Cruise Line’s Exciting Jump Into A New Style Of Cruising

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has announced its entry into European river cruising for the first time, unveiling two new immersive itineraries along the Rhine launching in April 2026.

The move marks a significant expansion for the expedition cruise leader, which is best known for its small-ship voyages to remote regions like Antarctica, the Galápagos, and the Arctic.

The inaugural European river season will see the launch of Connect – a brand-new, 120-guest vessel built in 2025 specifically for scenic inland cruising.

The state-of-the-art ship will sail two distinct eight-day voyages: one from Amsterdam to Brussels and another from Cologne to Basel.

Bookings open to the public on 20th May 2025, while past guests can already reserve early.

“We’re delighted to bring National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ bold new vision of European river expeditions to our guests,

“These new itineraries are crafted with the same pioneering spirit that defines our global expeditions, offering deeply immersive and authentic experiences.”

Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions

Both sailings will feature veteran expedition leaders, expert field staff, and a dedicated National Geographic expert onboard.

Guests can expect private access to cultural landmarks, after-hours museum tours, and enriching excursions carefully curated in line with the co-brand’s ethos.

Itinerary One: Rhine River – Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights

Sailing between Cologne and Basel, this Rhine-focused itinerary takes in the UNESCO-listed Rhine Gorge and includes stops in Mainz, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Colmar. Highlights include:

A private reception at Rheinstein Castle hosted by the castle’s lord
Tastings of Riesling at St. Hildegard Abbey and historic wines in Strasbourg
A private tour of Goethe’s home in Frankfurt
Dining with students at Germany’s oldest university in Heidelberg

Itinerary Two: Holland and Belgium – Medieval History and Scenic Waterways

This sailing from Amsterdam to Brussels journeys through the waterways of the Low Countries, showcasing spring tulip blooms, historic cities and world-class art. Guests will enjoy:

Strolls through Keukenhof’s world-famous tulip gardens
After-hours access to the Kröller-Müller and Mauritshuis museums
A progressive Belgian food tour in Antwerp
Onboard dining infused with local flavours

A Strategic Shift into River Cruising

The launch marks the first time in its 50-year history that Lindblad Expeditions has operated voyages on Europe’s rivers.

The company currently sails destinations like the Amazon, Nile and Columbia Rivers but had not previously ventured into European inland cruising.

The addition of Connect also expands Lindblad’s fleet to 23 owned and chartered expedition vessels. While Connect is a chartered vessel, the ship is designed with wraparound panoramic windows and advanced technology, offering a fresh take on traditional river cruising.

According to Lindblad, these new itineraries aim to provide “expedition-style” immersion in cultural hubs, rather than simply focusing on leisure. “How you see it matters,” said Leahy, reinforcing the brand’s promise of meaningful travel experiences.

Anyone interested is invited to visit www.expeditions.co.uk to find out more.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.