Lindblad Thinking About Additional Ships

“It’s fair to say that we are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase capacity that are strategically aligned with what we think is the special sauce for Lindblad around the size of the ship and the types of expeditions that we can run,” said Dolf Berle, CEO, speaking on the company’s fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call.

Berle said the company was in active conversations with a number of entities that have ships available.

And building on the strengths of the recently launched National Geographic Endurance and Resolution, more new ships could also be on the way.

“We do have an interest in thinking hard about going forward with additional ships. But at this point we’re not placing that order,” Berle noted.

In addition to the company’s recent two Polar newbuilds, the Endurance and Resolution, it also built two 100-guest coastal vessels, the Quest and Venture. Last year Lindblad also acquire the Crystal Esprit which will be refurbished for service in the Galapagos.

National Geographic Endurance Floats Out

National Geographic Endurance

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings celebrated the float out of National Geographic Endurance in Ulstein Verft, Norway on Saturday, December 7, 2019.

National Geographic Endurance

The first polar newbuild for the line, the 126-guest vessel is fully stabilized with the highest ice class (PC5 Category A) of any purpose-built passenger vessel, according to a press release.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in January 2020.