NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER NEW FOR 2013 Viking Trail Arctic Quest Circumnavigating Iceland Epic South America CELEBRATING 125 YEARS Of National Geographic bringing us the world and all that’s in it 2013-14 EXPEDITION Season TM As astonishing as the photos in National Geographic. And an exhilarating life adventure: A Lindblad-National Geographic expedition— Aboard National Geographic Explorer TM Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have joined forces to further inspire the world through expedition travel. Our collaboration in exploration, research, technology and conservation will provide extraordinary travel experi- ences and disseminate geographic knowledge around the globe. Dear Traveler, The National Geographic Explorer will have its fifth anniversary in 2013. She has What’S InsiDE For YOU really developed a soul and is loved by countless guests, staff, and crew. For those returning, she’s a familiar and comforting base and for those joining her for the West Africa 20 first time, a delightful surprise. A Circumnavigation of the Baltic Sea 24 Arctic Svalbard 30 In truth, however, it’s the geography she travels through that’s most remarkable, Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard 34 and the chemistry that develops when smart, engaged guests, a dedicated crew NEW Viking Trail: Iceland to Greenland 36 and staff share a mission—to explore, to understand, and to converse about the NEW Arctic Quest: Canadian High Arctic 38 world’s wondrous places. NEW Circumnavigating Iceland 42 Aside from the tried and honed, there’s a lot to consider that is NEW in 2013. Antarctica 46 » A spring circumnavigation of the Baltic Sea, which is about as encompassing Antarctica, So. Georgia, Falklands 48 as you can get. And it’s particularly enjoyable to go to the homelands of our NEW Epic South America 52 captain and many of our officers. Aboard Explorer 58 Deck Plan & Voyage Pricing 60-63 A far more expanded summer in the Arctic, incorporating not only Svalbard but » Reservation Information 65 Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. » In South America we will begin an epic journey in Trinidad on September 18th, ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina 36 days later, visiting eight distinctly different countries. This and our “Epic West Africa” program are the most ambitious expeditions we’ve ever offered and we will be developing added nuances to the expedition for the next 14 months. (See pages 52-57 for highlights and details.) » And 2013 will be a year of celebration as the National Geographic Society turns 125 years old, bringing everyone “the world and all that’s in it.” Their explorers, photographers, and educators are an invaluable service to the world, and specifically to you and us, as we develop and explore the world together. And, finally, when you next come aboard National Geographic Explorer, you will see the ultimate interactive exhibit in the world as we and National Geographic have curated a Celebration of the Ocean on board, while outside our decks is the ultimate day-in, day-out experience of all the ocean gives us. See you soon, I hope. All the best, Sven-Olof Lindblad P.S. When we offered our Oct. 2013 expedition to Patagonia, it nearly sold out immediately. However, there are a very limited number of cabins available. If you are interested in this expedition, please call an Expedition Specialist as soon as possible. Cover photo: National Geographic Explorer in Antarctica. ©Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson. This page: Golden light on the Antarctic landscape. Ships’ registry: Bahamas 1 2013 EXPEDITION SEASON DATE VOYAGE NO. OF DAYS ANTARCTICA Jan. 6 Antarctica 14 Jan. 16 Antarctica 14 Jan. 26 Antarctica 14 Feb. 5 Antarctica 14 Feb. 15 Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands 24 WEST AFRICA Mar. 18 West Africa 37 BALTICS May 10 A Circumnavigation of the Baltic Sea 16 ARCTIC May 24 Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard 18 Jun. 7 Ice Bears 11 Jun. 14 Ice Bears 11 Jun. 21 Ice Bears 11 Jun. 28 Ice Bears 11 ICELAND/GREENLAND Jul. 10 A Circumnavigation of Iceland 10 Jul. 18 Viking Trail: Iceland to Greenland 12 Jul. 27 Greenland & Canadian High Arctic 17 Aug. 10 Greenland & Canadian High Arctic 17 SOUTH AMERICA Sep. 18 Epic South America: Jungle Rivers, Rain forests & the Colonial Coast 37 Oct. 22 Patagonia 2013: Argentina & the Chilean Fjords 20 ANTARCTICA Nov. 7 Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands 24 Nov. 27 Antarctica 14 Dec. 7 Antarctica 14 Dec. 17 Antarctica 14 Dec. 27 Antarctica 14 2014 DATE VOYAGE NO. OF DAYS ANTARCTICA Jan. 6 Antarctica 14 Jan. 16 Antarctica 14 Jan. 26 Antarctica 14 Feb. 5 Antarctica 14 Feb. 15 Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands 24 VIDEO PREVIEW HOW-TO! These colorful squares are your link to adventure. Called ‘image tags,’ they enable your smartphone to play a video anywhere they appear. 1. Go to http://gettag.mobi. 2. Download the free mobile app. 3. Using the app, snap or scan any tag and your browser will take you to a video. Enjoy; exploring by video is fun! 2 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) Celebrating 125 years of incredible National Geographic moments In 2013, National Geographic will celebrate its 125th anniversary—a historic milestone that encompasses an extraordinary legacy of exploration and discovery. From Hiram Bingham’s excavation of Machu Picchu a century ago to Richard E. Byrd’s historic flight over the South Pole in 1929 to Jacques Cousteau’s deep-sea explorations decades later, the past 125 years have included many unforgettable “National Geographic moments.” Today, we continue this rich tradition aboard the Lindblad- National Geographic fleet, putting you in the explorer’s seat and connecting you to incredible places, cultures, and people around the world. Our expeditions are filled with one-of-a-kind moments, whether you’re spotting the legendary pink dolphins of the Orinoco, meeting the Inuit people who thrive at the Arctic’s edge, or, as traveler Ethel Scully (opposite page) recalls, getting swept off your feet by the former President of Poland, Lech Walesa, during our expedition in the Baltics. Celebrating 125 years of incredible National Geographic moments I like to travel to learn and to grow, “ and am always looking for enriching experiences. This expedition really did that for me. It took a horizontal slice through history. It was tremendously exciting [to meet Lech Walesa]. Here is a Nobel Peace Prize–winning man who had a tremendous role in changing the course of history. At the end of his talk, Walesa was gracious and invited people to come up and take photos with him. He’d posed with about a dozen people before I got up with him. I was by myself, just smiling and happy to be there. And instead of a stiff photo, he broke into dance! And it made my Christmas Card: ‘Polka With Peace Prize Winning–Polish President!’ Over the course of my life, I’ve measured experiences by asking ‘Is this a National Geographic moment?’ I’ve had many figurative National Geographic moments, but this was my first literal National Geographic moment. It was lots of fun, and very memorable. This experience will always stay special for me. — Ethel Scully; Exploring the Baltic’s Historic Waterways; September” 2011 “We live on a water planet. The human relationship to the sea is simple: as the oceans go, so do we.” —David Doubilet, National Geographic Photographer A Galápagos sea lion swims through a circle of salema, Cousins Rock, Galápagos Islands. Photo by David Doubilet. A note about “Oceans” Part of what drives us as a company is to inspire people to care about the planet. And, I would add, to act on behalf of the planet, our only realistic home. The ocean is the common denominator of all our voyages—and I use the singular term with good reason as, ultimately, all the ocean realm is connected. And now the ocean is the focus of our attention. You’ll experience the wonder, the challenges and the opportunities of a healthy vibrant ocean through photo displays and videos aboard Explorer curated by experts from the National Geographic Ocean Initiative and Museum divisions. Our hope is that Explorer inspires our guests to become our partners in strategic actions to change the destiny of our blue planet. The exhibit includes photographs by National Geographic photographers David Doubilet, Ralph Lee Hopkins, Paul Nicklen, Dr. Enric Sala and Brian Skerry. It also includes an iPad displaying eight compelling photo galleries and eight videos featuring some of the ocean’s leading proponents—Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Enric Sala, Dr. Bob Ballard, myself and others. This is just the first step in what will be an ongoing collaboration between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic focused on ocean conservation and education. I look forward to presenting new developments as they occur. If you choose to join us aboard National Geographic Explorer, I hope you will spend some time exploring this installation—in the reception area, central/forward stairwells and additional locations throughout the ship. And enjoy the opportunity to consider the ocean even as you travel upon it to the planet’s most inspiring places. 8 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) Clockwise from upper left: A corner of the library with a photo from the Oceans installation. Guest viewing a stairwell display. Ship’s passageway with incredible undersea photo. Two images from the exhibit: common dolphins bow-ride before sunrise in the Sea of Cortez—by Ralph Lee Hopkins; A moray eel hides among corals on Easter Island—by Dr. Enric Sala. WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 9 A moving window on the world National Geographic Explorer is a 21st-century expedition ship thanks to her nooks and crannies, as much as her tools and technology.