Lindblad orders expedition ship with inverted bow

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 travellers, 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 the 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.