This year, Lindblad Expeditions celebrates 60 years of groundbreaking discovery. On January 23, 1966, Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first group of non-scientific travelers to Antarctica, opening one of the world’s most remote regions to curious explorers and forever reshaping how people experience the planet.
That historic voyage in 1966 laid the foundation for modern expedition cruising. Just one year later, Lindblad brought the first civilian expedition to the Galápagos Islands, reinforcing a vision that was never limited to a single destination or climate.
For Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, this 60th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the immense impact of that first journey: “Lars-Eric Lindblad pioneered expedition travel with a simple belief: how you see the world matters. Sixty years after the voyage that started it all, that vision continues to guide us. Every sailing is shaped by decades of experience, deep relationships with local communities, and the expertise of some of the world’s most seasoned captains, navigators, and naturalists. What defines our expeditions isn’t just where we go, but how we approach each place – creating life-expanding moments that spark curiosity and stay with our guests long after they return home.”
Sven Lindblad founded the current Lindblad Expeditions in 1979 to further build upon his father’s legacy. This led, among other things, to an unprecedented partnership with National Geographic in 2004. Today, the organization manages a fleet of 24 small ships exploring more than 100 destinations worldwide, from the polar regions to Vietnam, India, and Egypt. Although the scale has increased, the unwavering commitment to providing immersive experiences in the world’s most awe-inspiring places remains the absolute guiding principle.
As a recognized leader in expedition travel, Lindblad Expeditions continues to set the industry standard through purposeful innovation. For example, they set the benchmark with the launch of the National Geographic Endurance, the first PC-5 polar class ship built for civilian expeditions. Lindblad also continues to pioneer logistically, for instance with private flights to and from Puerto Natales in Chile as part of the Antarctica Direct: Fly the Drake Passage itinerary, which increases access and enhances the expedition experience.
“Ultimately, it is the guests who make this anniversary truly special. They have inspired us to go further and seek deeper insight,” Leahy concludes.
To celebrate this historic milestone, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is launching ‘The Expedition That Started It All’ anniversary offer. Travelers who book before February 9, 2026, can benefit from savings of up to 20% and a reduced deposit on select expeditions in 2026 and 2027. With this, the cruise line invites a new generation of explorers to experience the world in the way it began sixty years ago: with wonder and respect for nature.
Pictures National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
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