b'OPERATIONSLindblad ExpeditionsNew Endurance Set to ImpressOur new ship is unique for us. Its definitely the highest class of comfort while also trying to align with the other ships in our fleet.sengers to know they do so in comfort and style. Years ago, when we started upgrading our cabins, I reached out to every cruise ship supplier that had a marine approved mattress and asked them for the highest quality that they could offer. And the first Bruce Tschampel, vice president round of samples we got we declined of hotel operations everyone. I think we sampled 12 mat-tresses before we finally got the one we wanted. It is the most comfortable mat-D efining luxury depends on perspec- the small market and the large markettress Ive ever seen, to the point where tive. Every persons expectation willand I dont see someone doing somethingpeople are actually calling us to see if be different and evolve to some degree inmore luxurious than we do other than athey can purchase it when they get home.each new situation. Is luxury conveyedbutler coming to your room.via a brand name? Is it a degree of phys- Butler service is distinctly not Lind- Enduranceical opulence? Is it overt extravagance?blads style. Room service is availableThe upcoming debut of the 126-pas-Is it an abundance of something scarce,as are other creature comforts, but theirsenger Endurance gives the line a chance something as simple as time?guests come for a small ship that allowsto explain how their offering is differ-Lindblad Expeditions wrestles with allfor interactions with fellow travelers. ent from both the older, rustic explorer these definitions. Just as they call theirLuxury, to us, is getting to a desti- ships, and the luxury lines moving into the voyages expeditions and not cruises, theynation and exploring, and spending a lotexpedition market.distinctly avoid the word luxury whileof time where we visit, and not waitingOur new ship is unique for us. Its producing and promoting a luxury prod- in line, and not waiting for your turn todefinitely the highest class of comfort uct, said Bruce Tschampel, vice presidentride a zodiac because there are only sowhile also trying to align with the other of hotel operations. many spaces to go ashore, he said. Aships in our fleet. Weve taken all that Our ships are uniquely small (126lot of the places we go to are limited byweve learned with the expedition market, guests). Even the newer players cominghow many people are allowed to be atwhats meaningful to our guests: having into the expedition market arent buildingthat destination. enough space to store all their expedition ships as small as ours, Tschampel said.Known for partnering with scientistsgear, having really comfortable rooms Ive been on the competitor ships in bothand polar explorers, Lindblad wants pas- with great acoustics, of course these great 28Cruise Industry News: MHA 35 thAnniversary'