Last week, we sat down to interview Lesa Bain, Lindblad’s vice president of sales for North America. The company recently announced its resumption of operations in Alaska and the Galapagos this summer.
You can listen to part one and part two of the whole interview but, before you do that, here are five things I learned during my conversation with Lesa Bain.
1. Lindblad cares about the environment
When I sent over the list of questions for my interview with Lesa, she responded asking me to mention sustainability stating it was “one of [Lindblad’s] key pillars”. The company’s sustainability efforts are impressive. In fact, it has completely reduced guest facing single use plastics – both onboard and in its home offices. “It really is a mindset, and it just doesn’t live in one department,” says Bain.
2. The company is a good fit for many types of travelers
There isn’t one type of Lindblad traveler. Adjoining staterooms and single cabins are available for single travelers and families alike. You just need to be eager to explore.
For families, there is the National Geographic Global Explorers program. The program started in the Galapagos but has expanded to more itineraries and will soon expand to Antarctica. Through this program, young travelers are provided with a field notebook that has lists of wildlife, illustrations, science experiments, and more. A field educator guides young travelers and shows them how to do various activities throughout their sailing.
3. The company aims to impassion guests
Expedition guests need to be both impassioned to travel, but also impassioned by the area that they are in. Bain emphasized the importance of impassioning guests while they are on board Lindblad’s ships. The company does this through its knowledgable staff as well as through various technologies. For example, there is an underwater dive team that captures HD footage from beneath the ship. Bain points out that any time you are on a ship you are sitting on a huge living organism. She states that every guest should have access and knowledge of what is under the ship.
4. The company has a partnership with National Geographic
The alliance between Lindblad and National Geographic started 16 years ago. The partnership grants Lindblad access to National Geographic expedition team members and National Geographic photographers. On some of ships, there is a National Geographic photographer in residence on board.
5. There are two new ships joining the fleet – National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution
These polar built ships will feature X-Bows, allowing them to cut through waves for smoother sailings. The ships will host 126 guests in 69 cabins with 53 balcony suites including 12 solo cabins with balconies. There will also be a science lab, wellness program, dry and wet sauna, and two infinity hot tubs on board. My favorite feature on board? Glass igloos with daybeds – perfect for viewing the northern lights.
This article was originally published at The Avid Cruiser.