Crystal Cruises Adds Crew Recreation Area to 2028 Newbuild
The Deck 12 space is planned for up to one hundred crew members, with a twenty-four-hour gym inside and sun loungers, a jacuzzi and showers outside.
Crystal Cruises will build a 1,582-square-foot dedicated crew recreation area into Crystal Grace, the 61,800-gt ocean newbuild due in 2028. The Deck 12 space is planned for up to 100 crew members and will sit apart from two crew dining areas planned on Deck 3.
Crystal is disclosing the crew facility as part of the ship’s design while the 650-passenger vessel moves into construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard in Italy.
“Our crew consistently delivers an exceptional level of service and care,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of Crystal parent Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group. The space, she said, was designed as “a place for our team to unwind, recharge and feel supported.”
Indoor and outdoor crew areas planned
The indoor portion will include a crew gym fitted with Technogym equipment, a sundries shop, a bar, table seating and a lounge with a 98-inch television. Crystal also plans 74 dedicated seats across the indoor social spaces.
The outdoor area will include sun loungers, a jacuzzi and showers. The gym is planned as a 24-hour fitness center with room for up to 30 people.
Crystal said the design drew on feedback from team members. With Crystal Grace modeled for roughly 559 to 600 crew, the recreation area’s 100-person capacity would serve part of the crew complement at a time.
Construction underway at Fincantieri
Crystal held the ceremonial steel cutting for Crystal Grace on May 28 at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, formally starting construction of the new ocean ship. The project continues Crystal’s shipbuilding relationship with Fincantieri and the Lefebvre family.
“The steel cutting of the Crystal Grace is a moment of great pride for our team,” said Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s merchant ships division.
Beyond crew spaces, Crystal has identified several guest-facing features for the vessel, including the brand’s first Owner’s Suite, dining concepts with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Massimiliano Alajmo, Raffaele Alajmo and Riccardo Girardi, and Broadway-style entertainment.
The ship is scheduled for delivery in May 2028. Its inaugural voyage is set for June 11, 2028, from Civitavecchia on an eight-night sailing to Fusina for Venice, with calls at Sorrento, Igoumenitsa, Kotor, Split, Zadar and Trieste before a Mediterranean season follows.
