National Geographic Endurance

National Geographic Endurance cruise ship is the newest Lindblad-National Geographic vessel scheduled for delivery in January 2020.

On November 7, 2017, the shipowner Lindblad Expeditions and the shipbuilder Ulstein Verft signed an agreement to build the new vessel at the price of USD 134,6 million, with 20% due up front. 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 and design) to be constructed in subsequent years.

Cruise itinerary program

National Geographic Endurance offers a series of 8 "Inaugural Cruise" itineraries in the Arctic, including a voyage from Norway to Alaska through Northeast Passage. These itineraries are themed as:

• 11-day "Svalbard in Spring: Polar Bears, Arctic Light and Epic Ice" (April 2020, prices range from USD 11600 to 45980.
• 9-day "Norwegian Fjords and Scottish Isles" (May 2020, prices range from USD 7970 to 31060.
• 10-day "Norwegian Discovery: Svalbard and Northern Fjords" (May 2020, prices range from USD 10290 to 40640.
• 17-day "Coastal Wonders of Norway, Faroe Islands and Iceland" (June 2020, prices range from USD 17160 to 67800.
• 17-day "Arctic Exploration: A Voyage to Iceland, East Greenland, and Norway" (July 2020, prices range from USD 17160 to 67800.
• 26-day repositioning cruise "Northeast Passage: An Unforgettable Voyage from Norway to Alaska" (July-August 2020, prices range from USD 34750 to 137560.
• 20-day "East Greenland: Wild Shores of the High Arctic" (August 2020, prices range from USD 23870 to 94320.

Two itineraries (departures December 27, 2020, and the reverse on January 26, 2021) are themed "Epic Antarctica". They visit 4 wilderness regions between Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea's ice shelf and New Zealand's sub-Antarctic Islands. The 34-day voyage was priced from AUD 61,000 pp.

Cabins

The ship has a total of 6 passenger decks (4 with cabins), 56 standard staterooms (75% of all, 40 of which with private balconies) and 13 balcony suites.

Of all staterooms, 12 can be booked as single cabins (studios with single-occupancy rates). Cabin sizes range from 140 ft2 (13 m2) "Solo Cabin" to 430 ft2 (40 m2) "Category 7 Suite". All cabins are outside, with 2 porthole windows (large, non-opening), 1 large window (opening) or 1 step-out balcony. All cabin balconies are accessed via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors. All the 69 staterooms offer as standard amenities:

• living room (with a low table, reading chair or sofabed / 2-seater couch)
• phone, writing desk with armchair, USB ports, flat TV (satellite reception, smart technology with infotainment system - Internet, on-demand movies, ship info channel), Wi-Fi connections
• "Command Center" - with National Geographic's World Atlas (paper edition), analog clock, barometer, digital tablet (information on current cruise itinerary and daily scheduled activities - onboard and ashore),
• twin beds (convertible to double), bedside cabinets, different-sized bed pillows, wall-mounted reading lamps
• individually controlled air-conditioning
• en-suite bathrooms (WC, glass shower, mirrored single-sink vanity with shelves and under sink storage, hairdryer, botanic hair products - soap, shower gel)

Passenger capacity is 138 (max) and 126 (on expedition cruises, in the period April through September). All decks are connected via 2 elevators (passenger lifts) and 3 staircases and have public restrooms.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Onboard dining options include Main Dining Room Restaurant (MDR with floor-ceiling windows for 270-degree panoramic views, single seating capacity, open-seating / flexible dining), Two Seven Zero Restaurant (with floor-ceiling windows), Chef's Table (specialty restaurant for small group VIP dining), C. Green's (Lido buffet restaurant), an outdoor BBQ (poolside grill bar). Additionally, the Bistro (Bar and Restaurant on Observation Deck) passengers enjoy afternoon tea, appetizers (lighter fare) and made-to-order dishes. Barbeques and deck parties are held at the heated outdoor Winter Garden.

During all MDR meals, ship's expedition staff (leader, naturalists, guest speakers) join the passengers to provide interesting information and answer questions.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Lindblad Endurance ship has the industry's highest ice class rating - PC5 (Category A). The patented X-Bow design provides stable navigation in all weather conditions and increases fuel efficiency. The hull design also improves wildlife viewing capabilities due to hull's unobstructed downward sight lines.

Passengers can benefit from multiple promenade (walk-out) areas from the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), Observation Lounge and glass rails on the top deck for photography and viewing. Additional public spaces include The Sanctuary (spa complex), glass-walled yoga studio (for classes), photo gear locker, The Den (on Observation Deck).

The wellness complex (spa and fitness facilities) includes gym room, relaxation area, yoga room (for classes), treatment rooms (for massages), saunas (high- and low-heat, with sea views), 2 "infinity pool" Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs). NatGeo Endurance also features over 10,000 ft2 (930 m2) of floor-ceiling glass windows and doors, Scandinavian-themed interiors, an innovative Zodiac launching system (2 loading stations serving ship's fleet of 8 large-capacity Inflatable boats / landing craft), expedition equipment (complimentary provided on landings - snowshoes, cross-country skis, sea kayaks), hydrophone, underwater video camera, 1 remotely operated vehicle (ROV operated by dedicated undersea specialist), video microscope, helipad (top-deck helicopter landing platform on Helideck), remote control helicopter with camera.

• The innovative Zodiac system allows quick and safe transportation to shore destinations inaccessible for the cruise ship. These boats have length 6 m (19 ft), each powered by 4-stroke diesel engines, and with max capacity 12 people.
• The ROV can reach depths of 305 m (1000 ft) and allows passengers to view undersea areas not accessible even to the most experienced scuba divers.
• Ship's custom-designed floating marina platform is used to deploy sea kayaks at any location.
• Ship's dedicated undersea specialist operates the underwater camera and dive often during the cruise. He uses cold-water gear to show HD quality real-time images of deep-water marine life and environment.
• The NatGeo naturalists on the ship use its video microscope (80x magnification) to explain to passengers all elements of the marine ecosystems. The spellbinding real-time images are displayed on the HDTV in the Main Lounge. At the Lounge, there is also an electronic chart displaying current ship position, course and cruising speed.
• The underwater microphone listens to marine mammals and provides sound transmissions broadcasted real-time (through the PA system) or recorded for later playback.
• In warm waters is offered snorkeling, with snorkeling gear (masks, snorkels, fins, wetsuits) complimentary provided to all passengers for the duration of the voyage.

The cruise ship also has Library (reading lounge), Internet Cafe, Main Lounge (with full-service Bar), 24-hour beverage station (coffee, tea, water, juices), state-of-the-art conference facilities (for travel-themed documentary films, port talks, slideshows, media presentations), photo workshop, laundry rooms, mudroom (expedition base with expedition gear lockers).

The "open bridge" policy allows 24-hour access (depending on weather conditions) to ship's Navigation Bridge and the Captain or the officers on duty. The ship has Infirmary (with a full-time doctor) and dedicated expedition staff, including undersea specialist, NatGeo photographer, NatGeo certified photo instructor, and a video chronicler.

The shipbuilding contract between Lindblad and Ulstein Verft was signed in November 2017. On January 5, 2018, was the vessel's steel-cutting ceremony (yard number 312) held at CRIST shipyard (Gdynia, Poland). On March 9, 2018, was contracted ABB Group to deliver ship's automation, propulsion, power and digital equipment. The order was secured in early-April 2019. The package (including two Azipod DO thrusters) is fully integrated with ABB Ability System 800xA (safety/control) 24/7 connected to ABB Ability Collaborative Operations Center (global network for remote real-time monitoring and support/diagnostics and predictive maintenance).

On March 17, 2018, was the keel-laying ceremony, on which was also officially announced boat's name. The ceremony was attended by Sven Lindblad (cruise company's President and CEO). The ceremony also included the traditional laying of coins. First welded was a commemorative silver coin - etched with the vessel's name flanked by a penguin and polar bear (signifying Earth's both poles) and etched with "To Explore and Understand the World".

On April 23, 2019, vessel's hull arrived at Ulstein Verft for outfitting (insulation works, electrical installations, engines, propulsion units). The hull and part of the superstructure were assembled at CRIST Shipyard (Poland) and towed to Norway by two tugboats.

Vessel's name honors the sailing ship Endurance (3-masted barquentine built 1912) in which the British polar explorer Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1922) started the Imperial Transantarctic Expedition (aka "Endurance Expedition", 1914-1917). Unfortunately, in November 1915, while navigating in the Weddell Sea, the sailing ship crushed into ice and sank off Antarctic Peninsula.

After completion, the vessel will be towed from Poland to the Ulstein shipyard in Ulsteinvik (Hareidlandet Island, Norway) for outfitting. Boat's namesake is the 1992-built MS Sea Endurance (owned by Noble Caledonia).

In late-June 2019, Lindblad announced the polar-themed art exhibition on NatGeo Endurance ship called CHANGE. The shipwide art installation is a permanent exhibit curated by Zaria Forman - a US artist best-known for her hyper-realistic, large-scale pastel drawings of landscapes and remote locations. The collection incorporates a huge collection of art pieces (drawings, paintings, photographs, glass sculptures) made by 35+ artists and assembled throughout the cruise ship (in all public spaces plus 12 suites) and is also themed by deck.

National Geographic Endurance ship technology

The ship design features Ulstein's patented X-BOW providing fuel efficiency and significantly improved stability in rough weather. The larger fuel and water tanks allow extended navigation in remote destinations. The hull is ice-strengthened, which higher ice-class allows access to territories deep into the polar regions. Modern stabilizers ensure stability at zero speed (when the ship makes a full stop for wildlife viewing or for landings/passenger embarkation and disembarkation).

Vessel's propulsion includes two Azipod DO units (produced by ABB azimuth thrusters, power output 3,5 MW each), which require 1/4 less power in comparison to units of equivalent performance. "ABB Ability" systems are also part of the equipment. "System 800xA" (distributed control and electrical control) further improves fuel efficiency and safety. This advanced marine technology integrates vessel's power-propulsion-management systems into one platform, enabling the crew and land-based teams to monitor all the data needed for ship's optimal performance. ABB's Collaborative Operations System provides a real-time connection between the cruise ship and ABB Collaborative Operations Center experts who monitor 24/7 onboard technologies' performances. This feature is of utmost importance as the boat operates in remote polar areas. ABB Group has 7x land-based support centers that coordinate remote marine equipment analysis, monitoring, diagnostics, as well as predictive maintenance services. Company's "Electric-Digital-Connected" concept reduces on-call engineer services (up to 70%) and docking costs (up to 50%).

The Danish company VMS Group (General Electric's sales agent for Denmark) delivered the ship's all four General Electric marine diesel engines (models L250 and V250) produced by GE Transportation. The new GE engines integrate an upgraded control system, 2-stage turbocharging, high-pressure common rail injection and advanced scrubber system (EGR / exhaust gas recirculation). The advanced marine engine technology eliminates the need for SCR-equipment (Selective Catalytic System). It saves onboard space, releases load and tank capacities and also saves the costs associated with the equipment's purchase, installation, and maintenance. Skipping SCR, monitoring and dosing equipment (urea tanks) saves up to 75% onboard space and also reduces the shipbuilding time and cost.