It’s probably fair to say that few agents will be familiar with National Geographic-Lindblad Cruises because even its new CEO Natalya Leahy admits that its business in the UK is negligible.
However, the expedition cruise line is planning to change that after hiring Fred. Holidays as its first UK general sales agent and appointing Danielle Bates as Head of UK Sales.
In fact, Natalya has ambitions for it to become the largest expedition cruise line in the UK and for the UK to become its second-largest market.
Agents are key to its strategy to expansion strategy, and Travel Gossip Editor-in-Chief Linsey McNeill joined several who were invited to experience one of its expedition ships, Endurance, when it sailed into London for an overnight visit earlier this year.
There was a positive reaction from the agents, who were impressed by the high quality of the ship’s fixtures and fittings, the fresh, Scandi-style décor, the amount of space in public areas – especially its vast windows – the layout of the cabins, the service and the food.
I’d expected my room – one of two new solo cabins – to feel a little cramped, but it was spacious, with a desk, a decent-size shower room and pretty large balcony with a hammock, and cool features such as a mobile and tablet docking station to prevent them moving around in stormy weather. I also loved the fact that bed faced the window.
My lunch of cream of broccoli soup, butter chicken curry and lime and basil panna cotta served in the main restaurant was delicious and the service was faultless. The ship also has a lovely chef’s table for a more intimate dining experience.
What are the ship’s unique selling points?
Endurance was purpose-built for polar navigation, boasting a bow with ‘wave-slicing action’ that promises a smooth ride, even in rough weather, and also reduces spray on deck for better observation. Since we only sailed down the Thames, I can’t say if it works, but that’s what it says in the literature.
However, it is the case that, as a small ship, carrying just 138 passengers, guests are likely to spend more time on land in destinations like Antarctica, where numbers are restricted to a maximum of 100 people at a time, than when sailing on ships with a higher capacity.
Also, given the low head count for the ship’s tonnage, Endurance is likely to feel much roomier than similar sized ships with a higher capacity.
The two solo cabins make it a good option for single travellers, but it’s also one of the few family-friendly expedition lines, with the suites sleeping up to three guests. It also has a National Geographic Explorers in Training programme, with a range of activities designed to educate as well as entertain its younger guests.
Expedition Leader Peter Wilson said: “We get a lot of families around Christmas time, even those with very young children. For kids, seeing whales and the other wildlife can be a life-changing event.”
Talking of whales, a super-efficient crane mechanism used by Endurance to launch its Zodiacs (inflatable dinghies), means it can have its guests out on the water within about 15 minutes, so if there’s a whale sighting, they won’t miss it.
The ship is also equipped with kayaks, snow-shoes and cross-country skis to make it easier for gets to experience the polar regions, and there are National Geographic lecturers and photographers onboard to capture the best moments, both above and below the water.
Things I didn’t expect to see on an expedition ship were the yoga studio, spa facilities and infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, all of which added a feeling of luxury.
Another cool feature of Endurance is the addition of two glass igloos on the deck, each kitted out with a double bed, so guests can literally sleep under the stars. They’re booked on a first-come, first-served basis, at no additional cost. Guests are woken with a cup of tea in the morning, but they have to return to their cabins for a shower
Lindblad cruises aren’t cheap, but excursions are included in the price, and Natalya reckons that when you add up everything up, it’s cheaper for a family to visit an expensive country like Iceland on one its cruises than taking a land-based trip.
