Lindblad Expeditions Holdings ordered an expedition ship
from Norwegian shipyard Ulstein Group for delivery in 2020, with an option for
two more vessels.
The ship will have 69 cabins, including 12 for solo
travelers, giving it a capacity of 126 passengers. Of the cabins, 75% will have
balconies.
A core feature is Ulstein's signature X-BOW, a bow that increases
fuel efficiency while significantly improving guest comfort in rough seas. The
ship will have a very high ice class, allowing for access deep into polar
regions, Lindblad said.
A rendering of the ship shows a more contemporary design
than the two most recent ships Lindblad ordered from the Nichols Bros. shipyard
in Washington.
"We are incredibly excited to be working with Ulstein
and their brilliant team of engineers and designers on this state-of-the-art
vessel as we continue expansion of our fleet. It is the next step in the
long-term growth of the company, and will be the most extraordinary global
expedition ship in the world on a multitude of levels," said Lindblad CEO
Sven-Olof Lindblad.