Put down your passport and pack your patience—because Crystal Cruises has just dropped anchor on a globe-spanning odyssey that’s equal parts spectacle and symphony. The 2028 “Treasures of the Tides” World Cruise is a 150-night corker aboard the ever-dignified Crystal Symphony—and it’s sailing straight into the annals of travel legend.
From January 11 to June 10, 2028, this is your chance to indulge in a civilised escape, where the only urgent email comes from the wine steward. Eighty-four destinations across 39 countries, stitched together like an heirloom tapestry of temples, togas, toucans and tiki bars. And yes, that’s six continents—all without once unpacking your suitcase.
And before you ask: yes, this is the first time since 2018 that Crystal Symphony has led a World Cruise. Back then, streaming meant something you did on Amazon. Now, it’s how your champagne flows while watching the skyline of Singapore from your stateroom.
Bookings open 29 May 2025. Your bank account has until then to stop hyperventilating.
A Globe-Trotting Itinerary That Would Make Phileas Fogg Blush
Departing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale (or a civilised early exit in Barcelona on May 27 for those without sea legs), this grand voyage takes in the Caribbean’s colourful corners, the silent temples of Luxor, and the less-trodden, salt-kissed streets of Geraldton and Mangalore. From South Pacific lagoons to Mediterranean marvels, it’s not just about seeing the world—it’s about doing it with your pinky raised.
January opens in the tropics: Cozumel, Belize, Cartagena—all sun, salt and salsa. Then it’s down the Pacific side of South America, past rainforests, ruins, and regrettable impulse buys.
February unfurls in the South Pacific, with lazy days in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, and islands with names that sound like lullabies. Fiji, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia whisper, “Stay,” but the Symphony sails ever onward.
March offers a dip into New Zealand’s vineyards and Australia’s sea-blown cliffs. Then it’s off to Bali’s incense-soaked temples and Boracay’s beach bars—where sunscreen and sangria are equally essential.
April turns up the cultural dial: India’s west coast, the Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka, and overnight soirees in Mumbai. One night you’re in Singapore sipping a Sling; the next, you’re in Phuket, wondering how on earth pad Thai can taste that good.
May brings Oman, Petra, the Red Sea, and a cruise through the Suez Canal that’s frankly more comfortable than most airports. The Med delivers Malta, Crete, Sicily, and Tunis—before winding toward Spain’s sunny embrace.
June offers a last glorious hurrah: the Azores, Bermuda, and the bittersweet sail back to Fort Lauderdale. You’ll arrive tanned, enlightened and with a suitcase full of slightly wrinkled linen.
Huahine, French Polynesia
New Ports, Familiar Perks, and Champagne on Ice
If you’re counting firsts, 2028 includes Huahine (French Polynesia), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Mangalore (India), Portland (Australia), Geraldton and Albany (Australia). If you’re not counting, know you’ll be gently nudged off the tourist trail by Crystal’s onboard team and their clever friends at Abercrombie & Kent.
Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, Crystal’s genial Chairman and Brand Ambassador, will be onboard too. You’ll find him dispensing tales, tips, and possibly the odd wine pairing recommendation.
“The 2028 World Cruise will be unlike anything we’ve done before—not just in the destinations we’ll be visiting, but in the way we’re curating every moment onboard and ashore,” said Fernando. “From overnight stays in the world’s most iconic ports to new immersive experiences designed exclusively for Crystal guests, we’re setting a new standard for luxury exploration.”
And if Fernando’s excited, you probably should be too.
Perks So Plush They Should Come With A Fluffy Robe
Here’s what you get if you book the full cruise:
- Business Class airfare allowance or credit (no knee bruises in Economy, thank you)
- US$1,500 “As You Wish” shipboard credit (spend it on massages or martinis—it’s your wish!)
- Unlimited dining at Osteria d’Ovidio, Beefbar and Umi Uma
- Themed onboard events (think Great Gatsby meets Great Barrier Reef)
- Private transfers and luggage valet (because wheeling your suitcase is so 2023)
- Complimentary laundry and pressing (arrive rumpled, sail crisp)
- Special shoreside soirées in Lima, Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai
- One complimentary onboard medical consultation (ideally not needed after the themed tequila night)
Pricing starts at US$69,000 per person (twin share), less than UD$500 a night. That’s cheaper than some Sydney hotel rooms—and far more scenic.
The Crystal Creed: Classy Cruising With a Heart
“It’s not just about ticking boxes,” said Mario Parodi, VP of Itinerary Planning for Crystal. “It’s about creating a cruise that feels like a journey—intentional, rewarding, and surprising in all the best ways.”
And truly, Crystal Symphony offers a kind of travel we don’t see enough. It’s slow, considered, and full of character. It’s sitting on a teak deck watching the sun go down in the middle of nowhere, sipping something fizzy and thinking, “Now this… this is living.”
For bookings and more information, visit www.crystalcruises.com or call your preferred travel advisor. Just don’t wait too long. The tide waits for no one—and neither does Crystal.
By Michelle Warner
