By
Alex Smith |
The Crystal Cruises brand has been a feature of the global cruising industry for over three decades, providing luxury voyages to destinations across the world. After its acquisition by A&K Travel Group in 2022 and subsequent relaunch in 2023, Crystal has expanded its global reach with itineraries that combine operational practicality and destination appeal.
According to Mario Parodi, vice president of itinerary planning, Crystal considers a wide range of factors when selecting turnaround ports to feature on a voyage.
“Air capacity is an important consideration, as guests must be able to easily reach our ports of embarkation and disembarkation,” he says. “We also assess opportunities to extend voyages with pre- and post-cruise packages, the attractiveness of ports between turnaround ports, and whether we can combine multiple sailings to give our guests the chance to create more extended journeys.”
Crystal’s approach combines logistical efficiency with an emphasis on providing enriching stays onshore. Parodi explains: “We carefully choose ports that can offer unique experiences to our guests. In addition, we prioritise destinations where our ships can be docked as opposed to having to anchor and tender.”
Adria Bono, director of destination experiences at Crystal, also highlights the importance of both infrastructure and onshore hospitality. “Ports and destinations should focus on guest experience and on port infrastructure,” she says. “Access to professional guides, comfortable transport and a variety of visitor activities is a top priority. Good berthing facilities for luxury ships that are close to city centres, with adequate parking for excursion vehicles, are also important – along with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”
Bono has also observed a clear evolution in traveller expectations. A growing preference for authenticity and slower-paced exploration is influencing Crystal’s approach to itinerary design, with longer port stays, overnight calls and regionally focused voyages becoming increasingly common. “Seasoned travellers are now looking for more ‘local activities,’” she says. “Cruising is no longer a collection of postcards and souvenirs but a genuine enrichment of experiences.”
Crystal has expanded its 2026-2027 itineraries to include less-travelled regions and new ports. “Following guest demand, we have increased our visits to more exotic destinations including the Arctic, Asia and Australia,” says Parodi. “We have also extended the season in Japan and added Greenland to 2027 deployments, and we are now also offering a cruise along the Amazon River all the way up to Manaus, Brazil.”
Planning itineraries several years ahead demands both foresight and flexibility, as Bono explains. “Crystal continuously adapts its itineraries and shore excursion programmes in response to various operational and regional challenges,” she says. “This is an ongoing process. Our itineraries are published two to three years in advance, but we may receive information about unexpected local events – infrastructure problems or religious observances such as Ramadan – that are scheduled nearer the time and can affect shore excursions.”
Guests are expressing a preference for slower-paced travel, according to Crystal’s Adria Bono (Photo: Tom Griffiths)
When necessary, Crystal updates its programmes to maintain a seamless experience for guests. “For these reasons we sometimes have to revise or reroute itineraries which have already been published,” says Bono. “In some cases, we have explored adding new ports, such as Pondicherry and Chennai in India. However, based on feedback from our destination management company regarding operational difficulties faced by other cruise lines, we made the decision to remove them from our programmes. We also had to cancel a scheduled call to Mayotte, a French island off the east coast of Africa frequently included by other cruise lines, due to the devastating cyclones that hit the island in December 2024 and January 2025.”
To further enrich its offering, Crystal has introduced a collaboration with its sister brand Abercrombie & Kent. “We recently launched the ‘By A&K’ programme, which includes overland and pre- and post-cruise extensions as well as high-quality land programmes designed for Crystal guests,” says Bono. “These programmes run in very small groups, with access to unique destinations, top local guides and authentic cultural experiences, including exclusive encounters, private visits and curated menus.”
Crystal’s itinerary planning process illustrates the complex balance cruise operators face between operational requirements, destination infrastructure, and shifting traveller preferences. As the company adapts its deployments in response to logistical, environmental and regional factors, its evolving itineraries reflect broader trends shaping the luxury cruise sector – including a growing emphasis on longer stays, regional focus, and closer collaboration between cruise and land-based travel providers.
Discover more insights like this in the 2026 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning. Don’t miss out – subscribe for FREE and get the next issue delivered straight to your inbox.