Rebuilt from a rugged Norwegian coastal passenger and cargo ship, Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer is an expedition ship outfitted with high-tech equipment (hydrophones, video microscopes, remotely operated vehicles) to study and photograph the surrounding waters. In the spirit of exploration, up to 148 passengers review the results during daily pre-dinner recaps. Itineraries concentrate on the Arctic and Antarctic, and in between seasons, National Geographic Explorer can be found in Northern Europe and South America, specifically Patagonia.