Crystal has announced the inaugural deployment of Crystal Endeavor — the expedition yacht is set to sail five 10-night voyages circumnavigating Iceland beginning July 17, 2021.
The Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages will sail roundtrip from the ship’s homeport of Reykjavik. The voyage offers intensive exploration of massive glaciers, 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. Among the highlights of the itinerary are overnight stays in Reykjavik and Akureyri; a call to Grimsey Island and crossing the Arctic Circle; and viewing the Arnarfjorour fjord, the Dynjandi Waterfall and the geothermal springs of Vopnafjordur and Seydisfjordur. The itinerary, which sails through peak whale migration in the region July through mid-September, also visits Patreksfjordur, and pink- and red-sand Rauoasandur Beach; Iceland’s whale-watching capital of Husavik; and Heimaey, home to a beluga whale sanctuary. Birder havens include “puffin paradise” Hafnarholmi; Flatey Island, a floating nature preserve that is home to thousands of puffins, Eider ducks, black Guillemots and Arctic terns; Vigur and the Latrabjarg Cliffs, where thousands more puffins reside.
Guests will have the 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: Thingvellir National Park and sailing around volcanic Surtsey Island.
Additionally, a SHOTOVER gimbal camera system will be installed on the ship’s mast. Operated by ship specialists, it can be zoomed in for closer views of wildlife and other points of interest in real time. The views will be streamed directly on the HD TVs throughout the ship, in public areas and guest suites and on the 65-inch screens in Palm Court and 86-inch screens in the Expedition Lounge. The Cove will feature a video wall, with a 218-inch-wide center screen and two 145-inch-wide side screens. The camera will shoot 4K video with remote control locations in the Palm Court and in the Expedition Lounge that will offer interactive activity between the camera operator and guests.
There’s also the option for a pre- and post-cruise hotel program at the Hotel Borg in Reykjavik, located in the beautiful square of Austurvollu and across from Althing, the Icelandic Parliament. Guests have the option of 1-, 2- or 3-night stays, with inclusive transfers between Crystal Endeavor, the hotel and the airport and all taxes and resort fees.
Reservations for Crystal Endeavor’s Luxury Iceland Expedition journeys—which will sail with reduced capacity—open April 13. 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.
Crystal 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.
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com.
