Crystal Tops Travel + Leisure Midsize Cruise Ranking Again
Travel + Leisure noted refurbished Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, Abercrombie & Kent-curated excursions and a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.
Crystal Cruises has been named the top midsize-ship ocean cruise line in the 2026 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards reader survey, taking the category for a second consecutive year. The ranking follows Crystal’s 2023 return under Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group and comes as the line prepares its first newbuild in 25 years.
The 2026 awards drew more than 207,000 readers and 661,000 votes across more than 10,088 travel properties. Cruise lines were evaluated on cabins, service, facilities, dining, itineraries, shore excursions and overall value.
“Everything we do begins with our guests, and this award reflects the trust they place in Crystal,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group. Levis said the company is continuing to invest in the brand.
Bernie Leypold, senior vice president hotel operations for Crystal, said the repeat ranking shows the line’s “vision is resonating with travelers around the world.” Crystal has appeared among the top-ranked cruise lines in the awards since Travel + Leisure launched the program in 1995.
Reader vote follows 2023 relaunch
Crystal’s current ocean operation is built around Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the two ships A&K acquired with the brand assets after Genting Hong Kong’s 2022 bankruptcy. The ships returned to service in 2023 after drydock refurbishments.
Travel + Leisure’s transportation winners package pointed to the A&K-era refurbishment of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, curated shore excursions by Abercrombie & Kent and a crew-to-guest ratio of nearly 1:1. In the broader ocean cruise ranking, Crystal placed ahead of Aqua Expeditions, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises and PONANT.
Crystal Grace arrives in 2028
Crystal Grace is scheduled to enter service in 2028 as a 650-passenger ship under construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard in Italy. The roughly 61,800-gt vessel is designed with 337 veranda suites and 559 crew, and will introduce Crystal’s first Owner’s Suite and The Bistro restaurant.
Beyond Crystal Grace, the orderbook lists two follow-on sister ships for the relaunched brand. Those vessels are scheduled for 2030 and 2032.
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