The Crystal Endeavour, Crystal Expedition Cruises’ newest luxury yacht, accommodating only 200 guests, features elegant yet informal public spaces, suites and staterooms with butler service, and Michelin-starred dining options such as Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar. It will embark on a route that has captivated travelers for centuries, setting sail on August 18, 2021, from Anadyr, Russia, to Tromsø, Norway. On the 28-night expedition, the Crystal Endeavour will visit some of the world’s most remote islands, archipelagos, and coastlines, allowing adventurers to explore in the utmost luxurious comfort.
The Northeast Passage is precisely the type of expedition for which the Crystal Endeavour is designed, thanks to its POLAR PC6 certification and ability to maneuver through ice, the Zodiacs, and virtually all other equipment necessary for an exploration of this kind. In addition to these technical capabilities, the yacht will welcome guests with the highest level of luxury and comfort, even when traveling to the most inhospitable destinations.
The ship will depart on August 18, 2021, and visit places little frequented since the legendary polar explorer Nils A.E. Nordenskjöld crossed the Northeast Passage in 1878-79. Among the voyage's highlights are: Wrangel Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Franz Josef Land, now home to polar bears and many other wildlife; the New Siberian Islands, which offer archaeological discoveries that provide evidence of the northernmost human presence on Earth; Severnaya Zemlya, the last archipelago mapped on Earth, added to global maps in the early 20th century; and Cape Chelyuskin on the Taimyr Peninsula, the northernmost point of any continent.
En route, the Crystal Endeavour will sail the East Siberian Sea, the White Sea, the Barents Sea, and the Laptev Sea. There will also be numerous opportunities for landings by Zodiac. Onboard, expedition guides, scientists, and destination experts will enrich the journey with presentations and seminars focused on the region's unique nature and history.
The Northeast Passage itinerary, sailing from August 18 to September 15, 2021, will be available for booking starting March 13, 2019, through its representative in Spain, StarClass Cruises, specialists in tailor-made travel experiences for each guest. StarClass selects absolutely everything—the cruise line, the type of ship, the itinerary, onboard amenities, and excursions—to suit the traveler's preferences and exceed their expectations. Passengers on the Northeast Passage route will enjoy one night's accommodation in an Anchorage hotel before the cruise and a flight to Anadyr on embarkation day.
Crystal Endeavour's inaugural season itineraries run from August 2020 to January 2021, with voyages of 12 to 22 days that sail far from traditional cruise routes. StarClass also offers the ship's maiden voyage on August 10, 2020, from Tokyo: a 17-night round-trip expedition to the Russian Far East, complete with meticulously planned pre- and post-cruise services, bearing the hallmark of the leading cruise specialist, StarClass.
