More than two years of planning. Another two years of anticipation. Countless hours of mentally preparing – packing, researching, imagining the unknown journey ahead.
Crystal’s Northwest Passage cruise is finally set to embark today as Crystal Serenity departs Seward, Alaska en route through one of the most elusive regions of the world. Captain Birger J. Vorland is pioneering this journey, accompanied by a host of accomplished expedition crew and officers, and even more specialized equipment and technology.
Crystal welcomes travel journalist Katie Jackson aboard the Northwest Passage cruise.
We’re ready. And we’re bringing you with us. Virtually, at least.
The ship is filled to capacity with travelers who just could not miss out on our first-ever expedition through the Northwest Passage, but there is more than enough room for everyone here on the Crystal Insider™. We’re thrilled to have travel journalist Katie Jackson (FoxNews.com, KatieTalksTravel.com) “joining the crew” for this voyage. Katie, an acclaimed writer and avid traveler, will be providing dispatches from the ship…or tundra, or zodiac, to help all of you indulge your wanderlust.
Follow along here, on the Crystal Insider™, for updates from the Arctic, as Katie shares her experiences discovering the undiscovered with approximately 1,000 of her fellow adventurers and new closest friends.
NOTE: If Katie’s dispatches inspire you to embark on the ultimate Crystal adventure (and we’re sure they will), the 2017 Northwest Passage voyage is open for booking.
Good day,
I have repeatedly advised Crystal Cruises that the individual webcam’s for all your vessels are not in sync at all. Bridge, s/board, port and the computer labs on the main vessels sometimes reflect different times and even different days.
It will be VERY disappointing if this is not rectified for this epic voyage for us to enjoy without being on board.
I did not even receive responses to my advices.
Please rectify ASAP please !
Brett Bachmann
Brett, thank you for letting us know. This matter has been reported to our IT department and is being addressed. Have a wonderful day.
I have signed on to receive the blog for this cruise, but when I click on the link provided, a message tell me this is no longer available ??? how can I see the blog that I signed up for ?
Frances, thank you for bringing this to our attention. You should only need to click on “Become a Crystal Insider” link on the homepage of the blog, then enter your name and email address. Then, you’ll receive newly posted blogs directly to your email. If you continue to have trouble, please let us know.
Great! Looking forward to reading more. Thanks!
Should be exciting with Katie Jackson on board
Thanks for the chance to be an “armchair traveler” on this momentous adventure. I have great memories of a past voyage aboard the Serenity. Eagerly awaiting Katie’ s dispatches!
From down under we can hear Louis Armstrong singing it’s a Wonderful World as you depart Seward – God speed Captain and crew and to all the adventurers we wish you smooth seas and a happy voyage on a special cruise ship.
Dorothy and Barrie Hocking
Melbourne, Australia.
Love to follow the cruise.
My son and his wife, Jim and Cindy Johnstone, are on this cruise and I am so eager to follow them on this historic cruise. I will forward this site to my other children who will join me in following their adventure.
Safe journey and God bless You all
Please take care
Such an exciting this will be!
I am on the cruise and so far, we have been treated like royalty! Today we received our Parkas and waterproof boots. This morning, in Kodiak, I tested all my wet, cold weather gear due to the weather. And this afternoon, sunned myself at the pool and in the hot tub! What a change!
Katie always keeps things interesting. If she ever gives up travel writing, she should audition for a Woody Allen movie. Looking forward to her blogs on the cruise.
My son is onboard RSS Ernest Shackleton, accompanying your ship in a week or so. You are in safe hands. Enjoy this momentous voyage.
My son is also on the RSS Ernest Shackleton! He is a cadet from Cartwright, NL Canada 🙂 I’m sure it will be an amazing experience!
He will be well trained! I hope he enjoys his time on board.
He is enjoying every moment! It was a bonus that they got to eat Arctic Char!!
I hope your son enjoyed the trip. Back on terra firma now.
Our daughter Karen is aboard with Hubert Inc.Shall be following the voyage with interest.
So excited to follow the journey, and really hope to do this cruise sometime!
Where is the link to streaming video from Serenity?
Hi John, while there is not live streaming video from the ships, you can check in on the live still cameras from the ships any time here: http://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/cruise-guidebook/our-ships/crystal-serenity/live-views
Where do I find the reports from Katie Jackson? I am daily checking several of your sites but have found nothing of her writings. Thank you
Hi Edele, Katie has written two dispatches from the voyage thus far; both are posted here on our Crystal Insider blog site. If you’d like to be notified when a new post is up, we recommend you subscribe to receive the latest news directly to your email. You can do so here: http://blog.crystalcruises.com/become-crystal-insider/
My friends Richard Price & Joe Morano from CA are on board. They are regulars on Crystal & do a great job documenting their travels with photos & narrative on Facebook. I almost feel like I’m there too!
I would have assumed CRYSTAL SERENITY would be blogging daily, given the historic nature of its present voyage. Not only is there nothing about the NOME stop, but I certainly am curious what was seen of Little Diomede (US) and 2.5 miles away Big Diomede (Russia). Also, in the passage of the Bering Strait was there any sign of the Russian mainland from the ship (unlikely at perhaps 45 miles, but perhaps cloud banks)? However there has been no BLOGPOST since DUTCH HARBOR.
Tom, we’re thrilled you’re so interested in following along on this historic journey! While our guest blogger on board, Katie Jackson, is providing dispatches from her experiences as often as possible, it may not actually be possible to do this daily due to connectivity. In the interim, we welcome you to follow the ship’s tracker and other crew updates here: http://www.crystalcruises.com/cruises/cruise-guidebook/our-ships/crystal-serenity/live-views. Thank you for reading the Crystal Insider!
That is really interesting, You’re an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to looking for extra of your fantastic post.
Additionally, I have shared your site in my social networks
Hello Kate , I’m following you , are Rosalba Scarrone , cruise Italian blogger administrator http://www.liveboat.it website that is mostly based on the live from the cruise ships . I’m keeping my users updated on this phenomenal cruise. I’m keeping my users updated on this phenomenal cruise. I translate and publish all of your posts.
Good cruising hello soon.
Rosalba
Awesome post.