Lindblad's Newest Innovation: The X-Bow

The first thing you’re sure to notice about our brand-new polar vessel is her distinctive profile, which comes from the patented X-Bow®. Introduced by Ulstein, our Norwegian shipbuilder, this game-changing design literally turns the image of a ship’s bow upside down. But it’s not just a pretty silhouette — the X-Bow ups the ante on the expedition experience in a variety of ways. Here are four you can look forward to.  Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

An incredibly smooth and quiet ride

X-Bow is cleverly designed to slice through waves — rather than slam them — guaranteeing the smoothest, most comfortable ride imaginable, in all kinds of conditions. One captain of an X-Bow vessel even calculated it reduced the movement of his ship by approximately 20 percent compared to more conventional-designed vessels. And since it eliminates bow impact on the water, the X-Bow reduces noise and vibration too, making for a quieter ride for everyone on board.

Faster travel time means more exploring time

“Given that the X-Bow slices the seas more efficiently, National Geographic Endurance will also be a faster vessel,” explains Trey Byus, Lindblad’s Chief Expedition Officer. That means less time spent transiting open waters and more time getting off the ship and exploring all of the awesome and remote places the ship will be able to access.

The wildlife viewing is top-notch

With no bow to obstruct your forward view you can look straight down to the waterline of the ship—rewarding you with a direct and phenomenal view of majestic polar bears lumbering across the ice or exuberant pods of dolphins playing in the wake. No leaning out over the deck rail required! Plus, with multiple walk-out areas from the bridge and new Observation Wings on both the back and sides of the ship, Endurance will significantly increase the joy of watching and photographing wildlife.

It’s more eco-friendly

Thanks to its smooth ride, the X-Bow also results in greater fuel efficiency and fewer emissions for a reduced environmental impact. Something we at Lindblad are very pleased about—one of our guiding principles is to positively impact the areas we explore and minimize our eco-footprint as much as possible. On that note, Endurance will also join the rest of our fleet in being 100 percent free of all single-use plastic bottles, cups, straws, and stirrers.

Key features like the X-Bow make National Geographic Endurance the world’s most extraordinary platform for expedition adventure. Learn more here and be the first aboard one of eight thrilling inaugural itineraries beginning 2020.