Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will undergo refurbishment and resume service in 2023 under new owners, A&K Travel Group Ltd. The luxury vessels will operate under the Crystal Cruises brand, which the company has also acquired.
A&K Travel Group Ltd. is owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage Group, co-chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the former owner of Silversea Cruises, which was sold to Royal Caribbean in 2018. In a press statement, Lefebvre d’Ovidio said “he did not think twice” about acquiring Crystal Cruises when the opportunity arose, adding that selling his family’s cruise business had been a difficult decision. “I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart.”
Speaking on the acquisition, Geoffrey Kent, co-chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd. and Crystal Cruises, and founder, co-chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent, said: “The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride.”
Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group Ltd., who said: “The acquisition of Crystal has been extremely challenging but the satisfaction of having this jewel in our family is the best pay-off for all the work and efforts of the A&K team.”
For more information, visit abercrombiekent.com.
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