SAN FRANCISCO -- The
National Geographic Venture was christened by Lindblad Expedition’s first
employee in a ceremony here at the former Navy base on Treasure Island.
Pamela Fingleton, senior vice president and assistant to
founder Sven-Olaf Lindblad, flung a bottle of champagne over the bow of the new
100-passenger ship before a preview cruise in San Francisco Bay.
The U.S.-flagged Venture was built at the Nichols Brothers
shipyard in Freeland, Wash., at a cost of $55 million. The Venture is a sister
ship to the National Geographic Quest, which was delivered last year.
Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Its features include a two-tiered viewing area on the bow, a
dedicated mudroom for expedition gear and eight custom-designed Mark V Zodiac
inflatable landing craft.
The ship will sail Pacific coastal itineraries from Alaska
to Central America.