Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic Announce Expanded Relationship

Image: A man holds a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic flag in Antarctica. (Photo Credit: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic)
Image: A man holds a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic flag in Antarctica. (Photo Credit: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 1:45 PM ET, Wed November 15, 2023

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., global leader and pioneer in the expedition cruises and adventure travel industry, announced the long-term extension and expansion of the Lindblad Expeditions brand’s strategic relationship with renowned exploration and scientific discovery brand National Geographic.

Under the new agreement, the two companies have extended their 20-year relationship through 2040 allowing the brand to reach new worldwide audiences through three new market opportunities including:

  • Global rights to the National Geographic brand for expedition cruises, which will enable Lindblad Expeditions to increase its fleet capacity of 17 intimately scaled exploration ships and expand into additional market segments.
  • Leverage The Walt Disney Company as an affiliate of National Geographic Partners to distribute products through Disney’s powerful sales channels and support robust joint marketing campaigns.
  • Enhancements to the onboard guest experience with more immersive storytelling and experiences connected to the National Geographic brand. 

“The extension—and, most importantly, the expansion—of our strategic relationship with National Geographic will enable us to significantly grow our business and each of our brands on an international scale and reach more citizen explorers than ever before,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lindblad Expeditions.

He added, “As we globalize our operations, the power of worldwide branding rights, uplifted by the marketing and sales engine of National Geographic and The Walt Disney Company, is incredibly exciting and will be key to our continued growth. Building on our company’s half-century of safe and responsible exploration and long list of industry innovations, together, we will continue to craft world-opening expeditions for curious explorers, develop more meaningful guest programs on land and onboard our growing fleet, and expose new audiences to the beauty and wonder of our shared planet. Over the past two decades, our intuitive connection and shared ethos has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of guests, and I look forward to our next two decades of industry-leading growth.”

National Geographic touchpoints are found throughout each awe-inspiring expedition. Under the new agreement, guests will enjoy more National Geographic content throughout their trip and enhanced in-field interactions with National Geographic Experts—renowned individuals from the worlds of science, exploration, conservation, and education. 

“Lindblad Expeditions’ expertise, history of responsible and safe exploration and outstanding guest experience makes them the right organization to help bring the National Geographic Expeditions brand to life,” said Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions and Disney Institute.

She added, “We are proud to associate our iconic travel brand with an operator with such a rich pioneering heritage that is committed to operating inspiring and meaningful travel experiences to the world’s most compelling destinations to grow the National Geographic Expeditions brand on a global scale, while bringing high-quality hospitality, customer service standards and marketing and sales expertise.”

With its history in expedition cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has carried citizen explorers on journeys of deep discovery to the planet's farthest reaches for more than half a century. For the past two decades, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have collaborated through a shared mission: To foster a spirit of discovery and community by blending science, nature, and purpose-driven travel.

The brands and their guests have progressed important conservation priorities, educational opportunities and supported environmental scientific research at local, regional, and global levels, during thousands of expeditions designed for discovery, highlighting the wonder of our world and our collective role in protecting it.

Through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, $20 million has been raised to support numerous conservation, education and science initiatives around the globe.

Together with the National Geographic Society, Lindblad Expeditions has brought more than 365 educators into the world through the Grosvenors Teachers Fellowship program to experience expeditions. Those educators, in return, pass that knowledge on to their students.


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