Crystal Firms Third Fincantieri Newbuild for 2034 Delivery
Crystal Grace, the lead ship in the series, is under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard and is scheduled to debut in 2028. A second vessel is planned for May 2031.
Crystal said its contract with Fincantieri for a third ocean newbuild has become effective, firming a 2024 option for delivery in 2034. The all-veranda-suite vessel will be the third in a series of approximately 62,000-gross-ton ships, each designed for 650 guests at double occupancy.
The 2024 option had carried a tentative 2032 delivery. Crystal, owned by A&K Travel Group, operates Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The brand and both ships were acquired in 2022 and relaunched in 2023.
Crystal Grace leads the sequence
Crystal Grace is the lead ship in the series and is scheduled to debut in 2028. The second vessel is planned for May 2031, followed by the newly firmed third ship in 2034. Crystal did not disclose a name or contract value for the third newbuild.
“Seeing Crystal Grace move from vision to reality has been tremendously rewarding,” A&K Travel Group Executive Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio said. He said the contract shows “our unwavering confidence in Crystal’s future” and a long-term commitment to the brand and its guests.
“The response to Crystal Grace has exceeded our expectations,” A&K Travel Group CEO Cristina Levis said, adding that each new vessel will build on Crystal’s legacy for “a new generation of luxury travelers.”
Fincantieri continues as builder
Crystal Grace is under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard. Fincantieri, the Trieste-based Italian shipbuilding group that says it has built more than 130 cruise ships since 1990, remains the builder for the three-vessel series.
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division, called the effectiveness of the 2024 contract “a testament to the strength of our partnership with Crystal and A&K Travel Group.” He said the yard would continue building ships that pair Italian shipbuilding with Crystal’s hospitality plans at sea.
Bookings are open for Crystal Grace’s inaugural 2028 season. Crystal did not disclose booking dates for the later two vessels.
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