Crystal Cruises unveils culinary sailing with the Alajmo brothers

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The Alajmo brothers

Crystal Cruises is expanding its themed voyage portfolio with a new culinary sailing featuring acclaimed Italian chef Massimiliano Alajmo and his restaurateur brother and partner Raffaele, taking place onboard Crystal Serenity from Venice to Athens from 8–15 September 2026.

The seven-night voyage will showcase the Alajmos’ approach to contemporary Italian fine dining. Guests will have the opportunity to engage directly with the brothers, known for their three Michelin-starred restaurant Le Calandre in Rubano, which has maintained its stars since 2002. Together, the brothers head one of Italy’s most influential modern dining groups, operating more than a dozen restaurants across Italy, Paris and Marrakech.

Throughout the sailing, guests can join an intimate programme that includes a Q&A session, book signing and a guided wine tasting led by wine expert Giovanni Alajmo, representing the next generation of the family.

Additional experiences, including hosted dinners at Osteria d’Ovidio and The Vintage Room, will be led by Massimiliano and Raffaele. These events will be available for purchase via My Account from 12 March.

Crystal Serenity

“For us, cooking has always been about sharing emotion, culture and a sense of place,” said Massimiliano Alajmo. “We are very much looking forward to meeting Crystal’s guests in person, exchanging ideas, and bringing the spirit of our kitchens to life onboard.”

“This voyage will allow us to share the Alajmo dining experience in a more personal and meaningful way, and that is something truly special, which we cannot wait to experience,” added Raffaele Alajmo.

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Gunter Lorenz, VP of Food & Beverage at Crystal, said: “The evolution of Crystal’s culinary programme has always been rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most respected chefs. Following the successful refresh of the Osteria d’Ovidio menus, this sailing was a natural next fit, bringing Massimiliano, Raffaele and Giovanni onboard to engage directly with our guests and elevate the experience even further through personal storytelling, wine and cuisine.”

The partnership follows the brothers’ 2025 collaboration with Crystal’s culinary team, which introduced reimagined menus at Osteria d’Ovidio aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The new dishes reflect the Alajmos’ focus on elegance, seasonality and technical precision, further reinforcing Crystal’s reputation for fine dining at sea. Crystal’s wider culinary partners include Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, creator of the only Nobu restaurant at sea, and restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, who introduced Beefbar exclusively to Crystal in 2024.

For more information, visit crystalcruises.ae and www.crystalcruises.ae/peace-of-mind-promise. For reservations, call 8000 6512079 (UAE) or +357 26 205 216 (outside of the UAE), or email crystal@luxurycruiseportfolio.com. For travel trade partnerships, contact Head of GCC Sales Daniel Essex on dan@luxurycruiseportfolio.com

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Supporting the growth of the cruise industry, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in the UAE in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections.