Cruise Frog guide
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.
Style
Expedition
small ships to remote places, with naturalists and landings
Best for
- Adventure seekers
- Couples
- Families
- Solo travelers
Fleet rating
3.4/5Average of 12 rated ships in service
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
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.
- Adventure seekers
- active excursions, remote places
- Couples
- romantic dining, quiet spaces, balcony cabins
- Families
- kids' clubs, family cabins, things for every age
- Solo travelers
- studio cabins, low or no single supplement, easy to meet people
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.
- #1National Geographic Endurance3.7/5
- #2National Geographic Resolution3.7/5
- #3National Geographic Gemini3.5/5
- #4National Geographic Islander II3.5/5
- #5National Geographic Explorer3.3/5
- #6National Geographic Orion3.3/5
- #7National Geographic Venture3.3/5
- #8National Geographic Delfina3.2/5
- #9National Geographic Endeavour II3.2/5
- #10National Geographic Quest3.2/5
- #11National Geographic Sea Bird3.2/5
- #12National Geographic Sea Lion3.2/5
Where Lindblad Expeditions sails
Ships
3.7 ★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…
3.3 ★National Geographic Explorer1982 · 6,471 GT · 148 guests · Antarctica · Northern EuropeNational Geographic Explorer began life in 1982 as Midnatsol, a Hurtigruten coastal ship built by Ulstein in Norway, and later sailed as Midnatsol II and Lyngen before Lindblad…
3.5 ★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…
3.5 ★National Geographic Islander II1991 · 3,370 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Islander II is a 48-guest, all-suite expedition ship based year-round in the Galápagos. Flender Werft in Lübeck floated her out as Lady Diana in 1989 and…
3.3 ★National Geographic Orion2003 · 4,050 GT · 102 guests · Antarctica · MediterraneanNational Geographic Orion is a 102-guest, ice-strengthened expedition ship from the Cassens Werft yard at Emden in Germany, in service since November 2003. She first sailed for…
3.2 ★National Geographic Quest2017 · 2,920 GT · 100 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Quest was the first ship Lindblad ordered new, built with her sister National Geographic Venture by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders at Freeland on Whidbey…
3.7 ★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…
3.2 ★Leaving Oct 2026National Geographic Sea Bird1981 · 62 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Sea Bird was one of a pair of small U.S.-flagged twins built by Nichols Brothers in Washington state in the early 1980s; Lindblad's annual report dates her to…
3.2 ★Leaving Oct 2026National Geographic Sea Lion1982 · 62 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Sea Lion was the twin of National Geographic Sea Bird, built by Nichols Brothers in Washington state and dated to 1982 in Lindblad's annual report. Like her…
3.3 ★National Geographic Venture2018 · 100 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Venture is the sister of National Geographic Quest, built by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Whidbey Island, Washington, and floated out in 2018 as the…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.
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.
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 →