Celebrity Cruises just sold two of its cruise ships sailing to the Galapagos.
On December 28, 2024, two ships will set sail for the final time under the Celebrity brand before being transferred to the Lindblad fleet in January. The two ships sold represent less than 1% of the total capacity for Royal Caribbean Group.
Celebrity Flora, the cruise line's newest, 100-passenger Xpedition ship, will remain in the fleet and continue to offer sailings to this unique archipelago; however, the 48-passenger Celebrity Xpedition and 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration are set to undergo extensive multi-million dollar renovations before joining Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic and doubling the size of their fleet.
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson indicated the selling of the ships is about focusing on newer purpose-built vessels, "As we continue to optimize our fleet, we remain committed to the Galapagos Islands, offering sailings on Celebrity Flora and Silver Origin – two ships we’ve purposely built to sail in the archipelago year-round."
Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and CEO of Lindblad Expeditions celebrated the acquisition, "We recognize and appreciate the immense privilege our Company has to operate and grow our expedition cruise offerings in the Galápagos Islands."
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"By sourcing well-appointed vessels and onboarding the most experienced crew and staff who meet our exacting standards of responsible exploration, we're able to transport guests from around the world to the iconic archipelago and help them understand the importance of protecting and preserving its wonders and wildlife, as a consequence of their personal experience."
Bookings will open later this month when the names of the new ships are revealed. The sale price was not disclosed.
The two ships will join the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavor II and 48-guest National Geographic Island II
Combined, both ships offer more than 100 Galapagos departures annually on six different itineraries ranging from 7- to 16-day voyages. The company is also known for its global expedition trips to remote destinations, including the Arctic, Antarctica, Australia's Kimberley region, and Alaska's Walker Cove.
"When my father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, led the first international citizen expedition to the Galápagos nearly 60 years ago, I don't think he ever could have dreamed it would serve as the foundation for ecotourism in the archipelago and would be the catalyst for meaningful, positively impactful connections," Lindblad continued.
"We look forward to not only bringing more Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic guests to the islands with the growth of our fleet, but also to having a greater positive social impact supporting conservation, education and the creation of livelihoods."
Guests booked on Celebrity Xpedition or Celebrity Xploration in 2025 were given two choices
First, they can select another sailing aboard the same ship between October 5 and December 14, 2024. They'll receive a complimentary transfer to a price-protected similar or upgraded cabin.
Should they opt to remain in their original cabin category, guests can rest assured knowing the price will either be protected at the original rate or reduced to the current fare, whichever is lower.
Those who booked their flights with Flights by Celebrity will have their airfare automatically adjusted. Guests who made their own travel arrangements will be reimbursed up to $400 USD per person for non-refundable, pre-purchased change fees.
The second option allows passengers to move to Celebrity Flora, the cruise line's first-ever ship built specifically for the Galapagos, at no extra cost.
Guests must choose a sailing departing on a like weekend or one week before or after their original departure date. Holiday sailings are excluded unless originally booked on a Celebrity Xpedition or Xploration holiday cruise.
Moreover, the original stateroom category price is protected at the original rate or reduced to the current fare, whichever is lower, excluding taxes, fees, and other non-cruise fare items.
Flights by Celebrity will automatically take care of rebooking flights, while those who made their own arrangements are eligible for reimbursement of up to $400 USD per person for non-refundable, pre-purchased change fees.
Celebrity Flora will remain Celebrity's sole ship in the Galapagos
The departure of Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration will reduce the size of the Celebrity's fleet to 14. The Galapagos isn't the company's main focus, however, with the majority of their fleet encompassing larger ships that fit within the mainstream cruising experience.
Their vessels, which range in size from 91,000 to 140,600 gross registered tons (GRT), are designed to cater to thousands of passengers, offering a variety of onboard amenities and dining and entertainment options. Coming in at just 5,739 GRT with a maximum capacity of 100, Celebrity Flora is the exception.
In addition to Celebrity Flora, Silversea, Royal Caribbean Group's luxury cruise line, operates a ship year-round in the Galapagos. Silver Origin, like Celebrity Flora, was purpose-built for the region. Though Celebrity's Galapagos presence is diminishing, the company is still committed to the Galapagos.
Read more: Celebrity Cruises ships by age from newest to oldest
Sailing onboard Celebrity Flora to the Galapagos differs from traditional Celebrity cruises. There's so much more included in your fare, from pre-cruise hotel stays to flights, beverages, shore excursions, and menus designed by Michelin-star chefs.
Moreover, every stateroom onboard is a suite that features Celebrity's outward-facing concept. Unlike standard cruises to The Bahamas and Europe, the cheapest cabins include breathtaking views of the Galapagos, ensuring you don't miss a moment of the region's stunning landscapes.
