The original expedition cruise pioneer, in collaboration with National Geographic since 2004
Lars-Eric Lindblad invented commercial expedition cruising — Antarctica in 1966 and the Galápagos in 1967, the first private citizens ever to reach either. His son Sven has run the company since 1979, partnering with the National Geographic Society since 2004. Today: 23 ships, 100+ itineraries on all 7 continents and 70+ countries, with the world's most advanced fleet of expedition vessels. Single-use-plastic free, carbon-neutral, with onboard National Geographic Photography Experts, certified photo instructors, undersea specialists and a dedicated kids' Global Explorers programme.
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Six reasons we recommend this line to the right kind of traveller.
Lindblad invented this category. They were first to Antarctica (1966) and first to the Galápagos (1967) and have been pioneering remote-region cruising for nearly 60 years. The infrastructure they've built — local relationships, permits, science partnerships, expert teams — is the deepest in the industry.
Every NG-Lindblad polar voyage carries a National Geographic Photography Expert (NG Endurance, Resolution, Explorer, Orion) — a working NG photographer. Daily image reviews, technical workshops, optional shore-side instruction. Every ship also carries a certified photo instructor. The on-loan OM System Photo Gear Locker provides cameras and lenses for guests to try out.
On NG Endurance, Resolution, Explorer, Orion (the polar fleet) plus Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, Sun Goddess and The Jahan: ALL drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, spirits) and crew gratuities are included in the fare. Plus Starlink Wi-Fi, all activities (kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkelling, Zodiac), and shore excursions. Galápagos and US-coastal ships have a smaller inclusion package.
Lindblad operates the most varied fleet in the industry — polar ice-class expedition vessels (NG Endurance, NG Resolution), Galápagos-specific small ships, sailing ships (Sea Cloud, Sea Cloud II), Amazon riverboats (Delfin II), Mekong/Burma river vessels (The Jahan, Sun Goddess), Scottish lochs (Lord of the Glens), Nile dahabiyas (Oberoi Philae), Alaska coastal small ships. Each is purpose-designed for its destination — not a one-ship-fits-all approach.
Family-friendly with a dedicated National Geographic Global Explorers programme for children: field journals, photography lessons designed for under-18s, "young naturalist" certification. One of the few expedition operators that genuinely accommodates families with kids 7-16 — and explicitly markets to them.
5% discount when 8+ guests travel together (a country club, photo society, family reunion, school group). One-on-one assistance from Lindblad's in-house group team. No tour leader fee, no minimum-cabin requirement, no special arrangements — just a published discount.
No cruise line is for everyone. Here's where National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions might not fit. We'll point you elsewhere if so.
NG-Lindblad ships are very comfortable but not luxury-hotel — there's no butler service, no marble bathrooms, no formal-night dressing-up. The atmosphere is informal expedition style. For ultra-luxury polar look at Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot or Silversea's Silver Endeavour.
Even the largest NG-Lindblad ships (Endurance, Resolution at 126 guests) are small expedition vessels — single restaurant, lecture lounge, observation deck, library. No theatre, no casino, no spa-resort scale. The voyage IS the entertainment.
Lindblad operates a fairly traditional cancellation policy with escalating penalties as departure approaches. Outside the cancellation penalty window any deposit is refundable; closer to departure a percentage applies. Travel protection plan is strongly recommended and bookable at deposit.
Expedition cruising is intensely active — daily landings, daily Zodiac cruises, daily wildlife exploration, often before breakfast and after dinner. The pace is full-on. If you want relaxed sea-day variety with optional port-day exploration, choose Celebrity, HAL or a mainstream brand.
The National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet at a glance.
Purpose-built polar expedition ship debuting 2020. Ulstein X-BOW® hull for stable polar crossings, ice-class PC-5, 126 guests, infinity hot tubs, glass igloo viewing pods, two restaurants. Antarctica, Arctic, Northwest Passage. Eco-Friendly Sustainable Cruise Ship winner 2024.
Identical sister ship to NG Endurance (2021 debut). Same X-BOW®, same ice-class, same 126-guest capacity, same infinity hot tubs and viewing pods. Polar deployment Antarctic + Arctic shoulder seasons.
Slightly larger 148-guest polar expedition ship — refurbished extensively, ice-class 1A. Antarctica, Arctic, Greenland. Mid-tier polar pricing.
Year-round Galápagos deployment, 96 guests, two Zodiacs per group for sub-100-guest landings (CGC regulations). Glass-bottom boat, kayaks, paddleboards. Naturalist-led shore programme.
Modern tall ship with traditional rigging — 30 sails, 94 guests in luxury cabins. Mediterranean classic sailing voyages, Atlantic crossings, Caribbean. Operated jointly with the Sea Cloud Cruises fleet.
Boutique Amazon riverboat for Upper Amazon (Peru) voyages from Iquitos. 28 guests in 14 suites. All-suite design, panoramic dining venue, observation lounge. CN Traveler Gold List Best Cruise Ship in the World 2024.
Mekong voyages (Vietnam + Cambodia) from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh. 48 guests in colonial-styled cabins with French Indochina design. Two restaurants, library, spa.
Most NG-Lindblad ships have one main restaurant — open seating, regional and sustainable menus, locally-sourced where possible. On the polar fleet (Endurance, Resolution) the second dining venue Cookery doubles as a chef's-table experience. Hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour, 24/7 snacks and beverages.
Every polar voyage carries a working National Geographic Photography Expert. Every ship carries a certified photo instructor. Daily image-review sessions, optional one-on-one instruction, shore-side photographer-led excursions for serious photographers. Plus OM System (Olympus) loan gear locker on the polar fleet.
Most NG-Lindblad voyages carry an Undersea Specialist — diving every day or two with underwater video cameras, sharing real-time footage in the lecture lounge. Hydrophones, underwater cameras, glass-bottom boats and snorkelling equipment available on most ships. Citizen-science contribution opportunities on selected voyages.
A dedicated National Geographic Global Explorers programme for children 7-18: field journals, age-appropriate photography lessons, naturalist Q&A sessions, "young explorer" certifications. The few cruise lines that genuinely market and design for multi-generational expedition travel.
Saunas, fitness studios, libraries stocked with destination-relevant literature. Polar ships add infinity hot tubs, glass-enclosed observation lounges and a geodesic igloo viewing pod. Plus the exploration tools: Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, glass-bottom boats — depending on ship and destination.
Every National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fare bakes these in.
Beer, wine, cocktails and spirits onboard NG polar fleet, Sea Cloud, Lord of the Glens, Oberoi Philae, The Jahan
Gratuities included on same ships listed above; charged separately on Galápagos and US-coastal
Zodiac cruises, kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboards, all guided shore excursions
Email/messaging basic tier included; enhanced packages for streaming charged extra
Cameras and lenses loaned for the voyage
Park entrance, photography permits, port taxes — all included
Returning-guest recognition rather than a points-based programme. Future-voyage savings, priority booking, exclusive returning-guest itineraries and small recognition gifts.
A Travel Designer who knows National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions will pick the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin tier for you. No call centres.