Lindblad Expeditions' new ship, the National Geographic Endurance, would have been sailing its inaugural cruises this month in the Arctic, after being delivered to the company in March.
But the company has put the ship's debut on hold. And in lieu of being able to sail, or give travel advisors and VIPs the opportunity to see the ship in person, Lindblad offered a sneak peek via video tour of the ship, which is of the most advanced newbuilds for polar regions.
In the video, Endurance captain Aaron Wood and members of the bridge team lead the tour through the cabins and suites, the glass-walled yoga studio, infinity-view hot tubs and the first "igloos" at sea, which have daybeds and panoramic views.
The Endurance is the first of two new polar vessels for the line and has some of the most advanced polar ship technologies and has the highest-rated ice class of any purpose-built passenger vessel. Lindblad says that its X-Bow design will afford "the smoothest, most comfortable ride imaginable, in all sea behavior" as well as greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions.
The ship's sister vessel, the National Geographic Resolution, is slated for delivery next year.