National Geographic Delfina
Former names: Nat Geo Delfina, Celebrity Xploration, MC Athala II
Cruise line
Galapagos (Lindblad Expeditions)
Current itinerary of National Geographic Delfina
National Geographic Delfina current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands. Prices start from USD 5023 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 07 Sep, 2024 and ends on 14 Sep, 2024.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
07 Sep 15:00 | Departing from Baltra Island, Galapagos hotels |
07 Sep 16:00 - 18:00 | Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Puerto Ayora |
08 Sep 07:30 - 10:30 | Santiago Island, Galapagos |
08 Sep 14:00 - 16:30 | Bartolome Island, Galapagos |
09 Sep 08:00 - 17:00 | Isabela Island, Galapagos |
10 Sep 07:30 - 11:30 | Fernandina Island, Galapagos |
10 Sep 15:30 - 18:00 | Isabela Island, Galapagos |
11 Sep 07:30 - 18:00 | Santiago Island, Galapagos |
12 Sep 08:00 - 18:00 | Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Puerto Ayora |
13 Sep 07:30 - 18:00 | Genovesa Island, Galapagos |
14 Sep 06:00 - 07:00 | North Seymour Island, Galapagos |
14 Sep 08:00 | Arriving in Baltra Island, Galapagos hotels |
Specifications of National Geographic Delfina
Year of build | 2007 / Age: 17 |
Flag state | Ecuador |
Builder | Botto Astilleros y Marina (Guayaquil, Ecuador) |
Class | Galapagos Islands expedition ship (motor catamaran) |
Speed | 10 kn / 19 km/h / 12 mph |
Length (LOA) | 30 m / 98 ft |
Beam (width) | 11 m / 36 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 319 gt |
Passengers | 19 |
Crew | 10 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 17 |
Decks | 4 |
Cabins | 8 |
Decks with cabins | 2 |
Last Refurbishment | 2024 |
Former names | Nat Geo Delfina, Celebrity Xploration, MC Athala II |
Owner | Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc (via Lindblad Expeditions Holdings LLC) |
Operator | National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions |
National Geographic Delfina Itineraries
Date | Itinerary | Departure Port | Price from |
---|---|---|---|
2024 Aug 31 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Sep 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5023 |
2024 Sep 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5014 |
2024 Sep 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7701 |
2024 Sep 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Oct 05 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7701 |
2024 Oct 12 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8107 |
2024 Oct 19 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8583 |
2024 Oct 26 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Nov 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Nov 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7943 |
2024 Nov 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Nov 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5005 |
2024 Nov 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Dec 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5014 |
2024 Dec 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7943 |
2024 Dec 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6017 |
2024 Dec 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9607 |
National Geographic Delfina Review
Review of 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).
National Geographic Delfina ship related cruise news
- Accidents
Celebrity Cruises cancels year of Galapagos sailings following ship sales
Celebrity Cruises has announced the cancellation of a year's worth of sailings scheduled for the ships Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration...
July 1, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity's Galapagos ships Xpedition and Xploration join Lindblad-National Geographic fleet
Lindblad Expeditions has acquired the Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration from Celebrity Cruises. These two Galapagos-based expedition...
June 12, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Cruises introduces 2024 Galapagos Islands' sailings
Celebrity Cruises revealed its 2024 Galapagos Islands program. Setting in January 2024, the Royal Caribbean-owned brand has 3 Galapagos-based boats...
February 13, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Equinox approved by the CDC to sail from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades FL) on July 25
Leading the way with the first cruise ship to sail in North America on June 5, Celebrity Cruises’ return to sailing continues, as the new...
June 10, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity resumes Galapagos Islands cruises on July 4
Celebrity Cruises announced its plans to resume sailings in the Galapagos Islands this summer on 3 expedition ships. The 100-guest newbuild...
May 6, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity introduces 2023 Galapagos cruises
The RCG-Royal Caribbean Group's brand Celebrity Cruises announced 2023 sailings in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. From New Year’s Eve 2022...
March 12, 2021 - Cruise Industry
RCG-Royal Caribbean sells the cruise ships Silver Galapagos and Celebrity Xperience
RCG-Royal Caribbean Group sold 2 cruise ships sailing under the Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises brands. These are small expedition ships...
January 29, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Cruises Builds Flora
Celebrity Cruises designed a new ship for Galapagos, which is a rare newbuild in the market. At 100 passengers it is the smallest ship that parent...
November 18, 2017 - show more news
Other Galapagos cruise ships
National Geographic Delfina Wiki
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.