Arctic · Antarctica · Galápagos · Alaska · Worldwide

Lindblad Expeditions | National Geographic

Explore the planet’s wildest places with the pioneers of expedition cruising. Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, takes you to remote corners of the world aboard purpose-built ships with onboard naturalists, photographers, and undersea specialists who turn every voyage into an immersive adventure.

Vector graphic: 3786853_NATGEOEXP_24 Lindblad Co-Brand logo black bkgd JWM.svg

Expedition Cruising, Redefined

Lindblad Expeditions has been taking travelers to the ends of the earth since 1979, building on a family legacy of expedition travel that stretches back to the 1960s. Their exclusive alliance with National Geographic means every voyage comes with a team of experts – naturalists, certified photo instructors, undersea specialists with ROVs and hydrophones, and a National Geographic photographer on select sailings. These aren’t just cruises. They’re field experiences on small, nimble ships built to reach places larger vessels can’t go. With a fleet carrying between 28 and 148 guests, the focus stays squarely on exploration, learning, and a genuine encounter with the natural world.

At a Glance

Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic – Expedition & Adventure Cruising

Fleet: Purpose-built expedition ships and National Geographic-branded vessels carrying 28 to 148 guests

Destinations: Antarctica, Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland), Galápagos, Alaska, Baja California, Central & South America, Europe, Pacific Islands, and more

Signature Feature: National Geographic expert staff onboard every voyage, including naturalists, certified photo instructors, and undersea specialists with Zodiac landing craft

Philosophy: “Exploring the world in comfort, connecting with its wonders, and caring for its wild places.”

  • Ship accommodations across a range of cabin categories
  • All meals aboard ship, including room service on select vessels
  • Beer, wine, and spirits aboard ship
  • All excursions and Zodiac landing activities
  • National Geographic certified photo instructor guidance
  • Expert naturalist-led presentations and field briefings
  • Undersea specialist program with ROV and video microscope
  • Use of kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear (where applicable)
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi (bandwidth varies by region)
  • Fitness center and wellness activities
  • Special access permits and park entry fees
  • Expedition parka on polar voyages

  • The only expedition cruise line with an exclusive, long-standing alliance with National Geographic
  • Small ship sizes – 28 to 148 guests – allow access to remote, hard-to-reach destinations
  • Onboard expedition teams of naturalists, photographers, and undersea specialists on every sailing
  • Zodiac landing craft for up-close wildlife encounters and shore landings in wild terrain
  • Industry leader in sustainability with a carbon-neutral pledge and LEX-NG Fund supporting conservation
  • Flexible itineraries that adapt to real-time wildlife sightings and weather conditions
  • Inclusive pricing with excursions, gear, alcohol, and expert guidance built into the fare

Main Dining Room: Open-seating restaurant featuring regionally inspired cuisine with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible

Al Fresco Dining: Outdoor grill and casual options on the open deck (on select vessels)

Inclusive Beverages: Complimentary beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails throughout the voyage

Wellness Menu: Health-conscious options available at every meal

Menus reflect the regions you’re exploring – expect fresh ceviche in the Galápagos, Nordic-inspired plates in the Arctic, and local flavors woven into every port of call. Room service is available on the newer National Geographic vessels.

Lindblad’s cabin categories range from comfortable single and twin cabins on the heritage expedition ships to spacious suites with private balconies on the newer National Geographic Resolution and Endurance. On the polar-class vessels, most cabins feature ocean-facing windows or balconies so you never miss a passing iceberg or whale breach.

Newer ships feature the Observation Lounge, infinity-style Jacuzzi, and the National Geographic Global Explorers Lounge. All cabins include quality linens, in-room entertainment, and climate control.

Solo traveler options are available on most vessels, with select single-occupancy cabins and periodic reduced single supplement offers.

At a Glance

Expedition Pioneer

All-Inclusive

Adventure at its most refined

  • National Geographic experts on every voyage
  • All excursions & Zodiac landings included
  • Beer, wine & spirits throughout
  • Certified photo instructor guidance
  • Undersea specialist & exploration tools
  • Kayaks, paddleboards & snorkel gear
  • Expedition parka on polar voyages

Explore

Discover Lindblad Expeditions

Two kayakers paddle in a bright yellow kayak in pristine Arctic waters surrounded by icebergs, with the National Geographic Endurance cruise ship visible in the background. This scene captures an expedition cruise experience combining adventure activities with luxury polar exploration.

Where the Map Ends, the Journey Begins

Lindblad doesn’t follow standard cruise itineraries. Their expedition leaders read the conditions – weather, wildlife, and ice – and adjust plans to give you the most rewarding experience possible. That might mean changing course to follow a pod of orcas, extending time at a penguin colony, or landing on a beach that wasn’t on the original schedule. It’s the kind of flexibility you only get on a small ship with an experienced team. From Antarctica’s frozen grandeur to the volcanic archipelago of the Galápagos, every destination is reached with purpose and explored with real depth.

The National Geographic Difference

What does the National Geographic alliance actually mean for you on board? It means a certified photo instructor helping you capture that perfect whale tail shot. An undersea specialist deploying an ROV to livestream the ocean floor to the ship’s screens. Naturalists who’ve spent decades studying the ecosystems you’re visiting, sharing stories that go well beyond what any guidebook covers. On select sailings, a National Geographic photographer joins the expedition, offering workshops and one-on-one coaching. The result is a trip where you don’t just see wildlife – you understand it. That kind of access changes the way you travel.

A group of King Penguins stands on a pristine beach while cruise ship passengers in bright orange life jackets observe and interact with them during a polar expedition excursion. A large expedition cruise ship is visible in the background anchored offshore.
A modern expedition cruise ship with distinctive blue hull and white superstructure sailing on calm blue waters. The vessel features multiple decks, communication equipment on top, and appears to be a luxury expedition cruiser designed for exploration and discovery voyages.

Conservation at the Core

Lindblad doesn’t just visit wild places – they invest in protecting them. The LEX-NG Fund has directed millions toward conservation, research, and community development in the destinations their ships sail. Every voyage operates under a carbon-neutral pledge, and guests are actively invited to participate in citizen science projects, from whale identification to seabird surveys. The ships run single-use-plastic-free, and expedition teams integrate sustainability education into every briefing. When you sail with Lindblad, your trip contributes directly to the preservation of the places you came to experience.

Experience

The Lindblad Difference

True Expedition Spirit

Every Lindblad itinerary is built around flexibility. The expedition leader reads conditions in real time and adjusts the plan to maximize what you see and do. No two sailings are ever quite the same – and that’s the whole point.

National Geographic Expertise

A certified photo instructor sails on every departure. So does an undersea specialist equipped with hydrophones and ROVs. On select voyages, a National Geographic photographer offers hands-on workshops. The expertise aboard is genuinely unmatched in expedition cruising.

Sustainability Leaders

Carbon-neutral operations, single-use-plastic-free ships, and the LEX-NG Fund directing millions to conservation. Lindblad has been a sustainability leader long before it became an industry talking point. Your voyage actively supports the wild places you visit.

The National Geographic Resolution cruise ship navigates through icebergs and pack ice in Antarctica, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and pristine glacial landscape. This expedition vessel is designed for polar exploration and offers passengers an immersive experience in one of the world's most remote and spectacular destinations.

Purpose-Built Ships for Wild Places

The Lindblad fleet is designed from the hull up for expedition travel. The polar-class National Geographic Resolution and Endurance feature Ulstein X-BOW hulls for smooth sailing in rough seas, mud rooms for gearing up between Zodiac excursions, and the infinity-style Jacuzzi overlooking the bow. Smaller vessels like the National Geographic Islander II are built specifically for the Galápagos, carrying just 48 guests with a shallow draft that allows access to secluded coves. Every ship carries a fleet of Zodiacs, kayaks, and paddleboards. These are working expedition vessels – comfortable, yes, but built to get you where the big ships simply cannot go.

Images

Gallery

The National Geographic Delfina, a sophisticated expedition cruise vessel, anchors in crystalline turquoise waters under clear blue skies. The multi-deck ship features cream and navy hull coloring with characteristic National Geographic branding, representing premium small-ship cruise experiences in tropical destinations.
The National Geographic Gemini, a modern expedition cruise ship, anchors in crystalline blue waters near a rugged volcanic coastline under clear skies. The vessel features the distinctive National Geographic branding and is designed for intimate exploration of remote destinations.
The Coral Geographer, a luxury expedition cruise ship, is moored at a tropical port with mountainous terrain visible in the background. The vessel features a distinctive white hull with multiple passenger decks and modern maritime infrastructure typical of small-ship expedition cruising.
The National Geographic Resolution, a luxury expedition cruise ship, navigates pristine waters with towering forested mountains and glacial peaks in the background. The modern vessel features distinctive blue and black hull design with multiple passenger decks, exemplifying contemporary expedition cruising in Alaska's spectacular wilderness.
The National Geographic Explorer, a state-of-the-art expedition cruise ship, is shown navigating through rough ocean waters with passengers visible on multiple decks. The vessel features the distinctive dark blue hull with yellow stripe and white superstructure characteristic of National Geographic's fleet, designed for exploration and adventure travel to remote destinations.
A private balcony on a cruise ship featuring woven chairs overlooking a frozen, ice-filled polar seascape with snowy landscapes in the background. The balcony offers a serene view of a stark, white and blue Arctic environment.
A white expedition cruise vessel is anchored offshore near a wooden dock with multiple green and rocky islands visible in the background. The ship features expedition-class design with visible cargo handling equipment and appears to be in a pristine coastal setting during golden hour lighting.
An elegantly designed cruise ship cabin featuring modern minimalist decor with recessed lighting, polar landscape artwork, and a comfortable bed with neutral color palette.
An elegant dining area on an expedition cruise ship featuring large windows overlooking an icy polar landscape with blue-white water and distant snow-covered terrain. The interior has sophisticated lighting, carefully set tables with blue napkins, and yellow accent chairs.
Two kayakers in a red kayak paddle near dramatic limestone cliffs while a large white cruise ship anchors in the turquoise waters beyond. This scene captures the adventure and exploration opportunities available during cruise port stops in tropical destinations.
The National Geographic Resolution expedition cruise ship navigates through icy Antarctic waters surrounded by massive blue and white icebergs. The modern polar exploration vessel is positioned among the dramatic ice formations under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing a once-in-a-lifetime polar exploration experience.
The National Geographic Endurance expedition cruise ship navigates through Arctic sea ice, with its distinctive dark blue and yellow hull reflected in the calm, icy waters surrounding it. The vessel is specifically designed for polar exploration and environmental research in extreme conditions.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Lindblad Expeditions offers a genuinely all-inclusive fare. It covers all meals aboard ship, beer, wine, and spirits throughout your voyage, all excursions and Zodiac landings, use of kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear (where applicable), guidance from the onboard National Geographic certified photo instructor, naturalist presentations and field briefings, undersea specialist programs, Wi-Fi, fitness center access, and wellness activities. On polar voyages, you also receive an expedition parka to keep. Special access permits and national park entry fees are included as well.

The exclusive alliance with National Geographic is the most obvious differentiator – no other cruise line has it. But beyond the brand, it translates into tangible onboard value. Expect daily photography coaching, live underwater footage streamed from the ship’s own ROV, and naturalists who’ve spent years studying the specific ecosystems you’re visiting. Lindblad also pioneered truly flexible expedition itineraries – your captain and expedition leader will reroute the ship if a better wildlife opportunity presents itself. Add in decades of conservation leadership through the LEX-NG Fund and a fleet designed from the keel up for remote exploration, and it’s clear why Lindblad stands apart.

Lindblad’s fleet ranges from 28 guests on the smallest vessels to 148 on the polar-class National Geographic Resolution and Endurance. Most ships carry between 48 and 148 guests. The small size is deliberate – it allows access to remote harbors, secluded bays, and landing sites that are off limits or physically impossible for larger ships. It also means more personal attention from the expedition team and less time waiting during Zodiac operations.

Lindblad operates across some of the planet’s most remarkable destinations. Their core regions include Antarctica, the Arctic (Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland), the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, and Baja California. They also sail to Central and South America, the British Isles, Norway, Mediterranean, Pacific Islands, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Seasonal itineraries rotate throughout the year, so there’s almost always a departure on the horizon regardless of when you want to travel.

Most Lindblad voyages are accessible to travelers with a reasonable level of mobility. You should be comfortable getting in and out of Zodiac landing craft, which involves stepping down from a platform at water level. Some landings require walking on uneven terrain – rocky beaches, muddy paths, snow. That said, Lindblad rates each excursion by activity level, and there’s usually a range of options at each stop. The expedition team is experienced at helping guests of varying fitness levels participate safely. If you have specific concerns, we’re happy to match you with the right itinerary.

Every Lindblad departure includes a National Geographic certified photo instructor. They offer daily tips, one-on-one coaching, and group workshops tailored to the wildlife and landscapes you’re encountering. Whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or professional DSLR, they’ll help you improve your technique and come home with images you’re genuinely proud of. On select sailings, a National Geographic photographer also joins the expedition for additional workshops and portfolio reviews.

Lindblad’s undersea specialist uses ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), hydrophones, a video microscope, and underwater cameras to reveal the world beneath the surface. Live footage from the ROV is streamed to screens throughout the ship, so you can watch the ocean floor in real time without getting wet. The hydrophone lets you listen to whale songs and other marine sounds. It’s one of those experiences that sounds niche until you’re sitting in the lounge watching footage from 300 meters below – then it becomes a highlight of the trip.

Certain Lindblad itineraries are designed specifically for families, particularly the Galápagos and Alaska departures. These sailings include activities geared toward younger travelers, a dedicated Global Explorers program for children, and expedition staff trained to engage kids with hands-on science and nature activities. Family departures tend to sail during school holiday periods. For adult-focused expeditions like Antarctica, the experience is generally better suited to guests 15 and older, though policies vary by voyage.

Lindblad provides detailed packing lists tailored to each specific itinerary. For polar voyages, you’ll receive a complimentary expedition parka and waterproof boots are available for loan onboard. Generally, layers are key – thermals, fleece, and a waterproof outer layer. For tropical destinations like the Galápagos, pack light, breathable clothing plus reef-safe sunscreen and a good hat. Binoculars are strongly recommended for all sailings. The onboard atmosphere is casual, so leave the formal wear at home.

Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare but are customary. Lindblad provides suggested guidelines, typically around $20-25 per person per day for the ship staff. Tips for the expedition team are separate and at your discretion. Gratuities can usually be added to your onboard account or paid in cash at the end of the voyage.

Expedition cruising involves more moving parts than a standard cruise – choosing the right ship, the right itinerary, the right season, and the right cabin all matter significantly. Our team of 23+ expert advisors can walk you through those decisions based on real experience. We offer access to exclusive group rates with savings up to 50% off published fares, and we perform weekly price monitoring on every booking so you never miss a drop. We don’t charge booking, consultation, or change fees. And with 365-day support, you’ve got a knowledgeable team behind you from the moment you start researching until you’re home sharing your photos.

Get Started

Ready to Explore the Extraordinary?

Lindblad Expeditions takes you to places most people only see in documentaries. Antarctica, the Galápagos, the Arctic – with National Geographic experts beside you the entire way. When you’re ready to plan an expedition that goes deeper than a standard cruise, our advisors at Cruise Help are here to guide you. We’ll match you with the ideal ship and cabin for the best possible season – plus exclusive group rates, weekly price monitoring, and no fees. Ever.