Abercrombie & Kent's expedition cruising division is partnering with its sister company, Crystal, to deliver A&K cultural sailings on Crystal ships.
Starting with a pilot cruise in August 2026, the partnership will see Crystal ships host A&K's cultural cruises, featuring A&K's expedition team and shore experiences.
Parent company A&K Travel Group said the collaboration is a "natural evolution of a vision to create the ultimate luxury travel ecosystem, combining A&K's six decades of exploration with Crystal's unparalleled onboard service excellence." A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand out of bankruptcy in 2022, remodeled the ships and relaunched the luxury line in 2023.
The inaugural A&K-Crystal voyage in August 2026 will be an Italy, Greece and Balkans 12-day sailing from Rome to Venice on the Crystal Serenity. The sailing will accommodate only 50 guests as part of the pilot program. The Serenity normally accommodates up to 740 passengers.
The voyage, from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2026, starts at $22,200 per person. Reservations are open.
In 2027, A&K will offer six more cultural voyages, including Hong Kong to Yokohama, Lisbon to Portsmouth, a variety of Mediterranean routes and a Canadian itinerary, with capacity expanding to accommodate up to 125 guests per voyage.
A&K's expedition team will accompany guests throughout the cruise (at a rate of one guide per 18 guests). There will be a choice of included shore excursions organized by A&K's global network of local specialists, daily recap sessions with canapes and drinks, and expert-led presentations.
The first A&K-Crystal sailing will feature a visit to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Photo Credit: Abercrombie & Kent
Shore excursions for the inaugural cruise include a truffle hunt on a Sicilian farmstead, a pasta-making class in Bologna, hiking to the summit of Corfu's Mount Pantokrator, and a Blue Cave adventure in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.
Guests will have VIP access to the treasures of Vatican City, Rome's Church of Saint Lorenzo and Ravenna's Domus of the Stone Carpets. There will be a lavish welcome dinner in Rome and a sendoff in Ravenna that A&K says will be "unforgettable."
The trip will begin with two nights at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel.
During the cruise, guests will stay in Crystal's Sapphire Veranda Suites -- or for solo travelers, in Aquamarine Veranda Suites with no single supplement. There will be access to up to eight restaurants and bars.
Each cultural voyage will begin with two nights at a luxury hotel. Pre- and post-cruise land extensions will be available.