Preview: Crystal Endeavor’s Inaugural Itineraries

Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises has released the inaugural season itineraries for Crystal Endeavor. Voyages will span from 12 to 22 days to destinations such as the Russian Far East, New Zealand, Australia, Antarctica and South PacificCrystal Endeavor journeys will open for booking for Crystal Society guests on August 8 and to the public on August 22, with expedition and excursion details to be announced at a later date.

The locales visited will provide guests opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, helicopter and Zodiac tours, and more, depending on the region. Guests on the maiden voyage will also receive a complimentary one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay and have the opportunity to participate in the yacht’s naming event.

Crystal Endeavor will accommodate 200 guests with on-board amenities including a full-service spa and salon, six restaurants (including Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma) and numerous expedition rooms. Crystal Endeavor’s accommodations will offer private butler service for every suite, with innovative butler pass-throughs for maximized service and privacy. All suites have king-sized beds, walk-in closets, heated storage for drying parkas, and spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain-shower heads.

Tip: Set to debut in 2020, the ship will sail a series of charters and special event voyages before it begins its inaugural season on August 10. Inaugural season Crystal Endeavor itineraries include:

Russian Far East Maiden Expedition (August 10, 2020, 17 Days)

Stops: Tokyo, cruising the coast of Japan, Hakodate, and Rishiri Island, Japan; Korsakov, Tyuleniy, Yankicha and Srednego Islands, Paramushir and Atlasova Islands, Russkaya/Thirka Bay, Cape Kekurnyy and Morzovaya Bay, Russia; cruising the Sea of Okhotsk; Chirpoy Island, Russia; Otaru, cruising the coast of Japan, and Tokyo, Japan.

Voyage highlights: Far Eastern Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and the wildlife-rich Kuril Islands; plus, Japan’s northern islands of Hokkaido and Rishiri; an optional exploration of the Valley of the Geysers and other Zodiac expeditions and nature hikes are available.

Japan’s Cultural & Coastal Discovery (August 27, 2020, 17 Days)

Stops: Tokyo, Muroran, Hakodate, Sado Island, Kanazawa, and Sakaiminato, Japan; Pohang, Republic of Korea; Senzaki, Japan; cruising the Kanmon Strait; cruising the Inland Sea; Miyajima/Itsukushima and Hiroshima, Japan; cruising the Inland Sea; Takamatsu, Kobe, Toba, Shimizu, and Tokyo, Japan.

Voyage highlights: Immersive exploration of some of Japan’s temples, gardens and heritage sites, including Kenroku-en Garden, Matsue Castle, South Korea’s Gyeongju Historic Site, Mikimoto Pearl Island and Mount Fuji.

Island Explorations of Japan (September 13, 2020, 16 Days)

Stops: Tokyo, Shingu, Osaka, Himeji, Tamano, cruising the coast of Japan, Uwajima, Kagoshima, Anbo, Yakushima Island, Amami, Yoronjima, Motobu, and Naha, Okinawa, Kerama-Shoto Islands, Miyako Jima, Iriomote Island, and Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan.

Voyage highlights: Cultural and natural sites, including Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine, Doro-kyo Gorge, Kyoto and Nara, as well as Himeji Castle, Mt. Sakurajima, Yakusugi Land and Waterfall, Zamami-Jima, Tsuki-ga-hama, Urauchi River.

Philippines, Borneo & Indonesia Quest (September 29, 2020, 16 Days)

Stops: Taipei (Keelung) and Hualien, Taiwan; Calayan Island, Hundred Islands National Park, Corregidor, Manila, and El Nido, Palawan, Philippines; cruising the Celebes Sea; Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia; Derawan Islands, Borneo, Indonesia; cruising the Makassar Strait; Palopo, South Sulawesi, Taka Bonerate National Park, Komodo Island, and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia.

Voyage highlights: Natural beauty and wildlife encounters, including Taroko Gorge, Hundred Islands National Park, Borneo’s Kinabatangan River, Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Torajaland, and Zodiac, diving and snorkeling expeditions.

Indonesian Immersive & The Great Barrier Reef (October 15, 2020, 16 Days)

Stops: Bali (Benoa), Sumbawa Island, Komodo National Park, Larantuka, Kalabahi, Lucipara, Banda Neira, Raja Ampat Islands Expedition Stops, and West Papua, Indonesia; cruising the Arafura Sea; Thursday Island, Cape York, Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island, Ribbon Reef, and Cairns, Australia.

Voyage highlights: Exploration and cultural immersion experiences, including Komodo National Park, Spice Islands of the Banda Archipelago, Aboriginal culture and rainforests, Great Barrier Reef and Ribbon Reefs; plus, hiking, diving, swimming, snorkeling, Zodiac and helicopter expeditions.

Australian Offshore & The Great Barrier Reef (October 31, 2020, 14 Days)

Stops: Cairns, Lizard Island, Ribbon Reef, Coral Sea Islands Expedition Stops, Flinders Reef, Hinchinbrook/Brook/Dunk Islands, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday Islands Expedition Stops, Percy Islands, Herald Reef and Swain Reef National Park, Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Islands, Fraser Island, cruising the coast of Australia, and Sydney, Australia.

Voyage highlights: Lizard Island National Park, in-depth expeditions among reefs, atolls and islands of the Great Barrier Reef, mangrove Zodiac discoveries, hiking, diving and helicopter adventures.

Tasmania & The Fjords of New Zealand (November 14, 2020, 14 Days)

Stops: Sydney, cruising the coast of Australia, King Island, Flinders Island, Wine Glass Bay, Coles Bay, Maria Island, Bruny Island, and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; cruising the Tasman Sea; Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Bluff, Stewart Island, Dunedin, and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.

Voyage highlights: Six full days exploring Tasmania’s natural landscapes, such as Freycinet National Park, Fjordland National Park, in addition to wildlife, Zodiac and helicopter adventures.

New Zealand Immersion (November 28, 2020, 12 Days)

Stops: Christchurch (Lyttleton), Dunedin, Stewart Island, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, cruising the Coast of New Zealand, Akaroa, Kaikoura, Tasman Bay Expedition Stops, Nelson, Ship’s Cove, Picton, Napier, Mercury Bay, Hahei/Whitianga, and Auckland, New Zealand.

Voyage highlights: Stewart and Ulva Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Queen Charlotte Sound/Ship Cove, Fiordland National Park; hiking, kayaking, Zodiac and helicopter opportunities.

The Remote Coasts of New Zealand (December 10, 2020, 12 Days)

Stops: Auckland, Mercury Bay, Hahei/Whitianga, Tauranga/Mount Maunganui, Napier, Ship’s Cove, Picton, Tasman Bay Expedition Stops, Nelson, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Stewart Island, cruising the coast of New Zealand, Akaroa, and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.

Voyage highlights: Hahei Marine Reserve and Cathedral Cove, Bay of Plenty, Mount Maunganui, Captain Cook Monument & Motuara Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Ulva Island, and wildlife and wineries opportunities.

Holiday Expedition to New Zealand & Australia (December 22, 2020, 15 Days)

Christchurch (Lyttleton), Kaikoura, Ship’s Cove/Queen Charlotte Sound, cruising the coast of New Zealand Stewart Island, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound; cruising the Tasman Sea; Sydney, cruising the Coast of Australia, Eden, Australia; Flinders Island, Wine Glass Bay, Coles Bay, Maria Island, Bruny Island, and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Voyage highlights: New Year’s Eve in Sydney Harbour, Captain Cook Monument and Motuara Island, Golden Bay and Ulva Island, Twofold Bay, Freycinet National Park, Adventure Bay, and Friar Rock.

Antarctica & The Ross Sea Expedition (January 6, 2021, 22 Days)

Stops: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; cruising the Tasman Sea; cruising the Southern Ocean; crossing the Antarctic Circle; cruising the Balleny Islands, New Zealand; Cruising the Ross Sea; Cape Adare, Cape Hallet, Roget, Terra Nova Bay, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Marble Point/Dry Valleys Region, cruising the Ross Ice Shelf, and Coulman Island, Antarctica; cruising the Ross Sea; cruising the Southern Ocean; and Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.

Voyage highlights: Scott and Shackleton’s historic huts, Balleny Islands and Ross Sea expedition cruising, glacier landings, Borschgrevink’s Hut, Drygalski Ice Tongue, pack ice cruising, Ross Ice Shelf.

Antarctica & The Ross Sea Expedition (January 28, 2021, 22 Days)

Stops: Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand; cruising the Southern Ocean; crossing the Antarctic Circle; Cape Adare, Cape Hallet, Roget, Terra Nova Bay, Ross Island, Cape Evans, Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, and Marble Point/Dry Valleys Region, Antarctica; cruising the Ross Ice Shelf; Coulman Island and Possession Islands, Antarctica; cruising the Southern Ocean; Balleny Islands; cruising the Southern Ocean; and Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Voyage highlights: Scott and Shackleton’s historic huts, McMurdo (USA) and Scott’s Station (New Zealand); visit Balleny Islands and Ross Sea Expedition cruising, glacier landings, Borschgrevink’s historic hut, Drygalski Ice Tongue, Dry Valleys and pack-ice cruising.

This story originally appeared on www.luxurytraveladvisor.com.

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