The National Geographic Resolution recently completed five years of service, having been delivered to Lindblad Expeditions on September 30, 2021.

A sister to the 2020-built National Geographic Endurance, the polar expedition ship was built at Ulstein Verft in Norway.

The 126-passenger ship spent a few weeks out of service while repositioning to Antarctica for its maiden season.

The National Geographic Resolution’s first cruise departed Ushuaia on November 17, 2021, and visited Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

The vessel was christened during the inaugural voyage at a ceremony in Duse Bay in the Weddell Sea.

Captain Heidi Norling, the first female captain in Lindblad’s international fleet, served as godmother for the naming, which was held on November 23, 2021.

Following its first season in Antarctica, the 12,000-ton vessel made its debut in Europe, offering cruises to Portugal, France, Scotland and Norway before repositioning to the Arctic.

The National Geographic Resolution then returned to Antarctica for a second season in 2022-23, repositioning via Japan, the East China Sea and the Pacific Islands.

Following another deployment in the Arctic, the ship is currently repositioning to Antarctica for the 2026-27 season.

The vessel’s 2027 deployment includes itineraries in the Pacific and the Canadian Arctic, visiting destinations such as Tahiti, Japan and Fiji.

According to Lindblad, the National Geographic Resolution was named to honor the first ship to cross the Antarctic Circle, which was commanded by Captain James Cook in 1773.

The ship features Ulstein’s patented X-Bow design, which Lindblad said provides a smoother, more comfortable ride in a range of conditions.

In addition to Scandinavian-inspired interiors, the vessel features a PC5 ice-reinforced hull and a range of public areas.