Some of our recent recognitions
Our commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation, and geographic education has earned us numerous awards. We are equally honored for the recognition we consistently receive from guests, editors, and travel agents for the authentic expedition experiences we deliver and the standard of service we provide.
Travel Weekly 2020 Readers Choice Awards
Best Cruise Lines: ExpeditionTravel Weekly 2020 Readers Choice Awards
Best Cruise Lines: Under 500 Berths2020 AFAR Travelers’ Awards
#1 Expedition Cruise Learn more2020 Conde Nast Readers’ Choice Awards
Top Small Ship Cruise Lines2019 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Best Adventure Cruise LinesEnsemble Travel Group Purpose Award
Caring for Community, Environment and Protecting Local HeritageCondé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards
Top Small Cruise Lines in The WorldTravel Weekly Gold Magellan Awards
Best Expedition Cruise ItineraryUSA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Award
Best Adventure Travel CompanyGlobal Traveler Magazine’s Wherever Family Awards
Best Family Friendly Travel Provider of the YearCruise Critic’s 2019 Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards
Top Small Ship Cruise Line in AlaskaTravel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2019
Top 10 Small-Ship Ocean Cruise LinesCruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards
Best for Adventure (Ocean Category) Learn moreConde Nast Traveler 2018 Readers Choice Awards
Top Small Ship Cruise LinesAFAR VANGUARD Award
Sven Lindblad2018 Virtuoso Sustainable Tourism Leadership
PartnerTravel Weekly Magazine Gold Magellan Award: Best Expedition Cruise Itinerary
Celebrating The Year Of The Bird In South Georgia & The FalklandsRocking the Boat’s Whitehall Award:
Sven LindbladTravel + Leisure World’s Best Awards
Top Small Ship Ocean Cruise LinesCruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards:
#1 Best Dining (Small Ship Category): National Geographic ExplorerConde Nast Traveler 2018 Gold List
The World’s Best Cruises: Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands aboard National Geographic OrionBest Expedition Cruise Lines
2017 Afar Magazine’s Travelers' Choice Cruise Awards:Best Adventure Cruise Lines
2017 USA Today’s 10Best.com Readers' Choice AwardsCruise Critic Editor's Pick
2017 Ocean Cruise Line - Best for Adventure Learn moreBest Cruise Line in Expedition Cruises, Silver Award
2017 Recommend Magazine’s Readers’s Choice Awards:Best Active Itineraries
2017 Town & Country Travel Cruise AwardsBest Expedition Cruise Line
2017 Porthole Cruise Readers' Choice AwardsTop Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines
2017 Travel + Leisure World’s BestAntarctica on National Geographic Explorer
2017 Andrew Harper Grand Award for Best CruiseThe staff on National Geographic Explorer
2017 Andrew Harper Grand Award for Best CruiseTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
2017 Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards:Best Cruise Line - Expedition/Adventure
2017 Travvy AwardBest Expedition Cruise Line (ocean-going)
2017 TravelAge West Wave AwardsBest Expedition Cruise Lines
2017 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice AwardsBest Cruise Lines
2016 Andrew Harper's Reader Choice AwardsBest Expedition Cruise Line
2016 Recommend Readers’ Choice AwardsBest For Families, Expedition Cruises & Best For Onboard Activities, Expedition Cruises
2016 Town & Country Cruise AwardsTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards2016 Best for Adventure
Cruise Critic US Editors’ Picks Awards2016 Virtuoso Best Vast Partner Award
Virtuoso2016 Best Adventure Cruise Line
Global Travel Magazine’s Leisure Lifestyle AwardsBest Boutique Cruises
Celebrated Living Magazine’s 2016 Platinum List AwardsBest Cruise line Itinerary for Celebrating Shackleton
2016 Travel Weekly Magazine Gold Magellan AwardBest Expedition Cruise Line
2016 Recommend Readers Choice AwardBest Adventure Cruise Line
2015 Global Traveler Magazine’s Leisure Travel AwardsWorld’s Leading Green Cruise Line
2015 World Travel AwardsLegacy in Travel Philanthropy
2015 Tourism Cares Travel Philanthropy AwardsBest Cruise Line for Adventure
2015 Cigar Aficionado Magazine’s World’s Best CruisesBest Expedition Cruise Line
Porthole Cruise Magazine 2015 Readers’ Choice AwardsTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2015 Readers Choice Awards2015 Gold Magellan Award Winner | Small Cruise Ship
(500 Passengers or Under)
The World’s Best Cruise Ships: National Geographic Explorer
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Readers’ Choice AwardsTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Readers’ Choice AwardsTop 20 Small Cruise Ships in the World:
National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endeavour
2013 Global Vision Award for Leadership
Travel + LeisureTop Small Cruise Ships in the World:
#2 National Geographic Explorer, #3 National Geographic Endeavour
Top Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2013 Readers’ PollBest for Adventure
2013 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards2013 Readers’ Choice Awards – Top 25 Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler2013 Sustainable Tourism Leadership - Supplier Award
Virtuoso2013 World Savers “Doing it All” Award
Condé Nast TravelerTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
Travel + Leisure Worlds Best AwardsBest Adventure Cruise Lines 2012/2013
Prow’s Edge Cruise Magazine2013 Gold List Cruise Lines
Condé Nast TravelerTop Small Ship Cruise Lines
Travel + Leisure Worlds Best AwardsWorld’s Best Family Cruise (for small ships) #1
Travel + LeisureTop 20 Small Ships:
National Geographic Endeavour #3, National Geographic Explorer #12
Best in the World 2012 Cruise Lines Top Small Ship Lines #4
Condé Nast TravelerBest for Adventure
Cruise Critic’s 2012 Editors’ Pick AwardsTop 25 Cruise Lines
Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice AwardsBest Expedition Cruise Line
Porthole Cruise Magazine’s 2012 Reader’s Choice AwardsBest for Families - Top Small Ship Cruise Line
Travel + LeisureBest for Adventure
Cruise Critic Editors’ PicksReaders’ Choice Awards - #1 Best Expedition Cruise Line
Porthole Cruise Magazine2011 World Savers Award for Wildlife Conservation
Condé Nast TravelerWorld’s Best Awards - #3 Small Ship Cruise Line
Travel + Leisure#1 Best Cruise Line for Expedition Cruising
TravelAge West Wave AwardsReader’s Choice Awards – Best Expedition Cruise Line
Porthole Cruise MagazineBest for Adventure
Cruise Critic Editors’ Pick AwardsWorld’s Best Hotels + Cruises for Families:
#1 Family Friendly Small-ship Cruise Line
World’s Best Awards:
#3 Small Ship Cruise Lines
Best VAST Supplier (Virtuoso Active & Specialty Supplier)
VirtuosoNational Geographic Explorer:
2010 Gold Magellan Award Winner for Cruise Ship Small Cruise Ship (500 Passengers Or Under)
Climate Champion Award
Bestowed upon Sven Lindblad by Cool Air-Clean PlanetBest Adventure Cruise
Cruise Critic Editors’ PicksWorld’s Best For Families Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines
Travel + LeisureWorld’s Best Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines and Tour Operators
Travel + LeisureBest Adventure Cruise
ForbesTraveler.comGold List
Condé Nast TravelerNational Wildlife Federation Honors Lindblad Expeditions For Conservation Leadership with its Conservation Achievement Award for Corporate Achievement
World’s Best Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines and Tour Operators
Travel + LeisureThe municipality of Puerto Ayora, the largest city in Galápagos, grants an award to Sven Lindblad for his commitment to the preservation and conservation of the Galápagos archipelago and his commitment to the local community.
Global Tourism Business Award
Tourism for TomorrowSeafood Champion Award
Medal of Commandeur de L'Ordre Civil et Militaire Adolphe de Nassau
Presented to Sven Lindblad by HRH GrandDuke Henri of Luxembourg for his years of conservation leadership in the GalápagosNewly discovered endemic species of moth, Undulambia lindbladi, named in honor of Sven Lindblads dedication to Galapagos conservation
World’s Best Value Award: #1 in Cruise Lines; #2 in Tour Operators
Travel + LeisureWorld’s Best Award for Small-Ship Cruise Lines and Tour Operators
Travel + LeisureTruth in Travel - The Best Crew/Service: Small Ships
Condé Nast TravelerThe Best Itineraries
Small ShipsGold List
Condé Nast TravelerReaders’ Choice Award
Condé Nast TravelerEcotourism Award
Condé Nast TravelerUnited Nations Environment Programme Global 500 Award
Conferred upon Sven LindbladNature Odysseys Tour Operator Award for Excellence
National Audubon SocietyNature Odysseys Tour Operator Award for Excellence
National Audubon SocietyEnvironmental Award
ASTA/Smithsonian Magazine