by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 12:20 PM ET, Fri July 11, 2025
Four vessels from the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions fleet met in the Galápagos Islands this week to celebrate the naming of the line’s two newest ships.
On Wednesday, National Geographic Delfina, National Geographic Gemini, National Geographic Islander II and National Geographic Endeavour II came together in Academy Bay off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
The ceremonial gathering took place ahead of the traditional christening ceremony for new ships National Geographic Delfina and National Geographic Gemini, which was held on Thursday.
Members of the shipboard teams and their children were honored during the bottle-breaking ceremony. Lindblad Expeditions leaders, guests, local dignitaries and multigenerational Galápagos community members were also in attendance.
“Having the multigenerational community join our team members and their families to help name National Geographic Gemini and National Geographic Delfina is far more than a ceremonial moment, it’s a celebration of our deep and lasting connection to this extraordinary place and its people,” says Natalya Leahy, chief executive officer of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. “It symbolizes our shared future and reflects our ongoing commitment and gratitude to the people of Galápagos. We’re humbled to explore this remarkable part of the world and proud to create experiences here that truly touch the lives of our guests.”
Lindblad Expeditions has been exploring the Galápagos since 1967, when it led the first non-scientific international civilian expedition in the region.
The 16-guest National Geographic Delfina and the 48-guest National Geographic Gemini officially joined the company’s Galápagos fleet earlier this year. The company acquired the vessels—formerly known as Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration—from Celebrity Cruises in June 2024.
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