At a glance
History
Explorer was built in 1982 at Ulstein Verft in Norway as Hurtigruten's MS Midnatsol, and passed through two more names and owners before Lindblad renamed her National Geographic Explorer in 2008. She is the oldest hull in Lindblad's current polar fleet, and carries a 1A Super ice classification.
Equipment
14 to 15 Zodiacs, 36 two-person kayaks, a glass-bottom boat, and an ROV rated to 1,000 feet, with a full-time doctor, wellness specialist, undersea specialist and photo instructor aboard. Lindblad guarantees a National Geographic photographer on every Explorer departure — one of only two ships in the fleet with that guarantee, alongside National Geographic Orion.
What reviewers say
Based on this site's reading of the Cruise Critic sample for National Geographic Explorer
The ship's smaller size relative to Resolution and Endurance is consistently credited with an intimate, community feel among passengers.
Cruise CriticOpen-bridge policy and low freeboard are cited as giving closer, more frequent wildlife viewing than some larger ships.
Cruise CriticSome reviewers describe the daily programme as packed, with limited unscheduled downtime.
Cruise CriticDining is described by some as underwhelming relative to the fare, a criticism that recurs on Explorer more than on Lindblad's newer ships.
Cruise CriticFAQ
Is a National Geographic photographer guaranteed on every Explorer voyage?
Yes. Explorer and Orion are the two ships in Lindblad's fleet with a guaranteed photographer on every departure; other ships carry one on select departures only.
Where does National Geographic Explorer sail?
Antarctica and the Arctic in their respective seasons, plus Norway, Greenland, Iceland, the Canadian Arctic, the Baltic and South America on other departures.