Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic
National Geographic Explorer
About this vessel
The National Geographic Explorer is an ice-class expedition ship that accommodates 148 guests in 81 spacious cabins, each offering outside views, private bathrooms and sleek, modern furnishings.
Originally constructed to navigate Norway's famed Hurtigruten, her high degree of manoeuvrability, ideal size and platform for discovery made her a natural choice for the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet. Today she is a purpose-built expedition ship — a fully stabilised, ice-class vessel with an ice-reinforced hull enabling polar passages with comfort and a deep connection to the environment. She carries kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft plus sophisticated underwater video equipment.
Polarverse guide to National Geographic ExplorerGuide
Specifications
Year Built
1982
HeritageRefurbished
2024
Gross Tonnage
6000 GT
Total Decks
6
Length
111.9m
Guest Capacity
148
Crew
99
Ice Class
1A
IAATO Classification
Category 1
Operator
Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic
Steady Operator
Dependable, even profiles without an elite peak.
Polar Luxury Index
How luxuriously National Geographic Explorer lives — suites, crew-to-guest service, dining, wellness, and design, independent of fare.
Field Experience Score
How efficiently National Geographic Explorer converts time at sea into exploration — staging, landing rotations, and guide density.
Drake Comfort Coefficient
How comfortably National Geographic Explorer handles open-ocean swells — displacement mass, transit speed, stabilization, and hull shape.
Onboard
Life on board.
A curated look at the dining, lounges and outdoor spaces that shape daily life aboard National Geographic Explorer.
Discovery
4 spaces
Bridge
The fleet's open-bridge policy allows guests to visit anytime to chat with the captain and crew, conditions permitting.
Chart Room
A navigation-themed chart room below the bridge, fitted with maps, a globe and reference materials.
Global Gallery
A shop and exhibit space showcasing local crafts, books and expedition-related items.
Library
A library with panoramic windows and a well-stocked collection of books on the places explored.
Dining
2 spacesBistro Bar
A casual bistro and bar offering lighter meals and a relaxed alternative to the main dining room.
Main Dining Room
Regionally inspired cuisine using fresh, local ingredients, served at a single seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere.
Bars & Lounges
1 spaceObservation Lounge
A panoramic lounge with bar where light meals are also served, the perfect spot to watch the world pass by.
Spa & Wellness
3 spaces
Fitness Center
A fitness centre with cardio and weight equipment facing the sea.
Sauna
A sauna for warming up after a day of polar exploration.
Spa
A spa offering a menu of body, facial and wellness treatments.
Outdoor Decks
1 space
Mudroom
Lockers for expedition gear and the launching point for all Zodiac and kayak operations.
Entertainment
1 space
Lounge & Bar
The main lounge with bar and state-of-the-art presentation facilities for films, slideshows and talks.
Other
1 spaceInternet Café
An internet café and computer station for guest use; connection may be slow in remote areas.
Curious if this vessel suits you?
Our polar specialists can help you match the right vessel to your expedition goals — from capacity and cabin preference to seasonality and route style.
Cabins
Cabin categories.
Solo Cabin – Single Oceanview
A dedicated single cabin for solo travellers with an outside view and private bathroom.
Category 1 – Oceanview Cabin (Portholes)
An outside cabin with one or two portholes on the Main Deck, with a writing desk, reading lamps and a well-appointed bathroom.
Category 2 – Oceanview Cabin (Window)
An outside cabin with a large window amidships, with a writing desk and private bathroom.
Category 3 – Oceanview Cabin (Window)
A larger outside cabin with a large window, writing desk and private bathroom.
Category 4 – Oceanview Suite
A spacious oceanview suite with a sitting area, writing desk and private bathroom.
Category 5 – Balcony Suite
A suite with a private balcony, approximately 15 m², featuring two lower singles or a queen and at least one large window.
Category 6 – Suite with Balcony
A larger suite with a private balcony and a separate sitting area.
Category 7 – Large Balcony Suite
Private balcony; sofa bed; walk-in closet
The largest suite aboard, with a full-length private balcony, sofa bed and a walk-in closet, updated with Scandinavian design.
What's included
Inclusions
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
Ship Facilities
Spa Facilities
Included · Saunas open to all guests at no charge.
Yoga Studio
Included · Daily yoga and stretching classes in the glass-enclosed studio (Endurance & Resolution).
Suite & Room Amenities
In-Room Amenities
Included · Individual climate control, Wi-Fi, and USB/mobile device docking in every cabin.
In-Room Dining
Complimentary use · 24-hour room service on Endurance & Resolution.
Onboard Services
Wi-Fi
Included · Complimentary basic Wi-Fi plan that accommodates email, messaging and social media apps
Gratuities
Included
Self-Service Laundry
Included · Self-service launderette.
Food & Beverage
Dining
Included · All meals, 24-hour access to snacks, premium coffees and teas, nonalcoholic beverages and filtered water
Beverages
Included · Premium spirits, cocktails, beer, wine and liqueurs included on Endurance & Resolution; beer and wine with meals on Explorer.
Expedition Gear
Trekking Poles
Included · Trekking poles, snowshoes and cross-country skis available for shore excursions.
Binoculars
Complimentary use · Binoculars available for loan; one pair per suite for the voyage.
Parka / Expedition Jacket
Included
Polar Boots
Included · Waterproof muck boots for landings on polar voyages.
Destination experiences
Activities
✓ Included · ◐ Complimentary use · + Additional fee
7 activities
Shore Landings & Hikes
Step ashore onto remote beaches and tundra, walking among penguin rookeries, historic huts and dramatic geological formations with expert guides.
Polar Plunge
The legendary polar plunge — a bracing, supervised leap into polar waters, followed by a hot drink and a certificate to mark the moment.
Sea Kayaking
Paddle silently among icebergs and along sheltered coastlines at water level — the most intimate way to encounter the polar environment.
Standup Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboard excursions on ice and shore.
Zodiac Cruising
Glide through brash ice and sculpted bergs in a stable inflatable Zodiac, exploring coves, glacier faces and wildlife haul-outs unreachable by ship.
Lectures & Presentations
Daily talks from naturalists, historians and scientists on polar ecology, exploration history, glaciology and the wildlife you'll encounter.
Photography Workshops
Hands-on field tuition from resident photographers — mastering exposure in snow, capturing wildlife behaviour and refining composition in polar light.
Gallery