Discovery Deluxe is going head to head

The discovery and expedition market is growing fast, and at the top head to head.

by Earl of Cruise

Rendering of deluxe SCENIC ECLIPSE - courtesy SCENIC CRUISES

rendering of Crystal Endeavor in Antarctica

Rendering of deluxe CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR - courtesy CRYSTAL CRUISES

rendering of Ponant´s new buildings, expedition cruisers deluxe

Rendering and description of PONANT´s new deluxe LE LAPÉROUSE, LE CHAMPLAIN, LE BOUGAINVILLE and LE KERGUELEN - courtesy PONANT

SCENIC CRUISES, CRYTAL CRUISES and PONANT anounced new de luxe expedition ships. SCENIC the SCENIC ECLIPSE, CRYSTAL the CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR and PONANT its four French endeavourers - LE LAPÉROUSE, LE CHAMPLAIN, LE BOUGAINVILLE and LE KERGUELEN. While SCENIC has an option for a second vessel CRYSTAL seems to check the market, while they slow a bit down in their growing strategy. And it looks like - we have to have the more luxurious expedition vessel, as of our self claimed position at the top ...

All six vessels aim for the sophisticated travellers or cruisers, who have good filled `portemonais´ filled with coins to spend.

Another tour and cruise operator, the self proclaimed "top of the luxury" HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES, is building two vessels for the same market, but won´t reach the level that is set by SCENIC at first, toped by CRYSTAL and still underneath the level of the French offer.

SCENIC and CRYSTAL have lesser desisity than PONANT and far less from that of HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES. The HURTIGRUTEN newbuilds will have in comparision a cramped condition on board, and can´t be named in any way luxurious.

The expedition and especially the luxury expedition market is fast a growing cruise segment in the mainly volume oriented international cruise market. It turns out that the luxury expedition seems to be the hotest market in the industry. This year four lines have announced newbuilds for this market.

Of the three top offers we will see 2018 the first luxury expedition vessel, which is by far the better luxury offer than the REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES, SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER offer, or that from HAPAG-LLOYD, EUROPA 2 and the two expedition cruises newbuilds.

But undoubtedy, the sexiest and most exciting are the two new polar vessels: SCENIC ECLIPSE and CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR, with PONANT’s chic new foursome coming up the rear.

When CRYSTAL announced their new offering, Australians gulped. Wasn’t it almost exactly like Aussie ship-builder Glen Moroney’s SCENIC ECLIPSE, announced some months before?

The helicopters … the submarines … the special safetly features. Even the superstructure – with the exception that SCENIC ECLIPSE is black and CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR is white.

Mr Moroney was stoically saying nothing. CRYSTAL maintained the designs were definately CRYSTAL inspired.

Space, the room per passenger is the benchmark to luxury. But too the service and the quality of food and drinks.

Looking at the figures below, you may think PONANT´s newbuild are out of shape for the deluxe expedition market. It looks like, but perhaps - cabins can be interchanged (two into one) - their food quality will beat ...

So how do they stack up? I went behind the renderings to find out.

	Size		Passenger	Crew	Cabin Size
PONANT	131 m	10,000 GT	184	110	min 18 square metres
SCENIC ECLIPSE	165 m	16,500 GT	228	228	min 32 square metres
CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR	183 m	25,000 GT	200	200	min 37 square metres
Technology
PONANT	Ice Class ranked, equipped with latest environmental preservation technology
SCENIC ECLIPSE	Custom-built stabilisers that are 50% larger than other ships, state of the art fins to adjust to large swells, ice strengthened hulls with Polar Class 6 (Ice Class 1A Super) rating
CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR	PC6 Polar Class rating, state of the art offshore dynamic positioning technology to maintain position and float over reefs without dropping anchor
Top cabin
PONANT	Not yet released. Sister ship Le Lyrial has 67 square metre Owner’s Suite with private balcony, Jacuzzi bath, two flat screen TVs and 24 hour room service
SCENIC ECLIPSE	Two-bedroom Penthouse Suite. 233 square metres with private terrace, Jacuzzi, spa bath, spa day bed for in-suite treatments, dual steam shower with light therapy, two walk in wardrobes, dining table for 10, library, fully stocked wine bar and personalised mini bar replenished daily and butler service
CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR	Owner’s Suite. 290 square metres with three bedrooms, private conservatory, garden, Jacuzzi, spa and gym with sauna and steam room, and butler service
Onboard toys
PONANT	Zodiac fleet, Infinity-Pool, variable Marina used as wassersports plattform and mini-landing station, Kajak, Paddle Board (SUP), diving, snorkeling, water skiing
SCENIC ECLIPSE	Two twin-engine six-seater helicopters, a seven-seat submarine, fleet of zodiacs
CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR	Two helicopters, two seven-seat submarines, eight zodiacs, jet skis, waverunners, recompression chamber for scuba diving, dive support tender, multi-person ATV, SEABOB underwater scooters, Remote Operated Vehicle to see underwater wrecks
Facilities
PONANT	Panorama restaurant, Grillrestaurant
SCENIC ECLIPSE	Six dining options, retractable roof heated pool, plunge pools, gym, yoga and pilates studios, 450 square metre spa, theatre
CRYSTAL ENDEAVOR	Six dining options, lecture rooms, cinema, infinity pool, Jacuzzis, 930 square metre spa and fitness area

Comments

Ocean Liners in Movies or Films at Sea (updated Nov 2017)

For liners and the shipping companies movies and films had been a top marketing tool Movies or Films and liners at sea, had been intriguing me since I have read about in my youth in LUXUSLINER - BILDER EINER GROSSEN ZEIT by Lee Server ( THE GOLDEN AGE OF OCEAN LINERS ). But earlier, mot only since my first crossing, I was keen watching movies with liners in it, and disapointed, which was an understatement, when I realized the films have been made in a set ashore in some movie "factory". That was after my first crossing. by Earl of Cruise an essay in progress `Sabrina´, Humphrey Bogart in the office, while LIBERTÉ is sailing out of New York harbor - screenshot Ocean liners, especially those of the luxury category, had been the location of dramas, love stories, thrillers, suspense and catastrophies sinde film was born, or nearly. In this list, the most descriptions are taken from Wikipedia, as I guess no one can expect having seen all these films ... otherwise I w...

HISTORY - The CUNARD - WHITE STAR Liner rms QUEEN ELIZABETH (1938-1972)

Over years, in my early youth, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was shaping my mind for the perfect ocean liner, despite having made my first experiences with a liner onboard the HANSEATIC (1), ex EMPRESS OF SCOTLAND, ex EMPRESS OF JAPAN. When leaning at the rail of HANSEATIC entering the port, my eyes where every where and I wished to by a camera, I took all in. And when seeing the QUEEN ELIZABETH with my own eyes, the nice behaving young boy turned into a tomboy, that my grandmére was no longer able to tame ... I did draw quite a lot of looks, back then. I found, while on research, this article and thought it interesting publishing in my blog: written and published by John Sheperd at liverpoolships.org editing and comments by Earl of Cruise I ( John Shepard ) joined the CUNARD LINE in March 1962 as an Assistant Purser and sailed the QUEEN ELIZABETH throughout that year, before transferring to the Liverpool-based CARINTHIA in November, where I remained as Crew Purser for the next five...

HISTORY - ts / ss BREMEN and ts / ss EUROPA

Germany’s two luxury liners, BREMEN and EUROPA , have not only played an important part in their country’s mercantile revival, but have added also an immortal chapter to the history of transatlantic travel. Copy from Shipping Wonders of the World From part 6 , published 17 March 1936 editing by Earl of Cruise ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: Shipping Wonders of the World/Bundespresse Archiv The PRIDE OF A NATION - the NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD quadruple-screw turbine express liner BREMEN . The keel of this ship was laid in June 1927. Her launch took place in August, 1928. In less than a year later, the Bremen made her first voyage to America, when she crossed the Atlantic from Cherbourg to New York in four days seventeen hours forty-two minutes, thus setting up a new record and gaining the coveted “Blue Riband”. During the passage the Bremen attained an average speed of 27.83 knots. ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: W ikipedia For the pop...

HISTORY - FRENCH LINE - COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE, a review - Part II Belle Epoque

The COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE, known since the Belle Epoque as FRENCH LINE in the English speaking world (or TRANSAT or CGT), had its origins in 1861. by Earl of Cruise E mperor Napoléon III. wanted strengthening the French primacy on the oceans and an adequate mail line for the French mail. The 1855 established COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE MARITIME of the Péreire brothers was the core for the new company. This company´s headquarter was, as any major business in France, situated in Paris, while the homeport of the vessels had been Le Havre for the North Atlantic and Marseille for the route to the Orient and Africa. Houseflag of COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE S.A. - soure: ebay "On limited space, we put our country on display", a crewmember declared once. And no other line put in more of its national personality into its product than COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE . After the French - Prussian/German war of 1870/71 France had to sig...

Thank You 500,000 readers

ss NORMANDIE 1935-1942 XIII - Le NORMANDIE the great triumph and tragic end of the greatest ship of France

NORMANDIE at sea - courtsey coloured by Daryl LeBlanc Le NORMANDIE , the greates ship of France, was a great triumph for the French industry, economy the most gracious ambassador of France - a symbol of cultur and Savoir de Vivre. NORMANDIE never surppassed by any liner. But whom the gods love, they beat him to a tragic ending. In case of NORMANDIE the gods let do their dirty job by careless, ignorant and arrogant US Navy officials and their sub contractors. by Earl of Cruise NORMANDIE had 4 years of living and the chance to bring Glitz, Glamour and Luster into a world that was just in front of an abyss since October 1929. Sailing with NORMANDIE , created to cater primarily the First Clas clientele, and enjoying life on board seems to me today, as a Dance on the Volcano, that errupted in 1939. Longitudinal cutaway of PARIS - own collection copy from a CGT broshure ÎLE DE FRANCE , Cie Gle TRANSATLANTIQUE provoking ART DÉCO liner - own collection ...

Design - Call me FRANCE again - will the mythical ship be back at sea

Le FRANCE, the famous and mythical French ocean liner, will he be back at sea again? President Charles De Gaulle claimed, during the christening ( by Yvonne de Gaulle ) ceremony May 11th, 1960, that FRANCE III is a true revival of glamorous NORMANDIE ... Those having sailed on NORMANDIE and had the luck of experiencing his grandeur and then top luxuries on board, named FRANCE "vulgar" ... as my aunt and others able to compare. Didier Spade, a French naval architect and businessman, connected to FRANCE via his father´s and grandfather´s engagement in the outfitting of the famous and last French Transatlantic liner, created a new interpretation of the famous and still loved FRANCE. by Earl of Cruise Didier Spade´s vision of the Nouveau FRANNCE - courtesy Mer et Marine When FRANCE was purchsed by visionairy Kloster, the once liner lost its character after the transforming into the then biggest cruise vessel. What was left was only a last glance of the 1950/60s design ...

ss NORMANDIE 1935 - 1942 IX

s s / te NORMANDIE starting from cold Owners: COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE BUILDERS: PENH Ö ET, St. Nazaire, France by Stephen Carey © , editing by Earl of Cruise This document is almost exclusively about the engineering aspects of NORMANDIE , mainly on how to start her up from cold. If you are looking for photos of the passenger spaces, there is a plethora of them on the web, in Facebook groups - Admirers of the ss Normandie , ss Normandie photographic file , The French Ocean Liners / Les Paquebots Fran ç ais , ss Normandie , GREAT LINERS OF THE PAST & PRESENT , and others, Pinterest and in articles about NORMANDIE here in the blog, please see at the end of the article. Using "ss" for NORMANDIE is quite incorrect, as NORMANDIE was a Turbo Electric vessel and not a steamship, therefore NORMANDIE should be adressed as "te". by Earl of Cruise te / ss NORMANDIE berthed in Le Havre, Gare Maritime May 29th, 1935 - colouring courtesy ...

Britain s Sleeper Trains - Enjoy a Revival

A revival of British Sleeper Trains is coming to enjoy us. by Alexander Naughton, editing by Earl of Cruise Sleeper Trains epitomise the romance of travel and have a magic touch and cosmopolitan spirit to them as you go to sleep in one location and wake up refreshed in another. They are convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly ways to travel. These lifeline trains allow people to make connections – for business, leisure and family – in a way that no other mode of transport can. In recent years, sleeper trains in Britain have experienced a great revival in their fortunes. Photo: Travel poster of LMS Night Scot sleeper train from London to Scotland Photo: Travel poster of LNER Night Scotsman sleeper train from London to Scotland However this is in direct contrast to what is happening with sleeper trains in Continental Europe where they seem to be in decline due to the advent of low cost air travel, development of high speed rail, lack of inves...

HISTORY - rms MAJESTIC - Hand in Hand with rms TITANIC

TITANIC and MAJESTIC (1890), both Royal Mail Ships, hand in hand? How so? The review of João Martins will show. by João Martins , editing by Earl of Cruise And WHITE STAR LINE was more than only a shipping line which employed rms TITANIC. WHITE STAR was company with a great heritage and introduced many innovations which became standards. Founded by Thomas Henry Ismay , originally from Maryport, and shareholders amoung whom had been HARLAND&WOLFF . Later the Irish shipbuilder, located in Belfast, built all ships for WHITE STAR. rms MAJESTIC as built by HARLAND&WOLFF - Sour ce: Wikipedia ( original seize ) T he rms MAJESTIC was a 9,965 GRT British ocean liner built by HARLAND & WOLFF for WHITE STAR LINE and completed in 1890. Her career was profoundly intertwined with rms TITANIC. In the late 1880s competition for the Blue Riband, the award for the fastest Atlantic crossing, was fierce amongst the major shipping lines. At the time the prize belonged to CUNA RD...

Search This Blog

Thank You 500,000 readers