Crystal Cruises has added a collection of 24 new shore excursions for its 85-day ‘Grand Continental Odysseys’ voyage aboard Crystal Serenity. The ship embarks from Los Angeles on 13 January 2019 on a journey through the island paradises of Hawaii, Fiji and the South Pacific and wild coasts of Australia and New Zealand. More than 300 Crystal Adventures are available for guests on the world cruise, including 24 brand new options.
Among the fresh additions are kayaking in Namibia’s Pelican Point from Walvis Bay, a two-day excursion to visit South Africa’s big cats and crocodiles and a new Gorilla Tracking program through Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
In Australia, new for 2019 is an overnight “high adventure” categorised trip from Hobart exploring Tasmania’s east coast, on 11 February. The optional activity includes a helicopter flight to Port Arthur for a guided tour and free time to explore the historic site. After which, guests rejoin their helicopter for a flight over the spectacular Freycinet National Park, landing nearby and enjoying lunch at Freycinet Lodge. Guests have free time to hike or kayak, or view Wine Glass Bay, before retiring in the evening in a Deluxe Spa Cabin at Freycinet Lodge. The following day, guests take an overland transfer back to Hobart to rejoin Crystal Serenity.
The Port Arthur Historic Site & Freycinet National Park is US$3,289 per person twin share.
Kangaroo Island is an all-new addition for Crystal and the ultra-luxury line is offering a collection of options here on 14 February, including the:
- 4.5 hour foodie-trail that visits Clifford’s Honey Farm, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Island Pure Sheep Dairy – US$159 per person
- 4 hour Food & Wine tour to Islander Estate Vineyards, Kangaroo Island Brewery and Bay of Shoals Wines – US$159 per person
- 4 hour Pennington Bay & Seal Bay Conservation Park excursion, visiting Seal Bay Conservation Park – US$149 per person
- an extension of the food-trail, the 7.5 hour tour includes a tour and gourmet lunch at Islander Estate Vineyards – US$299 per person
- 8-hour 4WD Adventure to Seal Bay Conservation Park, a protected sanctuary to a colony of endangered Australian sea lions and Flinders Chase National Park for a BBQ lunch and to view the Remarkable Rocks – US$459 per person
On 18 February from Albany, Western Australia there are two new two-night Crystal Adventures:
- Tree Tops, Caves & Margaret River Wines which includes visits to the Tree Top Walk, Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, and four wineries in Margaret River (19 February) and two nights in the boutique country house, Cape Lodge Luxury Resort – a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia. Guests then travel to Busselton, visiting Busselton Jetty Underwater Walk and rejoin Crystal Serenity (20 February) in Fremantle.
US$3,599 per person twin share.
Busselton is another new port for Crystal and there are five Crystal Adventures available for guests to choose from on 19 February. They include:
- the 3.5 hour Margaret River for Sweet Tooths which visits Gabriel Chocolate, Margaret River Nougat and Candy Cow – US$89 per person
- the 4.5 hour Ngligi Cave & Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse – US$139 per person
- the 5 hour Margaret River Wine Tasting excursion – US$119 per person
- the 5 hour Lunch, Sports Cars & Gardens at Aravina Estate which includes a five-course meal and opportunity to view Perth businessman and sixth-generation West Australian, Steve Tobin’s collection of Australian muscle cars, vintage cars and motorcycles – US$359 per person
- and a 5.5 hour Foodies trail that includes Cape Naturaliste Vineyard for a behind-the-vineyards tour, Gabriel Chocolate, Cowaramup Brewery and a late lunch paired with local beers – US$259 per person.
Guests can pre-reserve excursions online through Crystal’s Priority Check-in & Planning Center.
While the full 2019 World Cruise is sold out, available segments can be booked by contacting Crystal.
Lead image – Port Arthur Historical Site