Lindblad Expeditions

American cruise line From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lindblad Expeditions (Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, Nasdaq: LIND) is an expedition travel company headquartered in New York, NY. The company currently offers expedition cruises to destinations on all seven continents aboard 15 ships with capacities ranging from 28 to 150 guests.

Quick Facts Industry, Founded ...
Lindblad Expeditions
IndustryTransportation
Founded1979
HeadquartersNew York, New York
Area served
worldwide
Key people
  • Sven Lindblad, Founder & Chairman of the Board
ProductsCruises
Subsidiaries
  • Natural Habitat, Inc.
  • DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
  • Off the Beaten Path
  • Classic Journeys
Websitewww.expeditions.com
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History

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Lindblad Travel (1958–1989)

Lars-Eric Lindblad founded Lindblad Travel in Connecticut in 1958.[1] Lindblad Travel led the first tourist expedition to Antarctica in 1966[2] and was among the first companies to bring tourists to the Galápagos Islands starting in 1967.[3] Later, after launching the first private, purpose-built expedition ship, the Lindblad Explorer (1969),[4] it pioneered tourist expeditions to the Arctic, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, the Seychelles, Easter Island, Indonesia, the Amazon River, and many others.[5] In 1984 Lindblad Travel led the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage from Newfoundland to the Bering Strait.[6]

Regarded as the father of ecotourism,[7] Lars-Eric Lindblad believed strongly that travel to difficult-to-reach places encouraged a desire to preserve and protect the planet. In addition to leading expeditions in remote wilderness areas, Lindblad Travel also led trips to hard-to-visit countries such as China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The company ceased operations in 1989.[8]

Special Expeditions (1979–2001)

Lars-Eric Lindblad passed along his passions for adventure, exploration, and conservation to his son, Sven-Olof Lindblad, who joined him on expeditions from an early age. In 1979 Sven-Olof Lindblad founded Special Expeditions as a subsidiary of Lindblad Travel.[9] Special Expeditions decoupled from Lindblad Travel in 1982[10] and was renamed Lindblad Expeditions in 2000.[11]

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (2004–present)

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Flag of the National Geographic Society, used ceremonially on Lindblad Expeditions ships since 2004

Since 2004, Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with National Geographic[12] and is now cobranded in the Americas and Oceania as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. This alliance pairs Lindblad expedition leaders, naturalists, and historians with National Geographic scientists, oceanographers, writers, photo instructors, and filmmakers. Itineraries operated by Lindblad are also sold by National Geographic Expeditions,[13] and Lindblad-owned vessels in the fleet feature “National Geographic” in their names. In November 2023, the parties announced the extension of the Lindblad-National Geographic partnership through 2040.[14]

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic went public in July 2015.[15] It trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LIND.[16]

In 2016, Lindblad purchased a controlling interest in Natural Habitat, Inc., an ecotourism company based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in land-based tours.[17] In 2021, Lindblad further expanded its brand portfolio to include Bozeman, Montana-based travel company Off the Beaten Path; DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co, a Boston-based company specializing in cycling tours;[18] and Classic Journeys, which specializes in luxury walking tours.[19]

Sven Lindblad retired as CEO in 2021.[20] Dolf Berle was appointed CEO in 2021 [21] and stepped down in 2023, at which point Sven Lindblad resumed the role.[22] In December 2024, it was announced that Sven Lindblad would once again be stepping down as CEO and would become Co-Chair of the Company's Board of Directors; in his place, Natalya Leahy was appointed CEO, effective January 1, 2025.[23]

Sustainability and charitable initiatives

In 1998, Sven Lindblad developed the Galápagos Conservation Fund, which supported local conservation and scientific efforts through contributions from passengers aboard Lindblad ships in the Galápagos.[24] In 2005, Lindblad began a program called OPUS (Operation to Prevent Unwanted Species) which implemented new practices designed to prevent the introduction of invasive species via food imported to the ships.[25]

The Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund for conservation and research raises more than $2 million annually,[26] primarily through guest donations, to support projects such as scholarships for students in the Galápagos[27] and the purchase of tags for scientists studying killer whales in the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula.[28] Over the years, guests have contributed more than $15 million to support Lindblad’s global stewardship efforts.[29]

In 2019, Lindblad Expeditions announced plans to become entirely carbon neutral by the end of the year.[30] That same year, in conjunction with National Geographic’s “Planet or Plastic” campaign, the company banned all single-use plastics aboard its ships.[31]

Fleet

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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic currently operates a fleet of ten owned vessels and five charter vessels.[32] Ships owned by Lindblad Expeditions bear names beginning with “National Geographic.” Its most recent new builds include the National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, which launched in 2021 and operate primarily in the Arctic and Antarctica.[33]

In 2021, Lindblad Expeditions purchased the Crystal Esprit and refurbished it, rechristening it National Geographic Islander II. The ship began operations in the Galápagos in August 2022.[34]

In June 2024 it was announced that Lindblad bought the Celebrity Xploration and the Celebrity Xpedition.[35][36]

Current fleet (owned)

More information Ship Name, Entered Service for Lindblad ...
Ship NameEntered Service for LindbladCapacityGeographiesNotesImage
National Geographic Islander II202248GalápagosPreviously known as: Crystal Esprit
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National Geographic Endurance2021126Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia, Transatlantic
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National Geographic Resolution2021126Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia, Pacific Islands, Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Europe
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National Geographic Quest2018100Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Pacific Northwest, California
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National Geographic Venture2018100Alaska, Baja California, Pacific Northwest, California
National Geographic Endeavour II201696GalápagosPreviously known as: Via Australis
National Geographic Orion2013102Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Indonesia, Papua New GuineaPreviously known as: MS Orion; MV Orion
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alt= Silja Europa and National Geographic Orion departing Tallinn 28 August 2016
National Geographic Explorer2008148South America, Antarctica, Arctic, Canada, EuropePreviously known as: Midnatsol (1982–2003); Midnatsol II (2003–2005); Lyngen (2005-2008)
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National Geographic Sea Lion198962Alaska, Belize, Guatemala, Bahamas, U.S. East Coast
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National Geographic Sea Bird198962Alaska, Baja California, Pacific Northwest
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Current fleet (leased)

More information Ship Name, Entered Service for Lindblad ...
Ship NameEntered Service for LindbladCapacityGeographiesImage
Delfin II201028Amazon
The Jahan201248Vietnam, Cambodia
Lord of the Glens200848Scotland
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Oberoi Philae201542Egypt
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Sea Cloud201258Mediterranean, Caribbean
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Former fleet

More information Ship Name, Years active for Lindblad ...
Ship NameYears active for LindbladNotesImage
National Geographic Polaris1981-2009Previously known as: Öresund (1960–1981); Lindblad Polaris (1981–1986); Polaris (1986–2008)
National Geographic Endeavour1997-2009Previously known as: Marburg (1966–1982); Lindmar (1982–1983); North Star (1983–1989); Caledonian Star (1989–2001); Endeavour (2001–2009)
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National Geographic Islander2004-2022
MV Lindblad Explorer1969-1985First passenger ship to sail to Antarctica
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References

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