Lindblad Expeditions Expands Galápagos Fleet
By Anne Kalosh
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is adding a pair of purpose-built Galápagos vessels: the 48-passenger Celebrity Xpedition and 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration.
They currently operate for Celebrity Cruises.
Following their refurbishment and renaming in early 2025, the two will join Lindblad’s 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II and 48-passenger National Geographic Islander II in the Galápagos.
To expand in the protected archipelago, Lindblad is acquiring Torcatt Enterprises Limitada, the Ecuadorian holding company for the two ships, for $17 million. By law, only Ecuadorian-owned and crewed vessels may sail within the Galápagos.
Multimillion-dollar Revitalizations
The transaction is expected to close in January 2025, then the ships will undergo multimillion-dollar revitalizations early next year in Panama.
Traditionally Lindblad has fielded two Galápagos vessels.
Its last acquisition, National Geographic Islander II (the former Crystal Esprit of Crystal Yacht Cruises) joined in 2022, replacing an older vessel.
More Options
Currently Lindblad offers 100 departures of six itineraries year-round. Adding the two Celebrity ships will give more choices.
The 296-foot, 2,842-gross-ton Celebrity Xpedition features two dining venues and 24 ocean-view cabins, including 13 balcony suites.
Meanwhile, the 98-foot, 320-gross-ton Celebrity Xploration is an eight-cabin catamaran ideal for families, affinity groups and private charters.
The 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration, to be renamed, provides a more intimate option for family groups or charters. * Photo: Lindblad Expeditions
Galápagos Pioneer
“By sourcing well-appointed vessels and onboarding the most experienced crew and staff who meet our exacting standards of responsible exploration, we’re able to transport guests from around the world to the iconic archipelago and help them understand the importance of protecting and preserving its wonders and wildlife, as a consequence of their personal experience,” 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,” he continued.
“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.”
The Galápagos Islands are named after the giant tortoises that are endemic there. * Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins-Lindblad Expeditions
Two New Board Members
In unrelated news, Lindblad Expeditions Holdings — publicly traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange — recently added two directors, one of them a former high-profile, big-ship cruise line executive.
Andy Stuart was a 31-year veteran of Norwegian Cruise Line, who ultimately served as president and CEO until 2020.
The other new director is Annette Reavis, chief people officer at CrossFit, the fitness company.
As they came on, Director Bernard Aronson exited. Before joining the Lindblad board in 2015, he was Royal Caribbean Group’s longest serving outside director, having been a board member since 1993.
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