Lindblad Expeditions has announced a new partnership with Transcend Cruises, forming a multi-year charter agreement to offer river cruises in Europe. This collaboration aims to provide travelers with a unique, immersive experience along Europe’s rivers.
The cruises will be operated by Transcend, a charter-only operator, as part of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions brand. The itineraries are designed for “curious travelers,” allowing them to explore riverside towns and villages in depth. Each journey will be guided by an expedition leader, a team of field staff, and at least one National Geographic expert. The partnership will continue until at least 2028.
While Lindblad has previously offered river cruises in regions like the Peruvian Amazon, the Nile in Egypt, and the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the U.S., this is the company’s first river expedition offering in Europe.
Transcend Cruises, which focuses exclusively on charters, has also revealed the names of its new ships: Transcend Connect and Transcend Evolve. These vessels are designed to sail on major European rivers, including the Rhine, Maas, Main, and Danube. Transcend reported that booking availability for 2026 is already limited.
Lindblad’s CEO, Natalya Leahy, emphasized that these European voyages will reflect the company’s commitment to providing carefully curated travel experiences. “We are creating these voyages with the same depth, care, and expertise that define all of our expeditions,” she said. Transcend’s CEO, Hans Rood, added that the company’s focus on wellness, sustainability, and service makes it an ideal partner to support Lindblad’s vision for the river cruises.
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