A celebrity yacht vacation off Sardinia, Italy, drew attention as Chace Crawford, 40, and his girlfriend Kelsey Merritt, 28, were photographed sharing kisses and playful PDA on deck while the group relaxed on a luxury cruise. The outing also featured Nina Dobrev, who is newly single after a split with fiancé Shaun White, and Zac Efron, who appeared more than comfortable amid the sun and sea. They were accompanied by Miles Teller, 38, and his wife Keleigh Sperry, 32, with the ensemble spending time together on the Mediterranean waters.
The couple in the spotlight, Crawford and Merritt, had previously been linked in November 2024, with Instagram activity indicating a public relationship only about seven months later, in July 2025. Dobrev, meanwhile, has been navigating a personal transition since ending her engagement to Shaun White, and she was observed sharing flirty exchanges with Efron during the vacation. Dobrev carried a natural, makeup-free look for parts of the trip, and her choice of swimwear drew attention as she wore a plunging black lace-trimmed cut-out one-piece that highlighted her figure. Efron, who joined the group for the nautical escape, was seen diving into the sea and riding a water scooter, displaying his physique as the crew enjoyed the sunny Mediterranean day.
The group appeared lighthearted throughout the cruise, taking turns on a paddleboard, sipping cocktails, and soaking up the sun on the bright deck. Crawford and Merritt were photographed sharing moments on the water, with Crawford placing a protective hand on his partner and the couple sharing several affectionate gestures as they moved around the yacht. The two have kept a relatively low profile in their off-screen lives, but their public outings together have drawn interest from fans and entertainment media alike. Merritt, identified as a Filipina model, entered the public eye in recent years for her work within the fashion and modeling circuits, while Crawford remains a staple of the acting world thanks to his long-running role on Gossip Girl.
Crawford has discussed the evolving nature of his dating life in recent years, signaling that his love life has not always followed a traditional script. In the summer of 2024, he acknowledged that he was single during a podcast appearance, describing his experiences with online dating as not particularly successful. He has previously been linked to several high-profile partners and public relationships, and he noted that the social dynamics of a highly visible career can complicate personal connections. His most recent publicly known relationship before Merritt was with actress Rebecca Rittenhouse, which ended in 2018, and his exes have included other prominent figures who moved on to different commitments.
The Sardinia voyage underscores a broader cultural moment in whichCelebrity ensembles blend leisure travel with on-camera chemistry and public interest in their personal lives. The group, including Dobrev, Efron, Crawford, Merritt, Teller, and Sperry, appeared to relish a carefree break, with the Mediterranean sun, the blue water, and the luxury yacht forming a backdrop for social bonding and casual, paparazzi-friendly moments. While the specifics of everyone’s relationships may evolve, the moment captured on this trip suggests a shared appetite for high-profile travel and the kind of summer downtime that fuels fan speculation and ongoing media coverage. As the season shifts, watchers will likely keep an eye on how these friendships and romances develop, both on screen and off, in the ever-evolving landscape of celebrity culture and entertainment.