LINDBLAD Expeditions is this week launching its French Polynesia and South Pacific 2018 program to the Aussie trade, offering one- and two-week voyages from Mar-Aug.
In Australia to launch the new brochure, Lesa Bain vp of sales Nth America, Lindblad Expeditions, said the five itineraries were designed to provide “a very different experience” of the region, striving to “get people out of the normal”.
Key to this was Lindblad’s ability to “go off script”, allowing its guests the flexibility to explore a little atoll, or take the time to experience a rare wildlife sighting, should they be presented with the opportunity, she explained.
A highlight of the new additions is the 18-day Easter Island to Tahiti: Tales of the Pacific, which includes exploration of the difficult-to-access Pitcairn Islands, where passengers can meet the residents and hike in the virtually untouched Henderson Island.
Each itinerary has been designed for the 102-passenger National Geographic Orion, which will have two divers in residence, allowing for daily dives from the ship, as well as a National Geographic photographer.
Bain said the ship’s technology and equipment, including a glass-bottom zodiac, “open up a 360 degree view of the places”.
“We understand we’re sitting on a huge living organism and we want people to understand that.”
