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.

The vessel has 13 decks, of which 12 are passenger-accessible, and 7 have cabins.

Ship review (facilities, amenities, services)

Crystal Grace boasts a crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1,16 (650 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 13 dining and bar venues, including 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 includes Badiani gelato (ice cream from one of the world's most prestigious gelato producers).

The ship's design features a Promenade encompassing/wrapping around the entire deck and providing unobstructed 360-degree views. The layout also shows late-night venues (Palm Court, Avenue Saloon, Connoisseur’s Club) grouped together, 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 on the Promenade. 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.

Passenger-accessible decks are served by 8 elevators (3 forward, 3 midship, 2 aft), along with public restrooms. Deck 14 is only accessible via forward and aft lifts.

Itineraries

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