Crystal Grace

The 2028-built Crystal Grace cruise ship is the first of three Fincantieri-designed and constructed units ordered by A&K Travel Group (shipowner) for its subsidiary and travel brand Crystal Cruises, to be followed by the same-designed sisterships Crystal TBN2 (2030) and Crystal TBN3 (2032).

Like the fleetmates, the vessel (IMO number tba) will be Bahamas-flagged (MMSI tba) and registered in Nassau.

History - Construction and Ownership

Crystal Cruises was founded in 1988 as a subsidiary of the Japanese NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha), one of the world's largest container shipping companies. In 2015, NYK Line sold Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong (GHK), after which the company was renamed Crystal Ltd.

In January 2022, GHK filed for bankruptcy, and its assets were put up for sale. In June 2022, Crystal Cruises was acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd (Abercrombie & Kent).

Crystal Grace is a 650-passenger ship currently under construction at Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard.

With the order/MoA with Fincantieri signed in 2024, Crystal Cruises also announced that the interior design will incorporate high-end materials such as precious marble, Italian fabrics, and natural elements. Besides Crystal's signature and new dining concepts, the Italy-built ships also feature exclusive entertainment and sophisticated gaming, with a newly designed gambling lounge (Casino de Monte-Carlo), an upscale wellness complex (Aurora Spa), and a dedicated children's area designed for engaging activities and safe play.

Decks and Cabins

All Crystal Grace staterooms (337 total) are Veranda Suites, meaning the ship has no inside or oceanview cabins. Cabin categories are all Suites and include a single-occupancy category balcony cabin (for solo travelers).

The Suite designs were developed by the Italian firms - Studio GEM (Genoa), Studio Ibsen (Milano).

All suites (except Solo Veranda) are served by dedicated butlers and incorporate appointed furnishings, curated linens, and signature design elements.

Select top-tier suites have large wraparound terraces. Forward and aft penthouses offer extended balconies to support private gatherings.

Standard cabin amenities provided complimentary in all categories include sofa/single sofa bed, Queen-size double bed (convertible to twins), premium Italian bed linens (Jesurum's Venezia 1870), HDTV, interactive tablet, closet (digital safe box), en suite bathroom (single-sink vanity, walk-in shower, Etro robes, Ortigia Sicilia bath products, hairdryer, hair iron/upon request), unlimited WiFi.

The ship's largest accommodation - the CRYSTAL OWNER'S SUITE - is a first-of-its-kind for Crystal Cruises. This opulent residence occupies 185 m2 of internal space and has a 270-degree wraparound terrace of 203 m2. The Owner Suite's bathroom is finished in Italian marble and appointed with a freestanding Jacuzzi and high-end fittings. The terrace is equipped with its own whirlpool and shower, and an alfresco dining area. The Suite also features dedicated indoor wellness facilities.

• PENTHOUSE PANORAMA SUITE is sized 113 m2 (interior) plus 91 m2 (balcony).
• PENTHOUSE SUITE is sized 112 m2 (interior) plus 61 m2 (balcony).
• JUNIOR PENTHOUSE PANORAMA SUITE is sized 69 m2 (interior) plus 56 m2 (balcony).
• JUNIOR PENTHOUSE SUITE is sized 79 m2 (interior) plus 21 m2 (balcony).
• SAPPHIRE PANORAMA SUITE is sized 50 m2 (interior) plus 32 m2 (balcony).
• SAPPHIRE PREMIUM SUITE and SAPPHIRE DELUXE SUITE are sized 43 m2 (interior) plus 22 m2 (balcony).
• AQUAMARINE PREMIUM SUITE is sized 32 m2 (interior) plus 8 m2 (balcony).
• AQUAMARINE DELUXE SUITE is sized 31 m2 (interior) plus 16 m2 (balcony).
• AQUAMARINE SUITE is sized 32 m2 (interior) plus 16 m2 (balcony).
• PREMIUM VERANDA and SINGLE VERANDA cabins are sized 21 m2 (interior) plus 10 m2 (balcony). Each has a living area (sofa bed), a bathroom (walk-in shower), a walk-in closet, and additional storage (overhead compartments).

The majority of accommodations are AQUAMARINE categories.

Top-tier suites have a separate shower/bathtub configuration and walk-in showers. Most have walk-in closets.

There are also accessible/ADA cabin options, all with balconies and easily navigable interiors.

Passenger-accessible decks are served by 11 elevators (9 forward, 2 aft) and grand stairs, and have public restrooms. Deck 14 is only accessible via forward and aft lifts.

Each cabin deck has a launderette (self-service laundry room) located in the forward section. The launderettes are complete with washers (detergent provided), dryers, and ironing facilities.

The vessel has 12 decks, of which 9 are passenger-accessible, and 5 have cabins.

Ship review (facilities, amenities, services)

Crystal Grace boasts a crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1,16 (776 passengers are served by 559 crew), which guarantees exceptional service levels. Also impressive is the guest-to-space ratio of 1 to 95, which means ~50% more space per passenger than many luxury cruise brands.

The ship has a total of 17 dining and bar venues.

The list of dining venues includes 3 main specialty restaurants - Umi Uma (by Nobu), Osteria d'Ovidio (by Alajmo), and Beefbar (by Giraudi). The Bistro (a Parisian-style cafe) is open from morning to evening for light dining and serves Badiani gelato (ice cream from one of the world's most prestigious gelato producers). Other dining venues are the Waterside (main dining room/MDR), the Marketplace Restaurant (Lido buffet with indoor and outdoor seating), Vintage Room (VIP dining room), Trident Grill (an outdoor eatery serving made-to-order comfort food), Scoops Gelato Bar (a poolside venue serving authentic Italian Badiani ice cream), and Pool Bar (an open-air poolside venue for beverages and light snacks).

Midship on Deck 10 is the Seahorse Pool (main outdoor swimming pool) flanked by two Jacuzzis and surrounded by a spacious Sundeck with ample space and private cabanas. There is a large outdoor Cinema/Stage for live performances and movie screenings.

The list of bar lounges includes Crystal Cove (premium coffees, light refreshments, pre-dinner cocktails), Casino de Monte Carlo (gaming lounge), Galaxy Lounge (the ship's main show lounge/theater, hosting Broadway-style evening shows/large-scale productions and daily enrichment programs), Stardust Club (an evening entertainment lounge/disco nightclub hosting dancing, cabaret, themed parties, and live performances), Avenue Saloon (Piano Bar), Connoisseur Club (a dedicated cigar and cognac lounge), and Palm Court (a top-deck panoramic indoor lounge with 270-degree, forward-facing views, large skylights/glass roof covers, and floor-to-ceiling windows).

The Atrium's Lobby Hall (4th floor) houses the Reception Desk and the Concierge & Shore Excursions desks. It is the primary guest service area handling bookings, dining reservations, land tours, and general assistance.

Crystal Images provides professional photography services, including portraits and destination photos. Guests can purchase printed or digital photos as souvenirs.

Onboard Shopping (Crystal Plaza) is a boutique retail complex/shopping arcade with curated luxury goods, including fashion, jewelry, and travel essentials.

Library & Computer University At Sea combines a traditional library (books, magazines, board games) and a tech learning center. It hosts classes and workshops led by professional instructors, covering digital skills and technology topics.

The ship design features a Promenade that wraps around the entire Deck 5, providing unobstructed 360-degree views. The layout also shows late-night venues (Palm Court, Avenue Saloon, Connoisseur's Club) grouped, entertainment venues hosting live music, grand shows, and movie screenings, and Crystal's signature Movies Under the Stars pool deck (outdoor cinema) concept.

Tillberg Design of Sweden was contracted to develop the design concepts for the ship's restaurants, in collaboration with Crystal Cruises' culinary partners.

The restaurant Umi Uma incorporates a full-height glass wall overlooking the ocean.

The Beefbar and Osteria d'Ovidio extend their seating areas into covered outdoor terraces aft on Deck 10. A shared bar linking the two venues creates a continuous flow between the spaces.

The 84-seat Umi Uma, developed in partnership with Nobu Matsuhisa, is one of the ship's principal specialty restaurants. Umi Uma's menu presents Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine characteristic of the chef's international restaurants, with signature dishes such as Nobu-style black cod, grilled Chilean sea bass, and a sushi selection. The restaurant features both a reservation-based dining room and a sushi bar for more informal drop-in service.

The Osteria d'Ovidio, in collaboration with Massimiliano Alajmo and Raffaele Alajmo, provides 68 indoor seats plus 20 seats on its outdoor terrace. The venue reflects contemporary Italian dining. Its menu is organized into sections presenting regional, traditional Italian dishes, selections from Alajmo's Michelin-starred restaurant Le Calandre, and Venetian specialties such as vitello tonnato, saffron risotto with licorice powder, and pistachio gelato.

The Beefbar, representing a partnership with Riccardo Giraudi, is a contemporary steakhouse combining premium cuts of meat with a relaxed environment. The Beefbar provides 56 indoor and 58 outdoor/terrace seats.

Crystal Grace amenities include 24-hour room service, Internet/WiFi access, babysitting, laundry service, and self-serve laundromats.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo (93 m2) features 32 slot machines and 3 live gaming tables (Blackjack, American Roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold'em).

CRYSTAL LIFE FITNESS (280+ m2 / 3000+ ft2) includes the Fitness Center, Weight Room, and Aerobics Studio, with floor-to-ceiling windows and Technogym equipment. Complimentary wellness classes (yoga, Pilates, spinning) are offered. The Fitness Director provides expert guidance and training.

CRYSTAL LIFE SPA & SALON comprises the AURORA SPA and BEAUTY SALON, offering treatments for both men and women, including saunas, steam rooms, massages, and beauty therapies.

Outdoor sports amenities include GOLF DRIVING NETS, a PUTTING GREEN, and the WIMBLEDON COURT. Certified PGA trainers are available, and complimentary TaylorMade golf sets are provided for use while docked. The WIMBLEDON COURT features two full-size courts for paddle tennis and pickleball.

The Aurora Spa (designed by TDoS/Tillberg Design of Sweden) features a fiber-optic starlight ceiling and offers treatments such as Aurora LED & Cryo Facial, BIOTEC 2.0 Ultimate Facial, Aurora Stone Signature Massage (hot stones), and The Chariot of Light (LED skin therapy). It is operated in partnership with ELEMIS (skincare) and Kerastase (haircare).

Crystal Grace's Aurora Spa is managed by OneSpaWorld (Florida-based wellness provider). The wellness complex comprises 12 treatment rooms, 2 steam rooms (male/female), 2 saunas, a relaxation room, and a beauty salon for hair, nails, and makeup for both men and women.

Crystal Grace's crew-only facilities are located on Deck 3 and Deck 12. Deck 12's exclusive recreation area spans ~1580 ft2/~147 m2 and accommodates up to 100 crew members. The complex houses a lounge, bar, convenience store, sundeck (with loungers, jacuzzi, and showers), and a 24-hour gym (with Technogym equipment). Indoor social areas provide seating for 74 people. Two additional crew dining venues are incorporated on Deck 3.

Crew facilities

The above Deck 12 (top deck) is entirely dedicated to a crew-only recreation area that spans ~1580 ft2/~147 m2 and accommodates up to 100 crew members. This exclusive complex is divided into the following facilities:

Crew Gym is a 24-hour fitness center fitted with Technogym equipment.

Social Lounge is an indoor venue featuring comfortable table seating (for 74 people), a bar, and a 98-inch HDTV.

Sundries Shop is a convenience store selling everyday items.

Outdoor amenities include a sundeck with a Jacuzzi and showers/wash-up area. The sunbathing area is an open-air terrace furnished with sun loungers.

 Two additional crew dining venues are incorporated on Deck 3.

Itineraries

Crystal Grace's itinerary program, including the inaugural cruise's date and homeports, was announced on April 14th, 2026, and bookings opened on April 28th.

The itineraries span the regions of the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the Arctic, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean.

The Maiden Voyage leaves on June 11th, 2028, from Civitavecchia/Rome. The 34-day roundtrip was also available in two shorter segments, including an 8-day cruise from Rome to Venice (Civitavecchia-Fusina) and a 27-day cruise from Rome to Barcelona.

The vessel (Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number tba) has a volume of 61,800 GT, making it (by design) smaller than the Japan-built fleetmate Crystal Serenity (2003).

The initial agreement with the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri was announced on June 27, 2024 (order date), when the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was officially signed. The MoA covered the order of two (new design) units. The optional (3rd) unit was ordered on November 8th (2024).

On July 1, 2025, the financing for the two ships was secured, allowing the shipbuilding contract to be officially confirmed. The transaction was supported by an export credit facility. It was backed by SACE (Italy's Export credit agency, wholly-owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance) and led by a consortium of lenders including Citibank London, Banco Santander, CaixaBank UK, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Credit Agricole, Monte dei Paschi, and Bper. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Simest provided legal and structural assistance.

For the new ships' design, Fincantieri contracted Studio Ibsen (Milano-based architecture and interior design firm) and Studio Gem (Genoa-based naval architecture and cruise ship design firm). An additional (third) international designer (Tillberg Design of Sweden) was appointed soon after.

The ship name (Crystal Grace) was officially announced on November 13, 2025, in a Crystal Cruises press release + media rollout. Before the reveal, Crystal launched a digital word game in which the brand's fans were invited to guess the name on social media. However, this was not a naming vote, but a marketing teaser campaign as the name was already internally selected. Reportedly, the primary decision-maker was Cristina Levis (Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group's CEO).

The steel-cutting ceremony (start of the vessel's physical construction) was held on May 28, 2026. The special event was attended by Cristina Levis (Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group's CEO), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division's General Manager) and Marco Lunardi (Marghera shipyard's Director).

The keel-laying (start of the assembly) is planned for December 2026, while the ship's delivery is scheduled for May 31st, 2028.

The christening ceremony is currently scheduled for July 11-12th (2028, an overnight stay) to be held in Monte Carlo during the maiden voyage.

Maiden Voyage (2028)

The following table highlights Crystal Grace's inaugural cruise.

(table to be added soon)