Expedition Cruising in the Galápagos with National Geographic & Lindblad

I went on National Geographic — Lindblad's 10-day Galápagos cruise, which really equates to eight days and seven nights on the ship, sailing around the islands. Two nights are spent at a hotel chosen by the cruise line, in either Guayaquil or Quito. One night prior to boarding a plane to the Islands and one night after the cruise disembarks. Those hotel stays, and the flights to and from the Islands, are included in your cruise fare.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise; Galapagos Penguin

Port Calls: Our cruise toured the western islands, but the cruise just after ours toured the eastern islands. We did not know when we booked which islands we would be visiting. We enjoyed visits to North Seymour Island, Rabida Island, Fernandina Island, Isabela Island, Santiago Island, San Cristobal Island and Santa Cruz Island. Each day we were able to go on at least one hike and participate in one water sport, usually snorkeling but sometimes kayaking or standup paddle boarding. We were always accompanied by a naturalist who helped us spot wildlife, described the behaviors and evolutionary adaptations of the animals we were seeing and told us about the local flora and fauna. We also got a dose of history, from Charles Darwin's visit to the Galápagos to some early attempts at settlements.

The Ship: My cruise was aboard the National Geographic - Lindblad Endeavour II. The ship can accommodate 96 passengers and there were about 60 crew members on board, so there was a very low crew: passenger ratio. There are only five decks on the ship. In addition to the 52 cabins and crew quarters, there is a dining room, a library, a gift shop that includes locally-made crafts, a lounge, a gym, a spa treatment room and a rooftop lounge. There is also an area for the snorkeling gear and an area to get on and off the Zodiacs. The Zodiacs took us to and from the ship and shore, with both dry and wet landings on the islands. There is an open policy for the Bridge and, usually, you can walk right in, speak with the captain and crew and learn a bit about navigation.

Entertainment and Activities: Each day was so full of exploring the islands that there wasn't much time for anything else. Every evening, there was a cocktail hour debriefing in the lounge, along with a talk about nature or history. After dinner, there were showings of nature documentaries, a concert by the staff and, one night, a show by some local dancers and musicians. One evening, there was a sunset cocktail party on the top deck to celebrate our crossing of the Equator.

Essentials to Bring: UV-rated tops and pants. A wide-brimmed hat, a backpack, your best camera, a cooling towel (it can be hot and humid), water sandals (close-toed preferred), sunscreen and bug spray and a sense of adventure.

Male Frigate Bird; Blue Footed Booby

Additional Costs: Most food and drinks are included, but you can purchase more premium wines and cocktails. The included WiFi pretty much covered WhatsApp messaging. Better WiFi was available for a fee. Laundry (with a two-hour turnaround time!), spa treatments and gift shop items cost extra.

Bridge Tour; Brown Pelican

National Geographic — Lindblad's Galápagos Expedition cruises are great for couples, friend groups and families. However, I personally don't think it is appropriate for children under five and I think it's better for kids ages eight+. There were a lot of seniors on the ship, but some who had some mobility issues had to excuse themselves from some of the activities. This is a jam-packed, moderately active cruise. Going to the Galápagos was my number one bucket list trip and it met and exceeded my expectations. This cruise would be perfect for anyone who enjoys viewing wildlife in their natural habitat, bird-lovers, natural history enthusiasts and conservationists. Please reach out if you'd like to learn more about visiting the Galápagos!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Galápagos Islands page.