National Geographic Endeavour
Former names : Nat Geo Endeavour I, MS Endeavour, Caledonian Star, North Star, Lindmar, Marburg
Specifications of National Geographic Endeavour
| Year of build | 1966 / Age: 60 |
| Flag state | Ecuador |
| Builder | AG Weser Werk Seebeck (Bremerhaven, Germany) |
| Class | ice-strengthened expedition ship |
| Building cost | USD 50 million |
| Engines (power) | MAK-Caterpillar (2.4 MW / 3218 hp) |
| Speed | 14 kn / 26 km/h / 16 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 89 m / 292 ft |
| Beam (width) | 14 m / 46 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 3132 gt |
| Passengers | 96 - 112 |
| Crew | 64 |
| Passengers-to-space ratio | 24 |
| Decks | 6 |
| Cabins | 56 |
| Decks with cabins | 3 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2015 |
| Former names | Nat Geo Endeavour I, MS Endeavour, Caledonian Star, North Star, Lindmar, Marburg |
| Owner | Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc (via Lindblad Expeditions Holdings LLC) |
| Operator | National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions |
National Geographic Endeavour Review
Review of National Geographic Endeavour
The 1966-built National Geographic Endeavour was originally designed as a commercial fishing trawler. In 1983, she was converted to accommodate passengers, though her initial name was Marburg and the structural conversion was completed in 1982. In June 2001, Endeavour joined the Lindblad fleet.
The vessel (IMO number 6611863) is currently Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735058913) and registered in Guayaquil.
History - construction and ownership
The 112-passenger Nat Geo Endeavour is a fully stabilized expedition vessel designed for smooth inter-island navigation. She is equipped with a full suite of exploration tools for daily marine discoveries.
The National Geographic Endeavour is owned and operated by Lindblad Expeditions in cooperation with the National Geographic Society (NatGeo – a US non-profit institution for science and education). This partnership enables guests to enjoy small-ship expedition travel as active explorers. Lindblad vessels sail to unique destinations, navigating remote inlets, making Zodiac landings, and observing wildlife.
Decks and Cabins
National Geographic Endeavour has 6 decks (3 with cabins) and 56 staterooms, all of which are Outside with portholes or windows.
The ship offers 7 cabin categories.
Shipboard facilities and amenities
Nat Geo Endeavour features one Main Dining Room offering single-seating dining with unassigned tables.
Well suited for Galapagos expeditions, the vessel carries wetsuits, snorkeling gear, underwater cameras, a glass-bottom boat, kayaks, and a fleet of Zodiacs. Each voyage includes a full-time doctor, photo instructor, video chronicler, wellness specialist, and undersea specialist. Internet access is available shipwide.
Onboard public areas include a covered deck with chairs, tables, and hammocks; a fitness center; sauna and LEX spa; a small swimming pool; gift shop; library with Internet access; doctor’s office; and a lounge with a full-service bar and facilities for slide shows, presentations, and films.
Lindblad’s “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers 24-hour access (weather permitting) to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge to meet and converse with the ship’s officers on duty and the Captain.
Itineraries
MS Endeavour’s itinerary program focuses on Galapagos Islands cruises departing from Baltra, with pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Photos of National Geographic Endeavour
Other Lindblad Expeditions cruise ships
National Geographic Endeavour Wiki
MS National Geographic Endeavour is an expedition cruise ship designed for operations in remote areas, including polar regions. The vessel (AG Weser yard/hull number 100280) was built by AG Weser Werk Seebeck in Bremerhaven, Germany as a commercial fishing trawler. In 1983, she was converted to accommodate passengers. Her original name was "MS Marburg"; the conversion was completed in 1982, and she joined the Lindblad fleet in June 2001.
Among the best small Galapagos cruise ships, MS Endeavour (aka "Nat Geo Endeavour") is an expedition vessel purpose-built for remote-region operations. She is ideally suited for Galapagos expeditions and carries wetsuits, snorkeling gear, underwater cameras, kayaks, a glass-bottom boat, and a fleet of Zodiacs. Originally built as the fishing trawler/dragger "Marburg”, she underwent a major conversion in 1983 to become a passenger vessel. Former names include "Lindmar", "North Star”, "Caledonian Star”, and finally "MS Endeavour". Her current name was adopted in 2005.
As a true expedition ship, every National Geographic Endeavour voyage is staffed with a full-time doctor, wellness specialist, photo instructor, video chronicler, and an undersea specialist. The ship also carries dedicated expedition equipment, including kayaks, Zodiacs, wetsuits, snorkeling gear, and a glass-bottom boat. The Captain and all crew members are Ecuadorian. Lindblad’s traditional “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers to visit the Navigation Bridge/Wheelhouse and interact with the Ecuadorian officers and the Captain.
Before 2015, the vessel was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 308182000) and registered in Nassau. Since 2015, she has been Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735058913).
Nat Geo Endeavour has a maximum draft of 5.7 m (19 ft) and is powered by MAK marine diesel engines (model 8M582AK) with a total output of 2354 kW.