Crystal Begins Booking 27-Country, $85,000 Luxury World Cruise

14.03.2024 - 08:21 / forbes.com / Bora Bora / Crystal Serenity / Crystal Symphony / Crystal Cruises

There’s an old joke where a travel consultant asks a customer, “Are you interested in a world cruise?” The customer responds, “No, I’d rather go someplace else.”

But if you’re interested in a five-month luxury journey that will take you to more than 27 countries, the upcoming 2026 World Cruise from Crystal may be for you.

The cruise, that will transport guests from world capitals to tropical paradises, will be open for booking on March 19, 2024. A waitlist is already available.

The Crystal Serenity will be one’s home for 135 days on the World Cruise. The 68,000-ton Serenity is 820 feet long and 105 feet wide with a maximum cruising speed of 22 knots. The ship’s 740 passengers all enjoy ocean view rooms and suites, and the ship has a guest to crew ratio of just 1.33 to 1.

The Serenity was launched in 2003, with Dame Julie Andrews named the ship’s ‘godmother.’ Serenity, which was updated last year, is similar in size and passenger capacity to the Regent Grandeur of the Seas, launched in 2023.

Crystal, formerly Crystal Cruises, was acquired by A&K Travel Group (Abercrombie & Kent)in 2022, after suffering a near-death experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal included the Crystal brand and its two vessels, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Crystal says the ships have been “reimagined” with larger, updated suites with artisanal finishes and new wellness offerings.

The 13-deck Serenity includes such amenities as a cigar bar, a putting green, a pickleball court, a spa and various restaurants, including an ice cream shop and UMI UMA, the only dining experience by Michelin-Star Chef Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) at sea.

The Crystal Serenity will depart on its global journey from Los Angeles on January 11, 2026. The 135-day voyage will include visits to 72 destinations in more than 27 countries, to experience their culture, cuisine and civilization.

As one might imagine, such a titanic cruise bears a similar price. Pricing for the 2026 World Cruise will start at $84,000 per person based on double occupancy. Although the departure date is more than 20 months away, this would undoubtedly be a good time to open a certificate of deposits to guarantee one’s funds for the journey.

The World Cruise 2026 destination highlights of the 2026 include:

· The Marquesas Islands

· Bora Bora

· New Zealand

· Sydney

· Hong Kong

· Mumbai

· Dubai.

· Bali

· Athens

· Monaco

· Rome

The cruise kicks off from Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2026. The Crystal Serenity will traverse the Pacific, visiting the landscapes of the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora's turquoise lagoons, and the greenery of New Zealand.

From there, the ship and its passengers will visit Australia and the iconic Sydney Opera House and sail on to the bustling city of