European adventure awaits in 2026, when National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions brings its hallmark expedition experience inland with Connect, a brand-new river ship sailing the Rhine, the Main and the waterways of Holland and Belgium. In 2027, her sister ship Evolve will also join the fleet, expanding our presence along the Danube with itineraries that highlight the festive traditions and cultural richness of Europe’s holiday season.
For this edition of What to Expect, we spoke with Expedition Developer Bill Robison to learn what makes these voyages distinctive and why seeing Europe by river offers something entirely new for our guests.
Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories and Exclusive Offers.
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has been exploring Europe’s coastlines for decades. Why are we introducing rivers, and how will the experience differ from our other European voyages?
Expanding our reach from Europe’s rugged coastlines to its storied rivers provides incredible opportunities for our guests to not only see more of this extraordinary region, but to experience it from a unique perspective through the lens of National Geographic. Our CEO Natalya Leahy said it best: “We know that ‘how you see it matters.’” That philosophy has always shaped our ocean expeditions, and it applies just as strongly to these river journeys.
While our coastal voyages focus heavily on wildlife and active exploration with hiking, kayaking and Zodiac rides, our river cruises place more emphasis on Europe’s rich history, culture and cuisine as we sail from one storied riverfront city to the next. These waterways flow directly into the heart of Europe—into the urban, artistic and culinary centers that have influenced world culture for centuries.
On our new European river voyages, you'll explore famed rivers and canals in places like Amsterdam.
How do Connect and Evolve compare to other river ships currently sailing Europe’s waterways?
We are delighted to add the sleek, new Connect and Evolve to our growing collection of bespoke charter vessels. Designed with cutting-edge technology and sustainability at top of mind, Connect sails her inaugural voyage in 2026 and Evolve follows in 2027, inviting National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions guests to be the first to enjoy all of their luxurious amenities. There’s an array of public spaces that will enhance your time aboard, from an expansive wellness area and several dining options to the highlight of the ships—the dramatic, two-story amphitheater-style Forum, where everyone will gather for daily Recaps, performances and workshops.
At the end of each day, you’ll retire to beautiful, large cabins, which are all situated above water level and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and gorgeous spa showers. Cabins can easily be combined into suites for families or friends traveling together. With a maximum capacity of 120 guests,the small scale of these ships provides a truly intimate experience and a genuine camaraderie with fellow travelers.
Clockwise from top left: The Bistro dining venue aboard Connect and Evolve; a 420-square-foot Category F1 family suite; a 210-square-foot Category C1 cabin; the dramatic, two-tiered Forum.
What voyages will Connect offer when she enters service in 2026?
Connect will debut with a pair of eight-day itineraries: Holland and Belgium: Medieval History and Scenic Waterways and Rhine River: Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights. Both have been met with great enthusiasm, offering guests an intimate way to explore Europe’s cultural heartlands through private museum access, regional cuisine and time in some of the continent’s most historic riverfront cities. Each voyage will also be joined by a National Geographic destination expert or National Geographic photographer, ensuring deeper insight and storytelling throughout the journey.
On our newest holiday voyages, you'll explore festive Christmas markets in places like Salzburg, Austria.
Evolve joins the fleet in 2027. How will she complement Connect and enhance the river cruise program?
Evolve is the sister ship of Connect, sharing her elegant design, intimate scale and thoughtful amenities. But she brings something new to the program—she’ll focus on the Danube during the continent’s enchanting holiday season.
One of these voyages, Christmas Markets on the Danube, explores the Christmas markets that illuminate Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and the river towns of the Wachau Valley. These departures emphasize the markets themselves—the artisans, the regional foods, the lights and the centuries-old customs that fill each square with warmth and character.
Christmas and New Year's on the Danube: A Holiday Voyage celebrates both Christmas and the New Year, combining time in the markets with exclusive seasonal performances, festive meals and a gala New Year's Eve celebration in Vienna. It’s a journey where the spirit of the holidays themselves takes center stage.
Together, Connect and Evolve allow us to offer river voyages that span the breadth of Europe’s cultural calendar—from spring blooms to festive winter evenings—each approached with the same depth and care we bring to our ocean expeditions.
Travelers on Rhine River: Castles, Culture and Culinary Delights will have the opportunity to taste locally made Riesling wine in Rüdesheim am Rhein.
How will the expedition team help differentiate these voyages from other river cruises?
The crew-to-guest ratio of 1:2.2 is an outstanding differentiator, ensuring our guests will be well cared for every step of the journey. Each voyage is staffed with an expedition leader, a historian, a cultural expert and a certified photography instructor—this seasoned team will enrich your experience with their depth of knowledge and bring Europe’s rich history to life both on shore and back on board during presentations or casual dinner conversations.
On our Holland and Belgium voyage, you'll witness Brussel’s Flower Carpet, a meticulously made floral mosaic in the UNESCO-listed Grand Place.
What type of daily activities will be offered on these voyages?
The voyages are built around enrichment. Each day offers opportunities to visit historical sites, museums, gardens, castles and wineries. Photography walks, bicycling tours and independent exploration are available in many destinations, with touring bikes carried aboard the ship. In certain ports, guests can choose their own adventure. Docked in Rotterdam, for example, they may visit The Hague or the Royal Delft factory; along the Danube, they can choose between exploring Salzburg or Český Krumlov.
A chocolatier puts the finishing touches on some fine Belgium chocolates.
What types of food and beverages will be offered on board, and will there be any opportunities to dine off the ship?
Exceptional cuisine is central to these itineraries, and meals are thoughtfully curated to highlight regional dishes and local ingredients. Food, wine and beer aboard Connect and Evolve are all-inclusive, and a sommelier accompanies the voyages to assist with wine pairings.
Depending on the itinerary, guests may savor an epicurean feast paired with a cabaret-style réaliste performance after a day in Strasbourg; enjoy Frühschoppen, a traditional German mid-morning gathering filled with hearty food and local drinks as you sail through the stunning Rhine Gorge; or sample seasonal dishes that reflect holiday traditions along the Danube.
Off the ship, guests can try Belgian fries and chocolates in Antwerp or taste traditional Austrian holiday specialties like sweet pancakes and mulled wine at the Christmas markets in Vienna. Of course, there will be opportunities in some cities for independent exploration where you are welcome to dine out on your own.
Perched on a hillside, the Rheinstein Castle is a stunning highlight of a voyage along the Rhine.
Will there be any special or exclusive opportunities that are unique to these voyages with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions?
There are several that stand out. You may visit St. Hildegard Abbey in the Rhine Valley, where you’ll taste Rieslings poured by resident nuns—a tradition that dates to the Middle Ages. Or you might enjoy exclusive access to Rheinstein Castle with a champagne reception hosted by the castle’s lord. Other highlights include private, after-hours visits to the Kröller-Müller Museum in Arnhem and the Mauritshuis Museum in Rotterdam, as well as intimate concerts in Bratislava and exclusive access to Melk Abbey during our holiday voyages.
Do guests have the option to extend their trip and spend more time in the region?
There is always more to see in Europe, which is why we’re offering four new two-day extensions designed to complement our river voyages. Guests joining the Rhine voyage can opt to spend extra time touring the architecture, history and culture of Cologne and Bonn or taking in extraordinary alpine scenery in Switzerland’s Lucerne, Interlaken and Grindelwald. Before or after the Holland and Belgium voyage, guests can extend their trip with two days in Amsterdam or on August departures, in Bruges and Ghent.
