Spread the love

Crystal Cruises has officially sealed the deal on a central SACE-backed export credit agency (ECA) financing facility in a manoeuvre as smooth as a freshly ironed dinner jacket aboard a luxury liner. This instrumental move locks in the future of its first two brand-new ultra-luxury cruise ships.

It’s a splashy development in more ways than one. With a gross tonnage of 61,800 tons apiece, these floating palaces will carry around 650 guests in all-suite, veranda-adorned splendour, including thoughtfully designed single-occupancy suites for the well-heeled solo traveller. And with crew-to-passenger ratios that rival Buckingham Palace in service precision, Crystal’s expansion isn’t just luxurious—it’s practically regal.

“Securing this financing represents a decisive step forward in Crystal’s expansion and demonstrates the strong market confidence in our strategy,” declared Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of parent company A&K Travel Group, pausing just short of popping champagne on deck.

And market confidence, it seems, is pouring in faster than champagne in the first-class lounge. The financing package is being spearheaded by Citibank N.A., London Branch, with a veritable financial flotilla in tow: Banco Santander S.A., CaixaBank S.A. UK Branch, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A., Crédit Agricole CIB, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena S.p.A., and Bper Banca S.p.A. All have banded together to fund what is shaping up to be the most ambitious move in luxury cruise building in recent memory.

CEO of AKTG, Cristina Levis, offered her gratitude with the sort of polished diplomacy that wouldn’t be out of place on the captain’s table:

“The SACE-backed ECA financing was made possible through the dedicated support of key Italian financial institutions. We extend our deep gratitude to SACE, especially under the leadership of CEO Alessandra Ricci and team leader Mariano Di Biagio, for their strategic partnership.”

There’s more than one Italian thread woven into this grand tapestry. Crystal also acknowledged the pivotal contributions of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Simest, which played essential roles in structuring the sophisticated financing model behind these new builds.

Naturally, no luxury ship would be seaworthy without the skilled hand of a proven builder. Enter Fincantieri, Italy’s renowned shipyard giant, which brings over 30 years of trust and collaboration with the Lefebvre family. The construction remains firmly on course, with the first vessel expected in May 2028 and the second not far behind.

What sets these new Crystal ships apart? For starters, every cabin is a suite. And not just any suite—think private verandas, plush trimmings, and space to swing a Louis Vuitton duffle without knocking over a martini. Add to that solo-traveller suites—finally giving those who prefer a table for one a suitably stylish option—and the result is nothing short of a sea-going sanctuary.

From a business standpoint, this financial milestone is far more than a tick in the ledger. It signals renewed, unwavering confidence in Crystal’s market position, post-pandemic future, and unwavering commitment to what can only be called ultra-luxury travel—a sector that, despite headwinds, seems to be catching the wind in its sails once again.

This isn’t Crystal’s first dance with grandeur, of course. But it does mark a new chapter where international finance, Italian craftsmanship, and visionary leadership converge in a high-stakes symphony of style, strategy, and smooth sailing.

With new vessels on the horizon and the international financial community trusting the company’s growth, Crystal Cruises is again charting a bold course, and one polished teak deck at a time.

So, if you were wondering whether the future of cruising still knows how to sparkle, Crystal has answered in kind—with two new reasons to pack your white dinner jacket and dream of the open sea.