A&K Travel Group, the company owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage Group, has purchased two Crystal Cruises ocean ships.

Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will restart service in 2023 following refurbishment work.

They will operate under the Crystal Cruises brand, which has also been acquired by A&K Travel Group.

Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to A&K Travel Group CEO Cristina Levis, who said: “It is an immense privilege to serve these two incredible brands that in the past decades have disrupted the travel industry numerous times.

“The acquisition of Crystal has been extremely challenging but the satisfaction of having this jewel in our family is the best payoff for all the hard work and efforts of the A&K team.”

A&K Travel Group Ltd co-chairman Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio added: “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.

“When the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable.”

Kent, also a co-chairman of A&K Travel Group, said: “Even though it seems like yesterday, 30 years have passed since the Lefebvre family and I had our first ship together, Manfredi and I have been best friends and business associates ever since.

“The idea of combining the unparalleled on-board 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.”

In April, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic revealed it will operate the former Crystal Cruises yacht Crystal Esprit.