Lindblad is feeling confident about its place within the adventure cruise market and isn’t breaking a sweat over the rising number of competitors, according to its local boss.
Speaking to KarryOn days before Lindblad’s 50th anniversary last month, the company’s Australia General Manager, Gareth James, said the line is at an advantage because it is the ‘originator’ in the citizen-explorer voyages sector.
In case you didn’t know, Lindblad’s history stretches back to 1966 when founder Lars-Eric Lindblad took the first group of explorers and scientists out to Antarctica aboard the MS Lindblad Explorer.
Dubbed the ‘Antarctic Adventure’, the inaugural trip saw the group encounter penguins, break through ice and go husky sleighing.
The first adventure sailing was captured on film and is now available to watch on Youtube. Check it out below:
James said this extensive history sets cruise line apart from others, such as Aurora Expeditions and Scenic, and keeps Lindblad ahead of the pack.
“Yes, there has been an increase in the number of competitors and we welcome it.”
Gareth James, Lindblad Australia General Manager
“They keep us on our game and we’re meeting the challenge.”
He continued, saying that he doesn’t think the market is too crowded because expedition cruising is the “ultimate” form of cruising, which cruisers make their way up to after experiencing the ocean and rivers.
“I think our legacy is a big draw card for consumers and industry,” he added.
“We attract the finest expedition staff, have a large staff to guest ratio, have small ships that can travel to inaccessible places and we have the finest experience possible.”
To match the company’s 50-year history, Lindblad is preparing to launch two new ships and one renovated vessel in the coming years.
The $94.6 million deal for two new ships will see the vessels equipped with modern expedition technology such as remotely operated vehicles (ROV), video microscopes, a hydrophone and a bow camera designed to film humpback whales.
Meanwhile, the cruise line has also acquired the 50-guest Via Australis, which will undergo a $10 million refurbishment before setting sail under a new National Geographic name later this year.
“We’re taking everything we’ve learned and putting that into these two new ships.”
Gareth James, Lindblad Australia General Manager
Australian passengers currently make up around 10 percent of Lindblad’s bookings, which James says he’s happy with considering the size of the market.
