It was a historic day for Crystal as its award-winning luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, departed the Port of Ushuaia at the southernmost tip of Argentina on her first-ever expedition voyage to Antarctica – the first of in a series of eight round-trip 11- to 19-night sailings aboard the German-engineered polar-class vessel.
“We designed Crystal Endeavor to provide the ultimate Antarctic adventure providing guests opportunities to get ‘up close and personal’ views of this stunning cruising region sailing a precision, German-engineered expedition while enjoying the refined comfort, luxury amenities and attentive service that are Crystal hallmarks,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal president. “Exploring Antarctica is an unforgettable, life-changing experience and we encourage our guests to join us as we set a new standard in luxury expedition cruising.”
Crystal Endeavor’s Antarctica voyages feature bold expedition adventures including Zodiac landings, sea kayaking and expedition hikes to experience the stunning landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of the world’s southernmost continent, exploring places few have ever seen. Guests’ journey of rugged adventure includes the crossing of famed Drake Passage and visits to the South Shetland Islands, the Weddell Sea, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia, as well as ample time exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, home to penguin colonies, seals, whales and seabirds.
The yacht’s itineraries are specially curated for maximum flexibility, allowing the captain and Crystal Endeavor’s team of experts to incorporate unplanned “expedition days” when favorable weather conditions invite the opportunity for uncommon discovery.
Guests on Crystal Endeavor’s Antarctica voyages enjoy complimentary round-trip charter air and luxury pre-cruise accommodations in Ushuaia as well as luxury hotel accommodations in Miami following their return flight.
Crystal Endeavor’s Antarctica season runs through February 2022, with all voyages led by a talented and passionate expedition team comprised of marine biologists, ornithologists, polar experts, kayaking guides and landscape photographers whose keen understanding and appreciation of the remote polar region enhances this once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience. Following the completion of her Antarctica season, Crystal Endeavor will sail to Cape Town to continue her luxury yacht expedition adventures.
The 200-passenger, 20,200-GRT, Crystal Endeavor is purpose-built for Antarctic exploration offering superior operation, safety and performance in polar conditions with a Polar Class 6 (PC6) classification and precision German engineering focused on power, reliability, and painstaking craftsmanship. Propelled by two Azipod D units and a diesel electric power plant designed specifically for ice-going vessels, Crystal Endeavor operates at optimum efficiency while providing 13,020 kW of installed power, delivering well-balanced power and propulsion installation, giving both speed and comfort.
Offering the largest space ratio of any ship at sea — 100 gross tons and 10,000 cubic feet per guest — and a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio delivering the friendly and attentive service that Crystal is known for, Crystal Endeavor is luxuriously designed for discerning travelers with elegantly expansive private and public spaces, and all-verandah, all-butler serviced suites that are among the largest and most spacious in expedition cruising.
Guests also enjoy Crystal’s signature finely crafted amenities and keen attention to detail: Michelin-inspired dining options including Umi Uma, the first and only Japanese restaurant on an expedition ship; fine Italian cuisine at Prego, 24-hour room service and optional Vintage Room experience; the only casino on an expedition yacht; a glass-covered, two-story solarium – housing the Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi – providing panoramic views from sea to sky; and the full-service Crystal Life Salon & Spa with a state-of-the-art Fitness Center; as well as a wrap-around Promenade Deck, an iconic Crystal design element. Expedition-specific amenities include high-tech enrichments spaces, designated mud rooms, an Expedition Lounge, and even the option of exploration in a two-guest submersible.
Crystal continues to be a leader in its response to COVID-19 with its Crystal Clean+ protocols based on the latest data and recommendations by health experts. The company was the first major cruise line to require a COVID-19 vaccine for both guests and crew in 2021 and now the first through 2022.
