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Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has introduced three new expedition voyages to its program in 2026. The added sailings are chartered expedition fleet ships of PONANT EXPLORATIONS Group.

From the rugged coasts of the British Isles and the pristine Arctic wilderness of Svalbard to the sun-drenched archipelagos of French Polynesia, these new itineraries are designed to offer immersive discovery, unrivalled comfort, and the expertise for which A&K is renowned.

A&K 2026-2027 portfolio comprises 15 Expedition Cruises across the Arctic, Antarctica, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and remote islands of the Pacific Ocean. Each voyage is elevated by A&K’s acclaimed Expedition Team.

“We have drawn on our more than three decades of expedition cruising expertise to design itineraries that reach far beyond the usual cruise routes – to places like St Kilda, Britain’s most remote point in the North Atlantic or the Marquesas in French Polynesia, which offers varied experiences from local communities, breathtaking snorkelling and scenic, challenging hikes,” said Stefan Kredel, Vice President of Expedition Cruising.

“These are transformative adventures in places that few experience – all elevated by A&K’s signature style.”

NEW: Exploring the Wild Coasts of the British Isles
(26 May – 5 June 2026)

Experience the British Isles on an expedition beyond the familiar aboard Le Champlain. Starting from Portsmouth, guests will discover the WWII history of Guernsey, wander through the gardens of the Isles of Scilly in full bloom this time of year, birdwatch for puffins off the coast of Wales, hike the wild Scottish Hebrides and sample whisky in the Orkney archipelago. Explore smaller, lesser visited sites via Zodiacs – a true expedition-style experience.
11 days from $30,310

NEW: An Arctic Wildlife Expedition in Svalbard
(3 – 11 July 2026)

Venture north of the Arctic Circle to Svalbard, a remote cluster of Norwegian islands sculpted by glaciers, cloaked in tundra and surrounded by pristine waters where whales, seals and walruses thrive. Cruise aboard exclusively chartered Le Lyrial, guided by A&K’s acclaimed Expedition Team, for a pure nature experience. Embark on Zodiac excursions alongside naturalist guides, in search of arctic wildlife, like walruses, reindeer, foxes and birds. Make the most of the midnight sun and enjoy the seasonal flowers in bloom this time of year.
11 days from $25,385

NEW: Cruising French Polynesia: Tahiti and Beyond
(18 September – 4 October 2026)

Dive deep into the diverse cultures and untouched islands of the intriguing island nation, French Polynesia, aboard Le Jacques-Cartier. Meet local craftspeople who keep artisanal traditions alive and go ashore on an uninhabited atoll on the Tuamoto Islands. Trek to secluded waterfalls, pay a visit to Paul Gauguin’s final resting place, and set out in search of tiki, petroglyphs and other archaeological relics on the remote Marquesas. Visit pearl farms, snorkel with blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, and other marine life, or simply relax on the pristine beaches of this idyllic paradise.
16 days from $32,525

Exclusively Chartered to Deliver the Best

A&K scours the world’s finest expedition fleets, then exclusively charters the vessel best suited to each destination, reconfigured to accommodate fewer guests: just 148 (down from 184) on small explorer ships and 199 on expedition cruisers. This ensures a private balcony in every stateroom and suite, a staff-to-guest ratio of almost one staff member to every guest, and an optimised experience orchestrated entirely by A&K.

A&K’s Expedition Cruises are always all-inclusive, from an engaging program of expert lectures, special events and curated shore excursions to à la carte dining or 24/7 room service, unlimited house drinks, including Champagne – and, for guests who book a suite, butler service throughout their cruise. Also included are airport meet-and-greets with transfers, Traveller’s Valet laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi on board and in hotels, all gratuities, port charges and taxes, and complimentary polar gear for Arctic and Antarctic voyages. On all ships, apart from our adventure yachts in the Galápagos, an onboard doctor and nurse are on hand 24/7.

Special Offer

A&K is offering guests 10% savings on select Expedition Cruises and Pre/Post Tour Extensions booked and paid in full nine months or more prior to departure.

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A new partnership between Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) and travel media brand Condé Nast Traveler has yielded a collection of exclusive luxury travel experiences entitled Curated Escapes, with the first two itineraries now available.

A&K will operate the journeys while Condé Nast’s involvement will add editorial authority, the pair revealed.

“Both A&K and Condé Nast Traveler share a passion for exploration and a commitment to showcasing the world’s most remarkable destinations,” said Carley Ayres, Global Partnerships & Loyalty Director at Abercrombie & Kent.

“Through Curated Escapes, we’re not just offering luxurious travel experiences, but also fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the cultures and communities we visit.”

The new itineraries are designed to reflect the values and interests of Condé Nast Traveler’s readership, emphasising cultural authenticity and a deep sense of place.

“Condé Nast Traveler puts what’s local at the forefront of our storytelling and our recommendations,” said Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveler.

“Working directly with A&K – who have a global footprint and expertise in executing top-notch trips – allows us to create bespoke itineraries catering to the tastes and preferences of our discerning audiences, who are looking for that insider perspective and unique experiences. They have the ability to bring our editorial stories to life and make them accessible to a greater number of people.”

The first two itineraries include Sonoma: A Culinary Adventure and Japan: A Cultural Journey. From foraging tours and 10-course tasting menus in Sonoma to sushi-making and traditional tea ceremonies in Japan, the trips aim to showcase immersive, transformative experiences.

“Bringing A&K and Condé Nast Traveler together highlights the importance of partnerships at the intersection of content and product. Now, enthusiasts of our IP will have the opportunity to experience the world from the lens of our best-in-class editors, at unprecedented execution quality,” added Francisco Arenas, VP, Global Brand Product Licensing and Partnerships at Condé Nast.

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Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) is introducing a series of culinary-inspired itineraries, designed to showcase the vibrant flavours and rich cultural traditions of France, India and Vietnam, beginning this August, these three new Small Group Journeys centred on food.

“At A&K, crafting journeys that place local culture at the heart of the experience is not just our specialty, it’s our passion,” says Suzanne Teng, Director of Global Group Product.

“We believe that the true essence of a destination is often found at the dining table through the flavours, traditions, and stories that come with each dish. Our team has curated exceptional culinary experiences that immerse travellers in the culture and history of each region, offering them the opportunity to savour both the food and the unforgettable moments it creates.”

The curated itineraries combine A&K’s signature blend of luxury, authenticity and insider access, promising an extraordinary journey through some of the world’s most celebrated culinary destinations. From the sun-drenched vineyards of Provence to the vibrant spice markets of Mumbai and the bustling street food scenes of Hanoi, these new journeys offer a feast for all the senses.

A Culinary Cruise through France

Nowhere is the legacy of France’s culinary excellence more entrenched than along the banks of the Rhône. Begin with a pre-cruise stay in Lausanne, Switzerland, featuring a tasting of local Chasselas and Pinot Noir at the fairytale-like Chillon Castle. Then set sail along the Rhône and Saône rivers, with immersive stops in the gastronomic heartlands of Lyon, Provence and Burgundy. Savour a Savoyard lunch on a mountain farm, a winemaker’s feast amid the vineyards of Beaujolais, and market-to-table experiences that celebrate regional flavours at every turn.

11 days from AU$19,890 per person

India: A Feast for the Senses

Dive into India’s kaleidoscope of flavour, colour, and tradition on an itinerary that explores the soul of the country through its cuisine. Discover Mumbai’s famed dabbawalla network, shop for spices in lively bazaars and dine at cutting-edge restaurants. Eat like a local with a street food tour of Jaipur, led by a local culinary expert, and learn the ins and outs of Indian cooking by preparing a meal with a family in their home.

10 days from AU$15,580 per person

Flavours of Vietnam

Experience the many layers of Vietnamese culture through its deeply rooted culinary traditions. Ride pillion on a Vespa through Ho Chi Minh City to discover hidden eateries, cruise through the Mekong Delta to meet local farmers, and enjoy unforgettable meals at Michelin-starred Anan in Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi, taste classic Hanoian street food and specialties, including pho and bun cha, paired with local beers or traditional drinks.

8 days from AU$10,915 per person

These new journeys build on A&K’s already robust portfolio of culinary-themed travel experiences, including:

Small Group Journey: Bilbao to Bordeaux: Cuisine & Culture

Journey from the Basque Country’s renowned pintxos bars to the legendary wineries of Bordeaux, featuring a private gastronomic club experience in San Sebastián and exclusive tastings at storied French châteaux.

9 days from AU$17,595 per person

 

A wide selection of Tailormade Culinary Journeys, such as:

• A Culinary Adventure in Peru – From crafting pisco cocktails to cooking Andean dishes alongside renowned chefs, taste Peru’s acclaimed culinary scene.
• Australia Food & Wine Journey – Sample oysters in Tasmania and sip Shiraz in the Barossa Valley.
• South Korea: Seoul Food and Beaches – Savour Seoul’s street food and feast on seafood at Busan’s Jagalchi Fish Market.
• A Taste of Portugal – Indulge in Lisbon’s pastéis de nata and tour a Douro Valley wine estate.
• The Culture and Cuisine of Northern Italy – Explore Bologna’s cheeses and pastas, and tour Valpolicella vineyards.
• The Culture and Cuisine of Malaysia – Discover Kuala Lumpur’s flavours on a guided foodie tour and sip tea in the Cameron Highlands.

View A&K’s culinary-inspired journeys here.

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Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) is undergoing a significant rebranding, integrating all business aspects under a unified platform. The transformation and investment will lead to enhanced customer experiences.

Speaking exclusively with LATTE on Thursday, Debra Fox, Managing Director for AKTG Asia Pacific (and expanding to cover the UK from April), said the new branding is inspired by the company’s 60-year legacy, and features unique digital assets and storytelling.

Upcoming advancements in the end-to-end overhaul include but are not limited to refreshed branding, new lodges, revamped website, and the highly anticipated integration of A&K tours into Crystal’s land program.

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Fox said the rebranding – which LATTE flagged first at Virtuoso Travel Week last August and later (and in more detail) at Signature Travel Network’s Conference in November – aims to maintain Abercrombie & Kent’s heritage, while adapting to evolving customer mindsets and market opportunities. The transformation incorporates leading market research, product evolution, a technological rebuild and people development to ensure a timely and relevant experience for AKTG’s travellers.

AKTG has also invested in its digital assets as part of the refresh, including unique moving footage and stills, while employing journalists and marketers from high-end brands to further prop up the ultra-luxury brand in its communication and storytelling, which extends across the new marketing strategy, both online and offline.

At the centrepiece of the brand-wide campaign is a focus on “trailblazing adventures,” Fox added, built on the importance of “curating new journeys and product development.”

Fox said the evolution, under the ‘One A&K Travel Group’ is ongoing, and will continue to grow.

“I think this is the unique offering of where we are. We’ve brought it to a stage where we now have the foundation to evolve. It will be forever changing as we learn, as we see new opportunities, as we purchase more assets, build new opportunities.”

“Now we’ve got the first stage, the future is unlimited.”

“We’re moving away from a demographic approach, and it’s now more about the mindset approach,” she added.

Virtuoso ANZ 2025 achievements

Separately, Fox lauded A&K Australia on its success at the Virtuoso ANZ Forum after taking out two gongs, winner of both Tour Top Producer: Abercrombie & Kent Australia, Outbound/International and Highest Tour Annual Growth: Abercrombie & Kent Australia, Outbound/International

“We are absolutely delighted to have been honoured by Virtuoso with two awards at the Australia and New Zealand Forum in Perth this week.

“We wish to acknowledge the Virtuoso members who consistently deliver excellence in travel, and together we understand that when travelling with Virtuoso and A&K, you know you’re doing it right.

“Thanks to the Virtuoso and A&K teams in your commitment to life, well travelled,” Fox concluded.

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Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG) has promoted Debra Fox to the new position of Managing Director for AKTG, UK and APAC, effective April 2025. This strategic move aligns with AKTG’s ongoing global expansion and commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences in key markets.

Fox, who has served as Managing Director for AKTG’s APAC region from Melbourne since 2022, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to her expanded role. Her leadership was instrumental in navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic travel industry and strengthening AKTG’s presence in the APAC market.

Remarking on Fox’s appointment, Cristina Levis, CEO of AKTG said “Debra’s deep understanding of both the UK and APAC markets, coupled with her exceptional leadership skills, makes her the ideal candidate to drive our growth and expansion strategies in these key regions.”

Fox’s move to the UK marks a return for the seasoned travel professional, who previously held leadership positions with a footprint in the UK. Her extensive knowledge of the travel landscape and trade, combined with her recent experience in the dynamic APAC market, will be invaluable in fostering collaboration and innovation across both regions.

“I am honoured to take on this expanded role and excited to be working with the incredibly talented teams in both the UK and APAC,” Fox said.

“I look forward to leveraging my experience and insights to further strengthen AKTG’s position as a global leader in luxury travel,” said Fox.

Last month, A&K Travel Group announced the local promotions of both Susan Haberle (to Vice President of Sales for Australia/New Zealand with Abercrombie & Kent) and Tony Archbold (to Vice President of Sales for Asia with Crystal). Ann-Marie Chapman was also promoted to Global VP Education, Sales and Service in the region, while Sada Memic joined the team in the newly created role of Director of Sales and Reservations Centre APAC for AKTG brands.

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A new era of investment and expansion is underway for Abercrombie & Kent‘s portfolio of safari camps and lodges, following its recent rebrand from Sanctuary Retreats to A&K Sanctuary.

“We are thrilled to introduce a revitalised brand identity for A&K Sanctuary,” said Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group.

“This rebranding is not simply a name change – it’s a commitment to further elevate the guest experience and expand our portfolio.”

Coinciding with a brand refresh for parent company A&K Travel Group, A&K Sanctuary’s new branding will be rolled out across the portfolio with updated individual property logos and visual identities.

Guests can expect to see these updates reflected in everything from signage and marketing materials to staff uniforms and in-room amenities, according to Chief Marketing Officer Peter Chipchase.

“Each property and riverboat will have its own distinct identity that reflects its unique character and charm, while still being clearly recognisable as part of a renowned collection,” he said.

As part of the overhaul, two popular properties – Baines’ Lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda – are being completely rebuilt and are set to reopen in mid-2025.

The company will also open Kitirua Plains Lodge in Amboseli National Park in early 2026. The 16-key property, with sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro, will be A&K Sanctuary’s third property in Kenya.

All three properties are part of a collaboration with design firm Luxury Frontiers, known for its focus on sustainability and innovation.

A new boutique riverboat is also part of the plans with A&K Sanctuary to launch Pure Amazon on the Amazon in Peru in summer 2025.

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A&K Travel Group, the parent company of luxury brands including Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Sanctuary Retreats, Cox & Kings and Akorn, is mulling a possible Initial Public Offering (IPO), says Cristina Levis, Group CEO.

According to a report in The Telegraph, A&K Travel Group is seriously evaluating a stock market listing in the next 12-24 months, potentially in the United States. Last month, A&K secured a definitive financing agreement for up to US$500 million to fund its continued expansion.

Levis said the London-based luxury travel company would likely benefit from joining the stock market, enabling it to become “the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy [LVMH] of luxury experiential travel.”

Should A&K Travel Group float on the New York Stock Exchange, the company would be capitalising on the huge rebound in luxury travel since the pandemic.

At the moment, it’s all systems go at A&K Travel Group, with new ships on the horizon for Crystal, a new small ship for the Amazon, additional luxury lodges for Africa and the Americas, new DMC’s opening around the globe including Mexico and Indonesia, alongside expansion of niche products such as the recently confirmed A&K Private Estates, revealed first by LATTE.

“At the moment, demand is very strong with obviously some exceptions with the situation in the Middle East,” Levis told the UK masthead.

“Our niche has always been very, very resilient – in the toughest moment in history, we have seen a continuous increase in demand.”

A decision on where to list Abercrombie & Kent wasn’t yet set in stone, however the NYSE had strong appeal given the company is expanding  in the United States.

“We are still putting everything on a scale to try to understand what’s the best market for us to list,” Levis said, with other options in Europe also being evaluated.

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Abercrombie & Kent has opened its latest Destination Management Company (DMC) in Mexico, as foreshadowed exclusively by LATTE in April. The strategic move solidifies A&K’s commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences in Latin America and coincides with the company’s plans to open a property in Mexico over the coming year.

Leading the opening of the Mexico DMC is Graeme Bull, an A&K veteran who recently oversaw the successful opening of the company’s Colombia DMC. Prior to his role in Colombia, Bull was based in A&K’s UK office where he spearheaded Latin America and Indian Subcontinent product offerings for both A&K and Cox & Kings. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the region is poised to elevate A&K’s presence in Mexico to match the level of excellence of A&K’s DMCs globally.

Bull expressed his enthusiasm for this new venture, saying he was thrilled to introduce A&K’s “unparalleled level of service and expertise to Mexico”.

“This country offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural wonders that perfectly align with our discerning travellers’ desires. With our new DMC and an upcoming property in the Yucatan, we are well-positioned to craft extraordinary journeys that showcase the very best of Mexico.”

“We are hoping to have our doors open and receiving clients on the ground, through the DMC, by the end of the year, with the property to follow,” Bull said.

A&K’s expansion in Mexico follows the recent announcement of its plans to launch a luxury riverboat in Peru next year – also flagged first by LATTE. These developments underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to providing immersive and transformative travel experiences in Latin America.

Rebecca Osman, Senior Vice President of A&K’s DMCs, said “Mexico has long been a beloved destination for our guests, and the opening of our DMC here is a natural progression in our mission to deliver unrivalled travel experiences worldwide. With Graeme at the helm and our upcoming property in the Yucatan, we are excited to offer our guests even more opportunities to discover the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality of Mexico.”

A&K’s Mexico DMC will offer a wide range of services, including customised itineraries, exclusive access to unique experiences, and 24/7 on-the-ground support.

The company’s upcoming property in the Yucatan will provide guests with luxurious accommodations, exceptional amenities, and immersive activities that showcase the region’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. As with all A&K’s destinations, the Mexico DMC will be committed to sustainable tourism practices and supporting local communities through its philanthropic arm, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP).

Images featured courtesy of A&K.

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