthermore, it differs from the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony that were constructed with guestrooms overlooking the Promenade Deck.
The walk around the Promenade Deck is a key characteristic of Symphony and Serenity, loved by loyal guests. Excitingly, passengers can still look forward to it being reproduced on the new ships.
“The Promenade Deck is a feature almost all ships no longer have nowadays. For the new build, we want to have the full promenade deck because guests love it. It’s one of the features they love the most about Crystal,” says Levis.
As for the configuration of the new luxury cruise ships, Levis says the mix of suites will be “more or less what we have today”, excluding rooms with no balconies. That’s a mix of Double and Single Guest Rooms, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Junior Crystal and Crystal Penthouse.
See our Crystal cruises here, or talk to a Tour + Cruise specialist for more.
