Big News on the Water: National Geographic & Lindblad Expeditions Launch European River Cruises
If you’ve ever dreamed of gliding past ancient castles, sleepy vineyards, and vibrant cities with a world-class expedition team—not on a floating theme park—this is your moment.
Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, known for their bold adventures to Antarctica, the Galápagos, and other far-flung corners of the planet, just dropped some juicy news: they’re sailing into Europe’s rivers for the first time ever, starting in 2026.
But don’t expect a cookie-cutter cruise.
These are not your grandma’s Danube floaters. Lindblad’s river cruises will bring the same style of small-group exploration, scientific insight, and immersive storytelling that have defined their global expeditions for decades. Think custom-built itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, and Douro—paired with the sort of onboard experts that don’t just point at the scenery, they decode it.
📍 Destinations include Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, France, Portugal, and more—aka the greatest hits of European river cruising, but with a side of NatGeo-grade discovery.
The new itineraries are being rolled out in partnership with Scylla, a Swiss-based river cruise company that specializes in boutique ships. Each itinerary is being crafted from scratch, with excursions that get you beyond the typical port stops.
What Makes This Different?
While traditional river cruises might offer a Mozart concert and a schnitzel tasting, Lindblad’s version leans into intellectual travel. That means:
National Geographic photographers onboard
Cultural and scientific experts guiding your journey
Deeper dives into conservation and local storytelling
And a guest list of fellow travelers who crave meaning over mass tourism
It’s perfect for explorers who’ve “been there, done that” but haven’t really done it like this.
“This is about bringing our expedition DNA to the heart of Europe,” said Ana Esteves of Lindblad. “Our travelers want to explore with purpose, and that doesn’t only happen in remote polar regions—it can happen in a vineyard in Alsace or a medieval town in Slovakia.”
When Can You Go?
The first sailings launch in 2026, and while full itineraries haven’t been revealed yet, you can bet they’ll sell out fast. ABC Trips will be tracking the launch closely—so if you're the type who wants first dibs on an adventure-forwardEuropean river experience (without the buffet lines and bingo nights), we’ve got you.
Want in?
We’ll be among the first to get access to itineraries and pricing when they drop. If you want the inside scoop or a spot on the early interest list, just click here to request a quote.
