Lindblad Expeditions and Transcend Cruises announced a multiyear charter agreement on Tuesday that the companies said would enable travelers to experience Europe's rivers "like a true explorer."
The cruises with charter-only operator Transcend will operate as part of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand and will feature itineraries crafted for "curious travelers" and will enable them to dive deeper into the towns and villages along the river, the brands said in a joint statement. Each sailing will include an expedition leader, several field staff and at least one National Geographic expert. The agreement will run through at least 2028.
This isn't the first time Lindblad has offered river cruises: The line has had itineraries on several rivers over the last 50 years, including the Peruvian Amazon, the Nile in Egypt and the Columbia and Snake rivers in the U.S. But this partnership marks the first time the brand has offered river expeditions in Europe.
Transcend, which is charter-only, recently announced the names for its new ships: the Transcend Connect and the Transcend Evolve.
Details of Lindblad's first European river expedition season will be released in the coming weeks, but Transcend ships can sail the Rhine, Maas, Main and Danube rivers. The company reported earlier this year that availability for 2026 charter bookings was limited.
Lindblad CEO Natalya Leahy said the line is curating the voyages "with the same depth, care and expertise that define all of our expeditions." And Transcend CEO Hans Rood said that with its focus on wellness, sustainability and service, it is "the perfect fit to deliver the programs Lindblad Expeditions requires."