The super high tech and luxury Crystal Endeavour. * Photo: Crystal Cruises
Just a few months after it launched the 62-passenger Crystal Espirit and announced it’s building four new river boats, Crystal Cruises has just shared more exciting small-ship news: plans to build a 200-passenger expedition-style luxury mega-yacht called Crystal Endeavour to debut in August 2018. Named after explorer Captain James Cooks’ research ship “HMS Endeavour,” the 600-foot-long vessel will be purpose-built for expedition cruising in the Arctic, Antarctic and tropical regions as well, but at a level of luxury Cook and his retched crew could never have imagined. Crystal Endeavour will have all-inclusive pricing and an all-suite layout, with massive penthouse suites, and six dining venues.
The mega-yacht will be the first purpose-built Polar Code compliant yacht in the world with a PC6 Polar Class designation, enabling it to cruise in Polar Regions during the summer and autumn in medium “first year” ice. She will also be fitted with state-of-the-art offshore dynamic positioning technology, with computer-controlled systems to automatically maintain the ship’s position with its own propellers and thrusters. This nifty feature means the megayacht can float atop coral reefs and other underwater wonders (including fascinating old ship wrecks) without utilizing anchors, which can damage the terrain or other underwater wonders in waters too deep for anchors.
Crystal Endeavor will cruise in the Arctic, and then follow the route of migrating whales along the coast of the Americas and Europe to Antarctica during the winter. Along the way, she’ll visit remote islands in the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, which cruise ships seldom call or cannot access. With a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV, used extensively in the offshore industry), expedition cruises will also be organized to see sunken galleons, warships and passenger ships — even the Titanic at 12,500 feet.
For unforgettable excursions, Crystal Endeavor will carry aboard two helicopters and two landing pads for flightseeing expeditions, as well as two, 7-person submarines, eight electric amphibious zodiacs, jet skis, wave runners, kayaks, fishing stuff, paddle boards, snorkeling and scuba equipment, recompression chamber, dive support tender and a multi-person ATV. There will even be a SEABOB — a cool high-tech underwater scooter — for moving gracefully underwater.
Of the ship’s 100 suites, the standards will measure at least 400 square feet (including balcony), plus there will be two gigantic 1,615-foot three-bedroom Owner Suites with a private gym and spa with sauna, steam room and treatment room, plus sprawling 1,507-foot balconies with hot tubs — definitely the largest guest suites of any megayacht afloat. All rooms will have butler service and 200 crew members means there’s a one-to-one ratio with guests.
The ship’s interior will include Crystal’s signature Palm Court, with 270-degree panoramic vistas for wildlife and landscape views, plus a combined 10,000-square-foot Spa and Conservatory space with a full-service spa, yoga, pilates, salon and wellness center; Jacuzzis; and an infinity pool whose base can be lifted to be a dance floor or an alfresco dining area. There will be six dining options, a 200-seat theatre, lecture rooms, cinema, card room and a computer center.
“With Crystal Esprit, we discovered there are many guests, young and young at heart, who enjoy sports at sea and discovering remote islands, and as the interests and age of luxury travelers increasingly vary, we will continue to expand our collection of luxury travel options,” says Crystal president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “Luxury means something different to virtually everyone, and we strive to meet and exceed the wishes of the discerning modern luxury traveler. Crystal Endeavor will cater to a particularly daring audience, one who values luxurious comfort and amenities as much as life-changing adventures.”
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