National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions today announced the inaugural season of the Evolve, a riverboat that is set to join its European fleet in late 2027.

According to a press release, the ship will debut ahead of the holiday season, joining its sister ship, the Connect, for a series of Christmas Market itineraries.

Lindblad said that the deployment broadens its footprint on Europe’s rivers, effectively doubling its offerings in the region.

“The Evolve gives us the ability to meet rising demand for our European river expeditions while staying true to our way of traveling, taking people to remarkable places and showing them how to see them in a truly authentic way,” said Natalya Leahy, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions.

“These new holiday voyages bring together what people are seeking right now: connection, tradition and shared discovery with the people who matter most. The Evolve allows us to offer more of those moments to more guests, without ever changing the essence of what we do,” she added.

Highlights of the holiday season include festive sailings along the Danube, which are said to offer guests an opportunity to explore the Christmas markets of Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and beyond.

The new itineraries will also allow passengers to celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s on the Danube as part of itineraries that sail to Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg or Český Krumlov.

“As Lindblad Expeditions prepares to mark its 60th anniversary, these upcoming voyages promise to blend pioneering spirit with bold innovation, delivering truly unforgettable holiday experiences along Europe’s iconic rivers,” the company stated.

The launch of the Evolve is part of Lindblad’s partnership with Transcend Cruises.