The renowned expedition company is combining its small-group expertise, private excursions, and specialist guides with Crystal’s upscale ocean voyages. But is this more personalized approach worth the $22,000 price tag?

At 6:07 a.m., I woke aboard the Crystal Serenity to the unmistakable smell of burning wood. For a moment, I wondered whether something was wrong with the ship. Pulling back the curtains, I spotted Montenegro’s coastline beneath a hazy morning sky.

The smoke, I later discovered, had drifted south from wildfires in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, creating an atmospheric view of the mountains surrounding the Bay of Kotor. Meanwhile, local operators were preparing speedboats to take a small group of passengers across the bay to the Blue Cave for photographs and a refreshing swim.

It was an unusual beginning to a journey that promised something different from the typical luxury cruise.

The Crystal Serenity is one of two ships operated by Crystal, recently named Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite midsize-ship ocean cruise line. Although the vessel can accommodate up to 740 passengers, my experience involved a much smaller group.

Just 48 travelers were sailing as guests of Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), the celebrated safari and expedition outfitter known for its exclusive adventures and carefully curated small-group journeys.

The partnership brings together two companies under the same corporate umbrella. A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal following its bankruptcy in 2022 and relaunched the cruise line in 2023. While A&K had previously chartered expedition vessels from Ponant, this Mediterranean sailing marked the first cultural journey combining the two brands.

The concept was to blend Crystal’s luxury cruising with A&K’s reputation for arranging exceptional experiences on land. Passengers would enjoy exclusive access, personalized excursions, and expert guidance without navigating the crowds often associated with larger cruise tours.

In Montenegro, for example, only five guests joined the Blue Cave boat excursion. A typical cruise outing might attract two dozen passengers or more. The smaller group created a more intimate experience, and diving into the bay’s clear water was a welcome escape from the August heat.

Scenic view of the Crystal Serenity. Credit: Tom Griffiths/Abercrombie & Kent

Bringing polar expedition expertise to the Mediterranean

The experience was about more than private excursions. A&K also brought its expedition specialists from its Arctic and Antarctic programs, giving the journey an educational dimension.

Stefan Kredel, an A&K specialist responsible for overseeing these programs, considers the expert team one of the partnership’s greatest strengths. Each evening, the specialists gathered with guests to review the day’s experiences and provide a briefing on the following day’s activities. Although this practice is common on expedition voyages, it is less typical of mainstream Mediterranean cruises.

Still, calling this particular journey an expedition would be something of an exaggeration. The voyage began in Rome before continuing around Italy and into the Adriatic.

As Kredel explained, A&K was selling the complete travel experience rather than simply a cruise. The package included every excursion, two hotel nights in Rome before embarkation, all transfers, and an informal group dinner on the first full evening to help passengers get acquainted.

For Francis Burdick, a retired technology executive taking his first-ever cruise, the biggest attraction was the convenience. Whether it was having a Mercedes waiting in Florence or securing a restaurant reservation with a simple phone call, the arrangements allowed him to enjoy the journey without worrying about the details.

The expedition team was led by Suzana Machado D’Oliveira, who had completed more than 200 landings in Antarctica. Her colleagues included a maritime archaeologist, a lecturer specializing in ancient Greek music, and a biologist whose favorite destination remained Antarctica’s icecaps.

Their presence helped guests understand the places they were visiting rather than simply passing through them. As Machado D’Oliveira observed, anyone can travel somewhere, but understanding a destination is what makes the experience meaningful.

The Aquamarine Suite Veranda Classic Room on board the Crystal Serenity. Credit: Crystal Cruises

Luxury and comfort aboard the Crystal Serenity

After spending long days exploring ashore, returning to the Crystal Serenity was a pleasure. The ship is not new, nor does it pretend to be, but it delivers a comfortable and sophisticated onboard experience.

My veranda suite included dedicated butler service, twice-daily housekeeping, and a welcome bottle of champagne. There were also plenty of bars throughout the vessel for guests looking to enjoy a drink.

Dining was another highlight. The ship offered several restaurants, including Waterside, its traditional white-tablecloth dining venue; Umi Uma, specializing in sushi and sashimi; Beef Bar, the onboard steakhouse; and Osteria d’Ovidio, an Italian restaurant named after the family that now owns Crystal.

One passenger captured the atmosphere particularly well, describing the ship as offering the amenities of a large vessel while maintaining the feel of a smaller one.

However, there were two distinct groups of travelers onboard. Everyone enjoyed access to the same restaurants, destinations, and attentive butler service, but the 48 A&K guests received additional flexibility and personalized arrangements.

One traveler familiar with both brands explained that sailing with A&K allowed her to spend more time at destinations, request detours, and enjoy greater independence. A standard Crystal itinerary, she noted, offered less flexibility. She did not necessarily consider that a disadvantage, since having everything arranged was part of the appeal, but she could recognize the difference between the two approaches.

Rather than creating an uncomfortable contrast, the combination gradually developed into something resembling an exceptionally luxurious summer camp.

Guests enjoyed three substantial meals daily, plenty of canapés, organized activities, knowledgeable guides, and nightly briefings. Evenings could be spent enjoying the ship’s entertainment or relaxing in the comfort of a private cabin.

The social atmosphere was also surprisingly welcoming. Many A&K guests spent time together throughout the voyage, both onboard and during excursions.

According to Kredel, approximately one-quarter of the 48 passengers were existing Crystal loyalists experiencing A&K for the first time. The others included longtime A&K travelers who had previously insisted they would never take a cruise, along with experienced expedition travelers who had never sailed with Crystal.

Scenic view of Venice, Italy. Credit: Tom Griffiths/Abercrombie & Kent

A few areas that could use improvement

Despite the many positives, the experience was not entirely without shortcomings.

Some full-day excursions felt demanding in the late-August heat, when temperatures regularly reached the 90s. I generally preferred half-day outings to avoid excessive sun exposure and overexertion.

An excursion to Bologna also felt somewhat overplanned, with an abundance of food experiences squeezed between two 90-minute bus journeys.

Other passengers felt that A&K concentrated too heavily on accompanying and supervising guests rather than introducing them to the ship’s facilities. One experienced cruiser felt the group did not need quite so much hand-holding. Another passenger mentioned that nobody had pointed out the ship’s spa, leaving them unaware of its existence.

These criticisms were generally minor, and passengers often followed them with the reassurance that the overall experience was still excellent. Nevertheless, they highlighted an opportunity for A&K to find a better balance between personalized assistance and independent exploration.

Crystal Serenity guests dining together. Credit: Tom Griffiths/Abercrombie & Kent

Is the $22,000 experience worth the price?

The biggest question surrounding the partnership is whether its premium experience justifies the $22,000 price tag.

Passengers who compared the cost with a conventional Crystal sailing on the same itinerary quickly realized that the A&K experience was considerably more expensive.

Burdick, for instance, said he could have booked the owner’s suite on another Crystal cruise for approximately half the price. However, doing so would have meant giving up the additional services that distinguished this particular voyage: private transfers, dedicated guides, personalized arrangements, exclusive access, and the convenience of having nearly every detail handled.

For him, the difference was worth paying for. The real value, he explained, was the team of professionals managing the experience and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Ultimately, what A&K offers is freedom from travel logistics. For people who find arranging transportation, restaurant reservations, and excursions stressful, having everything organized can be a significant luxury.

But independent travelers who enjoy wandering through the streets of Kotor, discovering a hidden pastry shop, or making spontaneous plans may find the highly structured approach less appealing.

I generally prefer the latter style of travel, where getting slightly lost can lead to an unexpected discovery. Even so, by the end of the journey, I found the convenience and lack of logistical stress increasingly appealing.

A&K had invested considerable time, expertise, and resources into ensuring its 48 guests felt they were genuinely experiencing each destination rather than simply visiting it. The combination of small-group travel, knowledgeable specialists, and private excursions created opportunities that would be difficult to arrange independently.

Whether exploring the Vatican or discovering the Croatian coastline, the white-glove approach made a noticeable difference.

What’s next for Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal?

The partnership is already preparing another voyage for 2027.

A new two-week journey will take a small group of A&K travelers aboard the Crystal Symphony to the Canary Islands, Madeira in Portugal, and Morocco.

Rates for the upcoming itinerary start at $23,000.

For travelers who appreciate personalized service, expert-led exploration, and the convenience of having every detail arranged, the partnership offers an appealing alternative to traditional luxury cruising.

The price is certainly substantial. But for those who value exclusive access, knowledgeable guides, and the freedom to enjoy a destination without worrying about the logistics, the experience could be worth every dollar.