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The bow of National Geographic Explorer, with her yellow-bordered name, moored in snow-covered fast ice beneath jagged peaks and a deep blue sky

Cruise line · Expedition

Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic: Our Cruise Line Guide

The family line that took the first tourists to Antarctica in 1966, sailing with National Geographic since 2004: ice-class polar ships, a Galápagos ship with a crew member for every guest, and naturalists on every voyage.

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The back story

Fleet: 10 ships incl. National Geographic Endurance, Resolution, Explorer, Islander II, Endeavour II, Quest, Venture, Delfin II and Greg Mortimer (expeditions.com, Oct 2026) · Guests per ship: 28 (Delfin II) to 154 (Greg Mortimer) (expeditions.com) · What’s included: Excursions, meals, drinks on expedition ships, basic Wi-Fi, park fees, port taxes (expeditions.com) · Sails to: Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, Alaska, Central America, Japan, the South Pacific; rivers · Since: Lindblad Expeditions founded 1979; National Geographic collaboration since 2004, extended to 2040 (expeditions.com)

  1. Lindblad Expeditions: the back story

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·

    The family that took the first tourists to Antarctica in 1966, and the partnership with National Geographic that has shaped expedition cruising since 2004.

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The fleet

Who it suits. On a budget: First-timers on a shorter voyage aboard one of the 100-guest coastal ships, watching Lindblad’s family, solo and back-to-back offers. Mid-range: A cabin on National Geographic Explorer in the Arctic or Antarctica, with drinks and crew gratuities already in the fare. Luxury: A category 6 or 7 suite on Endurance or Resolution deep in the polar regions, or the Islander Suite in the Galápagos.

  1. 138 guests

    National Geographic Endurance

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Polar expedition ship·€€€€

    Lindblad’s first new polar build, with the X-bow and ice class PC5, Category A, named for Shackleton’s Endurance.

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  2. 138 guests

    National Geographic Resolution

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Polar expedition ship·€€€€

    Endurance’s sister, built for polar waters and named for Captain Cook’s second voyage.

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  3. 148 guests

    National Geographic Explorer

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Expedition ship·€€€€

    Originally built for Norway’s coastal express and rebuilt as an ice-class expedition ship with updated Scandinavian-style suites.

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  4. 48 guests

    National Geographic Islander II

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Galápagos expedition ship·€€€€

    Lindblad’s Galápagos ship, sailing all year with a one-to-one guest-to-crew ratio.

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  5. 96 guests

    National Geographic Endeavour II

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Expedition ship·€€€

    A 96-guest small expedition ship, one of Lindblad’s coastal fleet.

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  6. 100 guests each

    National Geographic Quest and Venture

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Coastal expedition ships·€€€

    Twin 100-guest coastal expedition ships.

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  7. 28 guests

    Delfin II

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Amazon river ship·€€€€

    A hardwood-clad river ship on the Peruvian Amazon, sailing all year.

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  8. 154 guests

    Greg Mortimer

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Expedition ship·€€€

    An X-bow polar ship joining Lindblad for Alaska in 2027, with family-friendly connecting cabins.

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The suites

  1. Categories 6 and 7

    Polar suites, Endurance and Resolution

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Signature suites·€€€€

    The top categories (6 and 7) on the polar sisters, with laundry included under Lindblad’s Suite Amenities.

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  2. Galápagos

    Islander Suite, National Geographic Islander II

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Signature suite·€€€€

    The top suite on Lindblad’s Galápagos ship.

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  3. Four suites

    Amazon suites, Delfin II

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Signature suites·€€€€

    Four Amazon suites with window walls framing the river, on a 28-guest ship.

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Dining on board

  1. Open seating

    Restaurant 270°

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Restaurant · polar ships·€€€€

    The main restaurant on Endurance and Resolution, with wrap-around views of the ice.

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  2. Informal

    Bistro bar, National Geographic Explorer

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Bistro·€€€

    One of the Explorer’s three dining areas, with a single, unassigned seating.

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  3. Galápagos

    Galápagos farm-to-table

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Regional cooking·€€€€

    On Islander II, locally sourced farm-to-table and ocean-to-table cooking by an Ecuadorian team.

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  4. River views

    Delfin II dining room

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Restaurant · Amazon·€€€€

    Amazonian ingredients served in a dining room with a 270-degree river panorama.

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  5. Drinks included

    Lindblad drinks

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Bar·€€€

    Beer, wine, cocktails and spirits are included on all the expedition ships, with premium brands to buy.

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Spa and wellness

  1. Glass-walled saunas

    Lindblad wellness

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Wellness programme·€€€

    Spa treatment rooms on most ships, with saunas, fitness rooms, yoga and morning stretch classes.

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Life on board

  1. Every evening

    Recap and the expedition team

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Enrichment

    Each evening the naturalists gather you for Recap, the signature review of the day.

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  2. Endurance and Resolution

    Overnight igloos

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Polar experience

    On the polar ships you can spend a night in an igloo on deck, in Lindblad’s words.

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Where it sails

  1. Pole to pole

    Where Lindblad sails

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Itineraries

    Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, Alaska, Central America, Iceland, the South Pacific and Japan, plus river voyages.

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What’s included and how to book

  1. Official list

    What the Lindblad fare includes

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Inclusions

    Excursions, Zodiacs, kayaks and snorkel gear, all meals, drinks on the expedition ships, basic Wi-Fi, park fees and port taxes.

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  2. Ship by ship

    Lindblad crew gratuities

    Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic·Service charges

    Included on Endurance, Resolution, Explorer and Greg Mortimer; not included on Endeavour II, Islander II, Quest and Venture.

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Share your Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic tips

Sailed with them? Share your ships, cabins and tips with other cruisers.

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