Crystal's luxury polar-class expedition cruise ship will be delivered by early 2020
By
Rebecca Gibson |
MV Werften laid the keel for Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Endeavor – the world’s largest luxury polar-class expedition yacht – during a ceremony at its yard in Straslund, Germany on 21 August.
The yard held a traditional coin ceremony to mark the construction milestone, which was attended by Tom Wolber, Crystal president and CEO; Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of Genting Hong Kong (Crystal’s parent company); and hundreds of employees wearing matching ‘Team Endeavor’ shirts. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, and Minister of Economic Affairs Harry Glawe were also there.
“A unique ship is being created at our Stralsund shipyard, the only one of its kind worldwide,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “We are pleased that after two years of design, we are now able to celebrate the keel laying of Crystal Endeavor, the most valuable ship to be built at the Stralsund shipyard so far. We have also invested more than €20 million (US$23 million) in the Stralsund shipyard in order to facilitate the construction of state-of-the-art cruise ships at this location.”
Around 1,000 people are expected to be involved in building the ship before she is delivered at the end of 2019 or early 2020.
"The construction of this sophisticated ship is progressing as planned,” said Peter Fetten, CEO of MV Werften. "Around 500 employees will be involved in the construction of Crystal Endeavor at the Stralsund site. In addition, around 500 skilled subcontractors will be brought in from outside of the company – creating sustainable value for the region.”
It is hoped that this construction project, and the others in MV Werften’s order book, will help to drive the growth of the region’s shipbuilding industry.
“The keel laying of Crystal Endeavor here in my political hometown of Stralsund marks a special moment for me that is doubly significant,” said Merkel. “Today, the foundation has been laid for this highly sophisticated, state-of-the-art cruise ship. But the ceremony itself, which is taking place in the lively shipyard with the participation of so many employees and trainees, also bodes well for the future of shipbuilding in the Hanseatic City of Stralsund and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.”
Designed to accommodate 200 guests in 100 suites with luxury fixtures and fittings, the 200,000gt Crystal Endeavor has the highest space ratio for any luxury expedition cruise ship. The vessel will also have six restaurants, a spa and fitness area, a two-storey enclosed aft sun deck with a pool, and multiple other amenities.
Crystal Endeavor will also be equipped with advanced navigation technology, mini-submarines, helicopters and Zodiacs, as well as designated areas for the preparation and storage of expedition equipment.
In the first six months of her inaugural season from August 2020 to January 2021, Crystal Endeavor will offer itineraries to Japan, the Russian Far East, New Zealand, Australia and the Ross Sea of the Antarctica.
“It is truly a thrill to mark this important milestone for Crystal Endeavor and the entire Crystal Family, as this yacht will change the way guests can explore the world both adventurously and luxuriously,” said Wolber. “I am honoured to share this occasion with Chancellor Merkel, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay and our special guests as well as the skilled workers of MV Werften who are building this game-changing ship.”