National Geographic Delfina

The 2007-built Celebrity Xploration cruise ship entered the Celebrity Cruises Galapagos fleet in January 2017. The boat features indoor and outdoor dining areas, bar lounge, Sundeck with Jacuzzi. The vessel belongs to the company's small-sized "expedition fleet" - with fleetmates Celebrity Xpedition/Nat Geo Gemini (2001) and Celebrity Flora (2019).

The vessel (IMO number 9455882) is currently Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735057940).

Celebrity Xploration's last drydock refurbishment (by Celebrity Cruises) was in 2017.

History - construction and ownership

In June 2024 Celebrity Cruises sold its older Galapagos-based ships (Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration) to Linblad Expeditions, starting operations for the new shipowner in 2025 January. Following the announcement, Celebrity Cruises canceled all Galapagos voyages scheduled for both ships for 2025 (January through December).

Celebrity Cruises acquired both boats in March 2016 from the two-ship company Ocean Adventures. The purchase of the 16-passenger catamaran Athala II (Celebrity Xploration) and 48-passenger yacht Eclipse (Celebrity Xperience) increased Celebrity's Galapagos capacity by 65%.

Xploration and Xperience joined Celebrity's fleet in spring 2016 but started regular operations in January 2017 following extensive drydocks.

The 16-passenger Galapagos ship Celebrity Xploration is a luxury catamaran-class yacht designed specifically for expedition voyages in the Galapagos Archipelago. Outfitted with a wealth of luxuries that cater to her 16 guests, just as her environmentally sound design helps preserve this immaculate archipelago.

In spring 2016, following the acquisition of the local tour operator Ocean Adventures and its two ships - the 48-passenger yacht Xperience (fka Eclipse) and the 16-passenger catamaran Xploration (formerly Athala II), Celebrity Cruises increased Galapagos Islands passenger capacity by 65%. Both vessels continued to sail on Ocean Adventures itineraries up until January 2017 drydock.

When operated by Celebrity Cruises, the ship was an adventurous alternative to the com[pany's larger vessels. The boat's capacity of just 16 passengers and active cruisetour itineraries attract predominantly younger and better educated demographic. The catamaran's size and capacity make it also perfect for private charters.

Decks and Cabins

Nat Geo Delfina staterooms (8 total) are all outside/oceanview, fully air-conditioned and sized 180-190 ft2 / 17-18 m2. The 4 Upper Deck cabins are with interconnecting doors. The 4 Main Deck cabins are with private step-out balconies. All amenities offer an intimate atmosphere and all the gear you will need, such as wetsuits, snorkelling equipment, and binoculars, included to help guests fully experience the most amazing archipelago in the world.

The boat has 4 decks, of which 3 are passenger-accessible and 2 with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Celebrity Xploration/National Geographic Delfina ship offers excellent service and food, an intimate setting for exotic voyages, and many of the larger ships' amenities.

Celebrity Xploration cruise fares included beer, liquor, soft drinks, house wine, and all gratuities and shore excursions. The dining options feature a main dining room with an elegant yet casual ambiance. Guests can also enjoy an Early Riser continental breakfast and lunch under the open-air shade canopy including specialty drinks and music, or on special nights, Dinner Under the Stars.

The relaxing indoor atmosphere of the lounge is perfect for watching a documentary, reading, or having a cocktail. This is also the area where Naturalist briefings take place. One of the most popular areas on Celebrity Xploration, the Sun Deck is best for stargazing, whale watching, or relaxing in the hot tub. This intimate ship is ideal for family get-togethers, small groups who wish to explore together and getaways with friends.

Itineraries

Nat Geo Delfina ship starts operations for Lindblad with the maiden voyage on February 14, 2025. The boat operates 10- and 16-day Galapagos cruisetours. The 10-day package includes flights (to and from Baltra's Galapagos Ecologic Airport) plus a 2-night overnight hotel in Guayaquil or Quito.

The 10-day "Exploring Galapagos: One Week Sailing the Islands" itinerary starts with the flight to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil, with an overnight hotel stay), embarkation in Guayaquil (flight to Baltra/DAY2), visiting North Seymour, Isabela, Fernandina, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa, and San Cristobal, ship debarkation in Baltra and flight to Guayaquil/Quito (DAY9), overnight hotel in Guayaquil/Quito and return flight (DAY10). Prices in 2024 started at US$6200 per person.

Lindblad's 10-day package can be combined with the 6-day land tour extension to Peru (Cusco/Machu Picchu, Lima).

The 16-day "Exploring Galapagos + Machu Picchu and Peru's Land of the Inca" itinerary starts with a hotel stay (in Quito or Guayaquil), embarkation in Guayaquil (flight to Baltra and boarding the ship/DAY2), visiting the islands North Seymour, Isabela, Fernandina, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa, and San Cristobal, Guayaquil (ship debarkation, flight to Lima, Peru/DAY9), overnight hotel in Lima (DAY10), flight from Lima to Cusco (DAY11), visiting the Urubamba Valley (DAY12), Machu Picchu (DAY13-14), Cusco (DAY15), flight from Cusco to Lima (DAY16). Prices in 2024 started at US$12400 per person.

Celebrity Xploration's Galapagos itinerary

Celebrity Xploration itinerary program was based on 5- and 7-night year-round, roundtrip cruises throughout the Galapagos region. In addition, Celebrity also offers new Xperiential Galapagos packages, interactions with locals, multi-night hotel stays, and an expanded list of destinations, including Darwin Bay, Puerto Villamil, Black Turtle Cove, Wall of Tears and Chinese Hat Islet.

The above map of the Galapagos Islands cruise ship itineraries shows the archipelago's two main routes (inner loop and outer loop) and its all-island stops (ports/landing sites).

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the Celebrity ship Xploration was passed for ~2 years (March 2020 through January 2022) and scheduled to restart operations in the Galapagos on Jan 1st (out of Baltra).

One of the top-luxury Galapagos ships, Celebrity Xploration was the ever-smallest boat in Celebrity's fleet. She officially joined Celebrity's Galapagos fleet in January 2017, following a major drydock refurbishment.

In March 2016, Celebrity acquired the Galapagos travel company "Ocean Adventures" and its two vessels - the 48-passenger yacht Celebrity Xperience (formerly Eclipse) and the 16-passenger catamaran Celebrity Xploration (formerly Athala II), With the acquisition, Celebrity Cruises' Galapagos passenger capacity was increased by 65%, after both ships started operations in February 2017 - joining the 96-passenger ship Celebrity Xpedition. Both newly added vessels continued to operate on their pre-scheduled Ocean Adventures itineraries until their 2017 drydocks.

In August 2017, Celebrity announced that the female Captain Nathaly Alban will be the chief commanding officer on Celebrity Xploration. This was the Galapagos cruising industry's first time when a woman serves as Captain on a Galapagos Islands-based passenger vessel. Captain Nathaly Alban (Ecuadorian) has served 12 years on various vessels in the Galapagos region. She joined Celebrity Cruises on Celebrity Xpedition.