Cruise Master expands expedition portfolio with Lindblad partnership in GCC

Dubai-based Cruise Master has expanded its expedition cruise portfolio through a new partnership with Lindblad Expeditions, targeting growing demand for remote and experience-led travel among GCC-based travellers.

The agreement will see Lindblad Expeditions promoted across the regional travel trade, strengthening its presence in the Middle East cruise market and broadening access to expedition itineraries in destinations including Antarctica, the Arctic, the Galápagos, Alaska, and the South Pacific.

Founded more than 50 years ago, Lindblad Expeditions is known for its collaboration with National Geographic, with voyages featuring onboard experts such as naturalists, scientists, historians, and photographers.

The partnership is expected to position these offerings more prominently within the GCC’s developing expedition cruise segment.

Ashok Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Cruise Master, said the move reflects shifting traveller preferences in the region.

“Lindblad Expeditions is one of the most respected names in the expedition space, and we are delighted to add them to the Cruise Master portfolio,” he said. “Their commitment to exploration, education and authentic discovery aligns perfectly with the evolving preferences of today’s traveller.”

The addition of Lindblad Expeditions builds on Cruise Master’s existing expedition cruise portfolio, which already includes operators such as Viking Cruises, Swan Hellenic, Silversea Expeditions, and Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Cruise Master plans to support the rollout through a combination of travel agent training programmes and targeted marketing initiatives across the GCC, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of expedition cruising products among both agents and consumers.

The partnership comes as regional demand for experiential and destination-driven travel continues to grow, particularly among repeat cruise passengers seeking more specialised itineraries beyond traditional cruise markets.

Established in 2007, Cruise Master represents more than 50 cruise lines across the luxury, river, and expedition sectors. The company has played a role in developing the expedition cruise segment in the GCC, including hosting the region’s first dedicated polar expedition cruise forum in Dubai in September 2025.

The addition of Lindblad Expeditions is expected to further diversify the range of expedition products available to regional travellers, while reinforcing Cruise Master’s position within the niche but expanding market for remote and exploration-focused cruising.