National Geographic Endurance
A state-of-the-art polar expedition cruise ship. The ship’s expanded fuel and water tanks provide for extended operations in remote areas. The ship has the highest comfort class for guests to ensure a quiet and peaceful environment onboard. Due to Polar Code 5, the ship can operate year-round in polar environments.
Primary Specifications
Additional Data
Ship history
The vessel is named in honour of Ernest Shackleton, Lindblad Expeditions' most revered explorer.
A core feature is the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, which provides fuel efficiency while significantly improving guest comfort in rough seas. She also has a very high ice class for access deep into polar regions.
The ship has been designed to access the outside environment easily. With 77% of the cabins featuring balconies for private viewing, multiple observation decks inside and outside, and observation wings forward on deck 5, the surrounding environs will always be accessible. Off-ship exploring will be greatly enhanced with an innovative expedition boat boarding system aft and midship on both sides, which will allow everyone to get ashore quickly and safely, ensuring quick access to every destination.
The 69 spacious guest cabins and suites include 12 cabins for solo travellers and 57 double cabins. The spa and fitness area will include treatment rooms, saunas, a fitness room, a relaxation area, and a yoga room, and two infinity hot tubs will provide the utmost relaxation in pristine environments. Dining offerings include a main restaurant with outstanding views of the surroundings and an outdoor barbecue and bistro area.
The vessel complies with the CLEAN DESIGN DNV notation and requirements for U.S. and polar waters operations. The diesel-electric solution is designed to reduce consumption and emissions.
Milestones
November 2017: Ulstein Verft contract announcement
5 January 2018: Steel cutting
17 March 2018: Keel-laying
23 April 2019: Project start-up at Ulstein Verft
7 December 2019: Launch from the dock hall at Ulstein Verft
February 2020: Sea trial completion
16 March 2020: Delivery
After delivery
The Endurance was later converted in Denmark; the four foremost suites were converted to eight cabins, thus changing from 'large balcony suite' to 'balcony suite'. The PAX capacity increased to 138, and gross tonnage increased to 12,800.
According to Lindblad Expeditions, the 'National Geographic Endurance' is a:
"Next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Code PC5 (Category A) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore uncharted waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities."
July 2021: Inaugural voyage: The National Geographic Endurance makes her inaugural voyage, embarking in Reykjavik and returning there 17 days later. She will explore Iceland, where her gleaming glass walls and expansive decks will provide optimal viewing of spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife. Then National Geographic Endurance will follow the ice edge off the east coast of Greenland, an "Arctic savannah" for polar bears, walruses, and whales. Read more: National Geographic Endurance (expeditions.com)