Crystal Endeavor, the first “Made in Germany” Polar Class 6 (PC6) luxury expedition yacht for Crystal Cruises, cruised out of Stralsund with a full vaccinated crew and is scheduled for a July 15 arrival in Reykjavík, Iceland, from where it will depart on its maiden voyage on July 17. A pier-side sail away celebration was held at the MV Werften shipyard, where the ship was designed and built.
Crystal Endeavor’s maiden voyage sails July 17 – 27, 2021 as part of a series of 10-night immersive voyages circumnavigating Iceland. The "Luxury Iceland Expedition" voyages sail round-trip from the ship’s homeport of Reykjavík. The series will be followed by the 10-night "Journey of Vikings: Iceland & Norway" from Reykjavík to Tromsø, Norway departing September 5, 2021.
Additional autumn departures include the 13-night "Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Isles Exploration" from Tromsø to London, departing September 15, 2021, featuring the fjords and UNESCO treasures of Norway and an overnight in Edinburgh, and the 11-night "Breton, Bordeaux and Beyond" from London to Lisbon departing September 28, 2021, and highlighted by two nights in the heart of Bordeaux and an overnight call in London.
Crystal Endeavor, which is is the ninth ship in the cruise line’s fleet, was christened on June 26, in Stralsund with Manuela Schwesig, prime minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as the ship’s godmother.
The ship, which has a PC6 classification that enables it to sail in Arctic and Antarctic regions, has a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio and accommodates just 200 guests in 100 all-verandah, all-butler serviced suites. Onboard dining options include Umi Uma—touted as the first and only Japanese restaurant on an expedition ship—and Prego, serving fine Italian cuisine. There is also 24-hour room service and optional Vintage Room experience.
Among other amenities, the ship has the only casino on an expedition yacht, according to Crystal; a glass-covered, two-story solarium, housing the Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi; the full-service Crystal Life Salon & Spa with a fitness center; and a wrap-around Promenade Deck. Expedition-specific amenities will include high-tech enrichments spaces, designated mud rooms, and an Expedition and Helicopter Lounge.
The ship’s marina has a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, snorkel gear, and a six-guest submersible and two helicopters in select regions of the world. Exploration equipment includes a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to view the sea at a 1,000-foot depth and a Gimble long-range camera mounted on the mast that can zoom in to view wildlife and scenery over a mile away. Guests can join in with the expedition guides in Palm Court and the Expedition Lounge who are operating the equipment to alert of sights they would like to see up close.
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