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This new cruise ship could be the most luxurious ever for off-the-beaten-path cruising

July 16, 2021
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4 min read
Crystal Endeavor
This new cruise ship could be the most luxurious ever for off-the-beaten-path cruising
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What may be the most luxurious expedition cruise vessel ever is finally debuting this weekend after a nearly year-long delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luxury line Crystal Cruises' long-awaited, 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor will depart Reykjavík, Iceland, on Sunday on its first voyage with paying passengers.

The 10-night trip will be the first of five consecutive Iceland sailings scheduled for the vessel that will involve a complete circumnavigation of the destination and an in-depth look at its dramatic landscape of volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields.

Built to be both super luxurious and super tough, Crystal Endeavor was designed to take luxury travelers to the most off-the-beaten-path parts of the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic, in style.

It's Crystal's first vessel specifically designed for expedition cruising -- a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

Crystal, until now, has operated traditional luxury cruise vessels that include two ocean-going ships that carry 848 and 980 passengers, respectively, and five small river ships based in Europe. The line also operates a single, 62-passenger yacht.

The Expedition Lounge is one of the cozy places to relax onboard Crystal Endeavor. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises)

Crystal ships are known for offering a very high-end (and pricey) luxury experience, and the line's new expedition vessel will be no exception.

Crystal Endeavor is an all-suite ship with such luxury flourishes as butler service for every passenger and an upscale restaurant serving Japanese cuisine -- the only one of its kind on an expedition ship.

In addition to the Japanese eatery, there are five additional high-end dining venues -- an unusually large number for an expedition ship holding just 200 passengers.

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Crystal Endeavor also is home to a stylish, glass-covered solarium with a pool and Jacuzzi; a pampering spa; a cigar bar; and even a casino (a first for an expedition ship). Its staff-to-passenger ratio is one-to-one -- one of the highest ratios of any cruise vessel.

Related: A new, $400,000 luxury cruise just sold out in less than 3 hours

A deluxe suite is one of the cabin categories on Crystal Endeavor. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises)

Still, Crystal Endeavor isn’t just about luxury. On the adventure side, the vessel will sail with a fleet of Zodiacs for exploring, plus kayaks and snorkel gear. But its real over-the-top adventure amenities are its two helicopters and a submarine. Yes, you can explore places like Antarctica from above and below, too, when sailing on Crystal Endeavor.

In addition, as many as 22 guides on every voyage will include biologists, ornithologists and other experts who will offer insights on the destinations the ship visits and lead landings.

Crystal Endeavor will have a Polar Class 6 ice-class rating — one of the highest levels that can be found among expedition ships that aren't full-blown icebreakers.

After sailing around Iceland for the coming weeks, Crystal Endeavor will offer several sailings to Norway and other northerly areas in Europe before repositioning to Antarctica for the winter.

Fares for the vessel start at $8,549 per person for a nine-night sailing in the Caribbean.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.