This epic new luxury cruise costs up to $550,000 per cabin — and might be worth it
Uber-luxury line Crystal is out with a new world cruise itinerary that might be its most epic ever. It comes with an epic price tag, too.
The recently relaunched brand on Tuesday began taking reservations for a 135-night voyage from Los Angeles to Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome), that will bring the wealthy set to a stunning 72 destinations in 27 countries across five continents.
Kicking off Jan. 11, 2026, and taking place on Crystal's 740-passenger Crystal Serenity, the sailing starts at a sky-high $168,000 per cabin for two people.
Top suites on the ship will cost up to $550,000 for two passengers.
For that lofty price, well-heeled travelers can experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip that includes visits to many of the world's most famous destinations, from Bora Bora in French Polynesia to the pyramids of Egypt — all while living in the lap of luxury.
Crystal Serenity, which TPG has called the queen of luxury cruising, underwent a massive overhaul in 2023 that gave it more space per passenger than any other luxury ship afloat. The overhaul included a significant enlargement of many of its accommodations and a reduction in the number of passengers that will sail on any given voyage.
Additionally, Crystal's crew-to-passenger ratio — a top measure of luxury on any ship — was increased to roughly 1:1, an astounding level.
The net result makes Crystal Serenity one of the most luxurious cruise vessels afloat.
Related: Luxury line Crystal is back
A longer world cruise
Crystal typically offers one world cruise a year, and it's always lengthy and destination-packed. But the newly announced 2026 world sailing is longer than those the line has offered in recent years, coming in at 135 days long.
In comparison, the single world cruise Crystal offers this year is 125 nights long, while a world cruise planned for 2025 will be 123 nights long.
The new sailing for 2026 is also pricier than Crystal world cruises in the past. Starting rates are $35,000 more per couple than the starting rates for Crystal's 2025 world cruise. That sailing starts at $133,000 per cabin for two.
Crystal Serenity's most luxurious accommodation, the Penthouse Suite, costs $71,600 more on the 2026 world cruise than it costs on the 2025 world cruise.
An epic itinerary to five continents
The 135-night world cruise for 2026 will begin with a westward crossing of the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii and French Polynesia on the way to New Zealand and Australia.
From there, the vessel will head to various countries across Asia, including Indonesia and India, before sailing through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean.
In the Mediterranean, the ship will visit multiple ports in Greece, Italy and France before the trip ends in Civitavecchia May 26, 2026.
Unlike some previous Crystal world cruises, the trip doesn't offer a full circumnavigation of the world. That allows the ship to spend more time in the regions it does visit, with a particularly large number of stops in the South Pacific, Australia and Asia.
The new world cruise will be just the third at Crystal in the past eight years, as the line stopped sailing world cruises during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Crystal ship
In addition to on-ship accommodations, meals and drinks, passengers who book the world voyage will be entitled to such extra perks as:
- A $1,500 per person shipboard credit
- An allowance of up to $5,000 per person for business-class flights to and from the ship or a $4,000 credit toward the cruise cost for those booking their own flights
- Private transfers to and from the ship
- Unlimited dining at the ship's upscale Osteria d’Ovidio and Umi Uma restaurants (reservations required)
- Invitations to themed onboard events
- Luggage valet service
More information is available as of Tuesday on Crystal's website.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.