Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an American expedition cruise company that runs small ships, carrying from 16 to 148 guests, on every continent, working in partnership with National Geographic. Its own fleet of National Geographic-named ships covers the Arctic and Antarctica, the Galápagos, Alaska and the Pacific coast of the Americas, Central America, the South Pacific and Europe, and it charters further vessels for river and regional trips on the Amazon, Nile and Mekong, in Scotland and in Indonesia.
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About Lindblad Expeditions
Sven-Olof Lindblad founded the company in 1979 as Special Expeditions, following his father Lars-Eric Lindblad, whose Lindblad Travel took the first tourists to Antarctica in 1966 and, a year later, began bringing visitors to the Galápagos. It took the Lindblad name in 2000, began its National Geographic alliance in 2004 (since extended through 2040) and went public in 2015. Its first new builds, the U.S.-flagged National Geographic Quest and Venture, arrived in 2017 and 2018, followed by the polar ships Endurance and Resolution, and in 2025 it doubled its Galápagos fleet with Delfina and Gemini. The company also owns land-travel brands including Natural Habitat Adventures.
Voyages are built around naturalists, National Geographic photographers and visiting experts, with Zodiac outings, hikes, kayaking and snorkeling most days and evening recaps on board. Ships carry tools such as hydrophones, underwater cameras and remotely operated vehicles, meals are informal with open seating, and guests are welcome on the bridge.
What Lindblad Expeditions is known for
Lindblad is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern expedition cruising, and its family history in Antarctica and the Galápagos goes back to the 1960s. Reviewers often praise the depth of its naturalist staff, the photography instruction from National Geographic-certified guides, and the access its small ships give in places such as Antarctica, Alaska and the Galápagos; the newer polar ships, Endurance and Resolution, are well regarded. The usual criticisms are price, since fares are high and generally exclude international flights, and the age and simplicity of some ships, with small cabins and few amenities on the oldest vessels. Days are full and often start early, which suits active travelers more than those looking for a restful cruise.
Who it's for
Expedition · small ships to remote places, with naturalists and landings
- Adventure seekers
- Couples
- Families
- Solo travelers
Lindblad suits travelers who want wildlife, natural history and photography at the center of a trip: couples, solo travelers (the line runs solo offers) and families, with a National Geographic Global Explorers program for children and teens. It works best for people comfortable with active days, Zodiac landings and changing plans around weather and wildlife. Travelers who want resort amenities, entertainment, casinos or low fares should look elsewhere, as should anyone hoping for long, lazy sea days.
Cruising solo on Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is one of the easiest expedition lines to sail alone: every ship has solo cabins, a roommate-match option removes the supplement entirely, and reduced solo pricing from 25% rotates across the schedule. Open-seating dining with the naturalists means you never eat alone unless you choose to. Galapagos, Alaska and Antarctica on the Endurance-class ships are the pick.
- Cabins for one
- Solo cabins (dedicated solo cabin suites with balcony on National Geographic Endurance and Resolution; solo cabins on other ships and charter vessels)
- Single supplement
- Solo premium is Lindblad's pricing category for single occupancy. Reduced solo pricing from 25% above the per-person fare on a rotating selection of departures and qualifying cabin categories; sometimes waived. Alternatively, request a same-gender roommate and pay the double-occupancy rate whether or not a match is found (select ships and categories).
- Meeting other solo guests
- Open seating in every dining room, with expedition staff and naturalists joining guests for meals. Evening Recap in the lounge, sign-up sheets at reception for kayak and snorkel partners. Typically two to six solo guests on each voyage, often more.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 3/5
- Dining
- 4/5
- Entertainment
- 3/5
- Service
- 5/5
- Pools & decks
- 2.1/5
- Value
- 3/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 12 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Lindblad Expeditions sails
Ships
Best rated
#13.7 ★National Geographic Endurance2021 · 12,786 GT · 138 guests · Antarctica · Norwegian FjordsNational Geographic Endurance is a polar expedition ship with a PC5 ice class and Ulstein's X-bow, a hull form meant to soften wave impacts and cut noise and vibration. The CRIST…
#23.7 ★National Geographic Resolution2021 · 12,786 GT · 138 guests · Antarctica · South AmericaNational Geographic Resolution is the second Endurance-class polar ship, built to Polar Class 5 with an X-bow hull and Azipod thrusters. Her hull was launched at the CRIST yard…
#33.5 ★National Geographic Gemini2001 · 2,937 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Gemini is a 48-guest expedition ship that works the Galápagos all year. Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, built her in 2001 as Sun Bay, and she became…Every ship, by class
Endurance class
2 ships · 2021 · 12,786 GT · avg 3.7 ★
Quest class
2 ships · 2017–2018 · 2,920 GT · avg 3.3 ★
Other ships
8 ships · 1981–2007 · 242–6,471 GT · avg 3.3 ★
- National Geographic Delfina2007 · 242 GT · 16 guests3.2/5
- National Geographic Endeavour II2005 · 2,716 GT · 96 guests3.2/5
- National Geographic Orion2003 · 4,050 GT · 102 guests3.3/5
- National Geographic Gemini2001 · 2,937 GT · 48 guests3.5/5
- National Geographic Islander II1991 · 3,370 GT · 48 guests3.5/5
- National Geographic Explorer1982 · 6,471 GT · 148 guests3.3/5
- National Geographic Sea Lion1982 · 62 guests · Leaving Oct 20263.2/5
- National Geographic Sea Bird1981 · 62 guests · Leaving Oct 20263.2/5
Former ships
| Ship | Sailed | Gross tons | Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Geographic Islander | 1995–2022 | — | August 2022 |
Where to fly in
- Galapagos Baltra (GPS)2 Lindblad Expeditions ships sail from Baltra, Galápagos1 lounge on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Lindblad Expeditions known for?
Lindblad is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern expedition cruising, and its family history in Antarctica and the Galápagos goes back to the 1960s. Reviewers often praise the depth of its naturalist staff, the photography instruction from National Geographic-certified guides, and the access its small ships give in places such as Antarctica, Alaska and the Galápagos; the newer polar ships, Endurance and Resolution, are well regarded. The usual criticisms are price, since fares are high and generally exclude international flights, and the age and simplicity of some ships, with small cabins and few amenities on the oldest vessels. Days are full and often start early, which suits active travelers more than those looking for a restful cruise.
Who is Lindblad Expeditions best for?
Lindblad suits travelers who want wildlife, natural history and photography at the center of a trip: couples, solo travelers (the line runs solo offers) and families, with a National Geographic Global Explorers program for children and teens. It works best for people comfortable with active days, Zodiac landings and changing plans around weather and wildlife. Travelers who want resort amenities, entertainment, casinos or low fares should look elsewhere, as should anyone hoping for long, lazy sea days.
Is Lindblad Expeditions good for solo travellers?
Lindblad Expeditions is one of the easiest expedition lines to sail alone: every ship has solo cabins, a roommate-match option removes the supplement entirely, and reduced solo pricing from 25% rotates across the schedule. Open-seating dining with the naturalists means you never eat alone unless you choose to. Galapagos, Alaska and Antarctica on the Endurance-class ships are the pick.
Where does Lindblad Expeditions sail?
Lindblad Expeditions's ships in service sail Alaska (4 ships), Mexican Riviera (4 ships), Pacific Coast (4 ships), South America (4 ships), Antarctica (4 ships), Galápagos (4 ships), Northern Europe (2 ships), Panama Canal (2 ships), South Pacific (2 ships), Mediterranean (1 ship), Norwegian Fjords (1 ship), Canada and New England (1 ship) and Asia (1 ship).
How is Lindblad Expeditions rated?
Lindblad Expeditions's fleet averages 3.4 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 12 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is National Geographic Endurance at 3.7.
How many ships does Lindblad Expeditions have?
Lindblad Expeditions has 12 ships in service on Cruise Frog: National Geographic Delfina, National Geographic Endeavour II, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Gemini, National Geographic Islander II, National Geographic Orion and National Geographic Quest, and 4 more.
What ship classes does Lindblad Expeditions sail?
Lindblad Expeditions sails 2 classes of ship in service: Endurance class (2 ships) and Quest class (2 ships), plus 8 ships not in a named class.
Who owns Lindblad Expeditions?
Lindblad Expeditions is part of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc..
Where is Lindblad Expeditions based?
Lindblad Expeditions is headquartered in New York, New York, United States. It has operated since 1979.
What is the largest Lindblad Expeditions ship?
National Geographic Endurance is Lindblad Expeditions's largest ship at 12,786 gross tons, carrying 138 guests.
Cruising with children
Lindblad’s family planning can start with an expedition that offers its youth learning program. That makes the sailing itself an important choice, not just the destination.
Read the Lindblad Expeditions family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
House wine is included in Lindblad Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package. If you'd want cocktails or premium wines, enter what they cost.
House wine is included in Lindblad Expeditions' fares, so you may not need a drinks package at all. Lindblad Expeditions ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A typical drink you'd buy on board.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
6drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 5.8 drinks at $13. Over 7 days that's $525, or 41 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $70 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $455
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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- What a glass of house wine costs on cruise lines, and which ones pour it free
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- Traveling solo with Lindblad Expeditions: solo cabins, roommate matching and open seating
Lindblad has solo cabins on every ship, a roommate-matching option, and open-seating dining where nobody eats alone unless they want to. How to book it.
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