Crystal Symphony at sea. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.)

A&K Travel Buys Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony

Crystal Symphony at sea. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises.)
 
 

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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