My next travel experience promises to be distinctly different than simply a cruise. This Friday, I’ll be traveling for the first time with Lindblad Expeditions to Peru and then on to the Galapagos Islands. To begin, let’s take a look at who Lindblad Expeditions is, where they are, and where they are headed.

Lindblad Expeditions is a company that specializes in expedition cruises to remote and wild places around the world. They have been in business for over 50 years and have a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation. Lindblad ships are small and intimate, which allows guests to get up close to the wildlife and natural wonders they visit. The ship I will be on is less than 50 travelers and an equal number of crew for a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. Lindblad Expeditions offers a variety of itineraries, from wildlife watching to cultural experiences. They are a great option for travelers who want to explore the world in a responsible and sustainable way. Oh, that’s me!

To get a more focused idea of who they are, here are some of the principles that guide Lindblad Expeditions:

• Ensure that everything adds value to the guest experience.
• Integrity is our prime equity—never compromise it.
• Positively impact the areas we explore and in which we work.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Honor the value of service.
• Maintain our expedition heritage by fostering a spirit of exploration and discovery.
• Demonstrate leadership; excel in knowledge; inspire others.
• Innovate, test, and evaluate. Be open to new ideas.
• Strive for clarity in communication.
• Maintain a balance between adventure and safety.

Sounds good, right? Well, where they are headed is even more interesting:

“Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic have joined forces to further inspire the world through expedition travel. Our collaboration in exploration, research, technology, and conservation provides extraordinary travel experiences and disseminates geographic knowledge around the globe.”

Look for coverage of this adventure in a variety of places online:

• Facebook Photo Albums– one for each place we visit along the way
• Pinterest- On a ship or ashore, dining and drinking documented
• Twitter- Everywhere we go and everything we see. Look for @OrlandoChris
• Flickr- A complete record of all photos and videos created during the trip
• Exposure- photo storybooks
• Instagram- Each day, summarized in photos

Lindblad Expeditions photo