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Lindblad pioneered tourism to the polar regions in 1966.
They know a bit about what works.
When they designed their flagship, MS National Geographic Explorer they did a magnificent job. A very satisfactory "home" for the journey. (Even more splendid than the ship was the ship's company... but that's another story.)
Eighty-one cabins and suites, all outside facing. Length: 112 m (367 ft) Tonnage: 6,471 (Gross) 1,942 (Net).
While we were aboard: 153 guests, cared for by 100 crew.
Happily, we had no fog, and no "nights". But if other voyagers hit such bad luck, they will find that the ship itself is an adventure!
It took a few days to really "get my bearings", be able to move from "A" to "B" quickly, efficiently, confidently. And I never did come across at least one feature of the ship! (The fitness center/ sauna.)
Before we proceed, a suggestion. Maybe a bit OTT, but try it? Maybe you'll like it! It works exactly like this with Firefox. Other browsers should offer something similar.
- Right-click on the image
- Select "Save Image As"
- Give it a name- I'd suggest tmp.jpg...
... and open the resulting file. Now, as you read the text below, you can have a copy of the diagram in a separate window to refer to.
For that suggestion to "work", you need to have neither the browser this is in nor the image taking up your whole screen. And you'll probably have to fiddle a bit with their sizes and positions. Whew! Try it! The technique has many uses, once you get the hang of it.)
I am starting my description of the ship with the labels on the right edge of the diagram. The four with cyan lines merely indicate the ship's terms for the main decks... "Deck 1" (D1) on top, working down "2", "3" and "4". There were engineering spaces, and I suspect crew quarters, below deck 4. (No guest cabins on 4.)
Still among the labels on the right edge:
Lib: is for "library", a long, pleasant room, walls virtually all glass. Roof, too, I think, but when I was up there some "screens" were in place. Comfortable chairs, tables, many books. This, besides its obvious charms, was also the venue for an alternate "light" lunch... which had most of what was available in the main dining areas. And the scene of my fall from jigsaw puzzle avoidance.
MC: is for "My cabin", although 333 was actually on the starboard side, in the equivalent position. Very conveniently placed near the central stairwell! But there was no noise in the hallways to annoy.
ZD: is for "Zodiac Dock". There was another on the other side. A big "hole" could be opened in the side of the ship, and it was through this that we accessed the Zodiacs and kayaks.
Now go to the top label on the left hand side...
MD: is for "Monkey Deck". Somewhat exposed! But superb views. And you could shelter, up to a point, behind the welcome ("wall"?? What is the right term?)... which also had a shelf... very useful for putting down whichever of camera, binoculars, spotting scope wasn't needed for the moment. NOT a good place to put gloves... the wind was usually brisk up there.
Br: is for "Bridge". Captain Kruess allowed us unlimited access! Very unusual, I believe, and very much appreciated. There were so many things that I found fascinating up there.
CRD: is for "Chart Room Deck". Not a "deck" exactly, but again my naval terminology fails me. In the image you can see... this was a "promenade" where guests could assemble with excellent views forward. And if you put yourself in the little porches port and starboard, there was some shelter from the wind.
I've called it the Chart Room Deck, because just behind it, inside the ship, was the "Chart Room". Not actually the heart of the ship's navigation. A guest area. More on the Chart Room later.
Pr: is for "prow". Again, we were allowed almost unlimited access. Great views, and I enjoyed being able to look closely at the engineering of the anchor winches, etc. I've seldom been allowed access to this, an important "working" area, on other ships. (We were kept out of harm's way when the anchors were being deployed or recovered. As was most of the crew!)
CS?: is for "Crew Space?". Despite many days of scurrying around the ship... sometimes lost in the adventure... I must admit that I can't remember what is behind these windows!
Dear Gentle Reader... sorry... the text to go with that heading isn't done yet! (Please write and complain if you see this after 10 July 16!!) There is a lot more to be said about the ship... the above merely "sets the stage".
(If you came here from the Top Page, it is probably still open "under" this one. Just close the current tab, and you should be returned to the Top Page.)
Page WILL BE been tested for compliance with INDUSTRY (not MS-only) standards, using the free, publicly accessible validator at validator.w3.org. Mostly passes. There were two "unknown attributes" in Google Translate and Google+ button code. Sigh.