A&K Partners With Sister Brand, Crystal, for Cultural Voyages

Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has announced a new chapter for its Expedition Cruises division through a strategic partnership with sister brand Crystal, the ultra-luxury cruise line. Both brands, part of A&K Travel Group (AKTG), will collaborate to deliver A&K’s cultural voyages aboard Crystal’s fleet, beginning with a pilot program in August 2026.

This collaboration will see A&K’s cultural cruises—featuring the company’s Expedition Team and shore experiences—hosted aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, offering guests an elevated experience while maintaining A&K’s signature intimate, educational approach to cultural exploration. The inaugural voyage will launch in August 2026 with “A&K x Crystal: Cruising Italy, Greece and the Balkans,” a 12-day Mediterranean expedition from Rome to Venice aboard Crystal Serenity, accommodating just 50 guests as part of the pilot program. In 2027, A&K will offer six cultural voyages across diverse itineraries including Hong Kong to Yokohama, Lisbon to Portsmouth, a variety of Mediterranean routes and a Canadian exploration, with capacity expanding to accommodate up to 125 guests per voyage.

The collaboration will feature A&K’s distinctive expedition elements, including their Expedition Team who accompany guests throughout the cruise (at a ratio of one per 18 guests), as well as a choice of included shore excursions organized by A&K’s global network of local specialists, pre-cruise programs featuring luxury hotel stays and cultural experiences, daily recap sessions with canapés and drinks, and expert-led presentations exclusive to A&K guests.

A&K guests will enjoy exclusive accommodation in Crystal’s Sapphire Veranda Suites—and, for solo travelers, in Aquamarine Veranda Suites with no single supplement—along with access to Crystal’s world-class amenities. Each cultural voyage will begin with two nights at a luxury hotel featuring A&K’s signature cultural programming, seamless embarkation with dedicated check-in, and optional pre- and post-cruise extensions. The program maintains A&K’s commitment to conscious travel, with shore excursions designed to support local communities and provide authentic cultural connections.

The inaugural “A&K x Crystal: Cruising Italy, Greece and the Balkans” (August 28–September 8, 2026) will begin with two nights at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel before embarking on a nine-night cruise filled with included shore excursions that span a host of interests, from sampling fine regional food and wines with a truffle hunt on a Sicilian farmstead and a pasta-making class in Bologna, to hiking to the summit of Corfu’s Mount Pantokrator and swimming in Kotor Bay’s luminous Blue Cave. A&K guests enjoy VIP access to the treasures of the Vatican City, Rome’s Church of Saint Lorenzo and Ravenna’s Domus of the Stone Carpets, as well as A&K-exclusive events including a welcome dinner in Rome and an unforgettable sendoff in Ravenna.

The full portfolio of six voyages is set to launch in 2027.

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