Sarah Bretz, ContributorLindblad Expeditions announced today that it is adding two purpose-built Galapagos ships to its fleet — the current Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration. This means that Celebrity Cruises will be left with just one small vessel sailing in the Galapagos Islands — Celebrity Flora, which debuted in May 2019.
“We recognize and appreciate the immense privilege our Company has to operate and grow our expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos Islands,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and CEO of Lindblad Expeditions.
“When my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first international citizen expedition to the Galápagos nearly 60 years ago, I don’t think he ever could have dreamed it would serve as the foundation for ecotourism in the archipelago and would be the catalyst for meaningful, positively impactful connections. We look forward to not only bringing more Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic guests to the islands with the growth of our fleet, but also to having a greater positive social impact supporting conservation, education and the creation of livelihoods.”
Later this month, Lindblad Expeditions will open bookings for the two vessels and reveal their new names. The soon-to-be former Celebrity Xpedition holds 48 guests and features 24 outward-facing cabins, including 13 balcony suites. Celebrity Xploration is an eight-cabin catamaran that holds just 16 guests.
Once the transaction process from Celebrity Cruises to Lindblad Expeditions is complete in January 2025, the vessels will undergo multi-million-dollar revitalizations.
Lindblad Expeditions has been the global leader and pioneer of modern expedition cruising in the Galapagos since leading the first-ever non-scientific international civilian expedition to the region in 1967. For years, the company has operated two ships in the region: the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the 48-guest former mega-yacht turned expedition vessel National Geographic Islander II. The line offers six itineraries across more than 100 departures year-round. The addition of these two Celebrity ships will double the size of Lindblad’s Galapagos fleet.
For more information on Lindblad Expeditions’ offerings in the Galapagos, visit expeditions.com/destinations/galapagos.
Comments
What do you think of Celebrity Cruises reducing its Galapagos fleet to just one vessel? Do you think the line will keep Celebrity Flora long-term? Are you interested in sailing with Lindblad to the Galapagos? Drop us an anchor below and share your thoughts!
