Lindblad Expeditions has launched its newest expedition cruise ship, National Geographic Endurance, during a christening ceremony in Reykjavik, Iceland.

The ceremony was attended by Lindblad guests, as well as the line’s founder and co-chair, Sven Lindblad, CEO Dolf Berle, and the ship’s captain, Aaron Wood.

Following the event the 126-guest ship departed on its 19-day inaugural itinerary exploring Iceland and Greenland.

Named to honour explorer Ernest Shackleton, National Geographic Endurance “embodies every innovation and concept Lindblad Expeditions has developed in 50+ years of pioneering expedition travel”, the line said in a statement.

Lindblad said: “The energy, the enthusiasm, the dedication that has been put in to the making of this ship was for one purpose only – to make it possible for you folks to go out and explore the world, and to appreciate the world and all its wonders and then to face together some of the challenges that we inevitably must as it relates to the natural world.

“I have not seen the ship since January of 2020, and arriving today and walking through, it just took my breath away. I really hope you like this ship.”

Berle added: “What was wonderful for me to witness was a number of you meeting staff from our ships that you knew, sometimes more than 10 years ago, and so there is a family feeling already, and that is a big part of who we are.

“The environmental aspect of what we are doing, and the importance of this ship to promote research, raise funds for Pristine Seas, and for the people in the communities we explore, carries on the great Lindblad tradition.”

Captain Wood said the crew “waited for so long for this moment”, adding: “The ideas that we have inside the ship, they have been coming, not just for years, they have been coming for decades, for whole careers. This vessel is the pinnacle of all of that.”

National Geographic Endurance features the X-Bow, described as a “a game-changing design” that is said to provide a smoother sailing experience.

Image credit: Julie Rowland