Lindblad Expeditions

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.

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

History

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)
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.

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic went public in July 2015.[14] It trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LIND.[15]

In 2016, Lindblad purchased a controlling interest in Natural Habitat, Inc., an ecotourism company based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in land-based tours.[16] 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;[17] and Classic Journeys, which specializes in luxury walking tours.[18]

Sven Lindblad retired as CEO in 2021.[19] Dolf Berle was appointed CEO in 2021 [20] and stepped down in 2023, at which point Sven Lindblad resumed the role. [21]

Sustainability & 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.[22] 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.[23]

The Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund for conservation and research raises more than $2 million annually,[24] primarily through guest donations, to support projects such as scholarships for students in the Galápagos[25] and the purchase of tags for scientists studying killer whales in the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula.[26] Over the years, guests have contributed more than $15 million to support Lindblad’s global stewardship efforts.[27]

In 2019, Lindblad Expeditions announced plans to become entirely carbon neutral by the end of the year.[28] That same year, in conjunction with National Geographic’s “Planet or Plastic” campaign, the company banned all single-use plastics aboard its ships.[29]

Fleet

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic currently operates a fleet of ten owned vessels and five charter vessels.[30] 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.[31]

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.[32]

Current fleet (owned)
Ship NameEntered Service for LindbladCapacityGeographiesNotesImage
National Geographic Islander II202248GalápagosPreviously known as: Crystal Esprit
Crystal Esprit
National Geographic Endurance2021126Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia, Transatlantic
National Geographic Endurance
National Geographic Resolution2021126Antarctica, Arctic, Patagonia, Pacific Islands, Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Europe
National Geographic Quest2018100Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Pacific Northwest, California
National Geographic Quest anchored off of the Smithsonian tropical Research Institute
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
alt= Silja Europa and National Geographic Orion departing Tallinn 28 August 2016
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)
National Geographic Explorer in Longyearbyen
National Geographic Sea Lion198962Alaska, Belize, Guatemala, Bahamas, U.S. East Coast
National Geographic Sea Lion in Tracy Arm, Alaska
National Geographic Sea Bird198962Alaska, Baja California, Pacific Northwest
National Geographic Sea Bird docked in Juneau, Alaska

Current fleet (leased)
Ship NameEntered Service for LindbladCapacityGeographiesImage
Delfin II201028Amazon
The Jahan201248Vietnam, Cambodia
Lord of the Glens200848Scotland
Lord of the Glens
Oberoi Philae201542Egypt
Oberoi Philae
Sea Cloud201258Mediterranean, Caribbean
Sea Cloud in Portofino, Italy

Former fleet
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)
National Geographic Endeavour
National Geographic Islander2004-2022
MV Lindblad Explorer1969-1985First passenger ship to sail to Antarctica
Model of MS Lindblad Explorer

References
  1. Sitwell, Nigel (1994-07-15). "Obituary: Lars-Eric Lindblad". The Independent. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  2. Carey, Meredith (2016-01-23). "What the First-Ever Antarctic Cruise Looked Like". Conde Nast Traveler. Conde Nast Publications. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  3. "Island Hopping: Tourism in the Galápagos". CBS News. 2018-07-29. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  4. Wright, Christopher (2018-05-31). "The Rise and Rise and Rise of Polar Cruising". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  5. Sitwell, Nigel (1994-07-15). "Obituary: Lars-Eric Lindblad". The Independent. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  6. Wright, Christopher (2018-05-31). "The Rise and Rise and Rise of Polar Cruising". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  7. Kmet, Mimi. "A Purposeful Pioneer". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  8. Piorko, Janet (1994-07-13). "Lars-Eric Lindblad, 67, Pioneer Of Tours to Exotic Destinations". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  9. "Sven-Olof Lindblad on Investing in Eco-Tourism". Lux. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  10. "The Traveler Who Carried his Typewriter Around the World". Conde Nast Traveler. Conde Nast Publications. 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  11. Cogswell, David (2015-04-26). "Lindblad Appointed Cultural Ambassador of the Seychelles". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  12. Sampson, Hannah (2018-08-24). "National Geographic's Travel Arm Extends Ahead of Disney Takeover". Skift. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  13. "Expedition Cruises". National Geographic. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  14. Gregg, Aaron (2015-07-10). "Lindblad Expeditions, an exotic-travel company, goes public". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  15. "Lindblad Expeditions". Nasdaq. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  16. Steighorst, Tom (2016-05-05). "Lindblad acquires majority stake in adventure tour operator". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  17. Clausing, Jeri (2021-03-09). "Lindblad Expeditions buys two tour operators". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  18. Jainchill, Johanna (2021-10-19). "Lindblad Expeditions acquires Classic Journeys". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  19. Cogswell, David (2021-04-15). ""Sven Lindblad Steps Down, or Up"". Travel Research Online. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  20. Kalosh, Anne (2021-04-30). "Lindblad appoints Dolf Berle CEO, Sven Lindblad moves to co-chair". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  21. Saltzman, Dori (2023-07-21). "Sven Lindblad Back as CEO at Lindblad Expeditions". Travel Market Report. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  22. Randall, Cassidy (2020-01-11). "Travel Is Worth the Carbon Footprint". Outside. Mariah Media. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
  23. Catchpole, Karen (2017-01-20). "Going greener in the Galápagos". The Toronto Sun. Retrieved 2022-06-24.
  24. "Traveler Impact Summary" (PDF). Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  25. "Les Roches creates a Sustainable Development specialization within its Bachelor program". HospitalityNet. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  26. Gable, Mona (2017-04-10). "What Antarctic Killer Whales Can Teach Humans About Climate Change". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  27. Bair, Diane; Wright, Pamela (2019-07-09). "Leave the world a better place". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  28. "Regenerative Tourism: Beyond Sustainable Tourism". Travel Weekly. 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  29. Figueroa, Ana (2018-07-25). "Lindblad Eliminates Single-Use Plastic Fleetwide". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  30. "Lindblad Expeditions: Diversity and Surprises". Cruise Industry News. 2020-08-31. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  31. Pratesi, Gwen (2022-06-09). "12 Top Cruises on Small Ships". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  32. "New Ship In Galapagos a Meaningful Upgrade for Lindblad Expeditions". Cruise Industry News. 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
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