CRYSTAL + ABERCROMBIE & KENT
Explorers have always been great storytellers – with tales of exotic lands , curious encounters , and incredible experiences brought home like souvenirs . In recent years , travelers have told their tales on social media . Our feeds are filled with the impressive adventures of friends and influencers , fueling our appetite for increasingly immersive , offbeat , daring ways to experience the essence of a destination . For many , it is enough to simply stand and stare at the pyramids ; but some of us have a desire to delve deeper , to duck through narrow passageways in search of ancient treasures , accompanied by an Egyptologist who will translate the stories painted within . Why walk through the rainforest when you can zipline through the tree canopy , surrounded by the rainbow-flash of hummingbirds ?
Unique experiences have become the ultimate luxury and the most precious social currency of travel . Which is why , when Crystal joined A & K Travel Group in June 2022 , it was a game-changer for the cruise company ’ s shore excursions . Crystal has always been a leader at sea ; but now , with A & K ’ s longstanding expertise and global network of people all passionate about travel – polar explorers and wildlife experts , society fixers and the best local guides all over the world – Crystal will be able to deliver the kind of next-level shore experiences other cruise lines cannot match .
“ What we are bringing to Crystal is the accumulation of six decades of creating unique travel experiences , through an in-depth knowledge of each of the destinations , and the connections that our people have ,” says Fernando Delgado , Chief Product Officer at Abercrombie & Kent , who is helming the operation to elevate Crystal ’ s shore excursions to the next level . “ It is through those connections that we can get access to places that other travelers cannot go .”
With Crystal now part of the A & K family , guests will have the flexibility to craft a bespoke journey that encompasses more than just a cruise . Cruise itineraries can be topped and tailed with Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions , seamlessly curated by one global team at every stage of the journey – whether that ’ s spending a few more nights in the departure port town , or something more adventurous .
“ Let ’ s say you are taking a cruise from Mombasa to Dubai ; that is a perfect opportunity to take a pre-cruise safari at our Olonana camp in Kenya , or Gorilla Forest Camp in Uganda ,” says Delgado .
It will even be possible for guests to insert a bespoke overland interlude into their cruise , flying off for a private adventure before rejoining their ship later .
“ On a cruise along the coast of South America , for example , from Manta in Ecuador we could charter one of our Ecoventura yachts for 20 guests , and give them a week in the Galápagos while the ship continues to sail down to Lima .”
As part of the project , Delgado ’ s team and A & K ’ s global network of local guides are devising a revolutionary series of out-of-this-world Unique Experiences and Overland Adventures , finding innovative ways to engage guests in the essence of a destination while presenting it in a new light .
“ What I want is to move away from what everybody is doing , over and over again ,” Delgado says . “ More exclusivity , more uniqueness , more authenticity .”
“ We really want to surprise the guests , give them the kind of experiences you wouldn ’ t be able to find in a guidebook ,” says Stefanie Schmudde , Abercrombie & Kent ’ s Senior Vice President of Global Product Strategy , who is working with Delgado on the project . “ We want them to turn a corner and say ‘ Wow ! I was not expecting that !’”
A & K ’ s team have been brainstorming ways of layering elements of the native culture – whether it ’ s an unusual mode of transport , local cuisine or music – so that experiences become diverse and multi-sensorial . The sky really is the limit .
“ I love the idea of taking a chartered helicopter ride to a destination a few hours away , and getting our guests into a completely new setting ,” Schmudde says . “ Or arriving in Italy and having a row of luxury cars like Ferraris to drive off to an activity – perhaps a cookery class , or a farm-to-table culinary experience in an incredible setting ; or high-adrenalin activities such as flying a fighter jet . There is no limit to what we can do .”
The result is Crystal ’ s portfolio of Unique Experiences and Overland Adventures by Abercrombie & Kent , which launches in 2024 in countries ranging from Australia to Argentina . Each is a one-off , with group size strictly limited to a maximum of 18 Crystal guests , on a first-come , first-served basis .
“ We want to get back to the pioneer mindset that Abercrombie & Kent had at the very beginning , when Geoffrey Kent had the vision of doing safaris in a completely different way ,” Delgado says . “ Central to everything was the experience of the guest .”
Visit our website to discover more about Crystal ’ s portfolio of Unique Experiences and Overland Adventures by Abercrombie & Kent .
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