by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:05 AM ET, Wed June 12, 2024
Lindblad Expeditions is expanding its footprint in the Gala?pagos.
The company announced today that it has purchased two ships from Celebrity Cruises. After Lindblad renames and refurbishes the vessels, theyll return to the Gala?pagos for cruises early next year.
The two ships in question are Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration. Lindblad hasnt revealed the new names for the vessels.
Celebrity Xpedition can accommodate up to 48 guests in 24 outward-facing cabins. Celebrity Xploration, meanwhile, is smaller, with room for just 16 guests in eight cabins. Lindbland envisions Celebrity Xploration as being perfect for private charters, affinity groups or family buyouts.
The transaction is expected to be finalized in January.
By sourcing well-appointed vessels and onboarding the most experienced crew and staff who meet our exacting standards of responsible exploration, were 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, says Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder and chief executive officer of Lindblad Expeditions.
Lindblad has been bringing travelers to the Gala?pagos since 1967, when Sven-Olof Lindblads father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first non-scientific international civilian expedition in the region.
Right now, the company has two ships in the region: the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II and the 48-guest National Geographic Islander II. Lindblad offers six unique itineraries with more than 100 year-round departures in the Gala?pagos.
Celebrity, meanwhile, will have just one ship sailing in the Gala?pagos once the deal goes through: the 100-guest Celebrity Flora, which launched in 2019. Celebritys sister brand, Silversea Cruises, also has one ship in the region, the 100-guest Silver Origin.?
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