National Geographic Endurance

MS National Geographic Endurance ship is Lindblad-National Geographic cruise line's first "Ulstein X-Bow" passenger vessel. It is scheduled for delivery in January 2020 (maiden voyage in April) and will be followed by the sistership Lindblad Resolution (planned completion 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.

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 Lindblad Endurance ship has a total of 6 passenger decks (4 with cabins), 56 standard staterooms, 40 of which are with private balconies / or 75% of all) plus 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, smart HDTV (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), analogue clock, barometer, digital tablet (information on the 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 148 (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) serves 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 innovative marine engineering and design (developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS) also improve wildlife viewing capabilities due to hull's unobstructed downward sight lines.

Passengers can benefit from multiple promenade (walk-out / open-air) deck areas from the Navigation Bridge (Wheelhouse), Observation Lounge and glass railings on Lido Deck. Located on the ship's top deck, these are the best vantage points for photography and nature viewing. Among the signature public spaces is The Sanctuary (wellness/spa complex) with 2 saunas (high- and low-heat, both with sea views), relaxation room, 2 treatment rooms (for massages), glass-walled Yoga Studio (for classes), photo gear locker. On Observation Deck (deck 8) is also the aft-located Sun Deck with an outdoor barbeque bar and two Infinity Edge Pools (Jacuzzis / whirlpool hot tubs with glass walls at the stern).

The wellness complex also includes a Fitness Center (gym room on Deck 7). NatGeo Endurance ship has over 10,000 ft2 (930 m2) of floor-ceiling glass windows and doors, Scandinavian-themed interiors, new patented Zodiac launching system (2 loading stations serving ship's fleet of 8 large-capacity Inflatable speedboats / landing craft), expedition equipment (complimentary provided on landings - snowshoes, cross-country skis, sea kayaks), hydrophone, underwater video camera, 2 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs 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 the 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.