Over the past decade, Crystal Cruises rose to the forefront of luxury ocean travel with its two flagship ships, the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity. Each vessel, carrying roughly a thousand guests, offered spacious accommodations, exceptional service and a wide range of onboard enrichment and entertainment options. High passenger-to-staff and passenger-to-space ratios allowed Crystal to provide attentive, personalized service. Guests came to expect inclusive amenities such as gratuities, fine wines, premium spirits, Champagne and specialty coffees. The line also introduced complimentary internet and Wi‑Fi, cementing its appeal to affluent multigenerational travelers seeking refined experiences at sea.
In 2015, under new ownership, Crystal expanded its portfolio well beyond traditional ocean cruising. The company launched luxury river ships in Europe, entered the expedition market with an upscale yacht, and even took to the skies with private jet offerings—each designed to extend the brand’s hallmark of comfort and service to new realms.
Crystal River Cruises debuted in 2016 with the Crystal Mozart, a 160-passenger vessel noted for being among the largest and widest ships on the Danube. The fleet quickly grew to include the Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel. Rather than simply add another riverboat, Crystal introduced high-luxury ships that featured all-balcony accommodations,-suite options and personal butler service. These vessels operate on the Danube, Rhine and Main rivers, bringing refined onboard amenities and immersive shore excursions. In 2019 the Crystal Ravel is scheduled to operate seven-night Danube sailings between Vienna and ports in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
At the same time, Crystal expanded into expedition-style yachting with the 62-passenger Crystal Esprit. This all-suite, all-butler yacht targets adventurous, upscale travelers who want active exploration without sacrificing luxury. In 2019 the Crystal Esprit itinerary lineup includes the Côte d’Azur with VIP access to the Monaco Grand Prix, coastal Italy, the Greek isles and a special Arabian Nights Collection visiting Egypt, Oman, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Crystal’s Yacht Expedition Cruises plan to broaden these offerings further with the addition of the 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor in 2020, opening itineraries to remote regions such as the Russian Far East, Tasmania and Antarctica.
Having built strong credentials across ocean, river and expedition cruising, Crystal also looked upward. The brand launched Crystal Luxury Air to provide on-demand private jet charters worldwide aboard a refurbished Bombardier Global Express XRS, accommodating up to 12 guests with a focus on bespoke service and comfort. Complementing this, Crystal AirCruises operates the largest private luxury charter jet in the industry: the 88-passenger Boeing 777-200LR Crystal Skye, designed for immersive, curated air journeys that mirror the line’s land and sea experiences.
Across ships, yachts and aircraft, Crystal extended a single promise: carefully crafted luxury travel that combines exceptional service, thoughtfully designed spaces and inclusive amenities. Whether aboard a classic ocean liner, a refined river vessel, an intimate expedition yacht or a private charter jet, Crystal aims to deliver seamless, elevated journeys for discerning travelers.
Bring out the fine crystal, wherever you’re bound.