{{Short description|Expedition cruise ship built in 2001}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox ship | infobox_caption = ''National Geographic Gemini'' | display_title = ital | section1 = {{Infobox ship/image | image = NG Gemini July 2025 in Galápagos.jpg | image_caption = ''National Geographic Gemini'' in the Galápagos Islands, July 2025 }} | section2 = {{Infobox ship/career | flag = {{flag|The Bahamas|civil}} | name = * ''National Geographic Gemini'' (since 2025) * ''Xpedition'' (2004–2025) * ''Sun Bay'' (2001–2004) | owner = * 2001–2004: Sun Bay Cruises * 2004–2025: Royal Caribbean Group * 2025–present: Lindblad Expeditions | operator = * 2001–2004: Sun Bay Cruises * 2004–2025: Celebrity Cruises * 2025–present: Lindblad Expeditions | registry = * 2001–2003: Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} * 2003–2004: Valletta, {{flag|Malta|civil}} * 2004–present: Guayaquil, {{flag|Ecuador|civil}} | route = | ordered = | builder = Cassens Werft (Emden, Germany) | original_cost = | yard_number = 30228 | laid_down = | launched = February 17, 2001<ref name="Fakta om fartyg, M/S Sun Bay">[http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/sun_bay_2001.htm Fakta om fartyg, M/S Sun Bay]{{in lang|sv}}</ref> | completed = June 11, 2001 | christened = June 15, 2001<ref name="Fakta om fartyg, M/S Sun Bay"/> | maiden_voyage = | out_of_service= | identification = * {{IMO Number|9228368}} * {{MMSI Number|735023483}} * {{Call sign|HC2083}}<ref name="IMO" /> | fate = | status = In service | notes = }} | section3 = {{Infobox ship/characteristics | type = Expedition ship | tonnage = * {{GT|2937}}<ref name="IMO">{{Cite web |date=February 18, 2026 |title=IMO 9880685 |url=https://gisis.imo.org/Public/SHIPS/ShipDetails.aspx?IMONumber=9880685 |access-date=February 19, 2026 |website=International Maritime Organization}}</ref> | displacement = | length = {{cvt|296|ft}}<ref name="Lindblad Expeditions" /> | beam = {{cvt|43|ft}}<ref name="Lindblad Expeditions" /> | height = | draft = | depth = | decks = 6 | ice_class = | power = | propulsion = | speed = {{cvt|16|kn}} | capacity = 48 passengers<ref name="Lindblad Expeditions">{{Cite web |title=National Geographic Gemini |url=https://www.expeditions.com/about/fleet/national-geographic-gemini |access-date=February 22, 2026 |website=Lindblad Expeditions |language=en-US}}</ref> | crew = 57<ref name="Lindblad Expeditions" /> | notes = }} }}
'''''National Geographic Gemini''''' is an expedition cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions. Built by Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, the vessel was launched on February 17, 2001, and completed in June that year. She entered service as '''''Sun Bay''''' for Sun Bay Cruises, was renamed '''''Xpedition''''' in 2004 after acquisition by Royal Caribbean Group for operation by Celebrity Cruises, and in 2025 was purchased by Lindblad Expeditions and renamed ''National Geographic Gemini''.<ref name="LindbladPurchase">{{cite web |url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2025/03/lindblads-national-geographic-gemini-enters-service-in-the-galapagos/ |title=Lindblad's National Geographic Gemini Enters Service in the Galapagos |date=March 12, 2025 |access-date=March 13, 2025}}</ref>
''National Geographic Gemini'' was constructed by Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, as an expedition cruise vessel. The vessel measures {{Convert|296|ft|sp=us}} in length overall, with a beam of {{Convert|43|ft|sp=us}}. She has a gross tonnage of {{GT|2937|link=off}} and a service speed of approximately {{Convert|16|kn}}.<ref name="Lindblad Expeditions" /><ref name="IMO" />
Originally configured to accommodate 96 passengers and 68 crew, the ship underwent a significant refit following her acquisition by Lindblad Expeditions. Passenger capacity was reduced to 48 guests with 57 crew.
''Sun Bay'' had a sister ship, ''Sun Bay II'', later converted to private yacht use and ultimately operated as ''Lauren L''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lauren L - Cassens-Werft Motor Yacht |url=https://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-3085/lauren-l.htm |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190716202026/https://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-3085/lauren-l.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2026}}</ref> The larger ''National Geographic Orion'' was subsequently built by the same shipyard to a broadly similar design.
The vessel operates year-round itineraries in the Galápagos Islands.
On November 5, 2019, while operating as ''Celebrity Xpedition'', the ship ran aground in the Galápagos Islands. No passengers or crew were injured and no environmental damage was reported.<ref>{{cite web |title=Passengers Evacuated As Celebrity Xpedition Cruise Ship Runs Aground in the Galapagos |url=https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/4729/ |website=Cruise Critic |access-date=January 10, 2020}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons}} * [https://www.expeditions.com/ships/national-geographic-gemini National Geographic Gemini – Lindblad Expeditions]
{{Lindblad Expedition Ships}}
Category:Ships of Lindblad Expeditions Category:Expedition cruise ships Category:Ships built in Emden Category:2001 ships