This week I thought I would do something slightly different and look at a small cruise ship, i.e., one that is less than 50,000 gross tons. In order to compete with the large ships with all their features and amenities, small cruise ships have to offer something different such as unique itineraries and/or different levels of luxury and personal attention.
The National Geographic Explorer differentiates itself by offering expedition voyages. It goes to remote, out-of-the-way places such as the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship is a former Norwegian coastal ferry that was re-built earlier this year, equipped with stabilizers and strengthened with a reinforced steel ice belt so that she now qualifies as an “Ice-class 1A Expedition Ship.”
National Geographic Explorer is operated as a partnership by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. Lindblad has been taking passengers to remote places like the Galapagos Islands since 1979. The well-known National Geographic Society has been promoting exploration since the 1880s. Thus, the partners have a common bond and the National Geographic Society’s scientists, photographers and exploration technology enhance the travel experience on the Linblad voyages.
Given the two organizations’ backgrounds, it is natural that the focus of the voyages is on exploration and learning about the natural world. Zodiac rigid inflatable boats are used to take passengers ashore at places that rarely, if ever, see outsiders from the Information Age. Passengers can paddle along shorelines and amongst wildlife in a fleet of kayaks kept onboard. Images from the ship’s remote controlled submersible are shown on the ship’s high definition televisions. Naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and photographers interact with the passengers and convey their enthusiasm for conservation and preserving the environment.
While the focus is on exploration of the wild, the passengers do not rough it like the explorers of old. When the ship was rebuilt, the existing passenger accommodations were gutted and replaced with large well-appointed suites and staterooms. A small but nice spa complex was added. There is a large lounge with a bar and plasma television screens, a 600 volume library, an Internet center, an intimate piano bar and bistro to name a few of the ship’s amenities.
Thus, the National Geographic Explorer is a way to explore places well off the beaten track in comfort. My profile of the ship with menus and daily programs appears at http://www.beyondships.com/NG-Explorer-Profile.html The photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/NG-Explorer-Photo-Tour.html
The National Geographic Explorer differentiates itself by offering expedition voyages. It goes to remote, out-of-the-way places such as the Arctic and Antarctic. The ship is a former Norwegian coastal ferry that was re-built earlier this year, equipped with stabilizers and strengthened with a reinforced steel ice belt so that she now qualifies as an “Ice-class 1A Expedition Ship.”
National Geographic Explorer is operated as a partnership by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. Lindblad has been taking passengers to remote places like the Galapagos Islands since 1979. The well-known National Geographic Society has been promoting exploration since the 1880s. Thus, the partners have a common bond and the National Geographic Society’s scientists, photographers and exploration technology enhance the travel experience on the Linblad voyages.
Given the two organizations’ backgrounds, it is natural that the focus of the voyages is on exploration and learning about the natural world. Zodiac rigid inflatable boats are used to take passengers ashore at places that rarely, if ever, see outsiders from the Information Age. Passengers can paddle along shorelines and amongst wildlife in a fleet of kayaks kept onboard. Images from the ship’s remote controlled submersible are shown on the ship’s high definition televisions. Naturalists, historians, undersea specialists and photographers interact with the passengers and convey their enthusiasm for conservation and preserving the environment.
While the focus is on exploration of the wild, the passengers do not rough it like the explorers of old. When the ship was rebuilt, the existing passenger accommodations were gutted and replaced with large well-appointed suites and staterooms. A small but nice spa complex was added. There is a large lounge with a bar and plasma television screens, a 600 volume library, an Internet center, an intimate piano bar and bistro to name a few of the ship’s amenities.
Thus, the National Geographic Explorer is a way to explore places well off the beaten track in comfort. My profile of the ship with menus and daily programs appears at http://www.beyondships.com/NG-Explorer-Profile.html The photo tour and commentary begins at http://www.beyondships.com/NG-Explorer-Photo-Tour.html
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