Crystal Yacht Unveils Endeavor Itineraries
Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises has unveiled the inaugural season of itineraries for its newest globetrotting vessel, Crystal Endeavor, spanning from August of 2020 through January 2021.
According to officials, the luxury expedition yacht will sail voyages of 12 to 22 days, far off the beaten path of traditional cruise routes. Voyages will explore the cultural and bio-diversity of Japan and the Russian Far East, New Zealand, Australia and Antarctica. Crystal Endeavor journeys will open for booking for Crystal Society guests on Aug. 8 and to the public on Aug. 22, with expedition and excursion details to be announced at a later date.
“Every facet of Crystal Endeavor is meant to take travellers beyond their previous travel boundaries and expectations. Her exceptional design, luxury accommodations and amenities have already set the stage for this, and now, as we unveil her first six months of journeys, travellers have a tremendous glimpse of the grand discoveries in store for this groundbreaking yacht,” said Crystal president and CEO Tom Wolber. “Crystal Endeavor will take guests to remote destinations not typically accessible on a cruise, as well as some iconic places, albeit with a decidedly adventurous twist.”
The locales visited will offer distinctive experiences, climate and terrain that are suited perfectly for the boldest travellers, with opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, helicopter and Zodiac tours, and much more depending on the region.
In addition to Antarctic exploration, Crystal Endeavor will follow seasonal shifts to warmer destinations, where sun-seeking guests can relish waterborne and nature quests. Crystal Endeavor’s initial roster of itineraries includes 12 unique voyages with fares starting from US$12,749 per guest (based on double occupancy, excluding port taxes and fees). Guests on the maiden voyage will also receive a complimentary one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay and have the opportunity to participate in the yacht’s naming event.
Inaugural season Crystal Endeavor itineraries include:
Aug. 10, 2020 – Russian Far East Maiden Expedition, Tokyo
Round-trip, 17 days – Tokyo, cruising the coast of Japan, Hakodate, and Rishiri Island, Japan; Korsakov, Tyuleniy, Yankicha and Srednego Islands, Paramushir and Atlasova Islands, Russkaya/Thirka Bay, Cape Kekurnyy and Morzovaya Bay, Russia; cruising the Sea of Okhotsk; Chirpoy Island, Russia; Otaru, cruising the coast of Japan, and Tokyo, Japan.
Aug. 27, 2020 – Japan’s Cultural & Coastal Discovery, Tokyo
Round-trip, 17 days – Tokyo, Muroran, Hakodate, Sado Island, Kanazawa, and Sakaiminato, Japan; Pohang, Republic of Korea; Senzaki, Japan; cruising the Kanmon Strait; cruising the Inland Sea; Miyajima/Itsukushima and Hiroshima, Japan; cruising the Inland Sea; Takamatsu, Kobe, Toba, Shimizu, and Tokyo, Japan.
Sept. 13, 2020 – Island Explorations of Japan, Tokyo to Taipei, 16 days
Tokyo, Shingu, Osaka, Himeji, Tamano, cruising the coast of Japan, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Anbo, Yakushima Island, Amami, Yoronjima, Motobu, and Naha, Okinawa, Kerama-Shoto Islands, Miyako Jima, Iriomote Island, and Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan.
Sept. 29, 2020 – Philippines, Borneo & Indonesia Quest, Taipei to Bali, 16 days
Taipei (Keelung) and Hualien, Taiwan; Calayan Island, Hundred Islands National Park, Corregidor, Manila, and El Nido, Palawan, Philippines; cruising the Celebes Sea; Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia; Derawan Islands, Borneo, Indonesia; cruising the Makassar Strait; Palopo, South Sulawesi, Taka Bonerate National Park, Komodo Island, and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia.
Oct. 15, 2020 – Indonesian Immersive & The Great Barrier Reef, Bali to Cairns, 16 days
Bali (Benoa), Sumbawa Island, Komodo National Park, Larantuka, Kalabahi, Lucipara, Banda Neira, Raja Ampat Islands Expedition Stops, and West Papua, Indonesia; cruising the Arafura Sea; Thursday Island, Cape York, Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island, Ribbon Reef, and Cairns, Australia.
Oct. 31, 2020 – Australian Offshore & The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns to Sydney, 14 days
Cairns, Lizard Island, Ribbon Reef, Coral Sea Islands Expedition Stops, Flinders Reef, Hinchinbrook/Brook/Dunk Islands, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday Islands Expedition Stops, Percy Islands, Herald Reef and Swain Reef National Park, Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Islands, Fraser Island, cruising the coast of Australia, and Sydney, Australia.
!!! Nov. 14, 2020 – Tasmania & The Fjords of New Zealand, Sydney to Christchurch, 14 days
Sydney, cruising the coast of Australia, King Island, Flinders Island, Wine Glass Bay, Coles Bay, Maria Island, Bruny Island, and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; cruising the Tasman Sea; Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Bluff, Stewart Island, Dunedin, and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.
Nov. 28, 2020 – New Zealand Immersion, Christchurch to Auckland, 12 days
Christchurch (Lyttleton), Dunedin, Stewart Island, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, cruising the Coast of New Zealand, Akaroa, Kaikoura, Tasman Bay Expedition Stops, Nelson, Ship’s Cove, Picton, Napier, Mercury Bay, Hahei/Whitianga, and Auckland, New Zealand.
Dec. 10, 2020 – The Remote Coasts of New Zealand, Auckland to Christchurch, 12 days
Auckland, Mercury Bay, Hahei/Whitianga, Tauranga/Mount Maunganui, Napier, Ship’s Cove, Picton, Tasman Bay Expedition Stops, Nelson, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Stewart Island, cruising the coast of New Zealand, Akaroa, and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.
Dec. 22, 2020 – Holiday Expedition to New Zealand & Australia, Christchurch to Tasmania, 15 days
Christchurch (Lyttleton), Kaikoura, Ship’s Cove/Queen Charlotte Sound, cruising the coast of New Zealand Stewart Island, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound; cruising the Tasman Sea; Sydney, cruising the Coast of Australia, Eden, Australia; Flinders Island, Wine Glass Bay, Coles Bay, Maria Island, Bruny Island, and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Jan. 6, 2021 – Antarctica & The Ross Sea Expedition, Hobart to Christchurch, 22 days
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; cruising the Tasman Sea; cruising the Southern Ocean; crossing the Antarctic Circle; cruising the Balleny Islands, New Zealand; Cruising the Ross Sea; Cape Adare, Cape Hallet, Roget, Terra Nova Bay, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Marble Point/Dry Valleys Region, cruising the Ross Ice Shelf, and Coulman Island, Antarctica; cruising the Ross Sea; cruising the Southern Ocean; and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.
Officials say that at approximately 20,000 GRT, Crystal Endeavor will be the largest, most spacious purpose-built polar class expedition yacht, accommodating 200 guests and boasting all the luxurious amenities and special touches for which Crystal is known. The yacht will feature generous public spaces, a full-service spa & salon, six restaurants including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma, expedition rooms and elegant suites.
Crystal Endeavor’s accommodations will offer private butler service for every suite, with innovative butler pass-throughs for maximized service and privacy. All suites feature luxurious touches including king-sized beds, walk-in closets; heated storage for drying parkas; spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain-showerheads.
Set to debut in 2020, the ship will sail a series of charters and special event voyages before it begins its inaugural season on Aug. 10.
(https://www.crystalcruises.com)
