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.

Lindblad ship to be called National Geographic Resolution

Design drawing of the National Geographic Resolution.

Lindblad’s new expedition vessel due in 2021 will be named the National Geographic Resolution.

The name reflects the favourite ship of Capt. James Cook, the British explorer and sea captain who made his second and third voyages of exploration aboard the HMS Resolution.

Lindblad Expeditions announced the name at the keel laying of the ship at the Crist shipyard in Gdynia, Poland.

Norway’s Ulstein Group is overseeing the design and construction of the 126-guest ship, which will have the ability to sail in polar waters. The Resolution will have a Polar Class 5 designation, meaning the ship will be able to navigate medium first-year ice year-round.

The Resolution is a sister ship to the National Geographic Endurance, due in April 2020.