Tag Archives: Crystal

Crystal Firms Up Third Newbuild, Now Set for 2034

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Crystal Firms Up Third Newbuild, Now Set for 2034

Crystal announced today that the contract for the construction of the third ocean ship from Fincantieri has become effective.

The vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2034, is covered by the option exercised in 2024 and reflects Crystal’s continued investment in the future of luxury cruising, the company said in a press release.

The new vessel will join Crystal Grace, currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, scheduled to debut in 2028, along with her sister ship arriving in May 2031.

Like her sister ships, the new vessel will accommodate 650 guests (based on double occupancy) and be approximately 62,000 gross tons.

“Seeing Crystal Grace move from vision to reality has been tremendously rewarding, and today’s announcement demonstrates our unwavering confidence in Crystal’s future. This third ship reflects our long-term commitment to the brand and to our guests, who continue to inspire us to raise the standard for luxury cruising around the world,” said Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, executive chairman of A&K Travel Group, parent to Crystal.

Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, added: “The response to Crystal Grace has exceeded our expectations, reaffirming the demand for authentic, exceptional travel experiences. With each new ship, we are building on Crystal’s legacy while thoughtfully evolving the experience for a new generation of luxury travelers.”

“The effectiveness of the contract signed back in 2024 is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Crystal and A&K Travel Group and reflects our shared commitment to innovation, craftsmanship and excellence,” commented Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division. “We are proud to continue building a new generation of luxury ships that combine Italian shipbuilding expertise with Crystal’s uncompromising vision for exceptional hospitality at sea.”

Luxury Cruise Fleet Average Age: 12-Year-Old Ships

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Luxury Cruise Fleet Average Age: 12-Year-Old Ships

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr Account 

Data from the latest edition of the Luxury Market Report by Cruise Industry News shows that a luxury cruise ship has an average age of roughly 12 years in 2025.

After undergoing significant expansion in the past ten years, the luxury market saw newbuild after newbuild enter service over the last decade, led by aggressive growth from Viking, Ponant and others.

Ritz-Carlton, Swan Hellenic, Emerald and Explora are among the brands with the youngest fleets in 2025.

They also represent the newest brands, having all launched service with new vessels after 2020.

Brands such as Ponant, Silversea, Regent, Viking and Hapag-Lloyd have average fleet ages falling between ten and 15 years.

Among the brands owned by major public cruise corporations, Seabourn has the youngest fleet, with ships that are nine years old on average in 2025.

Silversea comes in second with an 11-year average fleet age, followed by Hapag-Lloyd with a 13-year average and Regent Seven Seas with a 14-year average.

Brands including SeaDream, Crystal, Paul Gauguin and Windstar have some of the oldest fleets in the market.

While extensively refurbished over the years, SeaDream’s yachts are among the oldest ships in the market, with a median age of 40 years in 2025.

Fresh from a major drydock in Singapore, Paul Gauguin’s sole ship, the Paul Gauguin, is another industry veteran with a nearly 30-year sailing career.

Amidst a rejuvenation project that includes the debut of two newer ships through 2026, as well as major refurbishment projects, the Windstar fleet had an average age of 28 years in 2025.

With a series of newbuilds scheduled to arrive starting in 2028, Crystal’s fleet currently has an average age of 26 years.

The Cruise Industry News’ report also shows that, with eight newbuilds scheduled to enter service for luxury brands, the market’s fleet median age is set to grow by nearly six months next year.

Crystal Appoints GMT to Meet Travel Needs

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Global Marine Travel LLC (GMT) has entered into an agreement to provide outsourced travel management services to Crystal for their passenger Air/Sea program beginning this March.

GMT, a member of the V.Group Marine Services Division, is one of the few travel agencies with full access to specially negotiated net-fare airline contracts for passengers and crew, as well as a unique range of travel technology options, according to a press release.

Crystal will also use GMT’s itinerary planning services along with air charter options as they plan their future cruise itineraries.

All parties are currently engaged in a technology development project to link Crystal’s reservation system to GMT’s comprehensive travel fulfilment platform. This will allow Crystal to package affordable airline travel with their cruise itineraries for their guests in a seamless transaction through multiple distribution channels.

Tim Davey, founder and managing director of GMT said, “GMT has provided outsourced air/sea services to cruise lines since our inception in 2001. The ability for boutique cruise lines to market airfare with their cruises from day one with little to no start-up costs or additional technology expense is a huge benefit. We’re excited to be engaged by Crystal as they continue to forge their path as a newly independent cruise line.”

“Adding this feature to allow for a smoother booking process for our guests, is something we are thrilled to have,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “We appreciate the support of the GMT team and look forward to a seamless transition and long-term partnership.”