MICHELIN-STARRED ALAJMO BROTHERS HOST EXCLUSIVE CRYSTAL CULINARY VOYAGE
Three-Michelin-starred chef Massimiliano Alajmo will host an intimate Mediterranean sailing aboard Crystal Serenity, redefining fine dining at sea.
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Ultra-luxury cruising is entering a new culinary era, with Crystal announcing an exclusive Mediterranean voyage hosted by one of the world’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs.
From September 8 to 15, 2026, Crystal Serenity will sail from Venice to Athens, joined by Massimiliano Alajmo and his brother and restaurateur partner Raffaele Alajmo for a rare, immersive dining experience at sea.
The seven-night sailing promises unprecedented access to the acclaimed culinary duo, whose restaurants have long defined modern Italian fine dining.
For Crystal guests, it offers something rarer still, the opportunity to engage directly with the chefs behind the cuisine while sailing through one of Europe’s most storied regions.
A private audience with culinary royalty
Throughout the voyage, guests will experience the Alajmo brothers’ philosophy through a series of intimate onboard events designed to bring their world closer.
This includes a live Q&A session and book signing, alongside guided wine tastings featuring selections from the family’s own cellars, hosted by Giovanni Alajmo, the next generation of the celebrated dynasty.
Exclusive hosted dinners, personally led by Massimiliano and Raffaele, will take place at Osteria d’Ovidio and the ultra-exclusive Vintage Room. These intimate experiences offer guests the chance to experience Michelin-calibre cuisine in a uniquely personal setting, an offering rarely seen even at the world’s finest restaurants.
“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.”
Elevating the art of dining at sea
The collaboration reflects Crystal’s broader ambition to position its culinary offering among the finest in global hospitality. The Alajmo brothers’ partnership with Crystal began in 2025, when they reimagined menus at Osteria d’Ovidio aboard Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, introducing a more refined expression of their signature modern Italian cuisine.
Their influence sits alongside Crystal’s collaborations with some of the most recognisable names in global dining, including Nobu Matsuhisa, whose Nobu restaurant is exclusively at sea with Crystal, and restaurateur Riccardo Giraudi, who introduced Beefbar to the line.
“The evolution of Crystal’s culinary program has always been rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship and meaningful partnerships with the world’s most respected chefs,” said Gunter Lorenz, Crystal’s Vice President of Food and Beverage.
A Mediterranean voyage defined by taste
Departing Venice and concluding in Athens, the itinerary itself provides a fitting backdrop, tracing a path through the cultural and culinary heart of southern Europe. Yet the defining feature of this sailing is not simply the destinations, but the rare access it offers to one of the world’s most respected culinary families.
For travellers increasingly seeking immersive and meaningful experiences, the voyage reflects a broader shift in luxury travel. The greatest indulgence is no longer excess, but access. Access to extraordinary people, extraordinary places and extraordinary moments.
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All three vehicles will form part of a broader charitable initiative benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross and Starlight Children’s Foundation
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Avani will make its New Zealand debut in September with a lakefront hotel in Queenstown, adding a contemporary lifestyle option to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most competitive luxury resort markets.
Avani Queenstown is being positioned as the brand’s New Zealand flagship. Its Lake Wakatipu setting gives guests direct access to the scenery that drives the destination while keeping the restaurants, bars and adventure operators of central Queenstown close at hand.
The timing is significant for Australian travellers. A September opening arrives as the ski season gives way to spring hiking, cycling and wine touring, allowing the hotel to establish itself before the peak summer period.
Queenstown’s appeal has broadened beyond adrenaline tourism. Private aviation, high-end lodges, destination dining, golf and Central Otago pinot noir now attract travellers who want both wilderness and polished service. A lifestyle hotel must bridge those worlds without becoming interchangeable with an urban property.
The Avani brand generally emphasises informal public spaces, contemporary design, social dining and wellness rather than traditional grand-hotel ceremony. In Queenstown, the key test will be whether those elements remain connected to the lake, mountains and local makers.
Travellers considering an early stay should ask which restaurants and facilities will be operating from opening day, whether construction or commissioning work remains, and how lake-view room categories differ. Opening dates can move, so flexible flights and cancellation terms are sensible.
Season also changes the experience dramatically. Winter brings ski traffic, cold-weather logistics and premium weekend rates; spring and autumn offer quieter trails and wineries; summer brings long daylight hours but also Queenstown’s busiest visitor period.
For Avani, the property establishes a base in a globally recognised destination within easy reach of Australia. For Queenstown, it adds another internationally branded hotel at a time when discerning visitors increasingly expect a strong sense of place rather than luxury by checklist.
Fact box
– Hotel: Avani Queenstown
– Location: Lake Wakatipu waterfront, Queenstown, New Zealand
– Opening: Scheduled for September 2026
– Operator: Minor Hotels
– Significance: Avani’s Queenstown debut and New Zealand flagship
– Best for: Short luxury breaks, skiing, hiking, wine touring and lake experiences
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