Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic extend and expand strategic relationship through 2040

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 November 2023 15 November 2023

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., the recognized global leader and a pioneer in the expedition cruises and adventure travel industry, announced today the long-term extension and expansion of the Lindblad Expeditions brand’s strategic relationship with renowned exploration and scientific discovery brand National Geographic.

Under the new agreement, the two companies have extended their industry-defining 20-year relationship for 17 additional years, with a commitment through 2040 that will allow the brand to reach new worldwide audiences through three compelling new market opportunities including:

– Global rights to the National Geographic brand for expedition cruises, which will enable Lindblad Expeditions to increase its fleet capacity of 17 intimately scaled exploration ships and expand into additional market segments;
– Leverage of The Walt Disney Company as an affiliate of National Geographic Partners to distribute product through Disney’s powerful sales channels and support robust joint marketing campaigns; and
– Enhancements to the onboard guest experience with more immersive storytelling and experiences connected to the National Geographic brand.

A milestone in Lindblad Expeditions’ global growth strategy, this expanded relationship will elevate the brand’s position as the leader in expedition cruise, the breakout travel trend of the decade. It will increase the earnings potential of the company by opening larger addressable markets and potential expansion into additional market segments through: a global license to use the National Geographic Expeditions brand to market, sell and operate co-branded trips on expedition ships; exclusivity on trips marketed in the United States and Canada for ships up to 295 passengers, with the ability to expand that exclusive license globally and to ships with guest capacity of up to 530 passengers; and a global license to market co-branded river cruises.

One of the most impactful elements of this new agreement is the distribution of the company’s products through The Walt Disney Company’s powerful sales channels. This distribution will be instrumental in reaching key new-to-expedition and new-to-brand travelers around the world, thereby growing the company’s consumer base to drive additional capacity and earnings growth in the years ahead. The combination of the educational travel expertise of National Geographic, the marketing and sales expertise of The Walt Disney Company, and the expedition cruise operations history of Lindblad Expeditions will inspire generations of new explorers across the globe and fuel record growth.

“The extension – and, most importantly, the expansion – of our strategic relationship with National Geographic will enable us to significantly grow our business and each of our brands on an international scale and reach more citizen explorers than ever before,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lindblad Expeditions. “As we globalize our operations, the power of worldwide branding rights, uplifted by the marketing and sales engine of National Geographic and The Walt Disney Company, is incredibly exciting and will be key to our continued growth. Building on our company’s half-century of safe and responsible exploration and long list of industry innovations, together, we will continue to craft world-opening expeditions for curious explorers, develop more meaningful guest programs on land and on board our growing fleet, and expose new audiences to the beauty and wonder of our shared planet. Over the past two decades, our intuitive connection and shared ethos has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of guests, and I look forward to our next two decades of industry-leading growth.”

Today, National Geographic touchpoints are found throughout each awe-inspiring expedition, which are expertly crafted to educate, inspire, and transform, based on the belief there is always more to be discovered. Every expedition is accompanied by a certified photography instructor, with National Geographic training to help guests hone their skills. Under the new agreement, guests will enjoy more National Geographic content throughout each step of their expedition, from the moment they book until after they return home; as well as enhanced in-field interactions with National Geographic Experts—renowned individuals from the worlds of science, exploration, conservation, and education.

“Lindblad Expeditions’ expertise, history of responsible and safe exploration and outstanding guest experience makes them the right organization to help bring the National Geographic Expeditions brand to life,” said Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions and Disney Institute. “We are proud to associate our iconic travel brand with an operator with such a rich pioneering heritage that is committed to operating inspiring and meaningful travel experiences to the world’s most compelling destinations to grow the National Geographic Expeditions brand on a global scale, while bringing high-quality hospitality, customer service standards and marketing and sales expertise.”

With its pioneering history in expedition cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has carried citizen explorers on journeys of deep discovery to the farthest reaches of the planet for more than half a century. For the past two decades, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have collaborated through a shared mission: To foster a spirit of discovery and community by blending science, nature, and purpose-driven travel. The brands and their guests have progressed important conservation priorities, educational opportunities and supported environmental scientific research at local, regional, and global levels, during thousands of expeditions designed for discovery to highlight the wonder of our shared world and our collective role in protecting it. Through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, the company and its guests have raised $20 million to support numerous conservation, education and science initiatives around the globe. Together with the National Geographic Society, Lindblad Expeditions has brought more than 365 educators into the world through the Grosvenors Teachers Fellowship program to experience expeditions, and those educators in return pass that knowledge on to their students.

International Cruise Summit in Madrid brings together executives from more than 25 cruise lines

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 November 2023 14 November 2023

Whilst in 2023 the cruise industry's forecast is to exceed 2019 figures by 6%, in 2024, a further growth of no less than 20% is expected, thanks to the addition of 16 of the 50 ships to be built in the next 5 years.

The most relevant international professionals of the cruise industry will meet on 14th and 15th November, during the celebration of the thirteenth edition of the International Cruise Summit, the renowned congress that each year brings together the cruise industry at Hotel Meliá Castilla.

For two days, several round tables and presentations will debate different topics of the cruise industry and tourist destinations. The cruise industry will be analysed from the outside following a year of recovery. In addition, the main leaders of the industry will outline the opportunities and challenges for the coming years.

Cruise companies continue to invest in the most advanced technologies to achieve zero net emissions by 2050. Several experiments with sustainable fuels have been carried out and research is being conducted on methanol and hydrogen engines. Half of the 50 ships to be built over the next five years will use Liquefied Natural Gas as a fuel, while the remaining 25 will be fitted with powerful gas filtering systems.

Many of these new ships will also be equipped with shore power so that they can switch off their engines while they are in port. At present, few ports have such a supply of sustainably sourced energy, but there are a large number of projects in the pipeline which will be brought to fruition in the coming years.

Top executives, international cruise line executives, port authorities, travel agents and companies and experts from the industry will be present at one of the most important cruise congresses in the world. The event will feature speakers from the top management of cruise companies such as Alessandro Carollo, Director, Government Relations at Royal Caribbean; Andrea Zito, CEO at Swan Hellenic; Linden Coppel, Vice President, Sustainability & ESG at MSC Cruises; Christopher Prelog, President at Windstar Cruises; Andreas Nüssel, Managing Director, Europe at Silversea Cruises; Matt Lebbern, Sales Manager, Europe & New Markets at Virgin Voyages International; Marie-Caroline Laurent, General Manager, Europe at CLIA; or Sander Groothuis, Vice President Port & Shore Operations of Carnival UK (P&O, CUNARD) among others.

Fincantieri delivers Seven Seas Grandeur

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 November 2023 14 November 2023

Seven Seas Grandeur, the third luxury cruise ship that Fincantieri has built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the luxury cruise line in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.’s portfolio of three brands, was delivered yesterday at the Ancona shipyard.

Fincantieri has built all three luxury vessels in the Explorer Class, Seven Seas Explorer in 2016, Seven Seas Splendor in 2020 and now Seven Seas Grandeur in 2023. Like her sister vessels, Seven Seas Grandeur registers approximately 55,500 gross tons and will accommodate only 746 passengers on board, with one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry.

She has also been built using the very latest environmental protection technologies. The interiors are particularly sophisticated, with the utmost attention given to the guest experience on board.

In addition to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. operates Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which will receive another four Prima Class ships from Fincantieri in the incoming years, and Oceania Cruises, for which the Group has already delivered Vista, the first of two new-generation vessels of the Allura-class, with the second to be delivered in 2025. Since 2016 Fincantieri and Lloyd’s Register cooperate with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. on all brands of the group to deliver the new generation of ships.

Management shake-up in Azamara, Dondra Ritzenthaler named Incoming CEO

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 08 November 2023 08 November 2023

Azamara, the small-ship cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion experiences and Extended Destination Days, yesterday announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead the company in its next phase of growth.

Dondra Ritzenthaler has been named Incoming Chief Executive Officer. A 40-year veteran of the travel industry. Ritzenthaler was most recently the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Services for the Americas for Celebrity Cruises. Prior to her 20 years with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, she spent nearly 20 years with American Airlines in a number of sales and marketing leadership roles. Ritzenthaler will begin at Azamara in May 2024. Until that time, Chair of Azamara, Dan Hanrahan, will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the team.

“Azamara provides a unique and exciting offering within the luxury cruise space, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the company into its next chapter,” said Ritzenthaler. “I look forward to working with the talented team and their travel partners to better serve the customer base and grow the Azamara brand.”

Alain Ferzli joins Azamara as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ferzli has more than 20 years of significant experience driving profitable growth in the cruise industry. He served as the acting Chief Financial Officer for Virgin Voyages and in various financial leadership roles with Royal Caribbean.

Hanrahan commented, “Our team has worked diligently to maintain a solid foundation for Azamara amid unique industry-wide challenges over the last several years. Dondra and Alain’s deep knowledge of and experience leading cruise lines will support the shift of our focus to expanding our business and realizing Azamara’s full potential.”