Lindblad Expeditions radical new ship has got a unique hull design that will give guests a wraparound view of previously inaccessible areas of the world. That’s the promise Sven Lindblad, the company’s CEO and president made as he revealed details of company’s most advanced expedition ship– the 126-guest National Geographic Endurance.
While the company has 50 years of experience in expedition cruising, this is Lindblad’s first ship built from scratch. Fully stabilized with an ice class PC5 Category A rating (for year-round operation in medium ice), the Endurance is named in honor of the ship of legendary Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. The ship that’s due to enter service in 2020 will make it possible to sail to previously unexplored areas of the world, Lindblad said.
Here’s a sneak preview:
The X-Factor in the Hull
The most striking feature of National Geographic Endurance is her distinctive rounded profile created by a patented X-Bow design. Introduced by Lindblad’s Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein, the design should offer a smooth ride even in choppy seas, the designers say.
Reduced drag through the water will also result in greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions for reduced environmental impact. The designers claim the ship will have a range of 15,000 miles–about two thirds of the way around the world– without refuelling.
The X-Bow also increases sightlines for observing wildlife, enabling forward and straight down-the-sides viewing with no leaning out over the deck rail required, explained Trey Byus, the company’s chief expedition officer. “Guests will be spending a lot of time on deck looking for polar bears, bow-riding dolphins and whales. This design provides an unobstructed views in all directions from lots of deck observation areas.”
With a total of six guest decks, the ship has over 10,000 square feet of glass keeping guests constantly connected to the view, he added. Multiple walk-out areas from the bridge, and observation lounge, and glass rails on the top deck will encourage getting out and viewing and photographing scenery and wildlife.
Distinctive Scandinavian design
Fire and ice are twin themes throughout the ship, in the color schemes and the feelings engendered by her spaces conceived by Partnership Design in Hamburg,
The Ice Lounge is the social center of the ship and it has wraparound floor to ceiling windows.
The Den on the observation deck is another lounge, featuring a fireplace with a conversation zone and space for talks and presentations. It’s part of a Lindblad tradition of providing community spaces and insight, with a speakers’ podium called “The Circle of Truth.”
The Hut –as the mud room to store and change in and out of gear for shore excursions is called–is designed with access to zodiacs from multiple platforms, allowing faster loading and unloading and more time on expeditions. The ship will feature a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, snowshoes and cross-country skis, a remotely operated underwater vehicle, hydrophones, video microscope and underwater video technology.
Even the spa, The Sanctuary, features glass walls on saunas, Jacuzzis and a yoga studio.
Personal space larger than most
There are 13 extra-large balcony suites–each named for a famous polar explorer. Warm creams, oatmeal and coral are the color scheme and there are artworks and Lindblad’s signature feather duvets, plus a walk-in closet and roomy stone-clad baths. And 40 of the 56 cabins feature balconies with full height windows.
Every guest cabin will come equipped with a clock, binoculars, an I-pad, high definition television and a National Geographic atlas.
More dining options
The main Restaurant Two Seven Zero is named for its wraparound 270 -egree view.
More casual C. Green’s, named for Shackelton’s cook, offers an early-riser breakfast, fresh salads and lighter fare, plus custom grilled selections at lunch and dinner.
The Chef’s Table offers private dining and over the course of each voyage, all guests aboard will be hosted by our Chef. Each dinner features “polar theater” in the form of regionally inspired, sustainable, and inventive food.
In addition, there will be daily tea, hors d’oeuvres at the recap discussions in the lounge and barbeques in the heated outdoor Winter Garden observation area.
Where will the ship explore?
There are eight Arctic itineraries in its first year.
Northeast Greenland will be a first, it’s as fiercely guarded as any kingdom, with its coast flanked by thousands of bergs calved from the massive ice sheet, expedition officer Byus said. “It’s where we will enter the largest national park in the world – Northeast Greenland National Park – to find polar bears, seals, walrus; crevasse-laced glaciers; mountains made from some of the oldest rock, and coastal villages where descendants of the greatest hunters and survivors our species has even know dwell.”
Another highlight is Norway’s wild Svalbard Island in the Spring, when the light low on the horizon is golden all day long, he said. “It’s a true Arctic refuge – covered in snow, surrounded by sea ice, where polar bears freed from their winter sleep stalk seals on the ice.”
And there will be a Northeast Passage from Norway to Alaska, over the top of the world. It includes Franz Josef Land, Severnaya Zemlya in the High Arctic and the barely explored Siberian coast, and Wrangel Island.
Then the ship will head south for winter explorations of the Ross Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula. “We’ve never been able to get into the deep ice of western Antarctica and we will be places in the 2020-2021 season where people haven’t been able to go before.
The ship has a staff to guest ratio of almost one to one, with an experienced natural history staff to lead expeditions. And the expeditions will be all inclusive.
“We only carry 126 guests because we don’t want to in the world wildest places with a crowd. And we certainly hope you can be one of the fortunate ones to join us,” is Lindblad’s invitation.
