Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Lindblad Names Newest Vessel in the Galapagos

by Dori Saltzman / October 27, 2022
Angela Flaim smashes a bottle of champagne against the full of National Geographic Islander 2

Photo by Alex Daley Clark

Lindblad Expeditions officially named the newest entrant to its fleet, that National Geographic Islander II, during a small ceremony in the Galapagos. Angela Flaim, widow of late Galapagos conservation icon Juan Flaim, presided over the naming, along with Lindblad founder Sven Lindblad. Together, they smashed an environmentally-friendly Champagne bottle from the bow of the 48-passenger ship.

The ceremony took place in Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz Island, in the center of the Galapagos archipelago, and was attended by VIP guests, local dignitaries, company leaders and media.

“May this ship be blessed with calm seas, curious minds, and caring hearts as her guests celebrate the beauty and wonder of these island and Ecuador,” Flaim said during the naming. “I wish those lucky enough to sail with her, both crew and guests alike, experience the joy that is only possible when we explore life passionately.”

“This incredible ship is our mission in motion, exciting guests to what we know about this wild place and even more importantly, to what is yet to be discovered,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder and co-chair of the board. “As the pioneers in Galapagos tourism, our expertise and commitment to genuine engagement with this region’s natural wonders provides our guess with extraordinary, life changing experiences, and a lifelong passion to protect these incredible and fragile environments.”

During its first year in the region, the ship will host local marine scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Galapagos National Park Directorate, in partnership with National Geographic Society’s Exploration Technology Lab, for a 10-day monitoring campaign to assess the biodiversity and distribution of organisms and habitats on the largely unchartered underwater mountains that exist thousands of meters under the surface.

The last exploration campaign, conducted in 2019, uncovered two apex predator shark species that were previously unknown to be inhabiting the Galapagos Marine Reserve, as well as a kelp forest.

The former Crystal Esprit, National Geographic Islander II will now ply the waters of the Galapagos year round. It large-scale refit of the ship saw the addition of a Science Hub outfitted with the capacity for underway oceanographic sensoring, an interactive video display, lab benches, and seating for guests to observe scientists at work.

Two of the 26 suites onboard the ship are dedicated to conservation and community, and are reserved for Galapagos community members, local and international researchers, educators, storytellers and other experts on each voyage.

Other highlights of the ship include a well-fitted observation deck, indoor-outdoor dining options, and purpose-built expedition amenities including a marina for snorkeling gear storage and easy Zodiac embarkation. The ship carries a fleet of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, a custom-built glass bottom Zodiac and a flotilla of Mark V Zodiacs.

Travel Market Report will be onboard National Geographic Islander II starting today. Stay tuned for a closer look at the ship.

  6
  0
Related Articles
Lindblad Is Latest Cruise Line to Add Starlink Wi-Fi
Lindblad Expeditions Kicks Off Travel Advisor Roadshow
Lindblad Introduces Expedition 360 Full-Service Trade Program
Lindblad Expeditions Grows Global Sales Team
A&K Travel Group Invests in Ecoventura, Plans Joint Venture
Lindblad Expeditions Appoints John Delaney as SVP, Global Sales
Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Islander II Receives Traditional Blessing
Lindblad Adds Early-Season Antarctica Sailings with Free Air
Lindblad Expeditions Appoints New CCO
Former Crystal Cruises Exec Joins Lindblad Expeditions

MOST VIEWED

  1. U.S. State Department Updates Jamaica Travel Warning to Level 3
  2. First Hand Look at the Soon-to-Open Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort
  3. TSA Will Now Allow Teens to Access PreCheck with Parents or Guardians
  4. 25 Qualifying Questions to Help You Nail Your Clients' Vacation Plans
  5. Report: Margaritaville Times Square Faces Foreclosure
  6. U.S. State Department Reissues Travel Advisory for Peru

MOST EMAILED

  1. First Hand Look at the Soon-to-Open Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort
  2. 5 Reasons You Need to Use a Travel Advisor Now More Than Ever
  3. U.S. State Department Updates Jamaica Travel Warning to Level 3
  4. 25 Qualifying Questions to Help You Nail Your Clients' Vacation Plans
  5. TSA Will Now Allow Teens to Access PreCheck with Parents or Guardians
  6. Travel Kind…It’s Good For You and the Planet
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Viking Cruises Names Newest Ocean Ship in New York City
Viking Cruises Names Newest Ocean Ship in New York City

Viking Saturn will now kick off its inaugural season, with two new Viking voyages. 

Read...
Beleaguered Vantage Travel Reportedly Looking to Sell
Beleaguered Vantage Travel Reportedly Looking to Sell

Vantage is not a member of the USTOA. 

Read...
No Injuries Reported After UnCruise Adventures Ship Catches Fire in Alaska
No Injuries Reported After UnCruise Adventures Ship Catches Fire in Alaska

Wilderness Discoverer caught fire while in Glacier National Park earlier this week.

Read...
Carnival Cruise Line Names Jay Leno as Godfather of Carnival Venezia
Carnival Cruise Line Names Jay Leno as Godfather of Carnival Venezia

Leno will serve as the first-ever godfather to a Carnival Cruise Line ship.

Read...
Citing High Demand, Viking Cruises Adds More Sailings on Nile River
Citing High Demand, Viking Cruises Adds More Sailings on Nile River

By 2026, Viking will have six ships sailing the Nile. 

Read...
Variety Cruises Announces Up to 75% Discounted FAM Rates for Advisors
Variety Cruises Announces Up to 75% Discounted FAM Rates for Advisors

Small-ship cruise line and Greek specialist Variety Cruises is offering active travel advisors heavy discounts. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
Cruise Trend Outlook 2023
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/_UQsgtX1HVU/0.jpg
Video: How One Travel Agency Finds New Clients
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy