Lindblad Expeditions Alaska Review: Why I'd Book Another National Geographic Expedition Tomorrow
Shoutout to Nick Karr for this fabulous photo
Some trips are planned months in advance.
This one wasn't.
On a Friday afternoon, I called my cousin and said, "I know you're going to think I'm crazy, but... want to go to Alaska next week?"
By the following week, we were on a plane to Juneau.
Since we booked at the last minute, nearly every hotel in town was sold out. We eventually found one... and were welcomed with perhaps the strangest hotel amenity I've ever received: four blocks of very expired Velveeta cheese sitting in the freezer.
No Rotel.
No tortilla chips.
Just four lonely blocks of expired cheese.
Needless to say, it became the running joke of the trip.
Fortunately, everything after that was absolutely incredible.
Looking back, I still can't believe we pulled it off, but sometimes the most spontaneous trips end up becoming your favorites.
In June, I sailed from Juneau to Sitka aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, Lindblad's original expedition ship. While she's retiring this year, what she lacks in flashy amenities she more than makes up for in history, character, and access to places that larger ships simply can't reach.
Before the trip was even over, I knew this wouldn't be my last Lindblad expedition
That probably tells you everything you need to know about how much I loved this experience.
If your ideal cruise includes Broadway-style entertainment, multiple specialty restaurants, casinos, or pool days, Lindblad probably isn't the right fit. But if you'd rather spend your day kayaking beside glaciers, hiking through rainforest, spotting whales from the bow, and ending the evening learning from naturalists over cocktails, it's hard to imagine a more immersive way to experience Alaska.
TLDR
Choose a Lindblad Expedition if you...
Love wildlife more than shopping ports.
Enjoy hiking, kayaking, Zodiac rides, and being active.
Like learning while you travel.
Prefer small ships over mega ships.
Want flexible itineraries that adapt to nature.
Appreciate meeting interesting, curious people.
The best way I can describe it?
Adult Science Camp.
And I mean that as the highest compliment.
What Makes Lindblad Different?
If you're expecting Broadway shows, casinos, waterslides, or endless specialty restaurants...
This isn't that.
Every day revolves around the destination.
One morning we were boarding Zodiacs to get closer to glaciers in Endicott Arm.
The next day we were kayaking remote shorelines, hiking through temperate rainforest, spotting sea lions and bald eagles around the Inian Islands, or choosing between bushwhacking through the Alaskan wilderness and a more relaxed nature walk.
Kayaking, Zodiac excursions, guided hikes, and the onboard presentations were all included, so every day felt active without constantly reaching for your wallet or deciding which excursions were worth paying extra for.
The itinerary is intentionally flexible because nature doesn't follow an itinerary.
If there's a pod of whales nearby, everyone goes to see whales.
What really makes Lindblad different, though, is the expedition team. They don't just point out wildlife. They spend the entire week teaching, answering questions, and sharing their passion for the places you're exploring. By the end of the week, it feels less like you're traveling with guides and more like you're traveling with incredibly knowledgeable friends.
That's the beauty of expedition cruising.
Adult Science Camp
The nickname stuck almost immediately.
Every evening we'd gather in the lounge for cocktail hour and a recap of the day's discoveries.
Naturalists, photographers, geologists, and historians gave presentations that somehow managed to be fascinating instead of feeling like lectures.
Topics ranged from glaciers and marine ecosystems to photography tips and the history of Southeast Alaska.
Instead of trivia about cruise ships, you're learning why a glacier moves the way it does or how to identify different seabirds.
It sounds nerdy.
It absolutely is.
And it was one of my favorite parts.
I came for the wildlife. I left talking about the people.
The People
One thing I wasn't expecting was how quickly everyone became friends.
By the end of the week, we had a regular table at meals, learned how to play Mexican Train Dominoes, and spent evenings laughing with people we'd only met a few days earlier.
Some afternoons we'd hike or kayak for hours. Other afternoons we'd grab a drink in the lounge, pull out the dominoes, and spend the evening swapping travel stories with new friends. Those friendships ended up being just as memorable as the wildlife.
Because the ships are small, you naturally get to know both your fellow travelers and the expedition team.
It felt much more like traveling with a group of interesting friends than being on a cruise with hundreds of strangers.
Luxury Looks Different Here
If you've followed me for a while, you know I usually write about luxury hotels and yacht cruises.
Lindblad is luxurious in a completely different way.
Luxury here isn't measured by marble bathrooms or champagne bars.
It's waking up to glaciers outside your window.
It's having a team of experts helping you understand what you're seeing.
It's stepping into a Zodiac and exploring places that most cruise passengers will never see.
It's coming back onboard to a bowl of homemade chili and cornbread after a rainy morning on the water, or sitting down to an all-you-can-eat Alaskan crab dinner while Steve patiently teaches you the proper way to crack crab legs.
It's ending the day feeling like you actually experienced Alaska rather than just looked at it from a balcony.
Would I Go Again?
Absolutely.
In fact, I already am.
A week after I got home, I booked Lindblad's Galápagos Escape expedition for October.
That's probably the best endorsement I can give.
Why Book Through a Travel Advisor?
As a luxury travel advisor affiliated with Departure Lounge, a Virtuoso member agency, I can often provide additional value on Lindblad Expeditions, including exclusive offers and added amenities on select departures.
More importantly, I can help you decide whether an expedition cruise is actually the right fit for your travel style.
They're very different from a traditional Alaska cruise, and that's exactly why so many people love them.
Planning Your Expedition
If you've been thinking about Alaska, the Galápagos, Antarctica, or another expedition destination, I'd love to help.
Having now experienced Lindblad firsthand, I can help you determine whether this style of travel is right for you, recommend the best itinerary, and coordinate everything from pre-cruise hotels to flights and transfers.
To begin planning your sailing, reach out through my inquiry form at thatblondetravels.com/contact or email me directly at Lauren@thatblondetravels.com.
