Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic announced recently agreements with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders for two U.S. flagged coastal vessels to be built in Washington State. The first completed ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2017 and the second vessel in 2018, the new 100-guest ships were developed with decades of experience of captains, expedition leaders, engineers and designers.

“These new ships mark an exciting step in the long-term growth of the company, and enables us to capitalize on the substantial demand for our expeditions.  With our significant resources we can continue to deliver on our promise of expedition travel at its best, and can now expand our unique offerings in the Americas where we have very strong demand,” – Sven Lindblad, President and CEO of Lindblad.

Some key features of the new vessels:

• 50 cabins:22 with balconies, and eight that can be configured into four adjoining cabins for families.
• As the primary focus is the world outside, all public spaces are designed for maximum viewing with easy, quick access to decks for inevitable announcements from the bridge of a phenomenal sighting.
• An outdoor walkway around the entire sun deck, which will feature an al fresco bar and grill, in addition to the restaurant and a lounge with bar and facilities for presentations.
• A fleet of sea kayaks, paddle boards, and specially designed landing craft – all of which are geared to get guests out and into the wild, remote places being explored.
• A fully equipped fitness room and a Wellness spa.
• State-of-the-art expedition technology, including a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), video microscope, and a hydrophone and bow-cam designed for immediate bow deployment to hear and film, for instance, humpback whale vocalizations and see bow-riding dolphins.
• Full warm and cold water diving gear and underwater cameras for the Undersea Specialist to bring back rare imagery of the undersea world.
• State-of-the-art A/V system for the highest quality presentations, including National Geographic photography instruction.

Jensen Maritime is serving as the naval architect on the project with interior design work provided by Tillberg Design International.

Lindblad Expeditions current fleet consists of ten nimble, intimately-scaled expedition ships, able to safely venture where larger cruise ships cannot, allowing authentic, up-close experiences in the planet’s wild, remote places and capitals of culture.

Significant here, growth in a micro niche part of the worldwide cruise industry which speaks well for all others.

Here’s more about Lindblad Expeditions

 

  Rendering courtesy Lindblad Expeditions