TORONTO — Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has announced a strategic partnership with sister brand Crystal to elevate its Expedition Cruises division.

The collaboration will combine A&K’s renowned cultural voyages with Crystal’s award-winning ultra-luxury cruise experience, starting with a pilot programme in August 2026.The cruises will be hosted aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, offering guests an elevated experience while maintaining A&K’s signature intimate, educational approach.

The inaugural 12-day voyage, A&K x Crystal: Cruising Italy, Greece and the Balkans, will sail from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2026, from Rome to Venice aboard Crystal Serenity. Accommodating just 50 guests as part of the pilot, it is priced from US$22,200 per person, double and single occupancy, and includes two nights at the Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel, followed by a nine-night cruise with included excursions such as a truffle hunt on a Sicilian farmstead and hiking Corfu’s Mount Pantokrator. Guests will also enjoy VIP access to the Vatican City, Rome’s Church of Saint Lorenzo, Ravenna’s Domus of the Stone Carpets, and exclusive events including a welcome dinner in Rome and a sendoff in Ravenna.

In 2027, six cultural voyages will be offered on diverse itineraries, including Hong Kong to Yokohama, Lisbon to Portsmouth, various Mediterranean routes, and a Canadian exploration, expanding capacity to 125 guests per voyage.

“This partnership represents the next chapter in our commitment to delivering extraordinary travel experiences that exceed our guests’ highest expectations,” said Fernando Delgado, Chief Product Officer at A&K Travel Group. “Our guests will enjoy the intimate, educational approach they expect from A&K while experiencing a new level of luxury and comfort that only Crystal can provide.”

The collaboration will feature A&K’s acclaimed Expedition Team, who accompany guests throughout the cruise at a ratio of one per 18 guests. Included are carefully curated shore excursions organised by A&K’s global network of local specialists, pre-cruise programmes with luxury hotel stays, exclusive cultural experiences, daily recap sessions with canapés and drinks, and expert-led presentations exclusive to A&K guests.

A&K travellers will also enjoy exclusive accommodation in Crystal’s Sapphire Veranda Suites, and solo travellers will have access to Aquamarine Veranda Suites with no single supplement. Guests will also benefit from Crystal’s world-class amenities, including award-winning dining venues such as Nobu’s Umi Uma and Beefbar at sea.

Each voyage begins with two nights at a luxury hotel featuring A&K’s signature cultural programming, seamless embarkation with dedicated check-in, and optional pre- and post-cruise extensions. The programme maintains A&K’s commitment to conscious travel, with shore excursions designed to support local communities and foster authentic cultural connections.

Reservations for the pilot programme are now open, with the full portfolio of six voyages launching in 2027. For more details about the programme, click here.