A&K owner and former Silversea boss team up to acquire Crystal Cruises

A&K owner and former Silversea boss team up to acquire Crystal Cruises

Industry legends, Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio have acquired the Crystal Cruises brand and two of the collapsed line’s luxury liners.

Under the A&K Travel Group brand, Kent, who founded Abercrombie & Kent and Lefebvre d’Ovidio, previous owner and current chairperson of Silversea, revealed their plans to return Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony to service in 2023 following an “extensive refurbishment”.

The two ships will operate under the Crystal Cruises brand which was also acquired by A&K Travel Group.

The acquisition marks Lefebvre d’Ovidio’s return to the cruise industry following the sale of Silversea, a luxury line founded by his father, to Royal Caribbean in 2018.

“Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely,” Lefebvre d’Ovidio said.

“Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice.

“Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable.”

Kent said the ships will combine the “unparalleled” onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been providing for the past 60 years.

“Even though it seems like yesterday, 30 years have passed since the Lefebvre family and I had our first ship together…Manfredi and I have been best friends and business associates ever since,” he added.

Crystal Symphony

Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group.

“The acquisition of Crystal has been extremely challenging but the satisfaction of having this jewel in our family is the best payoff for all the hard work and efforts of the A&K team. Ad maiora Crystal Cruises!” Levis commented.

A&K Travel Group Ltd. has partnered with V.Ships Leisure, a leading cruise ship manager, based in Monaco.

Crystal Cruises collapsed earlier this year after its parent company, Genting Hong Kong, ran out of cash due to the insolvency of its German shipbuilding subsidiary MV Werften.

Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity made headlines in February after both made unplanned detours to the Bahamas.

Crystal Symphony, which was set to wrap up its Caribbean voyage in Miami just days after the line suspended operations, fled to the Bahamas after a US judge granted an order to seize the vessel as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel.

A few weeks later, Crystal Serenity also headed to the Bahamas after it was denied port entry in Aruba.

In both instances, passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.


Featured image: Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio and Geoffrey Kent (Youtube/Abercrombie & Kent USA)

Latest News

  • Hotels

Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne

ERDI, a private collection of premium hotels and hospitality businesses, has announced the launch of ERDI Academy, the next chapter of hospitality education and the legacy of founders Eva and Les Erdi. Starting in the mid-1980s, ERDI offers hospitality education with a commitment to community enrichment from its base at its Mercure Welcome Melbourne on […]

  • Destinations

Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts

Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]

  • Aviation
  • Sustainability

Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed an agreement with Neste to purchase 1,000 tonnes of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel TM. The purchase makes SIA and Scoot the first carriers to receive Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced at Neste’s refinery in the country, at Singapore Changi Airport. The milestone will also mark the first […]

  • Aviation

Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares

Qantas has launched its latest International Red Tail sale, discounting more than 200,000 fares to Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu and other US destinations, plus Vancouver. The discounted seats are available to book either as a cash fare or as a reward seat using points. Thirty routes are on sale, including 10 for under $1,199 […]

  • Health & Wellness

Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers

Boutique hotel Bannisters by the Sea has revealed a brand-new package for new mothers – Bannisters Mummymoon – right in time for Mother’s Day. Designed to nurture and rejuvenate new mothers, this luxurious escape prioritises postpartum self-care and wellbeing in a serene coastal setting. Reconnecting and Recharging: The two-night Mummymoon allows mums to reconnect with […]

  • Destinations

APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia

APT Luxury Travel launches has launched its Asia Sale featuring 20 trips, with journeys through Vietnam and Cambodia as highlights, as well as opportunities to explore Japan, South Korea, India and Sri Lanka. It’s ‘Spiritual Cambodia and the Mekong’ land and river cruise tour for example takes guests on an all-inclusive 11-day journey through Vietnam […]

  • Travel Agents

Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland

Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]

  • Cruise

Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]

  • Destinations

Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents

World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]