With state of the art tools and technology for the ultimate experience in exploring life above and below the sea, the National Geographic Explorer is currently carrying its first group of guests on a 14-day voyage from Iceland to Greenland. While onboard, Lindblad guests will have the opportunity to experience a myriad of exceptional accoutrements which make the National Geographic Explorer an unparalleled base for exploring the seas. Some of these features, which create Lindblad’s hallmark intimate and educational environment include:

– A Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) that can explore the ocean at depths to 1000ft.;
– A Reinforced Ice Belt ensuring the ability to go further with the greatest safety in polar regions;
– The Observation Lounge, a glassed enclosed venue with exceptional views, providing panoramic vistas of scenic destinations;
– A Chart Room with nautical maps and other navigational information;
– A Remote Controlled Crow’s Nest Camera with real-time footage broadcast on high definition LCD video screens within each cabin;
– An Electronic Chart System that broadcasts as a channel in the cabins;
– 14 Zodiacs with an internal boarding mechanism that allows guests to disembark quickly and seamlessly from the ship;
– 36 Kayaks that allows guests to kayak in remote and pristine environments — a unique ability of Lindblad in the Arctic and Antarctica.

“The National Geographic Explorer is a magnificent ship. With the tools and technology housed onboard, she is the ultimate 21st century expedition vessel. She is also a beautiful ship that has been built with careful attention to detail and comfort,” said Sven Lindblad, founder and president of Lindblad Expeditions. “I am certain that our guests are going to enjoying exploring remote and pristine places of beauty while traveling on the National Geographic Explorer and I am excited by this newest chapter in our company’s development.”

Details about the National Geographic Explorer as well as upcoming itineraries can be found at www.expeditions.com.

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In 2006, Europe generated 3.4 million cruise passengers last year, equivalent to 23% of the global source markets, and the ECC forecasts that there will be 5 million by 2015. Dingle said he personally expects the figure to be reached much sooner, meaning that more than half the new cruise ships to be delivered in the near future should be employed in European markets.

The UK accounts for 34% of the European source markets and continues to develop at a brisk rate, and Dingle predicted that 2.0 million Britons would take a cruise in 2012. The figure for 2007 was 1.35 million and it is expected to rise by 200,000 this year, when several new ships will enter the market. The increase alone is roughly equal to the number of cruise holidays sold in the UK in 1994.

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