The 10-Night “Luxury Iceland Expedition” Itinerary will circumnavigate Iceland and cross the Arctic Circle
The Crystal Endeavor, Crystal Cruises new luxury expedition yacht, is positioned off of the Surtsey Island, Iceland in preparation for its inaugural voyage in July. Photo credit: Crystal Cruises
In news that resonated with expedition cruise lovers around the globe, Crystal Cruises announced the much-anticipated inaugural deployment of Crystal Endeavor, the first groundbreaking ship for Crystal Expedition Cruises. As the first and only true luxury expedition yacht to restart cruising in the Arctic and Northern Europe, Crystal Endeavor will sail five 10-night immersive voyages circumnavigating Iceland’s most dramatically beautiful and fascinating locales beginning July 17, 2021. The Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages will sail round-trip from the ship’s homeport of Reykjavík. Reservations for Crystal Endeavor’s Luxury Iceland Expedition journeys open April 13.
Built at a cost of more than half a billion U.S. dollars, Crystal Endeavor will be the most spacious, fastest and most powerful expedition ship in the industry, with a Polar Class 6 (PC6) classification that enables her to sail in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
View on one of the ports of call on the Crystal Endeavor, the beautiful city of Akureyri in Northern Iceland. Photo credit: Visit Island
Crystal Endeavor is designed to accommodate just 200 guests with a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio. Her luxurious design features expansive personal and social spaces. This spaciousness will be further enhanced as she embarks on the Luxury Iceland Expedition Iceland voyages with reduced capacity.
Among the highlights of the itinerary are overnight stays in Reykjavík and Akureyri; a call to Grímsey Island and crossing the Arctic Circle; the unspoiled Arnarfjörður fjord, cascading Dynjandi Waterfall and famous geothermal springs of Vopnafjörđur and Seyđisfjörđur. The itinerary – which sails through peak whale migration in the region July through mid-September – also visits Patreksfjörđur, and pink- and red-sand Rauðasandur Beach; Iceland’s whale-watching capital of Húsavík; and Heimaey, home to a beluga whale sanctuary. Birder havens include “puffin paradise” Hafnarhólmi; Flatey Island, a floating nature preserve that is home to thousands of puffins, Eider ducks, Black Guillemots and Arctic Terns; Vigur and the Látrabjarg Cliffs, where thousands more puffins reside.
The spectacular Goðafoss Waterfall in northern Iceland. Photo Credit: Crystal Cruises
Guests will have the rare opportunity to stand on the Bridge Between Two Continents, which spans the Mid-Atlantic rift and connects North America with Eurasia. Two of Iceland’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites are also featured: Þingvellir National Park and sailing around volcanic Surtsey Island.
Designed to take travelers far off the beaten path of traditional cruise routes, the Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages offer intensive exploration of massive glaciers, breathtaking wildlife and stunning landscapes of the region during the season of endless daylight. Expert-led expeditions may include zodiac landings to rarely explored coastlines and treks to remote hidden locales.
The charming city of Husavik, Island is a port of call on the Crystal Endeavors tour of Iceland. Photo Credit: Crystal Cruises
Crystal Endeavor’s accommodations will be elegantly appointed retreats for guests after days full of exploration, and among the largest, most spacious suites in expedition cruising. The 100 suites will include one Owner’s Suite (1,867 sq. ft.), one Expedition Penthouse (1,668.5 sq. ft.), eight Penthouse Suites (534.5 sq. ft.) and 90 Deluxe Suites (355.5 sq. ft.) – all with dramatic views of the destinations and private verandas. and privacy. Luxury touches in every suite include king-sized beds, walk-in closets; heated storage for drying parkas; spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain-shower heads. The stylish design is matched by state-of-the-art technological amenities that will enhance the experience with fine details, like ambient lighting, interactive streaming TVs and bedside iPads in every suite that offer voyage information and numerous international daily newspapers.
As Michelin-level, globally inspired culinary options are a hallmark of the Crystal Experience, Crystal Endeavor will feature eight distinct dining venues for guests to enjoy a world of exquisite cuisine. Waterside, the ship’s main restaurant, features ever evolving menus of classic and modern cuisine in a casually elegant space, while Crystal’s renowned specialty restaurants Prego and Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar offer international flavors. Wine aficionados can indulge in the Vintage Room, and guests seeking fresh light bites will favor the Marketplace’s two-story Solarium for breakfast and lunch, the Bistro’s European café setting and the Pantry’s 24/7 espresso, teas, wines and more. In-suite dining is also available from Waterside 24 hours a day, as well as from Prego and Umi Uma during their operating hours.
A view on the magnificent Goðafoss Waterfall falls in northern Iceland Photo credit: Crystal Cruises, © Jon Runar
Palm Court – a favorite hub for afternoon tea, cocktails, dancing and floor-to-ceiling views aboard Crystal’s ocean and river ships – will be on board Crystal Endeavor for entertainment, as well as enrichment presentations and classes. Other elegant social spaces will be the Connoisseur Club cigar lounge; Crystal Cove, the heart of the ship where guests will gather for expert guest speakers and entertainment; and the only casino on an expedition yacht. Enrichment venues will include the Captain’s Lounge, the Expedition Lounge, the Helicopter Lounge (two helicopters will be onboard in designated locations) and the Library.
Prepare to be awed by the incredible marine life you will experience onboard this amazing maritime adventure. Photo credit: Crystal Cruises
The Promenade will stretch from Crystal Cove to Waterside and be a more intimate space for guests to enjoy cocktails, conversation and spectacular views. The glass-covered, two-story Solarium – which houses the Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi – provides panoramic views from sea to sky, perfect for stargazing and capturing stunning events like the Northern Lights and the surrounding scenery. The space also transforms for evening entertainment, with a stage and ample space for guests to dance. Crystal’s onboard boutiques, Apropos and Facets, will feature designer accessories and fine jewelry shopping. Wellness options will include a fully-equipped fitness center and Crystal Life Spa & Salon with three treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s steam and sauna facilities and a relaxation room, as well as a wrap-around Promenade Deck, rare in the industry but a key Crystal design element.
Crystal Clean+ and Crystal Pristine
Crystal announced in February that guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship. This new requirement is in addition to existing, comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including negative COVID-19 tests for both guests and crew, reduced capacity, social distancing, nimble mask policy, rigorous cleaning procedures, isolation rooms in case of illness and health screening questionnaires.
Crystal is enticing travelers with compelling savings, reduced deposits and an extended final payment date to 60 days prior to first date of service, as well as other incentives. Cruise fares for the Luxury Iceland Expeditions start at $13,999 per guest, including up to double Book Now Savings at $3,000 for a limited time only. Guests will receive a $300 per person As You Wish shipboard credit; Crystal Society Savings will double to five percent; new-to-Crystal guests will save 2.5 percent; and solo fares start at just 150 percent. Travelers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these sailings.
Your unforgettable adventure begins and ends in Iceland’s beautiful capital, Reykjavik. Photo credit: Crystal Cruises