Crystal Endeavor bound for Australia & New Zealand

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Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises has unveiled the inaugural season of itineraries for its newest vessel, Crystal Endeavor, operating from August of 2020 through January 2021, with Australia and New Zealand featuring heavily in the program. The luxury expedition yacht will set off on voyages from 12 to 22 days, “far off the beaten path of traditional cruise routes”, the company said, offering sailings through Japan and the Russian Far East, New Zealand, Australia and Antarctica. In Australia, depending on the voyage, highlights will include explorations of Lizard Island National Park, in-depth expeditions among reefs, atolls and islands of the Great Barrier Reef, mangrove Zodiac discoveries, hiking, diving and helicopter adventures, exploring Tasmania’s natural landscapes over six days, including Freycinet National Park, Fjordland National Park and more. There’s also trans-Tasman voyages between Tasmania and New Zealand, options for New Year’s Eve 2020 in Sydney. The ship will also operate two back-to-back 22-day itineraries from Hobart to Antarctica and ending in Christchurch (and vice versa) in late 2020/early 2021, taking in Scott and Shackleton’s historic huts, Balleny Islands & Ross Sea expedition cruising, glacier landings, Borschgrevink’s Hut, Drygalski Ice Tongue and pack ice cruising, Ross Ice Shelf. Crystal Endeavor journeys will open for booking for Crystal Society guests on 8 August 2018 and to the public on 22 August 2018. Expedition and excursion details will be revealed at a later date. Deluxe Suite A aboard Crystal Endeavor “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.” Restaurant Prego The locales visited will offer distinctive experiences, climate and terrain that are suited perfectly to the boldest travellers, with opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkelling, 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. The ship’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. the Solarium aboard Crystal Endeavor

Inaugural season Crystal Endeavor itineraries include:

• • 10 August 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.
  • 27 August 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.
  • 13 September 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.
  • 29 September 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.
  • 15 October 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.
  • 31 October 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.
  • 14 November 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.
  • 28 November 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.
  • 10 December 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.
  • 22 December 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.
  • 6 January 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.
  • 28 January 2021 – Antarctica & The Ross Sea Expedition, Christchurch to Hobart, 22 days – Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand; cruising the Southern Ocean; crossing the Antarctic Circle; Cape Adare, Cape Hallet, Roget, Terra Nova Bay, Ross Island, Cape Evans, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, and Marble Point/Dry Valleys Region, Antarctica; cruising the Ross Ice Shelf; Coulman Island and Possession Islands, Antarctica; cruising the Southern Ocean; Balleny Islands; cruising the Southern Ocean; and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

At approximately 20,000 gross tonnes, Crystal Endeavor will be the largest, most spacious purpose-built polar class expedition yacht, accommodating just 200 guests and boasting all the luxurious amenities and special touches for which Crystal is known. Spa/Sauna on Crystal Endeavor 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 that contrast beautifully with the rugged adventures beyond the vessel. Crystal Endeavor’s accommodations will offer private butler service for every suite, with innovative butler pass-throughs for maximised 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-shower heads. Crystal Endeavor’s PC6 designation will enable her to operate in summer and autumn through medium first-year ice.

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