Crystal Cruises’ expansion into a complete luxury brand is becoming reality. Crystal Yacht Cruises debuted Dec. 20, 2015 with the christening of the Crystal Esprit. This ultra-luxury, extravagantly appointed yacht set sail on Dec. 23 on her maiden voyage in the Seychelles. Crystal Yacht Cruises provides new dimensions in luxury and intimacy with its seven-day voyages.
More About Crystal Esprit
Providing luxury yet also outfitted for adventure, the Crystal Esprit calls on ports never visited before by Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
The Crystal Esprit features all-suite accommodations, handling 62 guests based on double occupancy. With 91 crew members onboard, there is a 1.47 guest to crew ratio. This intimate yacht is approximately 3,341 gross registered tons and 279.5 feet long, with a cruising speed of 12.5 knots.
All suites have butler service, Wi-Fi, 42-inch flat-screen TVs and lounge area. They also have a fully stocked minibar fridge and a fully customizable bedside iPad for bookings and daily announcements. The Owner’s Suite is 515 square feet, 28 Yacht Suites are280 square feet, with two others at 223 square feet. Also provided are twice-a-day housekeeping along with evening turndown service, and ETRO bath products and amenities.
Immersive Experiences – Diving Into Destinations and Waters Below
Photo Courtesy of Crystal Cruises
The Crystal Esprit offers guests at least one complimentary excursion in every port. They include ziplining through the dense forest in Ephelia from Mahe, Seychelles and hiking and river rafting in Parga, Greece.
Crystal Adventures offered with the Crystal Esprit’s voyages include dozens of exciting, diverse shore experiences embracing the waters, mountains, beaches and skies. And they have all been expertly designed with the desires of yacht travelers in mind.
Water activities are not limited to ones ashore. The Crystal Esprit is equipped with a marina, two 10-passenger zodiacs, and a 12-passenger Wider 32-foot sport yacht tender. Also provided are water skis, wakeboard, ocean kayaks, jet skis and snorkel equipment.
Perhaps the most unique amenity is the yacht’s three person submarine. With its own captain, the submarine accommodates two guests for a sea excursion. Cost is $599 per person for 30 minutes.
Photo Courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Dining – Wide Array of Culinary Choices
Guests can enjoy Michelin Star-level dining in The Yacht Club Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Terrace and Patio Cafe, an outdoor extension of The Yacht Club Restaurant, provides another option. Freshly prepared presentations of small plates, cheeses, pastries, creative salads are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Sunset Bar & Grill features a menu of wraps and burgers. And location permitting, “global street food” is served tapas-style, all reflecting the destinations visited.
The Pantry, open 24 hours a day, is a self-service bistro and wine bar offering a selection of freshly baked pastries and light snacks along with coffees and wines. The Cove is the premier gathering place to enjoy a drink, share stories and dance.
Photo Courtesy of Crystal Cruises
More on Crystal’s Growth
Crystal River Cruises debuts in July 2016 with the inauguration of its first luxury river yacht, the Crystal Mozart, which will begin sailing the Danube River. Five river yachts will grace the waterways of Europe and include such amenities as a full walk-around deck, indoor pool, spa and salon.
Continuing the expansion into a complete luxury brand are Crystal Exclusive class ocean cruises starting in late 2018 and Crystal Luxury Air in 2017.
Crystal Cruises has earned more “World’s Best” accolades that any other resort, hotel or cruise line.
Photo Courtesy of Crystal Cruises
Crystal Yacht Cruises for Intimate Groups
Crystal Yacht Cruises provides even more group options to consider, especially when it comes to intimate and active experiences. During spring, summer and fall of 2016, the Crystal Esprit sails on Mediterranean/Adriatic cruises. Her seven-day voyages provide more than 30 diverse itineraries cruising to destinations only accessible to smaller vessels. Since ports on consecutive cruises are not repeated, combining two yacht cruises as a way to expand the vacation for your group is another plus to consider.
