Windstar vs. Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic in Costa Rica

Thanks for this interesting and informative comparison.

I'd like to add my personal impressions of Lindblad/National Geographic, although I can't compare them to Windstar. I'm a veteran Seabourn guest, but I won't directly compare the two either, as the two products are so different.

I took a Galapagos trip on Lindblad/National Geographic earlier this year, and I was very impressed by their expeditions. They are indeed well suited for active and adventurous travelers. However, the ship was old, the cabin tiny and unattractive, the food basic and limited, and the service average. In fact, I wouldn't include Lindblad/National Geographic in the "luxury" category - the only thing luxurious about them is their "ultra luxurious" pricing!

The bottom line is that Lindblad/National Geographic offers poor value for money. They do have a strong brand and are successful, catering to a loyal clientele which would probably go wherever Lindblad goes, as they do have interesting itineraries.

For the same or similar itinerary, I would seek an alternative. For instance, I went to Antarctica with Seabourn, which was fabulous, as all the expeditions in Antarctica and South Georgia were included, and I felt I had the best of both worlds - great expeditions and great on board experience.