WILD ESCAPES GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK THAT RESTORES 10 SHORT TRIPS IN 8 THRILLING GEOGRAPHIES WILDNESS + WONDER + SPECIAL OFFERS 2019-20212019-2020 VOYAGES | EXPEDITIONS.COM Dawes Glacier, Alaska 57.4753° N, 132.7033° W WHEN YOU CLICK ANYWAY KNOWING NO PHOTO CAN CAPTURE THE THUNDER, THE POWER OR THE REVERB You know the charge you get when you come upon something wild and unexpected, something rare and beautiful? We live for those moments. We sail to the ends of the earth to find them, to discover them anew, and conjure them for our guests. THAT’S THE EXHILARATION OF DISCOVERY Cover photo: Isla San Jose, Baja California © Ralph Lee Hopkins This page: In Alaska, guests observe and photograph Dawes Glacier calving. © David Spiegel TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to our Wild Escapes collection. Choose from 10 action-packed opportunities, from 5 to 9 days. 2 Where Awesome Is 4 Our Ships 6 A Day In The Life Of A Wild Alaska Escape 8 All About Teamwork 10 Dining Aboard 12 National Geographic Photography 14 Where Families Connect 16 Central America 18 Baja California 20 California Coast 22 Alaska 24 Galápagos & Peru 26 Iceland 28 National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion 30 National Geographic Islander 32 National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture 34 National Geographic Explorer 36 Special Offers 37 Reservation Information 1 THE ESCAPES COLLECTION — EXPERIENCE WILDNESS, WELLNESS & WONDER IN LESS TIME 2 WHERE AWESOME IS OUR WILD ESCAPES OFFER THE SAME EXHILARATING experiences as our classic expeditions. They’re simply shorter—and, as a result, more convenient for travelers without the luxury of time to commit to an extended sojourn. In just five days, you can explore a pristine, species-rich U.S. national park in the Channel Islands, effortlessly traversing the ocean that separates it from California. Or, on a weeklong Galápagos expedition, see the iconic Our Escapes collection, blue-footed boobies, as well as creatures that inspired 10 action-packed voyages lasting 5 to 9 days, is Darwin, from the famous finches to giant tortoises. Add designed to make every two days and visit Machu Picchu, too. Go beyond the single day of your travels spectacular. So, make the Blue Lagoon in Iceland to discover far more. Or enjoy most of your valuable time; close-up encounters with gray whales and their calves in spend less of it while having more thrilling moments. Baja’s Magdalena Bay. All in the engaging company of our Escape with us and discover naturalists for in-depth insights. the best each wild destination has to offer. WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 3 VENTURE INTO THE WORLD’S MOST AWESOME PLACES ABOARD OUR NIMBLE FLEET FEEL THE SPRAY OF SEAWATER AS YOUR EXPEDITION We are delighted to intro- landing craft charges through the surf to land on a wild Baja duce you to these ships in “ our fleet, designed to give shore unmarred by any docks, piers, or port. Cruise Alaska’s a complement of 48 to 148 fast-moving channels where whales come to feed. Snorkel guests an intimate, inclusive experience of the awesome Belize reefs swarming with a galaxy of brightly hued fish. geographies featured in Experience diverse landscapes and remote islands on a this brochure. Each ship is well-adapted to the regions voyage through Galápagos. We have been exploring for it explores, able to give you decades, and our fleet of nimble expedition ships enables the exhilaration of authentic, us to go deep inside places where larger cruise ships simply up-close, personal exploring with expert naturalists, and cannot go. curious, intelligent fellow guests. Choose the itinerary that interests you, assured Now, we go even further: following our decision to become that any of our purpose-built plastic free, we are now 100% carbon neutral, offsetting ships will provide an incom- parable feeling.” our company. Our award-winning menus are locally — SVEN-OLOF LINDBLAD sourced from sustainable providers anywhere possible. And CEO & Founder we’ve had a significant impact on conservation and community initiatives in the regions we explore—raising a cumulative $17.1 million from our guests, including $11.3 million since the LEX-NG Fund was established in 2008. And our commitment is ongoing, so you can feel good about traveling with us. See each of our ships ahead—on pages 28-35 4 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) OUR SHIPS 5 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WILD ALASKA ESCAPE 6:00-7:00 a.m. 1:45-4:45 p.m. EARLY RISER STRETCH CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY TALK AND EXPLORATION Fresh pastries and coffee are served. Dall’s porpoises Our photo instructor shares tips and tricks on getting surf our ship’s bow wave. Our wellness specialist the most out of smartphone cameras before we go leads a morning stretch routine followed by herbal ashore to walk among blooming rainforest wildflowers. tea or smoothies on the sundeck. Some hikers choose a path less traveled—a bush- whack under trees, through mud, and along hills. 7:20-9:00 a.m. SAILING INTO AWESOME 5:15-6:15 p.m. Over breakfast we sail through high stone walls that AFTERNOON ENCOUNTER were once scraped smooth by the movement of a We return to the ship just in time to see humpback massive glacier. Floating icebergs, sparse near the whales cooperatively bubble-net feeding shockingly entrance, become more numerous until we finally close to the bow. The naturalists set up the hydro- can take the ship no further. phone so we can hear the whales communicating. Cameras are ready for a change in pitch of the vocalization—the indication that the whales are done 9:15 a.m.-Noon corralling the fish and about to simultaneously lunge MORNING EXPLORATIONS upward to feed on the fish. Mid-morning finds us in our expedition landing craft speeding toward a towering glacier that peeks through the curves ahead. Melting snow above 6:30 p.m. feeds dozens of waterfalls. In the ice-filled water COCKTAILS AND EVENING RECAP/DINNER near the glacier are harbor seals and, overhead, A Lindblad ritual, guests regroup after a thrilling day Arctic terns fly with small fish in their beaks. Kayakers over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to hear our naturalists paddle through the still water spotting otters, minks, present highlights of the day. Today the marine and bald eagles. biologist answers questions about the bubble-net feeding observed. Dinner is then served. 12:30-1:30 p.m. LUNCH IS SERVED 9:30 p.m. Back onboard, we’re greeted with a well-deserved STAR VIEWING lunch of grilled hamburgers with all the fixings. We As the sun sets on another Alaska day, the stars retreat out of the glacial fjord pausing only for the appear slowly at first and then fill the night sky all at most spectacular waterfalls and a lone brown bear once. Hopeful guests keep a lookout for the Northern foraging in the dropping tide. Lights, but tonight the bright Milky Way and occasional meteor are our ample reward for staying up late. See itineraries on page 23. 6 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WILD ALASKA ESCAPE 7 OUR ESCAPES TEAMS ARE ACE AT DOING WHAT IT TAKES 8 ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK SOMETIMES EVEN THE MOST INTREPID OF ADVENTURERS NEED a guide—and that’s where we come in. Our team has the knowledge and the passion for the wild world that will kindle yours. They will do whatever it takes, from standing watch so you don’t miss a single passing whale; lingering as long as you want on deck to watch bubble-net feeding or diving pelicans; to offering an extra-long kayak excursion when conditions enable it. They’ll help you to see, do, and absorb all the extraordinary COOL TOOLS FOR EXPLORING experiences—with inspiration, great conversations, and In addition to a fleet of excellent dining included. Because the undersea is vital to your expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, understanding, we’ve committed the resources to offer what no our ships (where relevant) are other expedition travel company does—an exploration of the also stocked with full snorkel gear, including shortie wet vivid and surprising world beneath our ships. During voyages, suits for all sizes. And many our undersea specialist will don gear—layers of cold water are outfitted with hydrophones to listen to whales and sea diving gear where necessary—and dive or lower our onboard lions underwater, and video ROV to explore and shoot video of the marine environment to microscopes for seeing share during entertaining and informative presentations. plankton. WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 9 EVERYWHERE YOU GO, SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF THE REGION 10 DINING ABOARD NO MATTER THE DESTINATION, LOCAL CUISINE— juices on the breakfast buffet. In Iceland, try fresh, sustainably produced, and expertly fresh dayboat fish, seasonal produce, berries prepared—will be a highlight of your experience. from coastal farms, and local craft beers. Not only will you enjoy delightful new tastes, Or in Alaska, indulge in fresh-off-the-boat the food will act as a revealing window on the Dungeness crab for our spectacular crabfest, culture you’re visiting. and salmon sticks to delight kids. With a In the Galápagos Islands, dine on Andean well-nourished body and mind, you’ll be super foods and find exotic, invigorating fresh ready for your next discovery. WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 11 WHAT WILL YOU CREATE WITH LINDBLAD-NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CERTIFIED PHOTO INSTRUCTORS TO ASSIST YOU? 12 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHY WHILE YOU’RE DISCOVERING WONDERS YOU’LL HAVE THE PHOTO EXPEDITIONS Trips designated as Photo Expeditions benefit of a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo (with this symbol ) are select instructor (CPI) at your side and at your service.