Lindblad Expeditions runs small expedition ships in partnership with National Geographic. It owns 10 ships of 16 to 148 guests and charters 10 more, sailing Alaska, Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos and beyond. It suits travelers who want naturalists and learning at the center of the day. We have sailed Lindblad twice, in Alaska and in Iceland and Greenland.
Lindblad Expeditions at a glance
- Heritage
- Lindblad says Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first traveler expedition to Antarctica in 1966. His son Sven-Olof Lindblad founded Lindblad Expeditions in 1979.
- Partnership
- National Geographic, since 2004. The agreement runs through 2040.
- Ship size
- Owned ships carry 16 to 148 guests. Chartered ships carry 26 to 120.
- Signature ships
- National Geographic Endurance and Resolution (Polar Class 5, X-Bow hull), Explorer, Orion, Quest, Venture, and four Galápagos ships.
- Best for
- Curious travelers who value learning and access over formality.
Where does Lindblad sail?
Lindblad sails six continents. Seasons follow wildlife and weather. Northern summer brings the Arctic, Alaska and Europe. Northern winter brings Antarctica, South America, Baja, Costa Rica and Panama. The Galápagos runs year-round. Confirm each departure with us.
Summer. Ships: Quest, Venture; chartered Greg Mortimer from 2027.
Our experience: we both sailed Alaska with Lindblad aboard Sea Lion in 2021.
Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands
Northern winter. Ships: Endurance, Resolution, Explorer.
Arctic, Svalbard, Norway and the Northwest Passage
Northern summer. Ships: Endurance, Resolution, Explorer.
Summer. Ships: Endurance, Resolution.
Our experience: we both sailed Iceland and Greenland with Lindblad aboard National Geographic Resolution.
Year-round. Ships: Endeavour II, Islander II, Gemini, Delfina. Compare them in our guide to Lindblad's Galápagos fleet.
Baja California, Costa Rica and Panama
Northern winter. Ships: Quest, Venture.
Patagonia and South America
Ships: Explorer, Resolution.
South Pacific and Asia
Ship: Orion.
Europe
Ocean voyages on Explorer and Endurance, and chartered ships in Scotland, the Mediterranean and on European rivers.
Rivers and charters
The Amazon, Mekong (Vietnam and Cambodia), Nile (Egypt), India and Indonesia, on chartered ships.
Regions and seasons from Lindblad's 2025 annual report (Form 10-K, filed February 2026) and expeditions.com, checked October 2026.
What ships does Lindblad have?
Lindblad owns 10 expedition ships and charters 10 more for seasonal voyages. Owned ships carry the National Geographic name.
| Ship | Owned or chartered | Guests | Regions sailed | Our experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owned by Lindblad | ||||
| National Geographic Endurance | Owned | 138 | Arctic, Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Northwest Passage, Norway | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Resolution | Owned | 138 | Arctic, Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Northwest Passage, Norway, Patagonia | Sailed |
| National Geographic Explorer | Owned | 148 | Arctic, Antarctica, Canada, Europe, Patagonia | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Orion | Owned | 102 | South Pacific, Asia | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Quest | Owned | 100 | Alaska, California coast, Pacific Northwest, Costa Rica, Panama | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Venture | Owned | 100 | Alaska, California coast, Baja California | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Endeavour II | Owned | 96 | Galápagos | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Gemini | Owned | 48 | Galápagos | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Islander II | Owned | 48 | Galápagos | Not yet aboard |
| National Geographic Delfina | Owned | 16 | Galápagos | Not yet aboard |
| Chartered by Lindblad | ||||
| Connect | Chartered | 120 | European rivers (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Slovakia) | Not yet aboard |
| Sea Cloud II | Chartered | 88 | Mediterranean | Not yet aboard |
| Sun Goddess | Chartered | 60 | Egypt (Nile) | Not yet aboard |
| Jahan | Chartered | 48 | Vietnam and Cambodia (Mekong) | Not yet aboard |
| Lord of the Glens | Chartered | 48 | Scotland | Not yet aboard |
| Delfin III | Chartered | 42 | Amazon (Peru) | Not yet aboard |
| Oberoi Philae | Chartered | 42 | Egypt (Nile) | Not yet aboard |
| Charaidew II | Chartered | 34 | India | Not yet aboard |
| Delfin II | Chartered | 28 | Amazon (Peru) | Not yet aboard |
| Aqua Blu | Chartered | 26 | Indonesia | Not yet aboard |
Owned and chartered status, guest numbers and regions from Lindblad's 2025 annual report (Form 10-K, filed February 26, 2026) and Lindblad's ship pages at expeditions.com. Lindblad does not publish gross tonnage for its ships, so we have left that column out.
Lindblad says it will charter Greg Mortimer for Alaska voyages from 2027 through 2029, and a new European river ship, Evolve, from 2027.
Endurance and Resolution are Polar Class 5 ships with an X-Bow hull, which Lindblad says gives a smoother ride in rough seas.
What is Lindblad like aboard?
Lindblad was our first expedition. We sailed Alaska aboard Sea Lion in summer 2021, after seeing Alaska on conventional cruises. I half expected camping at sea. The cabin had twin beds and a compact bathroom, and the ship was simple next to the cruise ships I knew. Then the trip started, and I loved it. Not because of the cabin, but because of what we did every day: Zodiacs, kayaks, hikes and naturalists who showed us what we were looking at. It was a whale-watching trip that lasted a week. It was Alaska, but a completely different trip.
Life aboard is informal. There is no casino, no Broadway show and no formal night. Days follow nature's lead, with Zodiac landings and kayak outings when the wildlife appears. Lindblad says every voyage carries a certified photo instructor. National Geographic photographers sail on Endurance, Resolution, Explorer and Orion. Dining reflects the region, with ingredients sourced locally where possible. This is not a luxury cruise. It is luxury of access and of knowledge.
Depending on the ship, Lindblad carries Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, an underwater camera, a remotely operated vehicle, a video microscope and hydrophones for listening to whales. Lindblad says kayaks are on all of its owned ships.
What's included depends on the ship. Lindblad says beer, wine, cocktails and spirits are included on all ships except Sun Goddess, Oberoi Philae and Connect, which include beer and wine. Crew gratuities are included on Endurance, Resolution, Explorer, Orion and most charters. They are not included on Quest, Venture or the four Galápagos ships. We confirm the details for your ship.
Lindblad has a strong science program, and its partnership with National Geographic brings visiting scientists aboard some voyages. But a brand-level program does not guarantee a voyage-level activity. On our roughly ten-day Iceland and Greenland voyage, citizen science was not a visible part of our days. That was one voyage, not a verdict on Lindblad. If citizen science matters to you, we will find out what is planned for your departure.
Lindblad has partnered with National Geographic since 2004, and the agreement runs through 2040. National Geographic experts, including photographers, marine biologists and naturalists, join many expeditions. The Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic Fund supports conservation, research and education in the regions the fleet visits. Lindblad says the fund has awarded more than $25 million since 2008, funded largely by guest donations.
Who is Lindblad right for, and who should look elsewhere?
A strong fit if you want
- Naturalists and National Geographic experts at the center of the day
- Active days of hiking, kayaking and snorkeling, with citizen science on some voyages
- Small ships of 16 to 148 guests
- To see a place you know, like Alaska, in a completely different way
- An expedition even though you don't think of yourself as a cruise person
Look elsewhere if you want
- Formal nights, casinos and big-ship entertainment
- Ultra-luxury polish like butler service and caviar hours
- A passive, observe-from-the-deck style of travel
- The lowest possible fare
How does Lindblad compare?
- HX
Larger ships with a Science Center and a strong lecture program. We have sailed HX.
- Ponant
French style and more polish on board. We have toured a Ponant ship.
- Quark Expeditions
Polar-only, with a long Arctic and Antarctic record. We have toured a Quark ship.
We book across every operator, so we compare Lindblad's ships and dates against these before you commit.
Ship comparison: National Geographic Resolution vs Roald Amundsen
Lindblad Expeditions FAQs
How many ships does Lindblad Expeditions have?
Lindblad owns 10 expedition ships, carrying 16 to 148 guests, and charters 10 more for seasonal voyages, from Amazon riverboats to a Mediterranean sailing ship. Figures are from Lindblad's 2025 annual report, updated for the 2026 retirement of Sea Bird and Sea Lion.
Which Lindblad ships are owned and which are chartered?
The ships named "National Geographic" are owned by Lindblad. Chartered ships, such as Lord of the Glens, Sea Cloud II, Jahan and Delfin II, keep their own names.
Where does Lindblad Expeditions sail?
Six continents, including Alaska, Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland and Iceland, the Galápagos, Baja California, Costa Rica and Panama, Patagonia, the South Pacific, Asia, Europe, and rivers such as the Amazon, Mekong and Nile.
What is Lindblad's relationship with National Geographic?
Lindblad has partnered with National Geographic since 2004, and the agreement runs through 2040. Owned ships carry the National Geographic name, and National Geographic photographers and experts join many voyages.
Is Lindblad a luxury cruise line?
Not in the traditional sense. Amenities are about function, with regional cuisine, comfortable lounges and good cabins, and no casino or formal nights. If five-star polish matters most, we can compare Lindblad with Silversea, Seabourn or Ponant.
Have you sailed with Lindblad?
Yes, twice. We sailed Alaska aboard Sea Lion in 2021 and Iceland and Greenland aboard National Geographic Resolution.
Our experience with Lindblad: Chris and Erika have sailed Lindblad twice: Alaska aboard Sea Lion in 2021, before her retirement in 2026, and Iceland and Greenland aboard National Geographic Resolution. Lindblad was our first expedition. We have not been aboard Lindblad's other ships or any of its charters.
Keep exploring
Expedition cruise lines
Every line we book, compared side by side — who each one suits and why.
Lindblad's Galápagos fleet
Delfina, Gemini, Islander II and Endeavour II compared side by side.
Antarctica
When to go, what it costs, and how to choose the right voyage south.
Expedition ships
The ships behind the lines, with our own reviews and comparisons.
National Geographic Sea Lion
Our notes on the ship we sailed in Alaska in 2021.
Alaska aboard Sea Lion
Our 2021 Lindblad voyage from Ketchikan to Juneau.