New ports, seasonal highlights and Crystal Grace’s first South American season feature in the luxury cruise line’s latest programme, with bookings opening on 20 October 2026.
Luxury cruise operator Crystal has announced a new collection of voyages for the 2028–2029 season, with itineraries aboard Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Grace covering destinations across Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America and the Atlantic.
The voyages will run from October 2028 through May 2029, with bookings scheduled to open on 20 October 2026. Highlights include Japan’s cherry blossom season, festive sailings in the Southern Hemisphere, scenic cruising through New Zealand’s fjords and Crystal Grace’s first South American season.
The programme also introduces new ports of call across the three ships, giving travellers opportunities to explore lesser-visited destinations alongside established cruise gateways.
Mario Parodi, Crystal’s vice-president of itinerary planning and port and fuel operations, said the itineraries were designed to offer new ways to experience familiar regions while reaching destinations that feature less frequently on cruise routes.
Crystal Symphony explores Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia
Crystal Symphony begins its season on 3 October 2028, with voyages through Japan and South Korea before continuing into Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
New Japanese calls include Akita, Amami and Kumamoto, expanding the ship’s coverage of the country’s northern coastline and southern islands. The itinerary also includes a new visit to Surabaya in Indonesia and a stop at Rinca Island, known for its Komodo dragons.
In Australia, new destinations include Cooktown in Queensland, Port Arthur in Tasmania and Phillip Island in Victoria. The New Zealand programme features scenic cruising through Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound, offering views of the country’s dramatic fjord landscapes.
The series concludes in Melbourne on 7 January 2029, where the ship is scheduled to begin its World Cruise.
Crystal Grace makes its South American debut
Crystal Grace begins its season on 20 November 2028 with Caribbean voyages departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before heading south in February 2029 for its first South American season.
The itinerary follows Brazil’s coastline, including an extended stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival season, before continuing to Uruguay and Argentina and into Patagonia. The programme includes a first visit to Îles du Salut, an island group that includes the historic Devil’s Island.
After sailing around Cape Horn, the ship is scheduled to explore Chile’s fjords and call at destinations including Puerto Chacabuco, Castro, Puerto Montt and Valparaíso. Further north, the route includes ports in Peru, Ecuador and Panama, with a planned transit of the Panama Canal on 22 March 2029.
The return journey takes Crystal Grace through the Caribbean and Bermuda before crossing the Atlantic to the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Morocco. The season concludes in Lisbon on 2 May 2029.
Crystal Serenity combines Central America, the Pacific and Japan
Crystal Serenity departs on 4 December 2028 from Fort Lauderdale for a season that links Central America and Mexico with Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan.
New calls include Corinto in Nicaragua, Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala and Hilo on Hawaii’s Big Island. The itinerary also includes Cooktown in Australia before continuing through Indonesia and other destinations across Southeast Asia.
In March and April 2029, the ship turns towards Japan, with sailings timed to coincide with the country’s cherry blossom season. The programme includes calls at Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Kochi, Nagoya, Shimizu and Osaka, alongside destinations on Japan’s Sea of Japan coast and visits to South Korea.
The final leg heads north from Japan before crossing the Pacific to Alaska, with stops at Kodiak and Homer. The season ends in Seward on 28 May 2029.
Expanding destination choice for luxury cruise travellers
The new programme reflects the appeal of itineraries that combine familiar destinations with less frequently visited ports, seasonal events and scenic sailing. From Japan’s spring landscapes and New Zealand’s fjords to South America’s dramatic southern coastline, the routes offer a range of cultural, culinary and nature-focused experiences.
For travellers considering a longer cruise holiday, the itineraries also provide opportunities to combine multiple regions within a single season. As with all cruise schedules, individual ports and timings may be subject to change, and travellers should confirm final details with Crystal or their travel adviser before booking.
With bookings opening in October 2026, Crystal’s 2028–2029 programme gives prospective guests an early opportunity to plan voyages around major seasonal highlights and destinations across several continents.
