National Geographic Resolution

The 2021-built MS National Geographic Resolution cruise ship is the second Lindblad-National Geographic cruise line's vessel of the "Ulstein X-Bow" series. The boat is scheduled for delivery in 2021-Q4. From the same class is the sistership NatGeo Endurance (2020 March).

The vessel (IMO number 9880685) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000893) and registered in Nassau.

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 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.

Decks and Cabins

The Lindblad Resolution ship has 8 decks (6 passenger-accessible, 4 with cabins), 56 standard staterooms, 40 of which are with private balconies / or 75% of all) plus 13 balcony suites.

Of all Nat Geo Resolution 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 (low table, reading chair or sofabed/2-seater couch), phone, writing desk with armchair, USB ports, smart HDTV (Infotainment system - Internet, on-demand movies), Wi-Fi connections, "Command Center" (NatGeo's World Atlas /paper edition, analog clock, barometer, digital tablet with information on the current cruise itinerary and daily scheduled activities/onboard and ashore), twin beds (convertible to double), bedside cabinets, pillows, wall-mounted reading lamps, individually controlled air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, glass shower, mirrored single-sink vanity, hairdryer, botanic hair products).

Suites are large-sized, with walk-in closets, multiple USB docking stations, command centers (for electronics, chargers, door locks). The suite balcony is also fitted with a hammock. All Balcony cabins are also with a command center and rain showerheads (in the bathrooms).

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

Lindblad Resolution ship provides a total of 7 onboard dining options, including MDR/Main Dining Room, Two Seven Zero Restaurant, Chef's Table (small group VIP dining), C. Green's (Lido buffet restaurant), an outdoor BBQ (poolside grill bar), Bistro (Bar and Restaurant) and Winter Garden (outdoor seating).

270° Restaurant is the ship's MDR (Main Dining Room) with floor-ceiling windows (for 270-degree panoramic views), single-seating capacity, open-seating (flexible dining), locally-sourced ingredients, fresh produce, healthy and sustainable food choices. 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, the 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 Resolution 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 the hull's unobstructed downward sightlines.

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 (outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs with glass walls at the stern) and two igloos (glass-eclosed "snow huts" with daybeds).

The wellness complex also includes a Fitness Center (gym room on Deck 7). NatGeo Resolution 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 the ship's fleet of 8 large-capacity Inflatable speedboats / landing craft), expedition equipment (complimentary provided on landings - snowshoes, cross-country skis, sea kayaks), hydrophone, SplashCam (underwater video camera), 2 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs operated by a 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. The underwater microphone listens to marine mammals and provides sound transmissions broadcasted in real-time (through the PA system) or recorded for later playback.

The ship's custom-designed floating marina platform is used to deploy sea kayaks at any location. A dedicated undersea specialist operates the underwater camera and dive often during the cruise. He uses cold-water gear to show HD real-time images of deep-water marine life and the environment. The NatGeo naturalists on the ship use its video microscope (80x magnification) to explain to passengers all elements of the marine ecosystems. The real-time images are displayed on the Ice Lounge's TVs. The Ice Lounge features a state-of-the-art audio-video system and 39x LCDTVs for presentations, and an electronic chart displaying the current ship position, course and cruising speed.

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, Ice 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).

Lindblad's “Open Bridge” policy allows passengers 24-hour access (depending on weather conditions) to the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge to meet and converse with the ship's officers on duty and the Captain.

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.

Itineraries

Nat Geo Resolution's itinerary program is yet to be announced by Lindblad Expeditions. However, just like the fleetmate and sistership Endurance, Resolution will be deployed seasonally in the European (Norway, Iceland, Greenland) and the Canadian Arctic regions, USA (Alaska) and Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, and the sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand).

The Inaugural Cruise is currently scheduled for November 17, 2021, leaving roundtrip from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Antarctica and the UK's territories SGSSI (South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands) and the Falkland Islands.

The shipbuilding contract between Lindblad Expeditions and Ulstein Verft was signed on November 7, 2017 and included the construction of 1 vessel plus 2 more (optional) of the Ulstein X-Bow series cruisers. The building of the first ship (NatGeo Endurance, yard number 312/March 2020 delivered) started on January 5, 2018. The assembly of the second ship (NatGeo Resolution, yard number 316) started on October 7, 2019. All vessels are assembled (as hull and superstructure) at CRIST Shipyard (in Gdynia Poland), then towed from Poland to the Ulstein shipyard in Ulsteinvik (Hareidlandet Island, Norway) for outfitting (insulation works, electrical installations, engines, propulsion units).

On March 9, 2018, Ulstein contracted ABB Group to deliver cruise ships' automation, propulsion, powerplant and digital equipment. The order was secured in early-April 2019. The package (including two Azipod DO thrusters per vessel) 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).

The shipbuilding order for NatGeo Resolution Lindblad was signed on February 28, 2019. On October 8, 2019, was the vessel's keel-laying ceremony, on which it was also officially named. The ceremony was attended by Sven Lindblad (the company's President and CEO) and Ulstein Verft's Kenneth Pettersen (Project Director), Nikolaos Doulis (Ulstein Verft's SVP Newbuildings), Reed Ameel (drydock manager) and Jarle Asemyr (Hull Department Manager). During this traditional coin-laying ceremony was welded an original Hawaii Sesquicentennial (90% silver coin/half US dollar, 1928-minted) honoring the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook's landing in Hawaii (January 20, 1778). The vintage coin (owned by Sven Lindblad) depicts on the obverse Captain Cook and on the reverse - a Hawaiian chieftain.

The vessel's name honors the warship HMS Resolution (1771-built merchant vessel / bulk-cargo ship) that was purchased and refitted by and served in the British Navy until 1782. On HMS Resolution, in 1772 started Captain James Cook's second and third Pacific Ocean expeditions. In early-1773, the Resolution ship became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle (on January 17th). The ship returned to homeport Sheerness (Kent, England) in 1775. Captain Cook's third Pacific expedition started in July 1776 (from Plymouth). During the voyage, HMS Resolution crossed the Arctic Circle twice - in 1778 (August 17) and in 1779 (July 19). The ship returned in England in 1780 (October 4). In 1780-81, the vessel was converted to be able to transport military cargo for the East Indies. In 1782 (on June 9th), the ship was captured by the French admiral Pierre Andre de Suffren (1729-88) - best-known for his successful Indian Ocean campaign against the British.

In October 16-22, 2020, the unfinished vessel (yard/hull number 316) was towed from Poland to Norway (arrived at Ulstein Verft from Crist SA's shipyard in Gdynia Poland). On November 11, it was towed in the shipyard's dock hall for conducting electrical works, insulations, piping, steel outfitting, various installations. Ulstein Verft's opened in 2002 drydock hall has total length 225 m (738 ft), gate width 34 m (112 ft) and 2x indoor cranes with combined lifting capacity 500 tonnes.

Lindblad's Resolution ship was launched (floated out from drydock at Ulstein Verft) on June 8, 2021. Baltic Sea trials was successfully completed in September 3-6, 2021. The boat was officially delivered to Lindblad Expeditions Holdings on September 30th, in Ulsteinvik. The signing ceremony was attended by Ulstein Verft's Nikolaos Doulis (SVP New Buildings) and Kenneth Pettersen (Project Director).

The Maiden Voyage (to Antarctica and the UK's South Georgia and the Falklands) started on November 17th, leaving roundtrip from Argentina (Ushuaia). During the inaugural cruise was also the official christening ceremony (on Nov 24). The special event was held under Antarctica's skies while the ship was parked on fast ice in the Weddell Sea (Duse Bay, off Trinity Peninsula/Antarctic Peninsula's northernmost part). Passengers walked free onto the ice to cheer on Captain Heidi Norling who served as the Godmother. Following remarks from Captain Martin Graser, passengers and crew celebrated with a champagne toast - with penguins close by.

National Geographic Resolution 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 and its 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).

The 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 the boat's power-propulsion-management systems into one platform, enabling the crew and land-based teams to monitor all the data needed for the 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. The 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.