Crystal Endeavor

The 2021-built Crystal Endeavor cruise ship is a polar-class superyacht and was Crystal Yacht Cruises' newest vessel. This is the world's first purpose-built yacht cruiser with a P6 (polar-class) hull designation. Before 2021, Endeavor's fleetmate was Crystal Esprit/now Nat Geo Islander 2 (1991-built).

The vessel (IMO number 9821873) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000932) and registered in Nassau.

Following the bankruptcy of the parent company GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd in January 2022, the GHK's subsidiary Crystal Cruises Inc (USA) went bankrupt in February.

In mid-June 2022 was announced that Crystal Endeavor is sold to Silversea. At the time the announcement was made, the vessel was at anchorage off Gibraltar, and, reportedly, to be soon drydock refurbished and rebranded, and to be included in Silversea's Antarctica 2022-2023 season. On June 8th, Silversea also trademarked the ship names "Silver Endeavor" and "Silver Endeavour".

History - construction and ownership

One of the top-luxury passenger shipping companies, Crystal Cruises operates both ocean and river cruises on premium liners and newbuild riverboats with all-inclusive travel package deals. The company's ships are top-ranked in numerous categories, offer an intimate cruising experience, 5-star hotel amenities, superior service. The company was founded in 1988 as a subsidiary of the Japanese NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha) - one of the world's largest container shipping companies. In 2015, NYK Line sold Crystal Cruises to Genting Hong Kong (GHK). Following the acquisition, the company was renamed to Crystal Ltd.

In January 2022, GHK filed for bankruptcy and all its assets were put to sale. In June 2022, the brand Crystal Cruises was acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd (Abercrombie & Kent). The company currently groups the ultra-luxury travel brands Crystal Cruises (ocean-going ships), Crystal River Cruises (European riverboats), Crystal Yacht Cruises (mega-yachts), Crystal Luxury Air (aircraft) and Crystal AirCruises (fly-cruise deals).

The 200-passenger ship was previously operated by Crystal Yacht Cruises - a division of Crystal Cruises Inc (USA), while the shipowner was Genting International Plc (Malaysia, subsidiary of Genting Hong Kong Ltd).

The superyacht has its own underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), which is equipment extensively used in the offshore industry. On polar itineraries, the ROV is used for exploring sunken objects, including vessels (warships, galleons, passenger ships). The vessel (MV Werften hull number 124) has DWT (deadweight tonnage) 2025 tons, GT tonnage (volume) 19800 tons, draught 6 m (20 ft), 4x diesel engines (4-stroke).

For the vessel's technical details and construction read at its Wiki section.

Decks and Cabins

The Crystal Endeavor yacht carries 200 passengers in 100 suites, ranging from 305 ft2 / 28 m2 (Deluxe Suite/balcony cabin) to Owner Suites (1130 ft2 / 105 m2 plus 740 ft2 / 69 m2 terrace). The two Owner's Suites (aka "Crystal Penthouse Suite") can be connected to a Penthouse for combined footage of 3930 ft2 (365 m2). Suite passengers can relax in a private conservatory, in-cabin spa and gym with steam room, sauna, and private treatment room, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzi, in addition to vast living space (inside and out).

The boat has 10 decks, of which 8 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Crystal Endeavor offers six dining venues, including the main dining room, outdoor cafe, self-serve snack spot, grill, and 24-hour room service. Crystal Endeavor's dining experience remains true to the standard of world-class cuisine and diverse menus offered on all Crystal River, Ocean and Yacht vessels, with all-inclusive dining, premium spirits and fine wines offered throughout.

Specialty restaurants onboard include Umi Uma, serving sushi and specialties by Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and Prego, which offers traditional Italian fare, and hosts cruise company's "Vintage Room" winemaker dinners. Additionally, Crystal Endeavor features the elegant main dining room, Waterside, Asian-inspired Silk Kitchen & Bar, situated in the 2-story solarium during the evenings, and European-inspired Bistro Cafe, which offers full-service breakfast and lunch and is a go-to spot for teas and freshly brewed espresso.

Follows the complete list of Crystal Endeavor restaurants and food bars.

• The Pantry (buffet restaurant, open 24 hours, operates as a self-service bistro and offers specialty teas and coffees, wine bar, light food)
• Waterside (main dining room)
• Silk Kitchen & Bar (Asian)
• Bistro Cafe (European-inspired, offers full-service breakfast and lunch)
• Compass Room (wine bar, specialty dining venue, reservation-only)
• Yacht Club Restaurant (Main Dining Room for waiter-served Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with "Modern Tasting" and "Classic" menus, offers contemporary and traditional gourmet specialties, food is prepared with local fresh ingredients)
• Patio Cafe (Yacht Club's outdoor extension/alternative restaurant, features light food menu choices, offers waiter-served Breakfast and Lunch)
• The Grill (fast-food alternative dining venue)
• Umi Uma (sushi and specialties by Nobu Matsuhisa)
• Prego (traditional Italian fare)
• Sunset Bar (casual eatery/outdoor bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Crystal Endeavor offers personalized services along with 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. This ultra-luxury yacht has its own fleet of 8 electric amphibious zodiacs, 2 submarines (7-person mini-subs), 2 helicopters (for flight tours) and 2 landing pads (helipads). The ship provides complimentary jet skis, sea kayaks, wave runners, paddle boards, fishing facilities, snorkeling-scuba diving equipment, recompression chamber, multi-person ATVs. Passengers can also experience a ride on Endeavour's SEABOB, the most technically advanced underwater scooter in the world.

The vessel is the world's first purpose-built "Polar Code" compliant yacht which enables it to cruise in polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica) during summer and autumn months in medium ice conditions (first-year ice packs).

The cruise vessel is fitted with top-notch dynamic positioning technology and computer-controlled systems (DPS - dynamic positioning system) in order to automatically maintain its position using its own propulsion units (thrusters and propellers), even in adverse weather conditions. This allows the yacht to float above coral reefs without the need to drop anchors, which could damage the seabed.

At Palm Court Lounge are offered afternoon tea service, dancing, specialty cocktails, onboard enrichment lectures, media presentations, classes, evening entertainment. Other social spaces include the only Casino Lounge on an expedition yacht, Connoisseur Club (cigar/smoking lounge) Crystal Cove where guests gather for guest speakers, pre-dinner drinks and late-night entertainment.

Enrichment venues include the Library, Captain's Lounge, Expedition Lounge, and Helicopter Lounge. The Promenade stretches from Crystal Cove to the Waterside and is a more intimate spot to enjoy cocktails and spectacular views. Crystal's onboard boutique shops, Apropos, and Facets provide designer and fine jewelry shopping.

Wellness options include a fully-equipped fitness center. The dedicated "Crystal Life Spa and Salon" wellness complex covers an area of 930 m2 (10,000 ft2) and has gym room, full-service spa with 3 treatment rooms, unisex steam rooms and saunas, jacuzzis, relaxation room, and full-service salon services. The 2-story solarium pool deck is enclosed under the glass-domed roof. The expansive mud rooms accommodate preparation for the adventures of the day and offer cleaning of equipment and boots upon return from a day full of exploration.

Follows the complete list of Crystal Endeavor lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Palm Court (with 270-degree panoramic views providing wildlife watching)
• Connoisseur Club cigar lounge
• Crystal Cove
• The Library, Captain's Lounge, Expedition Lounge, Helicopter Lounge
• Spa and Conservatory (10000 ft2 / 930 m2 area providing full-service spa, salon, wellness center, jacuzzis, and Crystal Life Fitness for spinning, yoga, pilates, and personal training)
• Infinity pool (with a base that can be lifted to convert it into an alfresco dining area/dance floor)
• Theatre (200 seats)
• Lecture Rooms, Cinema, Card Room, Casino, Computer Centre

Itineraries

Crystal Endeavor itinerary program was scheduled to start on May 15, 2021 (inaugural cruise, later rescheduled for July 17) and included as destinations (Europe's and Canada's) Arctic territories and Antarctica during winter, and during the rest of the year - the Americas, Europe (Mediterranean-UK-Baltic), Pacific and Atlantic islands, Russia's Far East territories (including Kuril Islands), South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand), Alaska. Itineraries as length range between 12-22 days. Tropical destinations are also included as the yacht's seasonal relocation crossings (RepositionCruises.com) between cool and warm regions.

The new top-luxury superyacht was originally planned to start operations in 2020. The list of inaugural cruises included 12x itineraries, of which 3x Japan-based (roundtrips from homeport Tokyo).

• (2020 August 10, Tokyo roundtrip) 17-day "Russian Far East Maiden Expedition" visits Hakodate, Rishiri, Wakkanai, Russian Far East (Korsakov, Tyuleny Island, Yankicha Island, Srednego Island, Paramushir Island, Atlasov Island, Russky Island, Korsakov (Sakhalin Island) and back to Japan (Otara, Tokyo).
• (2020 August 27, Tokyo roundtrip) 17-day "Japan's Cultural and Coastal Discovery" to Muroran, Hakodate, Ryotsu, Ogi, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato, Pohang, Hamada, Sazaki, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Kobe, Hamajima, Shimizu.
• (2020 September 13, from Tokyo to Taipei Taiwan) 16-day repositioning itinerary visits Shingu, Osaka, Himeji, Tamano, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Anbo, Amami, Yoronjima, Motobu, Naha, Kerama, Shotu Islands, Iriomote Island, Ishigaki Island, Taipei (debarkation).
• (September 29, 2020) "Philippines, Borneo and Indonesia Quest", 16-day from Taipei to Bali
• (October 15, 2020) "Indonesian Immersive and The Great Barrier Reef", 16-day relocation from Asia to Australia (from Bali to Cairns Queensland)
• (October 31, 2020) "Australian Offshore and The Great Barrier Reef", 14-day from Cairns to Sydney NSW
• (November 4, 2020) "Tasmania and The Fjords of New Zealand", 14-day from Sydney to Christchurch New Zealand
• (November 28, 2020) "New Zealand Immersion", 12-day from Christchurch to Auckland NZ
• (December 10, 2020) "The Remote Coasts of New Zealand", 12-day from Auckland to Christchurch
• (December 22, 2020) "Holiday Expedition to New Zealand and Australia", 15-day from Christchurch to Tasmania
• (January 6, 2021) "Antarctica and The Ross Sea Expedition", 22-day from Hobart Tasmania to Christchurch
• (January 28, 2021) "Antarctica and The Ross Sea Expedition", 22-day from Christchurch to Hobart.
• Liner's complete 2021 schedule was officially opened for booking on March 13, 2019. Voyages range between 10-28 days and visit destinations throughout Antarctica, Russia's Far East, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Japan, China, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Islands, Australia New Zealand, Europe (including Norway Fjords, UK, Canary Islands), South America.

In late-January 2021 were canceled all departures planned for May and August. The latest cancellations included the boat's Japan 2021 program and the Alaska 2021 mini-season (4x departures from Seward and Vancouver BC).

Bookings for Crystal Endeavor cruises (inaugural season August 2020 - January 2021) were opened on August 8, 2018 (to Crystal Society/loyalty program members) and on August 22 (to the general public). Fares started from USD 12750 per person with double occupancy.

In mid-February 2019 was announced a unique Russian Arctic cruise itinerary (Northeast Passage route) - from Anadyr Russia to Tromso Norway. Departing August 18, 2021, the 28-day "Northeast Passage Expedition" visits some of the world's most remote islands and archipelagos in the Russian Arctic. The itinerary's most-unusual destinations include Franz Josef Land, Wrangel Island, New Siberian Islands, Severnaya Zemlya. The voyage also visits Murmansk and several other Russian Federation territories such as Novaya Zemlya and Solovetsky Island. Along with this route, Crystal Endeavor cruises through the Arctic Ocean and passing East Siberian Sea, White Sea, Barents Sea, Laptev Sea, with numerous opportunities for zodiac landings (depending on sea/weather conditions). Cruise deals are inclusive of a 1-night pre-cruise hotel in Anchorage Alaska and flight transfer to Anadyr. Bookings opened on February 20 (Crystal Society members) and March 13 (general customers). Prices started from USD 44360 pp.

The superyacht's all 2021 voyages were opened for booking in mid-March 2019. The itineraries ranged between 10-28 days and included Asia (Russian Far East, Japan, Indonesia), Antarctica, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Atlantic and Indian oceans, Norway, UK, Western Europe, Canary Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, South America. Prices started from USD 9550 pp, with up to USD 10,000 savings per suite offered on bookings made by April 30, 2019.

However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, the Maiden Voyage was first rescheduled for May 15, 2021 (13-day Japan itinerary from Tokyo to Kobe), then for August 18th (Northwest Passage along Russia's Arctic coast), and finally for July 17th (10-night Iceland circumnavigation from homeport Reykjavik).

• Bookings for the "Luxury Iceland Expeditions" (Around Iceland voyages/inaugural season 2021 from July 17 through August 26 / 4 departures) opened on April 13, 2021. The Iceland itinerary visited Flatey Island, Latrabjarg (promontory), Vigur Island, Akureyri, Husavik, Grimsey Island, fjord cruising (Arnarfjordur, Vopnafjordur, Seydisfjordur, Patreksfjordur, Raudasandur, Borgarfjodur Eystri, Thingvellir National Park), Heimaey, Surtsey Island.
• On May 20, 2021, was opened for booking the 10-night "Journey of Vikings: Iceland and Norway" (September 5-15) - the repositioning North-Atlantic crossing from Reykjavik to Tromso Norway. The itinerary's ports included Iceland's Reykjavik (embarkation), Westfjords (Arnarfjordur's Dynjandi Waterfall), Akureyri, and Seydisfjordur, and Norway's Olden (overnight), Sandane, Nordfjordeid, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Vikingen Island, Reine, Tromso (debarkation). Fares started at USD 14000 pp, including the promos "Book Now Savings" ($3000), "As You Wish" OBC ($300 pp onboard credit), "Crystal Society Savings" (5%), first-time customers (2,5%), solo cruisers (150% single supplement).
• In mid-August was opened for booking the "Expedition Yachting: Caribbean Mystique" - the yacht's Caribbean Maiden Voyage from the USA. The 9-night itinerary (Miami to San Juan Puerto Rico/departing October 26, 2021) had call ports in The Bahamas (Great Exuma Island, Inagua Island/Man of War Bay, Old Bahama Channel), St Barthelemy Island (Gustavia), BVI (Jost Van Dyke Island BVI/White Bay/Great Harbor, Norman Island BVI), Saba Island. Prices started from USD 14000 pp.
• The inaugural Antarctic season was scheduled for 2021-2022 (November-March).

The yacht's 2022 itinerary program was opened for booking on November 13 (2019) with prices from USD 6300 pp. It offered a total of 28 cruises (9- to 19-night itineraries) with ~2/3 of these advertised as "Remote Expeditions" to Antarctica, Arctic, Svalbard Norway, Greenland, Iceland, Falkland Islands, Chilean Patagonia (fjords and glaciers).

• Of the remaining voyages, the "Cultural Discovery" group are themed on the region's history, traditions and people, while "Destination Exploration" is themed on nature. These itineraries visites Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa), Western Europe (also UK and British Isles), Panama Canal, Caribbean.
• The Antarctica 2022 season ended with three relocation voyages - 14-day South America (Ushuaia to Buenos Aires/March 1-15), 15-day Transatlantic (Buenos Aires to Santa Cruz de Tenerife Canaries/March 15-30), 10-day Tenerife to Lisbon (March 30-April 9).

The ship's 2023-2024 schedule (thru January 2024) was announced in June 2021. Prices for the Early Booking Promo (2-for-1) started from USD 7500 pp (EUR 6320 / GBP 5430). Program 2023-24 included 27 itineraries (ranging 10- to 28-nights) and destinations like Antarctica (Ross Sea, The Falklands, South Georgia), South America, Atlantic islands (Cape Verde, Canaries), Europe's Mediterranean, Atlantic Coast; UK (British Isles), Iceland, Faroe Islands, Arctic Norway (Svalbard), Arctic Russia (Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya), Northeast Passage, Asia (Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia/Raja Ampat), Australia.