Welcome to the Luxury Travelers podcast, where we delve into the pinnacle of luxurious travel experiences alongside industry trailblazers. In today’s episode, your host, Rodney George, engages in a captivating conversation with Kim Guimaraes, representing the esteemed Abercrombie and Kent brand, with roots stretching back to Africa in 1962. Renowned for their unmatched luxury touring offerings, Abercrombie and Kent have recently garnered attention for their acquisition and revitalization of the Crystal Cruise ships. Explore how they’re revolutionizing the cruise industry, allowing guests to disembark at their preferred ports of call for immersive three-day Abercrombie and Kent tours before reuniting with the ship for the next leg of their journey. Tune in to uncover more about this thrilling fusion of opulent cruising and five-star exploration.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [01:54] The roots and beginnings of Abercombie and Kent and the expansion to 100’s of other countries
- [04:24] Kim explains what sets their touring company apart from others
- [10:35] Abercrombie and Kent expand into cruising with the acquisition of Crystal ships
- [14:48] The Crystal is building four new vessels between now and 2029, and Kim discusses other standalone and single-country experiences
- [20:13] Kim talks about the Pantanal area of Brazil and in Colombia, a cooking lesson with the number one female chef in the world
- [22:53] Kim expands on the reconstruction of the Crystal Serenity, the quality of the entertainment and the ballroom experience
- [27:32] Kim shares memories of her most memorable trips
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- [2:14] Abercrombie and Kent’s roots go back to Kenya, Africa, in 1962
- [4:38] Abercrombie and Kent provide an unprecedented touring experience. They don’t ascribe to the cookie-cutter experience that other touring companies do, and there is no upcharge for the unique things included.
- [10:45] Crystal Cruise Lines has provided exceptional service since its inception. With Abercombie and Kent’s purchase, the experience will only be better with the remodeling of the ships and lowering the occupancy.
RESOURCES:
Abercrombie and Kent – Website
GUEST BIOGRAPHY: Kim Guimaraes
With a career of more than 30 years in the travel industry, Kim brings a wealth of luxury travel and management experience to her role with Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group. As Vice President, National Accounts, she manages the high-value trade partnerships for A&K and Crystal. She loves to inspire travel partners and their clients to explore the world of A&K, offering individually curated journeys to over 100 countries and all seven continents and cruising the world with Crystal. She believes that travel breaks down barriers and can be a transformational experience, especially given the variety of travel experiences that A&K offers. Her favorite destinations include Africa, India, Egypt, the Arctic and most recently, Antarctica!
