On this episode of Humans of Travel, Captain Heidi Norling shares how a childhood spent sailing with her father in the Stockholm archipelago sparked a lifelong fascination with navigation and the sea.

A graduate of Sweden’s Kalmar Maritime Academy, Norling learned by doing, studying nautical English, celestial navigation, radar communications, safety procedures and more while on ships all around the world. She joined National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions in 2019 as a captain — the first-ever female captain of the fleet, and she’s currently helming National Geographic Resolution, a 138-guest expedition ship.

Women remain a small minority among the world’s sea captains, making Norling a role model for many. Listen in to hear about her daily life on an expedition ship and why she loves the work she does.

This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

National Geographic Resolution

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions on Instagram

In Good Company: Captain Heidi Norling

On TravelAge West: Review: Sailing on National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ Islander II

On TravelAge West: What’s on the Horizon for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.

The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.