Founded in 1988 as Crystal Cruises, Crystal revolutionized luxury travel at sea with the launch of our first ocean ship, Crystal Harmony in 1990 (ret. 2005). Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity followed and, with them, came continued accolades for the Crystal Experience™, with noted acclaim for the supreme level of service found aboard the elegant ships. For almost 30 years we have seen several stylish redesigns that have kept the ships at the height of elegance and latest technologies, groundbreaking itineraries that have reached all corners of the globe, and innovative experiences on board and ashore that explore the culinary and adventurous elements of worldwide cultures. Crystal’s award-winning ocean ships have continued to evolve in luxury and excellence, with their most extensive redesigns to date in 2017 (Crystal Symphony) and 2018 (Crystal Serenity).

Crystal’s pattern of continually besting our success continued through 2015, when we embarked on the most ambitious brand expansion in luxury travel history. With the unwavering support and shared vision of our parent company, global leisure and hospitality company Genting Hong Kong, Crystal announced plans in July 2015 that would expand our luxury fleet exponentially in the coming years, as well as venturing into new markets. Crystal now comprises Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises, Crystal Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air and Crystal AirCruises.

Throughout the venture, Crystal maintains our stated dedication to offering a superior standard of personalized service and attention to the luxurious details that cater to the individual wishes of our guests, showcased in our new brand campaign, “Where Luxury is Personal.” Along with thousands of diverse adventures, access not available anywhere else and more choices available to guests seeking to customize their luxury vacations, Crystal’s service, space and amenities have shaped the company’s credo over the decades.

Crystal redefines the way the world views luxury travel. Celebrating 30 years of excellence, Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned top honors in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 26 years, including winning “Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line” in the magazine’s 2019 awards; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 24 years, including, in 2017 and 2020, Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. Rounding out the fleet’s most recent honors, Crystal River Cruises was voted “Best River Cruise Line” while Crystal Yacht Cruises was voted “Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” in the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).