Small ship expeditions cruise and adventure travel operator, Lindblad Expeditions, is planning to resume operations for the 2021 season in Alaska and the Galápagos in June.
Company Founder and outgoing CEO Sven Lindblad said the company’s team has spent the past year during its voluntary pause “examining every single aspect of our operation to be prepared to operate in the new normal.”
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Lindblad Expeditions has enlisted the assistance of many health and safety experts and met with authorities in the regions the company intends to explore “to ensure we are welcome and meet or exceed their expectations,” Lindblad said.
Guests over the age of 16 will be required to be vaccinated prior to travelling with the company.
In resuming travel to Alaska, Lindblad will offer 6- and 8-day itineraries aboard its 100-guest sister ships National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture, with the first departures on 5 and 6 June 2021, respectively.
In the Galápagos archipelago, Lindblad will operate a 10-day itinerary aboard the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour ll, with the first Galápagos departure planned for 4 June 2021.
Starting June 4, we resume our explorations in Galápagos. Join us this summer to rejuvenate in these Enchanted Isles.
Return to travel: bit.ly/GALAEndeavourII
Posted by Lindblad Expeditions on Saturday, 3 April 2021
New President and CEO
Concurrently, Lindblad Expeditions Holdings’ Board of Directors has appointed Dolf Berle as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board, effective 10 May 2021.
Berle succeeds Sven-Olof Lindblad, who will become Co-Chair of the Board, together with Mark Ein, current Board Chair. In his role as Co-Chair, Lindblad will work with his fellow Directors to advise the Company’s leadership team on business strategy and growth opportunities, including reaching new audiences, innovating new products and developing new geographies, as well as focus on energising new and existent social programs.
Ein will partner with Lindblad to help guide the Board and the Company’s organic growth, acquisition and financial strategy.
Berle currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Topgolf Entertainment Group where he has led the company’s overall vision, global growth strategies and P&L, since 2018. Previously, Berle served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.
“It has been a tremendous honour to serve as the CEO of Lindblad Expeditions since founding the Company in 1979, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished over the last 40 years.”
“We’ve built a business based on the respect and understanding of geography and connecting our more than hundreds of thousands of loyal guests and new audiences worldwide with nature, culture and an opportunity to explore the world.” Sven-Olof Lindblad.
“Today, Lindblad Expeditions has the most talented employees in the industry, a best-in class platform of high-quality and authentic experiential offerings, a passionate customer base eager to see the world’s most exceptional destinations with us, and a balanced growth strategy to take us into the future. We are thrilled for our guests to return to the same exhilarating expedition experience they have come to know and love when we resume voyages in two iconic destinations early this summer,” Lindblad remarked.
Newly released expeditions in Asia and the Pacific
Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions has introduced five new itineraries for 2021/2022 that will explore Asia and the Pacific.
National Geographic Orion will be deployed on four itineraries, including the;
- 20-day Exploring Indonesia; Bali, Raja Ampat and Papua New Guinea voyage from Bali to Brisbane on 28 November 2021 and 29 November 2022 (plus a reverse journey on 9 October 2022)
- 12-day Singapore to Bali: Jungles, Atolls and Wildlife expedition from Singapore to Bali (Denpasar); scheduled for 18 November 2021 and 19 November 2022 (reverse itinerary on 26 October 2022)
- 18-day Under the Southern Cross: New Zealand to Melanesia cruise from Honiara to Auckland, on 16 March and 16 December 2022; and 27 February 2023.
- 13-day Rites and Relics: From the Solomon Islands to Fiji expedition between Brisbane and Lautoka (Fiji), departing on 28 March and 29 September (reverse itinerary) 2022; and 11 March 2023.
Linblad Expeditions’ newest vessel, National Geographic Resolution, will also operate a month-long voyage between Taipei and Papeete next year.
The 28-day Journey Across the Remote Pacific will explore Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, Guam, Micronesia, Kiribati, remote Tokelau (New Zealand owned), Cook Islands and Tahiti. Departing on 13 October 2022, the cruise is priced from AU$47,290 per person twin share.
For more details, see au.expeditions.com.
All images courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions