Crystal Esprit

History and name

Crystal Esprit sailed for Crystal Yacht Cruises from 2015 to 2021. The yacht could accommodate 62 passengers. The vessel was previously known as MegaStar Taurus and Aurora I. Crystal Yacht Cruises announced voyages under the name Crystal Esprit starting in December 2015. In September 2021, the vessel was sold to Lindblad Expeditions and renamed National Geographic Islander II.

A yacht concept for exploration

In December 2015, Crystal described Esprit as a yacht designed to combine excursions on the water with trips ashore. Its maiden voyage was then imminent, and the cruise line named the Seychelles, the Emirates and the Mediterranean as its destinations. When Esprit joined Crystal’s fleet at the end of 2015, it was the company’s first new vessel in twelve years. Crystal announced that accommodations would consist exclusively of penthouse suites. For activities, the yacht featured a retractable marina, providing direct access to water sports and excursions.

For excursions on the water, guests could use Zodiacs with seating for ten each, as well as a 32-foot Wider tender boat that could carry twelve people. One of the most unusual offerings was a small submarine, which could take two guests in addition to its operator. In December 2015, Crystal announced approximately 30-minute underwater excursions in the C-Explorer submarine, priced at US$599 per person at the time. According to the 2015 announcement, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaks, jet skis, and fishing and snorkeling equipment were available at no extra charge. Equipment was allocated on a first-come, first-served basis; submarine excursions were a separate, paid offering. Kayaks were available in single and tandem versions. The announced marina facilities also included a swimming area cordoned off in the sea.

Excursions on land and at sea

Crystal presented the onboard activities as a complement to destinations ashore. Zip-line excursions were listed for the Seychelles, culinary tours for Greece, and Croatia offered scenic flights in aerobatic aircraft. Bicycles were also intended to let guests explore places independently.