Dominican Republic. Photo: Shutterstock | Miguel Vargas Crystal Cruises has laid out its winter and spring plans for 2028, giving travelers an early look at where Crystal Serenity will be headed. The lineup leans into warm weather, long days in port, and the type of unhurried pace the ship is probably best known for. The season runs through the Caribbean, Central America, and deep into the Amazon before wrapping up with a spring crossing to the Azores. Once the ship reaches Lisbon, it will head into dry dock for planned upgrades.
These itineraries are designed to complement Crystal Symphony’s already announced 2028 World Cruise, which stretches across six continents and nearly 40 countries. Together, they paint a picture of a year built around variety, distance, and a focus on local culture.
As Crystal’s vice president of itinerary planning, Mario Parodi, explained, “Our approach to itinerary planning is rooted in a balance of cultural connection, natural beauty and unhurried discovery. These 2028 voyages for Crystal Serenity offer guests meaningful ways to travel, from the heart of the Amazon to the warmth of the Caribbean and the migratory waters of the Azores, while enjoying the generous space and refined ease of our onboard experience.”
The season opens in January with round-trip voyages from Fort Lauderdale. These early sailings are easygoing and warm, stopping in places like the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Cartagena and Puerto Limon. It’s a stretch of coastlines, beaches, and lively port towns that set a relaxed tone.
The Amazon voyage takes over in late January and continues through February. It’s a 25-day trip that reaches Manaus and smaller communities along the river, with time built in to explore the region’s wildlife and cultural history. Travelers who want a longer journey can combine this with nearby cruises to create the Caribbean Circle Grand Voyage, which covers 14 islands and five countries.
March follows with itineraries that focus on Cartagena, Roatán, and Belize. These routes mix reefs, quiet anchorages, and low-key ports, with enough sea days in between to slow down without losing momentum.
April brings the last round of warm-water stops, including Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. After that, Crystal Serenity heads out on a spring crossing toward the Azores, timed with the migration of baleen whales. The ship reaches Lisbon at the end of the month for its scheduled dry dock.
Crystal also shared a first look at Crystal Grace, which will debut in June 2028. The inaugural season will start with a Rome-to-Venice voyage, continue through the Mediterranean for the summer, and then sail to New York in September. She’ll finish the year with trips through the Northeast, Canada, and the Caribbean. More details are on the way, and the inaugural season is expected to open for sale in April 2026, with a waitlist coming soon.