Big news, cruisers: Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises celebrated the next important milestone in the construction of Crystal Endeavor as the keel was laid at MV WERFTEN’s Stralsund shipyard for the company’s first luxury expedition yacht.
During the ceremony, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, in her role as a member of the German Bundestag, joined Crystal President and CEO Tom Wolber and Genting Hong Kong's Executive Chairman and CEO Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, as well as Mecklenburg Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, for the festivities. Also in attendance were Minister of Economic Affairs Harry Glawe and CEO and President of MV WERFTEN Peter Fetten, as well as hundreds of MV WERFTEN team members clad in “Team Endeavor” shirts. Once the traditional lucky coins had been put into place, the 400-ton section was lowered onto the keel blocks.
The new Crystal Endeavor will be a Polar Class 6 yacht with 100 suites, large public spaces, a full-service spa and salon, six restaurants including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma and expedition rooms. Accommodations will offer private butler service for every suite and have amenities including king-sized beds; walk-in closets; heated storage for drying parkas; and spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain-showerheads.
Crystal Endeavor’s PC6 designation will enable it to operate in summer and autumn through medium first-year ice.
Crystal announced the itineraries for Crystal Endeavor’s inaugural season on July 31, spanning from August of 2020 through January 2021, offering voyages of 12 to 22 days exploring Japan and the Russian Far East; Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines; New Zealand and Tasmania; Australia and the Great Barrier Reef; and Antarctica. The ship will sail a series of charters and special event voyages before it begins its inaugural season in August 2020.
Bookings for Crystal Endeavor’s global journeys will open to the public on August 22.
This story originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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