On a trip to Australia as Lindblad celebrates the 60th anniversary of Lars-Eric Lindblad’s first Antarctic expedition for ‘civilians’, CEO Natalya Leahy says the Australian and New Zealand regions are “strategic markets” for the cruise line.
Eighteen months into her role, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc Natalya Leahy has launched European and Indian river expeditions, fully activated its Antarctica Fly program and expanded the Galápagos fleet to four vessels, including the 16-guest National Geographic Delfina.
“We have placed greater emphasis on pre- and post-voyage experiences because today’s travellers increasingly want to stay longer and engage more deeply when they journey to another part of the world.
“We also made the strategic decision to expand more meaningfully into the Australia and New Zealand markets. Adventure and experiential travel are growing exceptionally quickly across this region, and we strongly believe our style of immersive expedition travel resonates deeply with Australian and New Zealand guests.
“We want to ensure travellers and advisors in both markets have greater access to the experiences we create.”
Eyes on Australia
Lindblad offers expeditions in more than 70 destinations on all seven continents. It operates 12 owned ships, complemented by 12 chartered vessels that give the company access to select destinations during specific seasons – the Amazon, Mekong and Nile rivers, Baja California and Asia-Pacific – so will there be expedition voyages in local waters?
“Australia and New Zealand are incredibly compelling to us, and they align beautifully with the kind of exploration we have been leading for nearly 60 years.
“We have operated here in the past, including the Kimberley, the Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand, and those experiences really reflect who we are as a company. So yes, we are actively evaluating possibilities to return to this very special region.”
She says while Lindblad’s destinations vary greatly, the experience it delivers is consistent across the portfolio: intimate, deeply curated and led by exceptional experts, including National Geographic photographers, explorers and naturalists.
“Whether guests are in Antarctica, the Galápagos, Alaska, India, Europe or another part of the world, the experience is grounded in the same principles: expertise, access, safety, curiosity, care and a deep respect for place.
“Our style of luxury is highly authentic and unpretentious. We know our guests personally and tailor experiences to their interests and preferences, while also creating a true community onboard, where travellers connect not only with the destinations and cultures they explore on shore and onboard, but with one another throughout the journey.”
The expedition evolution
“India is a wonderful example of where expedition travel is heading because it offers something increasingly rare in luxury travel: genuine immersion,” adds Leahy.
“Our expeditions aboard Charaidew II are intimate and deeply experience-driven. The ship accommodates 34 guests, blending modern comfort with traditional Assamese character, and its shallow draft allows access to less-travelled stretches of the Brahmaputra.
“Guests can explore Kolkata’s historic landmarks and colourful markets, visit ancient monasteries on Majuli Island, meet artisans and local communities in remote villages, and search for wildlife in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Lindblad brings an exceptional depth of interpretation through expedition leaders, naturalists and local experts. We help guests understand not only what they are seeing, but why it matters – whether that is the ecology of the Brahmaputra River system, the cultural history of Assam, or the conservation efforts protecting wildlife in the region.
“It is not about scale for us; it is about access, authenticity and creating meaningful connection with a destination. Increasingly, that is exactly what sophisticated travellers are looking for.”
Moving into river ships
Leahy says that launching two ships on Europe’s rivers is one of the clearest examples of Lindblad responding directly to guest demand.
“Our upcoming ships, 2026’s Connect and 2027’s Evolve, allow us to bring our expedition philosophy into Europe in a very intentional way.
“Both ships accommodate just 120 guests, enabling the same small-scale, expert-led and highly immersive style of exploration our guests already associate with us around the world.
“Connect introduces our first European river expeditions, while Evolve expands the offering further with additional itineraries and seasonal experiences, including Christmas market voyages. We have taken a very deliberate approach to entering this market because the experience has to feel authentically Lindblad.
“The response so far has been among the strongest we have seen for a new product launch, reinforcing that travellers are looking for a more thoughtful and immersive way to experience Europe.”
How travel changed her life
“I truly believe in the transformative power of travel because travel quite literally changed my own life.
“Growing up in Uzbekistan, the world at that time did not feel very open or accessible to us. But through books and stories, my mother and grandmother instilled in me a deep belief that the world extended far beyond our neighbourhood and that there was so much to discover and learn from others.
“I first travelled outside the country to India when I was 21, and that experience changed me profoundly. Experiencing a new culture, meeting different people and seeing the world through a broader lens made me realise that travel has a unique ability to remove barriers. It helps us celebrate and appreciate our differences rather than fear them.
“That is ultimately what attracted me to expedition travel specifically. At its best, expedition travel is not just about seeing beautiful places. It is about creating deeper understanding, curiosity, humility and genuine connection with the world and with one another.”
For more information, visit Lindblad Expeditions
