The 1982-built, 150-passenger ice-class, polar expedition vessel (ex- Lyngen) is the seventh in Lindblad’s fleet. The Lyngen was purchased from Norwegian Hurtigruten, and underwent an extensive rebuilding in shipyards in Gothenburg and Las Palmas. Refurbishment of the vessel reportedly cost between $25 and $30 million

“Every interior space on the ship is brand new. We put our entire history of exploration into creating the finest expedition ship afloat,” said President Sven-Olof Lindblad.

The Explorer will offer sailings in the Canadian Maritimes this fall; and throughout the winter season, she will be in Antarctica – after which, she will sail in the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. In summer 2009, the Explorer will be sailing the British Isles and Arctic Norway; and next fall, the ship will sail in Northern and Western Europe, before returning to Antarctica again during the winter months.