(TAN): Crystal Expedition Cruises announced a nine-night Caribbean itinerary for new luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor, featuring encounters on remote islands, calls in exclusive harbours typically only accessible to private yachts and sailboats, and the rare opportunity for US travellers to embark from a close-to-home port and cruise aboard the state-of-the-art expedition yacht during her inaugural season.
The new nine-night voyage, Expedition Yachting: Caribbean Mystique, will sail from Miami to San Juan October 25 – November 3, 2021, calling on Great Exuma and Man of War Bay, Inagua Island, Bahamas; White Bay and Great Harbor (overnight) on Jost Van Dyke, and Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands; Gustavia, St. Barts; and Saba, Netherlands; concluding in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Reservations are now open for Expedition Yachting: Caribbean Mystique.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for U.S. travelers to experience Crystal Endeavor during her inaugural season from a port close to home and this new Caribbean itinerary is designed to offer just what luxury travellers are seeking – exclusive experiences and active outdoor pursuits in fascinating locales delivered with the greatest care and service,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal.
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Calls in idyllic yachting havens and remote unspoiled isles of the Caribbean, highlighted by unique adventures including hiking the lush mountains of Saba and explorations in UNESCO-listed Inagua National Park where West Indian flamingos and a variety of bird life await travellers. Guests will also enjoy clear aquamarine waters, stunning sea caves, powder sand beaches, and volcanic isles as well as a host of activities from swimming, snorkeling, and diving, to hiking, birdwatching, Zodiac tours, sea kayaking and more.
“Because of the size of Crystal Endeavor, we are able to explore rare, off-the-beaten path destinations, for example on this voyage, Great Inagua has no natural harbour so cruise ships cannot call there, but Crystal Endeavor will position in Man of War Bay and launch Zodiacs from the ship’s own marina,” Anderson said. “Visiting these special places is a privilege we undertake with great responsibility and Crystal Endeavor has been designed with eco-friendly features including dynamic positioning that enables her to remain in place using GPS and thrusters rather than dropping anchor to protect delicate ocean reefs.”
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Swimming with the pigs of Major Cay is a favourite experience as well as a fantastic photo op off Great Exuma, where crystal-clear waters offer fantastic swimming, snorkeling and kayaking from the ship’s marina. On Great Inagua, 45% of the island is devoted to Great Inagua National Park, a haven for bird species including West Indian flamingos, Bahama parrots, Inagua Woodstar hummingbirds, snowy and reddish egrets, tricolored herons, brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills and more.
“We’re excited to continue the momentum of our partnership with Crystal Cruises,” said Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation. “Inagua and Great Exuma are very special places for outdoor enthusiasts and off-the-beaten-path relaxation. The first offers visitors uninterrupted natural beauty and seclusion, and the latter is renowned for its footprint-free beaches and 365 emerald-green cays stretching as far as the eye can see.”
Crystal is enticing travellers 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. All-inclusive cruise fares for the new October 25th Expedition Yachting: Caribbean Mystique start at USD 13,999 per guest, including limited-time Book Now Savings of USD 3,000 and As You Wish shipboard credits of USD 300 per guest. Returning guests will enjoy double Crystal Society Savings of 5%, while new-to-Crystal guests will save 2.5% on their voyage, with solo fares starting at just 150%. Travellers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these sailings.
The German-built 20,200 GRT Crystal Endeavor is the ninth ship in the award-winning cruise line’s worldwide fleet and is the fastest and most powerful expedition ship in the industry. At 100 gross tons and 10,000 cubic feet per guest and a guest space ratio of more than 100, she has the largest space per guest of any ship at sea. Luxuriously designed to offer discerning travellers elegantly expansive private and public spaces, the ship accommodates just 200 guests in 100 well-appointed all-verandah, all-butler serviced suites, among the largest and most spacious in expedition cruising.
Crystal Endeavor has also been designed with a cadre of ecologically minded features, state-of-the-art technology and systems that demonstrate extreme care to navigate the oceans and waterways of the world in the most responsible manner possible. As part of its responsible cruising efforts, the company has equipped Crystal Endeavor to connect to shore power while in port, cleans exhaust emissions through a Selective Catalytic Reductant system and utilizes state-of-the-art FarSounder 1000 technology allowing the captain and bridge officers to detect sea life and underwater objects far in advance and navigate appropriately, with 3-D imaging of the terrain up to 1,000 meters ahead and 50 meters deep – just a few examples of the yacht’s environmental best practices elements and the company’s commitment to eco-friendly world exploration.
