Following the news that A&K Travel Group Ltd., the parent company of Abercrombie & Kent, will restart the Crystal Cruises brand with the line’s original Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ships, Silversea Cruises has announced its acquisition of Crystal Endeavor.
Renamed Silver Endeavour, the expedition ship will resume operations in November. Silversea is also throwing a metaphorical life ring to former Crystal clients, as well, whose Endeavour bookings will be honored by Silversea’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Group.
“To honor the spirit of expedition travel, we have renamed the ship Silver Endeavour — paying testament to one of history’s most famous vessels,” said Barbara Muckermann, chief commercial officer for Silversea Cruises. “Onboard Silver Endeavour, travelers will channel the same sense of discovery that guided pioneering explorers, such as James Cook, in bygone eras.”
The acquisition expands Silversea’s expedition fleet to a total of five ships, also including Silver Explorer, Silver Cloud, Silver Origin and Silver Wind. When it begins sailing this year, Endeavour will replace Silver Explorer for the line’s planned 2022-2023 Antarctica season.
The expedition cruising industry is poised to resume accelerated growth, driven by demand among high-end, affluent customers for travel to remote and hard-to-access destinations.
“One of the most luxurious expedition ships afloat, Silver Endeavour will accelerate our strategy of growth, enriching our offering to unprecedented levels and reaffirming our position as the leading ultra-luxury expedition cruise line,” said Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “The expedition cruising industry is poised to resume accelerated growth, driven by demand among high-end, affluent customers for travel to remote and hard-to-access destinations. Silver Endeavour will strengthen our polar offering, further diversifying our broad-ranging product. With the ongoing support of Royal Caribbean Group, we are enhancing the cruise experience for our guests, unlocking the world’s most rewarding destinations in a way that only Silversea can.”
Initially constructed to PC6 polar-class specifications, Endeavour will maintain its robust set of adventure and luxury amenities encompassing Zodiacs, kayaks, a remote gimbal camera system and a crew-to-guest ratio of around 1-to-1.
Besides a repainted hull to match the latest Silversea livery, no other modifications to the ship have been revealed. Onboard offerings will still include all-suite accommodations; several choice restaurants, bars and lounges; an inviting spa; a double-decker solarium with a swimming pool and a whirlpool; and convenient indoor and outdoor observation areas.
“We are delighted to offer an additional incentive to all guests who were booked on the former Endeavor to experience the Silversea difference,” Martinoli said. “They are invited to sail on any Silversea ship from our beautiful fleet of 11.”
In fact, parent company Royal Caribbean Group will protect the deposits of clients originally reserved on Crystal Endeavor, transferring their booking to a new one on Silversea, or even corporate cousins Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean International.
What’s more, to the extent Crystal Endeavor guests do not receive their deposits back from Crystal (or other sources), Royal Caribbean Group will refund amounts paid on their new reservation up to the total lost on Crystal deposits.
Silver Endeavour bookings are now open, with the ability to make reservations for its next Antarctica season under Silver Explorer until the website reflects the ship change in the coming weeks.
