News of newbuilds has been expected, along with an expedition component.
Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, announced the plans Saturday during a preview cruise aboard Crystal Serenity, which has just emerged from an upgrade totaling $150m together with Crystal Symphony.
Two European builders
Levis said the company is working with its advisors, lenders and export credit agencies in order to sign a memorandum of agreement with two European shipbuilders for a pair of 'classic' ships and two expedition vessels.
'We have ambitious growth plans for Crystal and are proud of what we have accomplished with the relaunch of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in just under a year following the purchase of the brand,' Levis said. 'We are now thrilled to formally announce that we will be growing our fleet and continue to offer the most exceptional cruising experiences in the industry.'
Aging fleet
While A&K Group has just invested heavily to update its two ships, they are among the older vessels in the luxury sector today. Crystal Symphony was built in 1995, while Crystal Serenity was completed in 2003.
Expedition background
A&K Group's expedition ambitions for Crystal were no secret. Last year, after the company lost its bid for Crystal Endeavor, Manfredi Lefebrve d'Ovidio told Seatrade Cruise News: 'Today, unfortunately, Crystal does not have an expedition ship. We'll have to fix that.'
In December, the company formed a partnership with Santiago Dunn and his Galápagos travel company, Ecoventura. And of course A&K has long been involved in expedition cruising.
On Monday Crystal Serenity is scheduled to begin its inaugural voyage from Marseille. Crystal Symphony, after completing its upgrade, is to depart on its inaugural cruise from Piraeus Sept. 1.
Seatrade Cruise Review's September issue will highlight luxury cruising with a breakdown of capacity growth, new players, pricing trends and market share shift, by brand, in the years ahead
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