Crystal Opens 2028 Cruise Sales in 2026 Ahead of Crystal Grace

Crystal confirmed that its newest ship, Crystal Grace, is scheduled to debut on June 11, 2028, launching an inaugural season that spans the Mediterranean, a fall transatlantic crossing, and Caribbean sailings. Alongside the itinerary outline, the line also released new renderings of several specialty dining venues planned for the ship.

When Crystal’s Summer and Fall 2028 itineraries go on sale

Crystal said its Summer and Fall 2028 itineraries are scheduled to be released on April 16, with bookings opening on April 28, 2026. The release includes the inaugural season for Crystal Grace, as well as additional 2028 deployments for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

Crystal Grace’s inaugural season, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean

Crystal Grace is set to enter service on June 11, 2028, sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Venice. The inaugural voyage is scheduled to call on Sorrento, Igoumenitsa, Kotor, Split, Zadar and Trieste before continuing to Venice as the ship begins its first Mediterranean season.

Across the summer, Crystal Grace is scheduled to operate Mediterranean itineraries calling in Italy, Croatia, Greece, France and Spain, including planned visits to Valencia and Monte Carlo. Crystal also set a christening event during an overnight stay in Monte Carlo, planned during the July 8, 2028 voyage.

For travelers looking to stay onboard longer, Crystal said select Crystal Grace sailings will be combinable into five extended journeys.

In September, the ship is scheduled to reposition west with a Lisbon-to-New York itinerary via the Azores and Halifax, transitioning into a fall season focused on New England and Eastern Canada. By November, Crystal Grace is slated to begin warm-weather departures from Fort Lauderdale, including Bermuda and Caribbean itineraries with calls such as Antigua, St. Lucia, Aruba and Barbados.

Dining venue renderings highlight chef partnerships and outdoor seating

Crystal said the dining venues aboard Crystal Grace were designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden and developed in collaboration with the line’s culinary partners, including chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Massimiliano Alajmo and Riccardo Giraudi. Gunter Lorenz, vice president of food and beverage operations for Crystal, said, “From the beginning, our vision for Crystal Grace was to build on the strength of our culinary partnerships while giving each venue a renewed sense of place and design.”

Lorenz added that the restaurants have been updated “with thoughtful design updates and the flexibility to introduce new menu elements over time,” and emphasized the open-air component: “We’re especially excited about the beautiful outdoor dining spaces, which will allow guests to enjoy exceptional cuisine in the open air.”

• Umi Uma (Deck 5): An 84-seat restaurant created with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, centered on Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Crystal said the venue will include a drop-in sushi bar for casual dining, while the main dining room will be reservation-based. Signature items referenced for the concept include Nobu-style Black Cod and grilled Chilean sea bass.
• Osteria d’Ovidio (Deck 10): A contemporary Italian venue tied to Crystal’s collaboration with three-Michelin-starred Chef Massimiliano Alajmo and restaurateur Raffaele Alajmo. Seating is planned for 68 indoors, plus 20 seats on an outdoor terrace. Crystal said menu sections are set to span Italia, Le Calandre and Venezia, with dishes such as vitello tonnato, carbonara, saffron risotto with licorice powder, smoked tuna carpaccio and pistachio gelato.
• Beefbar (Deck 10): A steakhouse concept developed with Riccardo Giraudi and located next to Osteria d’Ovidio. Crystal said the restaurant is planned with 56 indoor seats and an additional outdoor area with 58 seats.

Crystal Symphony’s 2028 program: Panama Canal, Alaska, then Japan and South Korea

Crystal Symphony’s Summer 2028 program is scheduled to begin after the ship completes the 2028 World Cruise. Crystal said the ship is set to depart June 10 from Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary that includes a Panama Canal transit and port calls such as Cartagena, Puerto Caldera, San Juan del Sur and Puerto Vallarta, before continuing along the California coast to San Diego and San Francisco.

For peak summer, Crystal Symphony is slated to operate in Alaska and British Columbia with departures from Vancouver and Seward. The itinerary list includes Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Wrangell, along with scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier, and the season includes two combination voyages.

In late September, Crystal Symphony is scheduled to cross the International Date Line and begin a series of itineraries in Japan and South Korea, with ports named including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki, Busan and Kanazawa.

Crystal Serenity in 2028: Iberian Peninsula to the Arctic Circle, then back south

Crystal Serenity is scheduled to start its European summer season on May 5, sailing from the Iberian Peninsula toward the Mediterranean. Planned calls include Cádiz, Valencia, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Valletta and Piraeus.

The ship is then set to head north for itineraries in the British Isles and Norway, including a Grand Journey that travels above the Arctic Circle to Honningsvåg. Crystal said the program continues to Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and includes consecutive calls in Reykjavik, along with visits to Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Two combination cruises are also part of the plan.

Later summer and early fall voyages are scheduled to revisit Northern Europe’s historic ports before Crystal Serenity returns south through Western Europe and the Mediterranean, with calls that include La Goulette, Cagliari, Ajaccio, Marseille, Palamós and Barcelona. The season is set to close with a transatlantic crossing, followed by additional sailings in warmer climates.

With Crystal Grace’s debut now mapped from the Mediterranean to North America and the Caribbean, Crystal’s next key milestones are the itinerary release on April 16 and the opening of bookings on April 28, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When can travelers book Crystal’s Summer and Fall 2028 cruises?

Crystal said the itineraries are scheduled to be released on April 16, with bookings opening on April 28, 2026.

When does Crystal Grace enter service?

Crystal Grace is scheduled to debut on June 11, 2028, sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome).

Where will Crystal Grace be christened?

The ship is set to be christened during an overnight call in Monte Carlo on the July 8, 2028 voyage.

What specialty restaurants have been revealed for Crystal Grace?

Crystal has shared renderings for three specialty restaurant concepts: Umi Uma (Japanese-Peruvian) on Deck 5, plus Osteria d’Ovidio (contemporary Italian) and Beefbar (steakhouse) on Deck 10, including venue locations and seating capacities.