Onboard Review: Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer—An Immersive Expedition Experience

GLACIERLindblad’s National Geographic Explorer—An Immersive Expedition Experience
Excitement is building on day two of my cruise along the southernmost tip of the planet as I layer up and hop on a Zodiac, ready to navigate into a fjord that no other ship has been to before. Sure enough, I’m blown away by the stark beauty of the glacial-carved wilderness and the feeling of being an explorer in such a remote part of the planet. The feeling of immersive exploration animates every day discovering Patagonia on Lindblad Expedition’s 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer, one of the larger expedition vessels in the 17-ship fleet. This is a true expedition cruise, enhanced by Lindblad’s partnership with National Geographic.The ItineraryOur Patagonian journey was seamlessly organized from start to finish, beginning with a tour day in Santiago, Chile and overnight at The Ritz-Carlton. Then we flew to Puerto Natales, Chile’s gateway to Patagonia, catching views of the magnificent Andes Mountain range along the way. During six days sailing breathtaking Chilean fjords, we explored glaciers and forests on hikes and on Zodiacs, guided by a team of extraordinary naturalists. And we were lucky that calm weather permitted us a kayak experience, paddling close (but not too close) to a calving glacier. The Lindblad experience connects clients not only with the natural world but also with informative and entertaining experts who are part of the onboard family. Along the way in Patagonia, they helped us to examine the region’s singular flora, fauna and geology as we explored every aspect of nature from the tiniest leaf to the mightiest glacier. From massive Andean condors—the world’s largest bird—gliding far overhead to rockhopper and Magellanic penguin colonies along the rock face and from gigantic elephant seals to playful otters, we were deeply immersed in Patagonian habitats. We learned about all facets of nature in this remarkable part of the world, and about the indigenous people who lived here despite brutally harsh conditions. During our last two days, we explored Isla de Los Estados (Staten Island) in Argentina—a pristine, windswept nature reserve declared off limits to tourism from 1923 to 2019, and now accessible only with special permission. It was worth waking up pre-dawn on our last morning for a sunrise Zodiac tour to watch the wildlife wake up, with around 20 species of birds flying overhead and swooping into the water. My favorite were the adorable rockhopper penguins who scurried towards the water only to turn around, hop back up the rocky ledges, and repeat a few more times before eventually jumping en masse into the sea.roomThe Shipboard ExperienceLindblad’s National Geographic Explorer is a comfortable and immaculate polar expedition vessel with 81 outside cabins, some with balconies. The experience on board is luxurious yet casual, with no hierarchies and a friendly vibe. There are many comfortable places to relax, all with great views to the outdoors. The Bridge is accessible for passengers to visit 24/7. Captain, crew and naturalists, hailing from all parts of the world, mingle with passengers and often join for meals. Our convivial Captain Peik Aalto, with 40 years of experience on the high seas, even piloted zodiacs. The ship’s spacious lounge and dining room, with open seating for all meals, invited conversation. I enjoyed many daily talks from naturalists and guest speakers. Every evening began with a passenger meet-up in the lounge for cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, an entertaining recap of the day’s adventures and a briefing about what to expect next. Presentations ranged from our expedition divers showing fascinating visuals of the undersea landscape to an overview of the region’s ecosystem by a guest speaker from the Wildlife Conservation Society. This was one of my favorite times on board, chatting with fellow passengers, hearing about the day’s adventures and sipping a very good Cosmopolitan mocktail.kayakingFamily-Friendly ExpeditionsWhile on board, I thought about what an amazing experience a Lindblad expedition could be for kids. Now, beginning this summer, expeditions to Iceland welcome families to explore the island’s geological wonders. And, in conjunction with National Geographic Education, expeditions to Galapagos, Alaska, Baja California and Antarctica, including a new Sail and Fly the Drake Passage option starting in November, offer the National Geographic Global Explorers program for children and teens 18 and under. The goal is to explore the world like scientists and have fun doing it, from learning to record wildlife sightings in a field notebook to earning a Zodiac “drivers license.” There’s also a bonus parents are sure to appreciate: At the start of each sailing, the chef sits down with every kid to create a menu of their favorite foods for the length of the sailing.TABLES.CHAIRSFor Travel Advisors“We deeply appreciate the pivotal role travel advisors contribute to our success, and are committed to working in partnership as we inspire more travelers to embrace one of the fastest-growing travel trends of the decade,” says Kathi Riddle, Sr. VP of Sales and Revenue Management at Lindblad Expeditions. She notes that the partnership with National Geographic, recently extended through 2040, “creates a tremendous opportunity for our travel advisor partners as we tailor our marketing materials, increase our brand awareness resources and expand our training opportunities to help the sales process.” New on Lindblad’s travel agent portal are customizable, multimedia Approach Guide destination templates that provide immersive looks at Lindblad cruise experiences, with options for travel advisors to easily co-brand and personalize key touchpoints. Current destinations include Antarctica, Galapagos, Alaska, Iceland, the Columbia and Snake Rivers and Baja California, with more to come. Contact Information Lindblad Expeditions: expeditions.com

COVERSANDALSTable of ContentsSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesPALLADIUM BRAND ADAdvisor Speak: Attracting Next Generation AdvisorsFIESTA AMERICANAIndustry Insights: Travel is a ‘Human Need’Cruise: The Call of the World’s Rivers & OceansAMERICAN CRUISE LINES SCAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAMAWATERWAYS SCAMAWATERWAYSDISNEY CRUISE LINE SCDISNEY CRUISE LINEEXPLORA JOURNEYSOCEANIA CRUISES SCOCEANIA CRUISESROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL SCRCI ADOnboard Review: Icon of the Seas Reaches for the StarsOnboard Review: Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer—An Immersive Expedition ExperienceOnboard Review: Seven Seas Grandeur—All-Inclusive Luxury Offers Top ValueNorth America: Florida Beckons with New Properties, Attractions, EateriesOnsite Review: Miami Sparkles With Art, Nature & Culinary OfferingsLEE COUNTY SCLEE COUNTYAlaska: What’s New in the Last FrontierOnsite Review: Boston Welcomes the Celebrated Raffles BrandWhat's Next for Families in Mexico & the CaribbeanCaribbean Vacation Offers Varied ExperiencesPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPOnsite Review: Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit—This Dual Destination Shines Brighter Than EverRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADWEBINAR HOUSE AD