Crystal Expedition Cruises officially welcomed its new luxury expedition yacht ‘Crystal Endeavor’ to its fleet on Saturday in Germany as the ship was christened by Manuela Schwesig, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, who is also the vessel’s godmother.

Almost 100 people attended the ceremony at the Stralsund shipyard, which was also livestreamed on the Crystal Cruises Facebook page so that friends and fans of the cruise line could attend.

Executives hailed the state-of-the-art Polar Class Six vessel, which features “unmatched technical capabilities, including the most installed power per gross ton for any cruise ship at over 13 MW.”

The ship was also heralded as the most expensive ship ever built at US$20,000 per gross tons and includes the largest space ratio, at over 100 gross tons per guest, and highest staff to guest ratio in the industry at one-to-one, as well as 100% additional lifeboat capacity to handle extreme polar conditions.

Amenities

Designed to offer travellers elegantly expansive private and public spaces, Crystal Endeavor accommodates just 200 guests in 100 all-verandah, all-butler serviced suites.

Other amenities include Michelin-inspired dining options such as 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; plus 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 centre. There is also a wrap-around Promenade Deck.

Expedition-specific amenities include high-tech enrichment spaces, designated mud rooms, an Expedition Lounge, and a Helicopter Lounge. The ship’s marina will feature the “toys” found aboard a private yacht for further explorations, including a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, snorkel gear, and a six-guest submersible and two helicopters in select regions of the world.

Sustainability

Crystal Endeavor has been designed with a host of ecologically minded features, such as dynamic positioning capability that enables the ship to remain in one place utilizing GPS and its thrusters, rather than dropping anchor, avoiding any potential damage to delicate reefs.

Additionally, the company has equipped the ship to connect to shore power while in port, installed several water treatment systems, and will clean exhaust emissions through a Selective Catalytic Reductant system.

Inaugural voyages

Crystal Endeavor will set sail beginning July 17 with five 10-night voyages circumnavigating Iceland from the ship’s homeport of Reykjavík, followed by the 10-night “Journey of Vikings: Iceland & Norway” from Reykjavík to Tromsø, Norway, departing Sept. 5.