A wonderful cruise gives you two things to look forward to: the experience on board and the places waiting beyond the gangway. With Crystal, the connection between those two worlds has become particularly exciting, thanks to its relationship with one of the most legendary names in luxury travel: Abercrombie & Kent.
Crystal is owned by A&K Travel Group, which acquired the Crystal brand, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony in 2022. That brings Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent into the same travel family, combining Crystal’s celebrated hospitality at sea with A&K’s expertise in exploring the world ashore.
For travelers, that relationship opens up some remarkable possibilities. Your cruise can become part of a larger adventure, with thoughtfully planned shore experiences, inland explorations and stays before or after your voyage.
The destination comes to life
Seeing a famous landmark is exciting. Understanding its history, meeting the people who call a destination home and discovering its traditions can make the experience even more rewarding.
Crystal’s shore excursion collection spans guided sightseeing, cultural visits, cooking classes and wine tastings. Its connection with A&K adds another layer of destination expertise and access, helping travelers explore beyond the familiar highlights.
Imagine how a cooking experience might change the way you appreciate dinner back on board, or how a knowledgeable guide could bring an ancient city into focus. These are the moments that give a destination personality—and often become the stories you share long after returning home.
Let your journey begin before you board
When you are traveling a considerable distance to meet your ship, arriving early gives you time to settle in. It also creates an opportunity to explore somewhere that deserves more than a brief visit.
Crystal’s “By Abercrombie & Kent” collection includes pre- and post-cruise extensions featuring experiences such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, wildlife adventures in Kenya’s Masai Mara and explorations of Tuscany and Rome. Depending on the program, highlights may include truffle hunting, a private winery dinner or a stay in a historic castle.
You might begin your trip with several days of discovery before settling into the rhythm of your cruise. Or you could finish your voyage with an inland adventure that adds an entirely different dimension to the destinations you have visited.
Explore farther during your cruise
Some places on your wish list are simply too far inland for a day’s shore excursion. Crystal’s By A&K collection also includes selected multi-day, mid-voyage programs that allow guests to leave the ship and rejoin it at a later port.
Examples announced in the collection include the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and Australia’s Uluru. A&K’s local teams coordinate the arrangements, including accommodations, transportation and, where applicable, private charter flights.
That creates an appealing combination: the ease of traveling by ship and the freedom to experience extraordinary places beyond the coast.
Find the right combination for you
At Cruise Specialists, we believe the experiences ashore deserve just as much consideration as the ship and suite you choose. Perhaps you want to explore history with an expert guide, discover regional food and wine, encounter wildlife or finally visit a place you have dreamed about for years.
Our Cruise Consultants help you compare Crystal itineraries and identify the excursions and land extensions that complement your interests, preferred pace and travel plans. Availability, pricing and inclusions vary by voyage and program, so planning these experiences alongside your cruise is worthwhile.
With Crystal and Abercrombie & Kent, there is an exciting opportunity to make your next cruise an even richer journey. Contact Cruise Specialists to start planning your Crystal cruise—and the extraordinary experiences that await ashore.
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