Book with Lindblad vs. National Geographic?

[famcruisefun]

We are looking at a Lindblad/NGE cruise in 2012 - most likely Land of the Ice Bears. In looking at both the Lindblad site and the NGE site we noticed what appear to be some inconsistencies regarding deposits and cancellation policies.

 

The information we've found shows a deposit amount of $1000 per person for the expedition if booked through Lindblad. If booking the same expedition through NGE the deposit is shown as $750. Also - the cancellation policy we've found shows that with Lindblad if you cancel up to 120 days prior to departure the cancellation fee is $150. The policy we've found on the NGE site says that if you cancel up to 120 days prior your cancellation fee is 50% of your deposit ($375 in this case).

 

Can anyone confirm if we've got the information correct here? We had thought that it wouldn't matter which company we booked with - but if the policies are different depending upon which you book with - we'll do some more reading before we make any booking decisions.

 

Thanks!

[quelah]

Yes, you are correct. Lindblad and National Geographic have different deposit and cancellation policies for the same trips.

[famcruisefun]

Thank you! We were reading correctly - good to know.

 

Follow up question would be - what experiences have people had booking with Lindblad and/or booking with NGE? Seeing as we're hoping to book 10 or 11 months in advance we will likely go with Lindblad and give the bigger deposit but get the better cancellation options just in case life gets in the way.

 

I'm wondering if there are any other differences other than the deposit and cancellation? Any differences in what you get, your experience before the trip and once on it?

 

Thanks so much!

[quelah]

I have booked with both. When you phone either Lindblad or Nat Geo you talk with very helpful, experienced staff who can answer your questions before the trip. The pre-trip information they mail out is identical. Once on the trip, you find that some people have booked with Lindblad and others with Nat Geo, it doesn't matter. I say go with Lindblad if you think you might have to cancel - note that Lindblad's $150 early cancellation penalty includes a $150 credit for future travel, so you're not risking much. The real risk with these trips is that you'll get hooked on them because they are absolutely amazing!