A&K buys Crystal ships

ABERCROMBIE & Kent (A&K) has been revealed as the acquirer of the defunct Crystal Cruises brand (CW breaking news), as well as two of the line’s former ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

Both ships, which were sold at auction last week for a total of USD$128 million (CW 17 Jun), are scheduled to resume service next year under their former brand.

The assets were acquired by A&K Travel Group, which is owned by former Silversea Cruises Chair Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio’s Heritage holding company, and Abercrombie & Kent founder Geoffrey Kent.

“When the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice,” d’Ovidio revealed.

“I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart.”

He said having alongside him his friend Geoffrey Kent, who co-Chairs A&K Group alongside d’Ovidio, makes the venture “even more enjoyable”.

Added Kent: “the idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride.”

d’Ovidio’s former cruise line Silversea is believed to be the new owner of a third of Crystal’s ships, the expedition vessel Crystal Endeavor, after the filing of a trademark application for the name Silver Endeavor with the United States’ Patent & Trademark Office.