Lindblad Expeditions vs Aurora Expeditions: which is better?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Lindblad Expeditions and Aurora Expeditions each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Lindblad Expeditions vs Aurora Expeditions: which is better?

Neither is better for everyone: Lindblad Expeditions sails with National Geographic and takes children from 4 years on polar voyages, while Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship and prices Spirit of Antarctica from US$15,436 per person twin share for departures from December 2026.

What is each line?

Lindblad Expeditions sells and runs National Geographic-Lindblad expedition cruises under licence from National Geographic Partners, on ships it owns and on ships it operates on long-term charter; Sven Lindblad founded it in 1979. Source

Aurora Expeditions runs small-ship expedition voyages under its own name and was founded in 1991 by Greg and Margaret Mortimer. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Lindblad Expeditions says it owns twelve National Geographic ships: Explorer, Orion, Endeavour II, Islander II, Gemini, Delfina, Sea Bird, Sea Lion, Venture, Quest, Resolution and Endurance. It also sails ships it operates on long-term charter, among them Greg Mortimer, Delfin II, Delfin III, Connect, Evolve, Sea Cloud II and Aqua Blu. Greg Mortimer is also sailed by Aurora Expeditions under its own name. Source

Aurora Expeditions sails three ships under its own name: the Greg Mortimer (built 2019), the Sylvia Earle (2022) and the Douglas Mawson (2025). Source

How many guests are on board?

Lindblad Expeditions carries 100 guests on National Geographic Venture; the chartered Connect takes 120 and the chartered riverboat Delfin III 42. Source

Aurora Expeditions carries 130 passengers on expedition on each ship; maximum capacity is 130 on the Sylvia Earle, 148 on the Greg Mortimer and 154 on the Douglas Mawson. Source

Where does each line sail?

Lindblad Expeditions sells named voyages to Antarctica and Patagonia, Antarctica by air across the Drake Passage, the Galápagos, Svalbard and the Norwegian fjords, Fiji and Tahiti and the Greek Isles; its terms also name Greenland, Iceland, Northwest Passage and South Georgia voyages; it says it sails on all seven continents. Source

Aurora Expeditions sells named voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Antarctic Circle and the Weddell Sea, the Ross Sea, South Georgia and the Falklands, Svalbard, Norway, the Scottish isles, the Northwest Passage and southern Patagonia. Source

What ice class are the ships?

Lindblad Expeditions says National Geographic Endurance is of the highest ice class (PC5 Category A); it calls National Geographic Resolution her sister ship without giving that ship's class. Source

Aurora Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

Who leads the landings?

Lindblad Expeditions says its staff-to-guest ratio is no more than 1-to-16; the team includes naturalists, undersea specialists, certified photo instructors and historians; a National Geographic photographer sails on every Endurance, Resolution, Explorer and Orion departure. Source

Aurora Expeditions gives an Expedition Team-to-Expeditioner ratio of 1:7 and a staff-to-expeditioner ratio of 1:1.5; its team includes naturalists, historians, marine biologists and geologists. Source

How much time ashore?

Aurora Expeditions says IAATO and AECO limit landings to 100 people ashore at a time; it aims for two to three landings a day in Antarctica and includes daily Zodiac cruises and guided walks, weather permitting. Source

Lindblad Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Lindblad Expeditions includes kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, wetsuits, cross-country skis and snowshoes where the voyage uses them; scuba diving costs extra. Source

Aurora Expeditions includes the polar plunge, Zodiac cruising and guided walks; kayaking, diving, snowshoeing and camping are optional extras, each needing a deposit of 25% of the activity cost. Source

What does a voyage cost?

Aurora Expeditions prices Spirit of Antarctica, 11 days, from USD $15,436 per person twin share (brochure price $19,295), with departures in December 2026 and February, November and December 2027. Source

Lindblad Expeditions does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

Lindblad Expeditions' fares include meals, excursions, expedition staff, park fees and port taxes, plus alcoholic drinks, crew gratuities and basic Wi-Fi on listed ships; airfare is extra unless stated (it books flights for a $50 per-person fee), as are travel protection, spa, laundry and scuba diving. Source

Aurora Expeditions' fares include all meals, drinks with premium spirits and wine (from the 2026/2027 Antarctica season), Starlink wifi, a 3-in-1 polar jacket, use of Muck boots, daily shore excursions and Zodiac cruises, port surcharges and landing fees; optional activities cost extra and a gratuity of USD $20 per person per day is added to the onboard account. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Lindblad Expeditions offers solo cabins on all expeditions, limited on some ships; solo guests willing to share pay the double-occupancy rate even if no roommate is found, on certain ships and categories; solo premiums start from 25% above current fares on a rotating selection of voyages or are waived on select departures. Source

Aurora Expeditions offers dedicated solo cabins with no single supplement, 10 on the Greg Mortimer and the Sylvia Earle and 4 on the Douglas Mawson, plus a stateroom-sharing service; the usual solo supplement is 50%. Source

How much is the deposit?

Lindblad Expeditions takes an advance payment of 15% of the cabin fare at reservation; final payment is due 120 days before departure. Source

Aurora Expeditions asks a deposit of 25% of each ticket within 7 working days of booking; final payment is due at least 120 days before departure. Source

What happens if you cancel?

Lindblad Expeditions charges no penalty 120 days or more before departure but keeps the advance payment as a Lindblad Travel Certificate valid 12 months; it charges 50% of trip cost from 119 to 90 days and 100% from 89 days; longer voyages, holiday departures and promotional bookings may differ. Source

Aurora Expeditions keeps the deposit if you cancel 121 days or more before departure and 100% of the ticket price from 120 days; its Voyage Assurance Program instead offers a credit equal to the deposit (121 days or more) or to 50% of the fare (90 to 120 days), valid for 24 months. Source

Is your money protected?

Lindblad Expeditions says it gives a full refund to the original form of payment under the US Federal Maritime Commission passenger vessel financial responsibility rule (46 C.F.R. Part 540); it is registered California Seller of Travel #2151120 and Washington Seller of Travel #601134845 001 0001. Source

Aurora Expeditions places all voyage deposits in a separate trust account, the Aurora Passenger Trust, under its Deposit Protection Program; deposits are released from the trust 180 days before departure. Source

What insurance do you need?

Lindblad Expeditions recommends but does not require travel protection; its optional plan for US residents covers emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $100,000 and accident and sickness medical expense up to $50,000. Source

Aurora Expeditions requires comprehensive travel insurance with medical and emergency evacuation cover of at least USD $250,000, with proof emailed no later than 60 days before departure. Source

Can children come?

Lindblad Expeditions takes children from 6 months on most voyages and from 4 years on Antarctica, Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard voyages; some chartered ships set their own age (7 on Delfin II and Delfin III); its National Geographic Explorers-in-Training programme runs on select voyages. Source

Aurora Expeditions takes bookings from age 6; under-18s must be with an adult at all times and children aged 6 to 15 pay the adult price unless a promotion applies. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Lindblad Expeditions: not the fit if you want cash back for an early cancellation: cancelling 120 days or more ahead credits your advance payment to a future expedition rather than refunding it. Source
• Aurora Expeditions: not the fit if you may cancel late: from 120 days before departure the cancellation fee is 100% of the full ticket price. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Lindblad Expeditions: Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 84 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 6 reviews, newest 4 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
• Aurora Expeditions: Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 107 reviews. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026