This new cruise ship could be the most luxurious ever for off-the-beaten-path cruising
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.
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.
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
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:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
Featured image courtesy of Crystal Cruises.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.