Lindblad Expeditions’ ship National Geographic Endurance was on December 4 in the path of the solar eclipse in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean close to Antarctica.
Experts, including popular meteorologist Jay Anderson, were on hand in order to provide scientific context. Photographers of various skill levels braved the challenge to capture unique pictures of the event.
The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS National Geographic Endurance cruise ship is Lindblad-National Geographic cruise line's first "Ulstein X-Bow" vessel. The boat was scheduled for delivery in January 2020 (maiden voyage in April). Lindblad's Endurance ship was followed by the sistership NatGeo Resolution (scheduled for delivery in 2021-Q4).
On November 7, 2017, the shipowner Lindblad Expeditions Holdings and the Norwegian shipbuilding company Ulstein Verft AS signed an agreement to build the new-design (Ulstein CX104) passenger vessel at the price of USD 134,6 million, with 20% due upfront. By the contract, the delivery deadline is January 21, 2020 (potential "accelerated" delivery on November 18, 2019). The deal also included building two more (optional) vessels of the same class/design) to be constructed in subsequent years.