New Lindblad Galápagos Ship
by Anne Kalosh
Ecuadorian officials welcomed Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Islander ll in festivities at Salinas on the mainland leading up to this small ship’s entry into Galápagos service.
The former Crystal Esprit was renovated into a 26-suite/48-passenger vessel with a Science Hub and other features to replace the 48-passenger National Geographic Islander.
Year-round Galápagos service begins Aug. 19 (2022).
It joins another Lindblad small ship, National Geographic Endeavour II in the islands.
Fishing boats off Salinas on the mainland give National Geographic Islander II an exuberant welcome. * Photo: Joshua Vela
Long Ties to the Galápagos
More than 50 years ago, ecotourism pioneer Lars-Eric Lindblad took the first non-scientific travelers to Antarctica. A year later, in 1967, he did it again in the Galápagos. So the Lindblad ties to this incredible archipelago go back decades.
Lars-Eric’s son Sven-Olof, the chairman of Lindblad Expeditions, will be hosting two National Geographic Islander II cruises in October.
He’ll be aboard the Oct. 22 departure and will be joined by his daughter Isabella Lindblad on the Oct. 27 trip.
These “Wild Galápagos Escape” itineraries let travelers immerse themselves in the destination in only a week, a shorter trip than the company’s classic 10-day program.
They are priced starting at $9,390 per person, and current offers for select voyages including savings and free round-trip air from Miami to the Galápagos, for bookings made by Aug. 31, 2022.
Tourism for Conservation & Development
Attendees at the Salinas festivities included Ecuador Minister of Tourism Niels Olsen and Gustavo Manrique, minister of the environment, water and ecological transition, industry colleagues, local partners and Lindblad crew.
“Lindblad Expeditions is a great example of how to use tourism as a vehicle for conservation and development — how they are buying supplies from the local communities, employing people from Ecuador to connect with the local cultures, and introducing their guests to our amazing cuisine,” Olsen said.
“Lindblad Expeditions is a great example of how to use tourism as a vehicle for conservation and development,” Ecuador Tourism Minister Niels Olsen said. * Photo: Jose Guerrero
Manrique applauded “this kind of investment in Ecuador that is something between tourism, investigation, science and education” and thanked Lindblad for “trusting in Ecuador.”
Preparing holy water for the blessing. * Photo: Jose Guerrero
Like all Galápagos cruise ships, the vessel flies the Ecuadorian flag and is staffed by Ecuadorian officers and crew.
Like all Galápagos cruise ships, National Geographic Islander II files the Ecuadorian flag. * Photo: Jose Guerrero)
New Lindblad Galápagos Ship “Like A Private Yacht”
Esteves called National Geographic Islander II “gracious like a private yacht,” offering “space and comfort, a culinary program that highlights the regions of Ecuador with locally sourced ingredients, a spa and a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio.”
She continued: “But she is also a world class expedition vessel designed for active exploration, with a fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, a glass-bottom Zodiac, snorkel gear for all guests and a flotilla of Zodiacs.
“We are so ready to head to the Galápagos Islands and could not be more excited.”
After the ceremony, attendees were invited to Ecuadorian cuisine and tours of the ship including its elegantly appointed suites, the bridge, the Science Hub, the Global Gallery, new marina, Observation Deck and other enhancements.
RELATED: Read more about the Nat Geo Islander II’s interiors.
Festivities on the top deck. * Photo: Joshua Vela
Santa Rosa Festivities
The event was followed the next day by a special reception for National Geographic Islander II’s crew and officers, capped by an exuberant welcome by dozens of small fishing boats for the local Santa Rosa festivities.
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