The world’s most awarded luxury cruise line is offering intrepid travelers the ultimate Northern European escape with its July 8 voyage through the North Cape and Arctic Circle. Crystal Cruises’ 18-day itinerary from Reykjavík to London/Dover is packed with wish list-worthy experiences – in Norway’s ancient caves, behind the scenes of the Russian Gulag, on Iceland’s whale feeding grounds and under the midnight sun – and destinations including new calls along Russia’s White Sea and Norway’s spectacular fjords.
Enhancing the new adventures ashore, the voyage – hosted by new Crystal Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay aboard Crystal Symphony – will feature special receptions and celebrations on board in commemoration of the line’s 25th Anniversary, as well as the recent announcement of Crystal’s expansion under the new ownership of Genting Hong Kong (GHK). In addition, Crystal’s President and CEO Edie Rodriguez will join for a section of the itinerary to formally introduce Chairman Thay to Crystal’s beloved guests as well as participate and attend the special festivities.
“This itinerary offers in-depth and immersive experiences in some of the world’s famously remote and most breathtaking locales, with new opportunities and destinations for even the most seasoned travelers,” says Rodriguez. “We are thrilled that our newly-appointed chairman will experience a Crystal voyage that perfectly blends the inherently rugged and far-away adventure of such destinations with unmatched luxury at sea.”
With overnights in Reykjavík, Iceland and Leknes, Norway, maiden visits to Solovetsky and Zayatsky Islands, Russian Federation and Narvik, Bodø and Øye/Hjørundfjord, Norway; and stops in Murmansk, Russia and Geiranger and Bergen, Norway; and Akureyri, Iceland, plus cruising through Honningsvåg, North Cape, the voyage affords ample opportunity for adventurous and fascinating cultural pursuits ashore. Among the more than three dozen brand new Crystal Adventures are:
Spying blue fin, humpback, minke and sei whales in their feeding grounds on Iceland’s Eyjafjordur Fjord (from Akureyri); and beluga whales along the White Sea Coast (from Zayatsky Islands);
Exploring Russia’s original Gulag prison camp, UNESCO-designated Solovetsky Monastery, that set the tone for the Kremlin’s prison system, plus the rustic beauty of the Holy Lake and Prosperity Bay (from Solovetsky);
Midnight horseback riding on the beach or golfing at the seaside Lofoten Golf Links, both illuminated by the Arctic sun in Leknes;
Close encounters with the wild brown bears, wolves, polar foxes, reindeer and moose that reside at the world’s northernmost zoo, Narvik’s Polar Park;
Pivotal World War II sites including Narvik’s battleground between the Germans and Allies and War Memoriam Museum, plus Murmansk’s impressive wartime fleets and the cemetery dedicated to the Allied soldiers who brought Arctic convoys to Russia’s shores;
Rugged Norwegian mountain biking adventures, one from 3,000 above sea level down to UNESCO World Heritage Site Geirangerfjord, another along the “roof of Bergen,” Mt. Fløyen, where the terrain offers spectacular views.
Crystal’s all-inclusive luxury voyages start at $1,485 per person if booked by the June 30 “Book Now” deadline.
Crystal Cruises is the world’s most awarded leading luxury cruise provider, having earned more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history. Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 21 years; voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 19-consecutive years; the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso; and both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were rated as two of the “Top 5 mid-size ships” by the 2015 Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships.
