Ancient maritime traditions, high-tech flourishes, fireworks and a live band marked the keel-laying ceremony for Crystal Endeavor Aug. 21 in at MV Werften in Stralsund, Germany.
The 200-guest Crystal Endeavor is the first newbuild in the Crystal Expedition Yacht Cruises’ fleet and will join the 62-guest Crystal Esprit in 2020.
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The keel-laying is an important construction milestone. No less than German Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in the ceremony, along with Crystal President and CEO Tom Wolber, Genting Hong Kong’s Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, and other dignitaries.
As with most shipyard events, pride of ownership was especially visible in the hundreds of shipyard workers standing on the sidelines. They filled the vast dry dock in a sea of blue “Team Endeavor” shirts.
“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,” Wolber said. “I am honored 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.”
In prepared remarks, Merkel noted her ties to the region and the economic boost from shipbuilding.
“The keel-laying for Crystal Endeavor here in my political hometown of Stralsund marks a special moment for me that is doubly significant,” Merkel said. “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.”
She also seemed duly impressed with the whole concept of a luxury expedition cruising.
“Crystal Endeavor, a vessel that will start in Australia and land in New Zealand,” Merkel noted. “An ice-going vessel that will take people to the most remote cities. Polar ice class with huge cabins. I’ve seen all the images and I wish I could take a voyage on the vessel. Maybe when it is finished we can have another look inside.”
Crystal officials said the Chancellor will be most welcome to experience the finished product.
“Crystal Endeavor is a great name,” Merkel said. “I wish you great ideas for the design. Strong nerves if things don’t go as you wanted. But one thing I can promise is the people here in Straslund will give you value. This is a city that was born by the sea and emphasizes open ideas. The town is behind the shipyard and will support this project.”
The world’s largest purpose-built polar class ship, Crystal Endeavor will feature 100 suites. The largest suite category, Crystal Penthouse Suites, will feature one- or two-bedroom layouts and separate dining rooms. All suites will include butler service, king-size beds, iPads, walk-in closets, heated storage for drying parkas and heated bathroom floors.
Six dining venues include Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma.
The ship’s inaugural season will take place from August 2020 through January 2021. It will sail voyages of 12 to 22 days to destinations that include Japan and the Russian Far East; Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines; New Zealand and Tasmania; Australia and the Great Barrier Reef; and Antarctica.
Today, however, was about ceremony. Merkel and the other dignitaries placed 88 U.S. dollars and 88 euros into a keel block. Eighty-eight is a lucky number in Asia, where Crystal owner Genting is based.
The group also affixed a commemorative plaque into the keel, with Merkel donning a screwdriver. To conclude the ceremony, a complement of the yard’s apprentices gathered on stage. They asked Merket to join them and presented her with an engraved shipbuilder tool.
It read, “Everything in line,” a shipbuilding credo. Merkel accepted it graciously, vowing to use it as a reminder to “keep everything in line,” in her job.
A Crystal cruise, perhaps, may be just what she needs.
