Two new US-flag expedition ships in the works for Lindblad. * Photo: Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions, headquartered in New York, has signed contracts for two new US-flag expedition ships to replace the 1982-built pair, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion. Interestingly, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, located on Washington State’s Whidbey Island, constructed both the existing pair and now their replacements. While the current duo each handles up to 70 passengers who occupy quite small cabins, the replacements will take 100 in larger accommodations, and almost half will sport balconies while eight will be able to connect for families, a growing market in the expedition field.
The Sun Deck will feature a circular walkway and be set up for outdoor grill dining as an alternative to the main restaurant. While the current pair has been substantially upgraded in recent years, most of that has been in expedition technology and expanded activities, so the improved accommodations will be most welcome, and naturally command higher rates.
The new ships, as on most other Lindblad ships, will include a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), bow camera to capture surface movements, hydrophone for underwater recordings of whales, video microscope, and an audio-visual system that will allow same-day showings in the lounge during briefings at cocktail hour and at after-dinner programs that will also include photography. National Geographic provides experts who can teach the subject. Activities include paddle boarding, kayaking excursions, and small craft to land passengers on riverbanks and beaches.
With the ships scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2017 and 2018, they will be deployed in Alaska, the Inside Passage, Pacific Northwest along the Columbia and Snake rivers, Baja California and the Sea of Cortez, and along the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Panama, including canal transits.
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