By
Alex Smith |
Crystal Expedition Cruises has welcomed its new expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, to its fleet in an official christening ceremony at MV Werften’s shipyard in Straslund, Germany.
Almost 100 people attended the ceremony, including Colin Au, group president of Crystal Cruises’ parent company Genting Hong Kong; Bernie Leypold, senior vice president of hotel operations for Crystal Cruises; Peter Fetten, president and CEO of MV Werften; and Peter Altmaier, Germany’s minister for economic affairs and energy.
Keith Cox, vice president of entertainment for Crystal, hosted the event, which began with the German national anthem. After a musical performance by German soloist Carina Smerdon Kärcher, the ship was christened by godmother Manuela Schwesig, the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
“Crystal Endeavor’s naming ceremony is a sign of Germany’s relaunch as a shipbuilding location and I am honored to be named godmother,” said Prime Minister Schwesig. “The employees at MV Werften have successfully driven the transformation process from container ship production via special-purpose shipbuilding to cruise ship construction in the last few years, demonstrating that even under difficult circumstances they can achieve top performances.”
Crystal Endeavor will accommodate up to 200 guests in 100 suites, all of which have verandas and are serviced by a butler. Dining venues include Japanese restaurant Umi Uma and Italian restaurant Prego. Other onboard features include a two-storey solarium housing the Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi, the Crystal Life Salon and Spa and a wrap-around Promenade Deck. A selective catalytic reductant system has been installed on the ship, which has also been equipped to connect to shore power while in port.
“Today is a landmark day as we christen Crystal Endeavor, the first and only polar class six expedition yacht to be made in Germany,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, chairman of Genting Hong Kong. “She combines the finest attributes of the award-winning Crystal Experience with unmatched technical capabilities including the most installed power per gross ton for any cruise ship at over 13 megawatts.”
Crystal Endeavor will begin sailing on 17 July with five 10-night voyages around Iceland from the capital Reykjavik. She will then depart on 5 September on a 10-night cruise from Reykjavik to Tromsø in Norway.