Crystal
Parent company: A&K Travel Group (Abercrombie & Kent)
PremiumSee how Crystal describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Crystal has one of the largest amounts of space per passenger and highest crew-to-guest ratios in cruising, with a personal butler for every stateroom and suite
- 2The only Nobu restaurant at sea, by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
- 3Gratuities are included in the fare, and repeat guests get automatic Crystal Society discounts starting on their second voyage
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise line120 days before departure (voyages under 40 days); 180 days before departure (voyages of 40+ days)
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSources differ
Crystal's Cruise Contract shows a different schedule: a $250 (39 days or less) or $200 (40+ days) administration fee and different day bands. The contract itself says the website's cancellation fees prevail, so we show the US Booking Terms.US Booking Terms Cruise ContractVoyages of 39 days or less: administration fee (121+ days), 25% (120-91 days), 50% (90-76), 75% (75-51), 100% (50 days or less). Voyages of 40+ days: administration fee (181+ days), 25% (180-151), 50% (150-121), 75% (120-91), 100% (90 days or less). World Cruises have separate schedules.
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Included in the cruise fare (gratuities for housekeeping, dining, and bar staff)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Included in the cruise fare (same policy as standard staterooms)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Included (curated selection of wines, champagne, spirits and soft drinks)Per cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Included (premium wines and spirits); Crystal Connoisseur List wines/spirits cost extraPer cruise line
- Soda package
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (all non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included (complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- $20 per day or $100 for 7 days (Premium Plan)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Included: complimentary reservations at each of Umi Uma (Nobu) and Osteria d'Ovidio: 1 (voyages up to 11 nights), 2 (12-22 nights), 3 (23+ nights); unlimited for Crystal Penthouse and Junior Crystal Penthouse suites. Beefbar complimentary; The Vintage Room extra.Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- $75 pp per additional Umi Uma / Osteria d'Ovidio reservation beyond the complimentary allowancePer cruise line
Sources differ
Most Crystal pages (two FAQs and the Perfectly at Home page) say $75 per person; the All-Inclusive landing page says $50 per person.Food & Beverage FAQ All-Inclusive page - Fitness classes
- Not published by the cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- Included (access to spa facilities, including sauna and steam rooms); treatments cost extra, plus a 20% service chargePer cruise line
- Air program
- Crystal Air (optional; includes airport transfers; fully changeable/refundable up to 90 days before departure)Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- 20% service charge on spa bills; no corkage fee (guests may bring their own wine/spirits); shore excursions not included; fuel supplements may be added even after full paymentPer cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Crystal in writing when you book, and email Onboard Guest Services (obgs@crystalcruises.com) before the voyage. Oxygen requests and medical conditions needing ship care must be reported at least 30 days before departure. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Guests must bring their own wheelchair (a collapsible one is strongly encouraged); Crystal does not rent wheelchairs or scooters or give wheelchair help on board. Scooters should be no wider than 22 inches (wider ones collapsible). Tenders have 15 steps with no ramp, and mobility devices can't be lifted aboard. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Service dogs are allowed only on select voyages; emotional support animals are not. Notify Crystal at least 90 days before sailing, and the guest must meet each port's entry rules. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Guests may bring oxygen tanks and concentrators and their own CPAP, but the ship can't supply or refill oxygen or carry liquid oxygen. Peritoneal dialysis is allowed with your own equipment (no hemodialysis), and guests who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more during the cruise can't sail. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entrySingle, Deluxe & Premium Ocean View / Veranda Guest Rooms
Per cruise lineAll-inclusive open-seating and specialty dining, living area with sofa, linen changes every second day, butler service (every category).
midAquamarine Veranda / Ocean View Suites
Per cruise lineAdds a walk-in closet, afternoon canapés and tea, complimentary pressing (5 pieces/day), a coffee capsule machine and binoculars.
midSapphire Veranda / Ocean View Suites
Per cruise lineAdds orchids, complimentary dry cleaning (5 pieces every 10 days) and laundry (1 bag every 10 days), and bath salts.
luxuryJunior Crystal Penthouse / Crystal Penthouse Suites
Per cruise lineAdds complimentary dining at Osteria d'Ovidio and Umi Uma (reservations required, subject to availability), room service from those restaurants, complimentary dry cleaning and laundry, in-suite cocktail parties, fresh flowers, whirlpool tub, and a butler/concierge escort at embarkation and debarkation.
Loyalty program
Crystal SocietyPer cruise line
Guests may say
“Crystal Society”, “my Crystal Society number”
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Crystal's Turnaround Operations arranges pre- and post-voyage transfers between airport, Crystal partner hotels and pier, booked through a travel advisor or Personal Cruise Consultant; Crystal hotel packages include one transfer to or from the ship.
Which ports: Not listed; see page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
A&K Travel Group (Abercrombie & Kent)
No sister cruise lines on this site.
Loyalty between brands: Standalone: Crystal Society only.
No official shared program found. Check with the cruise line before promising anything.
See the whole family →Good to know
Minimum age, infants and pregnancy
Per cruise lineGuests must be at least 6 months old at embarkation, and Crystal may limit the number of infants (6 months-2 years). Crystal cannot carry guests who have entered their 24th week of pregnancy.
Dress code has formal evenings
Per cruise lineDay Casual until 6pm, Evening Resort after 6pm. On Formal Evenings, formal attire is mandatory in all dining venues, bars and lounges after 6pm (optional at Beefbar). Shorts, flip-flops and casual daywear are not allowed in public areas after 6pm.
Drinking age and bring-your-own
Per cruise lineWine and beer from 18, spirits from 21 (21 for all alcohol in US ports and waters). Guests may bring their own alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks aboard, and there is no corkage fee.
Shore excursions are extra
Per cruise lineDespite the all-inclusive fare, shore excursions (curated with Abercrombie & Kent) cost extra on both ships.
Peace of Mind Promise (optional 10% add-on)
Per cruise lineFor a fee of 10% of the cruise fare, guests on a paid-in-full booking can cancel up to the day before departure and get a Future Cruise Credit. The credit must be used on a sailing booked within 12 months and completed within 24 months. It is optional and not a refund.
Crystal Serenity drydock Oct-Nov 2026
Per cruise lineCrystal Serenity has a three-week drydock in October 2026 (Aquamarine Classic Suites refit, new pool bar, atrium). She is expected back in service Nov 8, 2026 with a Lisbon-Fort Lauderdale transatlantic.
Fleet
- Ships
- 2 ships in service (Crystal Serenity, Crystal Symphony); Crystal Grace under construction (inaugural voyage June 11, 2028); two further 650-guest sister ships on order (May 2031 and 2034)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Crystal Grace (under construction; delivery May 2028, inaugural voyage June 11, 2028; 650 guests); Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are the two ships currently sailing, both refurbished in 2023 under A&K ownershipPer cruise line
- Ship classes
- Crystal Serenity (740 guests), Crystal Symphony (606 guests), Crystal Grace class (650 guests; new ships from 2028)
Coming soon
All new ships- Crystal GraceJune 11, 2028 · Mediterranean Now sellingPer cruise line Preview
Where they sail
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.