National Geographic Delfina

The 2007-built Celebrity Xploration joined the Celebrity Cruises Galapagos fleet in January 2017. The vessel features indoor and outdoor dining areas, a bar lounge, and a Sundeck with a Jacuzzi. She belongs to the company’s small-sized “expedition fleet,” alongside 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 completed in 2017.

History - construction and ownership

In June 2024, Celebrity Cruises sold its older Galapagos-based ships (Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration) to Lindblad Expeditions, with operations for the new owner beginning in January 2025. Following the announcement, Celebrity Cruises canceled all Galapagos sailings for both vessels scheduled for 2025 (January–December).

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

Xploration and Xperience joined the Celebrity fleet in spring 2016 but began regular operations in January 2017 following extensive drydock refurbishments.

The 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration is a luxury catamaran yacht designed specifically for expedition voyages in the Galapagos Archipelago. She offers a high level of comfort for her 16 guests while incorporating environmentally responsible design features that help preserve the pristine region.

In spring 2016, following the acquisition of 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 its Galapagos passenger capacity by 65%. Both vessels continued sailing on Ocean Adventures’ itineraries until their January 2017 drydocks.

When operated by Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Xploration served as an adventurous alternative to the company’s larger vessels. Her intimate capacity of just 16 passengers and active cruisetour itineraries attracted a predominantly younger and well-educated demographic. The catamaran’s size also made her ideal 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 feature interconnecting doors, while the 4 Main Deck cabins offer private step-out balconies. All accommodations provide an intimate atmosphere, with essential gear such as wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, and binoculars included to help guests experience the archipelago to the fullest.

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

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Celebrity Xploration/National Geographic Delfina offers excellent service and cuisine, an intimate setting for exotic voyages, and many amenities typically found on larger ships.

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

The comfortable indoor lounge is ideal for watching documentaries, reading, or enjoying cocktails. This space also hosts Naturalist briefings. The Sun Deck is one of the ship’s most popular areas—perfect for stargazing, whale watching, or relaxing in the hot tub. This intimate vessel is well suited for family gatherings, small groups, and friends traveling together.

Itineraries

Nat Geo Delfina begins operations for Lindblad with her maiden voyage on February 14, 2025. The vessel sails 10- and 16-day Galapagos cruisetours. The 10-day package includes flights (to and from Baltra’s Galapagos Ecologic Airport) plus a 2-night hotel stay in Guayaquil or Quito.

The 10-day “Exploring Galapagos: One Week Sailing the Islands” itinerary begins with flights to Ecuador (Quito or Guayaquil, followed by an overnight stay), embarkation in Guayaquil (flight to Baltra on Day 2), and visits to North Seymour, Isabela, Fernandina, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolomé, Santiago, Genovesa, and San Cristóbal. After debarkation in Baltra, guests fly back to Guayaquil/Quito (Day 9), enjoy an overnight hotel stay, and return home on Day 10. Prices in 2024 started at USD 6200 per person.

Lindblad’s 10-day program can be combined with a 6-day land extension to Peru (Cusco/Machu Picchu and Lima).

The 16-day “Exploring Galapagos + Machu Picchu and Peru’s Land of the Inca” itinerary begins with a hotel stay (Quito or Guayaquil), embarkation in Guayaquil (flight to Baltra and boarding the ship on Day 2), followed by island visits (North Seymour, Isabela, Fernandina, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolomé, Santiago, Genovesa, and San Cristóbal). After debarkation, guests fly to Lima, Peru (Day 9), overnight in Lima (Day 10), fly to Cusco (Day 11), visit the Urubamba Valley (Day 12), Machu Picchu (Days 13–14), and Cusco (Day 15), before concluding the trip with a flight to Lima (Day 16). Prices in 2024 started at USD 12400 per person.

Celebrity Xploration’s Galapagos itinerary

Celebrity Xploration’s program was based on 5- and 7-night year-round roundtrip cruises throughout the Galapagos region. Celebrity also offered new “Xperiential” Galapagos packages featuring cultural interactions, multi-night hotel stays, and expanded destination options including Darwin Bay, Puerto Villamil, Black Turtle Cove, Wall of Tears, and Chinese Hat Islet.

The map above shows the two primary Galapagos cruise routes (inner loop and outer loop) and the archipelago’s main landing sites.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Celebrity Xploration was paused for approximately two years (March 2020 through January 2022) and was scheduled to restart Galapagos operations on January 1 (out of Baltra).

Lindblad’s ships Nat Geo Delfina and Nat Geo Gemini were officially named on July 10, 2025, at Santa Cruz Island’s Academy Bay. The dual christening ceremony was attended by Natalya Leahy (Lindblad Expeditions Holdings' CEO), local dignitaries, multigenerational residents, and the ships’ crew and their children.

Celebrity Xploration, the smallest vessel in Celebrity’s fleet, joined the company’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). The acquisition increased Celebrity Cruises’ Galapagos passenger capacity by 65%. Both vessels entered service under the Celebrity brand in February 2017, joining the 96-passenger Celebrity Xpedition, and continued operating their pre-scheduled Ocean Adventures itineraries until their 2017 drydocks.

In August 2017, Celebrity announced that Captain Nathaly Alban would assume command of Celebrity Xploration. This marked the first time in Galapagos cruising history that a woman served as Captain of a Galapagos Islands-based passenger vessel. Captain Nathaly Alban, an Ecuadorian national, has over 12 years of experience sailing various vessels in the Galapagos region. She joined Celebrity Cruises as part of the Celebrity Xpedition team.