Silversea Cruises has received court approval for the purchase of the ultra-luxury cruise ship Crystal Endeavor.
Originally delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2021, the ship will be renamed Silver Endeavour when it officially joins the Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary later this month.
The purchase price for the vessel was $275 million and was fully financed through a 15-year unsecured term loan, guaranteed by the German export credit agency, Euler Hermes, with no amortization payments in the first two years.
The fifth expedition ship in Silversea’s fleet of 11, the vessel is scheduled to begin service in winter 2022/2023, spending its inaugural season in Antarctica starting November 2022.
“With Endeavour, we are seeking to grow our world-class fleet to meet the exceptional demand for ultra-luxury expedition cruising, while also enhancing our profitability profile and affirming Silversea’s position as the industry’s leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line,” said Jason Liberty, president and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Group.
Built to PC6 polar class specifications, the ship can operate all of Silversea’s current expedition itineraries and is designed to take travellers to remote destinations, including both polar regions.
As part of the ongoing RCL Cares program, Royal Caribbean Group will protect the deposits of guests who were originally booked on Crystal Endeavor and make a new booking on one of its brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
To the extent the Crystal Endeavor guests do not receive their deposits back from Crystal or other sources, the Royal Caribbean Group will refund any amount paid on their new booking up to the number of their lost deposits from Crystal.
Norwegian Prima Year Built: 2022 Capacity: 3,215 guests Status: Under construction Location: Marghera, Italy
Nearing the completion of its construction, the Norwegian Prima recently returned from the first set of sea trials. With its first cruise now scheduled in September, the vessel is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
Norwegian Encore Year Built: 2019 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
The Norwegian Encore is currently sailing a summer program in Alaska. Based in Seattle, the vessel is offering weekly departures to Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay.
Norwegian Bliss Year Built: 2018 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
In Alaska for the summer, the Norwegian Bliss is offering week-long cruises departing from Seattle. The ship’s regular itinerary includes Victoria, Ketchikan, the Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Sitka.
Norwegian Joy Year Built: 2017 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Bermuda
Based in New York City, the Norwegian Joy is offering a series of cruises to Bermuda. The seven-night itineraries include a visit to Norfolk and a three-day stop in King’s Wharf.
Norwegian Escape Year Built: 2015 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Escape is currently sailing varied itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Departing from Italy, the seven- to 11-night cruises feature visits to ports in Greece, Croatia, Malta, Montenegro and more.
Norwegian Getaway Year Built: 2014 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Caribbean
Returning to North America after a short season in the Baltic, the Norwegian Getaway recently kicked off a summer program in the Caribbean. Sailing from Port Canaveral, the vessel is offering seven-night cruises to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and the Dominican Republic.
Norwegian Breakaway Year Built: 2013 Capacity: 4,000 guests Status: In service Location: Western Caribbean
Based in Miami, the Norwegian Breakaway is sailing a rotating schedule of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
Norwegian Epic Year Built: 2010 Capacity: 4,200 guests Status: In service Location: Western Mediterranean
Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
Another Norwegian ship in Europe, the Norwegian Gem is currently positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering cruises to ports such as Trieste, Dubrovnik, Corfu and Santorini.
Norwegian Jade Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Eastern Mediterranean
The Norwegian Jade is currently based in Piraeus for a series of cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey that includes visits to Istanbul, Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini and more.
Norwegian Pearl Year Built: 2006 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: East Coast
Based in Boston, the Norwegian Pearl is offering week-long cruises to Bermuda and Maine.
Norwegian Jewel Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,400 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
Pride of America Year Built: 2005 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Hawaii
As the industry’s only large U.S.-flagged cruise ship, the Pride of America continues to offer its year-round schedule of Hawaii cruises. Sailing from Honolulu, the vessel’s regular itinerary includes visits to Kahului, Hilo, Kailua Kona and Nawiliwili.
Norwegian Dawn Year Built: 2002 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
The Norwegian Dawn is presently in Northern Europe for a series of Baltic cruises. Leaving from Stockholm and Copenhagen, the itineraries feature visits to Finland, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden and more.
Norwegian Star Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,200 guests Status: In service Location: Northern Europe
Based in Reykjavik, the Norwegian Star is presently offering a series of cruises to Iceland and Greenland.
Norwegian Sun Year Built: 2001 Capacity: 2,002 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
After hitting a growler in late June, the Norwegian Sun recently resumed its program of five- to nine-night cruises in Alaska.
Norwegian Spirit Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Alaska
As the last ship to resume service for Norwegian Cruise Line, the Norwegian Spirit welcomed guests back in May. Before arriving in Alaska – where it’s currently sailing – the 1999-built vessel offered itineraries to the South Pacific and Hawaii.
Norwegian Sky Year Built: 1999 Capacity: 2,000 guests Status: In service Location: Miami, Florida
The Norwegian Sky is in Miami today for yet another short cruise to the Bahamas. The three-night sailing includes visits to Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay – Norwegian’s private island destination in the region.
The list includes the SuperStar Libra, another cruise ship formerly operated by Star Cruises.
The 1988-built vessel arrived at Aliaga in May, following a four-year stint serving as a floating hotel at a Genting-owned shipyard.
After leaving Southeast Asia along with the Star Pisces, two additional ex-Star Cruises, the SuperStar Gemini and the SuperStar Aquarius were also expected to arrive at scrapyards soon.
The vessels, however, sailed to Sri Lanka, where, according to local news reports, they are set to spend a month in lay-up.
