The 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer is the embodiment of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic alliance, as her design and equipment is the result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience.
Originally built for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, her excellent maneuverability, and just-right size made her a natural choice for addition to Lindblad’s fleet. Completely redesigned and rebuilt, National Geographic Explorer is uniquely equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions we explore. She provides a peerless expedition cruise trip.
Public Spaces
National Geographic Explorer accommodates 148 guests in 81 cabins, including 13 cabins with private balconies, six spacious suites and 14 cabins specifically designed for solo travelers. At 367 feet with six decks, she is spacious and modern, with a variety of public rooms that offer startling views of the passing landscape. Friendly and informal, she instantly fosters a welcoming environment where enthused and curious passengers share in exceptional experiences and enrichment.
Her public rooms include a dramatic window-lined library and observation lounge perched at the very top of the ship, plentiful observation decks (including easy access to the bow), and the forward-facing chart room, offering a 24-hour beverage station. The spacious lounge is the heart of our expedition community and is suited for spirited cocktail hours, informative presentations and our nightly tradition of Recap. Our dining room and adjacent bistro easily accommodate all guests at once for open seating dining.
While National Geographic Explorer’s interiors are certainly elegant, life aboard is always casual, with no need for formal clothing. And you’ll find shipboard services like a state-of-the-art fitness center, laundry, and public-area wifi make packing and traveling more convenient.
Tools for Exploration
National Geographic Explorer is equipped with tools for exploration—to get you out there for up-close forays, or to let you see deeper into the marine or terrestrial environments surrounding you. She carries 15 Zodiac landing craft—a full fleet—allowing us to get the entire expedition community out, engaged in activities quickly, comfortably, and safely. She is also equipped with 36 two-person AIRE inflatable kayaks—a fleet large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity. A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. The undersea specialist will dive almost every day of your expedition, even in Antarctica or the Arctic, with almost 200 pounds of gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep.
Lounge & Bar
The lounge is the main social hub of the ship. Lounge seating is arranged to provide good views of the center podium; and multiple plasma screens on the surrounding walls ensure optimal views of presentations, slideshows, and videos. It’s here where the expedition community gathers for lectures, photography talks, guest speaker presentations, and the evening Recap. A long-standing Lindblad tradition, Recap is when naturalists share stories and answer questions about the day’s events, and the expedition leader presents the plan for the following day—as guests enjoy cocktails and hors d’ouevres.
Inviting and casual, the bistro bar is a perfect spot to have a cappuccino before or after activities. And the bistro is the place to be for afternoon tea, and choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well. A variety of beverages are available for purchase including beer, cocktails, spirits, and wines by the glass or bottle. Sodas, juices, and coffees (including cappuccinos and espressos) are complimentary.
Dining
Dining is an integral part of your expedition experience, with influences and flavors that reflect the regions we’re exploring, along with traditional fare. All food prepared aboard is sourced locally whenever possible from sustainable providers. All seafood served is sustainably caught or raised.
Meals are served in our elegant dining room and the adjacent, more intimate bistro bar. Seating is open, allowing you to choose where to dine, and table sizes range from two to 12. Breakfast is usually served buffet-style in the dining room and consists of a selection of fruit, eggs to order, cereal, yogurts, cheese and specially prepared daily dishes, plus fresh coffee and tea. Lunch is also served buffet-style in the dining room and bistro bar, with salads and both hot and cold buffet choices available. Dinners are served in the dining room and bistro, and feature plated service. Each evening, a ship’s officer, National Geographic staff, or a naturalist hosts small tables in the chart room as well.
National Geographic Explorer Details
All accommodations are outside featuring oversized picture windows or a balcony that connect you with the passing views. Double occupancy cabins come in a variety of configurations, including two single beds, two beds that can be converted to a queen-sized bed, and queen-sized beds.
Soothingly decorated in quiet earth tones, National Geographic Explorer’s spacious cabins offer a large desk, with ample drawer space. Most offer a comfortable armchair for reading. Cabins designed for solo travelers are only slightly smaller than double occupancy cabins and feature the same amenities.
Individual climate control is available in every cabin. Reading lamps above the bed allow for a focused beam of light to ensure your neighbor sleeps undisturbed.
Thirteen of National Geographic Explorer’s cabins feature a private balcony with chairs and a large sliding glass door that provides easy access and exceptional views. Her suites are radiant spaces with expansive windows as well as some with balconies; several also offer a living room-style area appointed with a couch that converts to accommodate a third person.
Each cabin has a flat-panel TV with several channels: for movies; for National Geographic documentaries; and one for displaying the ship’s electronic chart system with the ship’s current position. Another channel allows you to listen to lounge lectures or presentations from the comfort of your cabin. A public address system keeps you alerted to the daily activities, including any wildlife sightings such as an early morning polar bear.
Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and suites feature twin sinks. They are stocked with environmentally-inspired bath products and shower gel, hairdryers, and cozy white robes.
Beds are cossetted in Lindblad’s signature feather duvets and crisp cotton sheeting.
Ample room to hang your parkas and plenty of drawers and hooks for the amount of clothing you might need on a longer voyage are others. In addition, there is abundant under-bed storage space for luggage. There is, however, no need to store your rain gear or boots in your cabin—a mudroom adjacent to the ship’s Zodiac loading bay provides you with a locker for outdoor gear.
The generous desk space can handle camera equipment, your laptop, and peripherals. And Ethernet jacks are available for in-cabin Internet access.
| Category | Description | Photos |
|---|---|---|
| 07 | Cat 7 Suite with Balcony #215, 219, 230 - These large cabins with private balconies have either two lower single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen. They have seating areas and can be converted to triples. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks. |  |
| 06 | Cat 6 Suite with Balcony #213 - These spacious cabins have private balconies, two lower single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, chairs, and a TV. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks. Cat 6 Suite #101-102 - These spacious cabins can be converted into triples. They have two lower single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, chairs, and a TV. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks. |  |
| 05 | Cat 5 with Balcony #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 - These cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, feature one queen-sized bed, a writing desk and chairs, climate controls, a TV showing the ship's position and programing. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. . (Cabin 221 has two lower single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen.) |  |
| 04 | Cat 4 with Window #201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 - Cabins feature two lower single beds and at least one large window. Cabin 217, 226 & 228 feature one queen-size bed. All cabins feature climate controls, a TV showing the ship's position and programing. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. The dining room is on this deck and accommodates all guests at once. Cat 4 #103-104, 107-108 - Cabins feature two lower single beds and at least one large window, climate controls, a TV showing the ship's position and programing. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. The lounge and chartroom are easily accessible. The lounge is the social heart of the ship, and the chartroom offers direct bow access. |  |
| 03 | Cat 3 with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350 - Cabins feature two lower single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), one large window, and two sitting chairs and a small table and ample storage. They have a writing desk, reading lamps, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming. |  |
| 02 | Cat 2 with Window #317-320, 335-336 - Cabins feature two lower single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, reading lamps, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming. |  |
| 01 | Cat 1 #301-308. Cabins feature one or two Portholes. Most cabins feature two lower single beds. Cabins 303-306 feature one queen-sized bed. All offer a writing desk, reading lamps, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programing. |  |
| SB | Cat Solo B with Window #203, 208 - These cabins feature one lower single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming. The dining room and ship's bow are easily accessible. |  |
| SA | Cat Solo A with Window #309-312, 329-334 - These cabins feature one lower single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming. |  |
| Specification | Information |
|---|---|
| Built | 1982 at Ulstein Verft AS (Ulsteinvik, Norway) |
| Last Refurbished | 2017 |
| Former Names | Lyngen, Midnatsol II, Midnatsol |
| Guests | 96 |
| Cabins | 52 |
| Crew | 70 |
| Tonnage (gross tons) | 6471 |
| Length (feet) | 367 |
| Width (Beam) (feet) | 54 |
| Depth (Draft) (feet) | 15 |
| Speed (knots) | 15 |
| Registry | Bahamas |
| Elevator | Yes |
| Accessible Cabins | No |
