Could not have asked for a better experience. From the moment we were in the hands of Lindblad everything was handled flawlessly. Pre travel questions were handled in a professional timely fashion. All land accommodations were excellent. Embarkation and debarkation were well coordinated and executed. Ship board accommodations were comfortable, roomy and clean. Housekeeping visited the cabin on a frequent basis to insure cleanliness throughout the day. The dining room and staff were excellent. Special appreciations to the wait staff and cooks. My son has dietary restrictions and they were very attentive to his needs and provided alternatives when necessary. Food was very good and a good variety of options. All of the days activities were well planned and explained as to the degree of difficulty or other particulars.While the day was full we never felt rushed or "we have a schedule to keep". The naturalists were knowledgeable and eager to provede information and respond to questions. I have already recommended this trip to friends and will certainly consider Lindblad for future trips. Read Less

It was always a dream of mine to see both Galapagos and Machu Picchu, ever since I started receiving catalogs from Lindblad and NatGeo. If I was going to see these historic places, I wanted National Geographic to be a part of it so that I could maximize my experience and my learning. I wanted the see more and do more, in a safe and secure environment. But I also wanted a small group experience. I didn't want to be overwhelmed or stymied by a large cruise ship. I wanted to get closer to the islands of the Galapagos, get to know the naturalists and tour guides personally, and I wanted to meet fellow travelers who shared my enthusiasm and quest for knowledge. Lindblad/NatGeo delivered on all of those things with a luxury cruise experience for 90+ passengers. The food was local, sustainable and delicious every single day. My husband and I had the base-level cabin, but it was roomy and efficiently designed. It was so smartly laid out that we had enough room for everything we brought with us, and that was plenty. My husband is 6'4" and the shower was tall and big enough for him. The activities were varied and accommodated different interests and activity levels. We wished there were longer hikes, as an option. We'd never snorkeled before but both enjoyed deep-water snorkeling on this trip. The efficiency of the program meant the staff was always on time and ready for us, whether it was handing out wet suits, fins and masks or jumping on the zodiacs to begin the next activity. We were never bored, and we always had a clear picture of the day's activities so we could make decisions about what we wanted to do. This was our first cruise ever. It set the bar really high! Read Less

We choose this cruise due to the nature & places the cruise went. We knew there would be things we'd never see again. The ports were fabulous. There were so many things to see. The service was great & staff very friendly. There were many excursions daily. The only thing we feel would be better is if prior to the trip an itinerary of the each days activities had been sent. We were told casual clothing which I thought was for dinner so I didn't pack correctly. I thought we'd be in bathing suits most of the time so for myself I didn't pack tee shirts or shorts. As far as the food there was plenty of choices but all fancy. We would have preferred just plain simple food(meatloaf, hamburgs, etc). The food we ate was good but we didn't eat much. Lunch salads needed to have a lot more items to put in the salad. Usually there was only 2 items other than the lettuce. The ship & cabin was great. Due to the price I don't think we'd go again but you never know. Read Less

As a scientist and biologist, I wanted to explore the Galapagos Islands for myself to witness the uniqueness of species that motivated Charles Darwin to advance his factual theories on evolution and natural selection. The National Geographic team aboard the Endeavor II gave us an exceptionally motivating expedition of the most unique location on our planet. The experience was enhanced by the warm, friendly, motivated and well-informed staff, especially the expedition leader, Carlos, who was also a comedian. There was no shortage of excellent Ecuadorian food and snacks and drinks. There was even time for early morning stretching on the observation deck and a work out in the gym. One of the most exciting experiences on board was meeting so many new people for the first time. The Lounge and Dining Room were large and cozy enough to make this possible. The frequent visits by zodiacs to the different islands highlighting the unique species was breathtaking to say the least. I've never seen so many beautiful creatures in my life. There's no doubt that I will do this expedition again, soon. Read Less

Visiting the Galapagos Islands has been on our travel list. When we were offered an opportunity to do it with friends we immediately agreed. This cruise was hosted by Lindblad / National Geographic. The cruise was great, there was no part of the cruise which I found lacking or poorly done. L/NG provided the smoothest transition from the airport to the hotel on the day of arrival and then the same service the next day as we flew out to the GI and boarded the Endeavor II. The handling of the people and our luggage was smooth, and quick. They transferred the people and luggage from shore to the ship in Endeavor II zodiacs. By the time we completed the buffer lunch our luggage was in our room. We traveled to and visit 6 islands, with hiking, snorkeling or kayaking available to see this natural wonder up close. Each days events were briefed in detail the night before, during an open bar happy hour, and then again in the morning. Carlos the Expedition Leader kept track of what was going an insured that the schedule was kept in order to accomplish the myriad of events which occurred through out the day. Ecuador does not allow individuals onto the islands with an Ecuador licensed Naturalist. There were seven Naturalists on board the E II. The lead all the small group tours, hikes and snorkeling. They were very knowledgeable and all were native to Ecuador. The promised sightings of the varieties of wildlife and birds always happened. Breakfast was always a buffet. Lunch was also a buffet. Dinner was a menu selection of local seafood and other meats. There were always at least three choices. One of which was Vegan/Vegetarian. The food was awesome. The ship crew was friendly and always helpful. If they had trouble with English they would find someone to help them and then help you. All the Dining and housekeeping staff spoke English fluently. The Deck Crew and Engine Crew understood English, but did not necessarily speak it well. However, they never ran away if you asked a question. They always got answer. The crew was very proud of its ship. It was clean, and in very good repair. I highly recommend this cruise, Read Less

My sister and I chose this cruise because it was someplace we had always wanted to see but never thought we would have that opportunity. Lindblad/National Geo came highly reccommended and we were not disappointed - our room was roomy and comfortable and the food was local and delicious. Everything from the immaculate ship, the friendly crew and fantastic excursions made this a trip we will never forget. The local naturalists were a highlight- their stories of and knowledge about the islands was an inspiration. It is wonderful that these young men and women have taken the opportunity to be educated about their island and have chosen to make a career out of educating other people. Amongst all the fabulous sights and activiities the he ability to snorkel with sea lions was my favorite thing My lasting gift from this trip is to see that there is sill someplace on earth where people value the natural beauty in which they live and have prioritized its preservation. Read Less

The usual high standards about all aspects of the expedition were quite evident. The ship and the facilities were top class. The food and drink were of high quality and highly varied. The dining room was informal and it was always nice to find different people to eat meals with. The hotel manager and his staff were outstanding. The naturalists were all qualified, well experienced and most importantly local. They were approachable and took pride in explaining the biology and geology of the islands. The excursions were very well planned and executed in an impeccable manner without any hitches. As in our past journey, the logistics were managed outstandingly well. This is our second trip with Lindblad/ NatGeo and it fully met our expectations (which were very high after our first trip to Antarctica on the NG Explorer). We covered the older islands and didn’t go to the two western-most – Isabella and Fernandina. However, we had seen all the wildlife that we ever wanted to see – the finches, the mocking birds, the boobies (all three types), frigate birds, tropic birds, Galapagos penguins, the giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, barn owls, Flamingos, Shearwaters, Herons, Egrets, and many other animals. We went snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, went kayaking (and some others did paddle boards), rode in glass bottom boat and had our fill of marine life that included numerous fish species, rays, sea turtles, sea lions, etc. We also went to a white tipped shark nursery among the mangroves on northern side of Santa Cruz island. On the last day of the voyage we went across the equator to the island of Genovesa which was a paradise for birds with mangroves abound. A visit to the Darwin Foundation was special. The National Geographic photographer on board – Todd Gippstein was special. He gave a presentation nearly every day on how to shoot better, sharing his vast experience in a very accessible manner. And, he was very hands on in terms of help with cameras and shooting in the field. He was a great magician too, so entertainment came alongside learning! Overall, the people of Lindblad and National Geographic made the trip very special. Read Less

All I can say is our “expedition” with Nat Geographic far exceeded our expectations. We went with Linblad and National Geographic in the Nat Geo Endeavor 11 because we knew they had been there the longest as far as a “cruise line” But this was not a cruise.. it was indeed an Expedition! Full of hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and lectures, loaded with information on everything “Galapagos” for the 7 days we were fortunate to experience all of it. As I said, This was a week long amazing, beautiful course in the Galapagos. We are NOT cruise people, we love active vacations. And this is exactly what we received. The entire staff was gracious, well educated on where we were, extremely wanting to please. I was most impressed by the hotel management and attention to detail, even in the dining room. We were not only served organic, sustainable typically Ecuadorian fare, but we were also served up an education on local cuisine including meats, fruits, vegetables, spices, desserts .. which also added to a very well rounded “immersion” in everything Ecuador! Naturalists gave us their rich wealth of information. Tips on Photography, both on land and under the sea. Lectures everyday were well attended.. by the entire guest population on the ship. Rooms were well appointed and cared for. Housekeeping was also impressive as rooms were tidied up 3 times a day, laundry was usually back same day.. The ship paid very strict attention to cleanliness, as there were hand sanitizer stations all over. Ship doctor was always available, even graciously, for 1 bandaid. I will most definitely look forward to my next Linblad Nat Geo trip. Hopefully Antarctica! (Only if Emma and Walter are our Naturalists!!! Book this trip if you’re interested in seeing and experiencing everything the beautiful Galapagos has to offer through the eyes of knowledgeable professional hosts. It’ll be worth every Penney. It really was the trip of a lifetime. Read Less

When it comes to wildlife, outdoor exploration and comfort, Linblad-National Geographic is top of the line. We chose the Galapagos because we wanted to be outside exploring and photographing. The Endeavor II provided a highly functional and comfortable boat for the experience. Our cabin was large enough for two people to comfortably enjoy the week long trip without feeling crowded. The windows allowed for excellent viewing even when we were in the room. The boat staff also exceeded expectations. Carlos, the food maestro, provided healthy but incredibly flavorful options. We had the best of the best local food. He remembered our names and our food preferences--remarkable for a 98 person passenger list. Likewise, the naturalists on this boat were also exceptional. The photography expert, Antonio was quite good. Rather than focusing on camera mechanics, he focused on composition and what really makes a photograph special. He skipped all the technical mumbo jumbo and talked to us about how to tell a story in pictures. He used examples from the Galapagos so we had real concrete ideas of what to photograph on each day's adventure. My husband snorkeled every day. I hiked and kayaked. We both were thoroughly exhausted at the end of each day so we savored every sunset in this beautiful island setting. For people looking for an active, busy vacation, this is a good fit. The Galapagos dazzles with its underwater sea life, colorful birds, sea lions everywhere, land tortoises and iguanas with personality. Highly recommend booking a trip on the Endeavor II. Read Less

This was one of the places on my bucket list and I was really surprised at what we found. Here are a group of islands on the equator 600 miles west of Ecuador and we thought we would be on lush tropical islands. The truth is that they are closer to a desert environment than tropical. The variety of wildlife and cactus and the successful efforts of the Ecuadoran government to preserve the Islands was marvelous to experience. The staff was terrific and the ship had very nice acomodations and the food was pretty good. If you want to interact with animals, this is the trip for you. Photography was the focus of this trip and we had a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer on the trip with us as well as three other photography experts to give us guidance on the best way to capture this unbelievable experience. I would highly recommend this trip. Read Less

Wanted to have the best possible experience with the best possible access and best possible tools. The Endeavor II and her crew and staff delivered in all regards. I will remember every exciting moment of this journey. As a more than casual photographer, this was an unrivaled opportunity to test my skills under a wide range of conditions with a huge number of subjects. I ordered canvas prints of several photos before I left the ship! The ship was attractive, without being too fancy. The crew was efficient without interfering with our fun. The naturalists were amazingly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The food was quite good and presented flawlessly. The tools were first rate - zodiacs, snorkel gear, etc. The stateroom was remarkably roomy and well organized. The guests were all very friendly and happy to share this great experience. The trip was peaceful and relaxing, which is amazing because there was something to do from 6 in the morning until well into the evening. We should have been exhausted from the multiple hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, zodiac rides, glass-bottom boat trips and other activities, but we slept well and felt revived at the end of the voyage. Read Less

We had an excellent experience with our 4 and 5 - year old grandchildren. They were enthralled with the wildlife and geography. The staff on the Endeavor II could not have been more accommodating, and made our granddaughters feel special, particularly with the Explorers Club. The food was surprisingly good and interesting - with a focus on locally and sustainably produced products, prepared in accordance with local traditions and customs. The dining staff were courteous and outgoing, with the result that we looked forward to each meal. The excursions were varied (zodiac, hikes and beaches), providing a range of experiences, with each outing introducing us to different animals, birds sea life and terrain. The length of the outings were properly timed, so that our grandchildren did not become overly tired or loose their enthusiasm. The naturalists were superb, and took a genuine interest in each guest's enjoyment - which ran the spectrum. Read Less

What can one say. The service, food, tour, people, location and travel were all over the top. Walter - our server at meals was so good to us, we really felt like family. Carlos, our tour Director was very attentive to detail and really kept us moving in the correct direction. Our entire family went - and we really bonded even more. Everything was fantastic. The animals, water events, hiking, picture taking, swimming, snorkeling, picture taking - all guided by extremely experienced naturalists. The entire staff - from those that cleaned our rooms, those that served drinks in the bar. those that served us food and those that prepared the food to the Captain - all served with pride and always had a smile all their face. Absolutely a one of a kind experience. We had two nights of music - one night the ship Doctor and Captain - played for us. Excellent. The second night was locals from the Islands. Very inspiring to witness. Best trip ever. Read Less

My trip highlight was swimming side by side with a Penguin. The adrenalin was rushing as I found myself swimming competitively to keep up with a feeding penguin. It was a bonus to add a pre-trip to Mashpi with the Galapagos trip. It completed our Ecuadorian adventure from cloud forest to islands. The onboard dining experience was excellent. They walked me personally thru every meal to assure me what I could choose as gluten free. The daily onboard and offboard activities were planned to perfection and the guides / photo instructors added value with their knowledge to point out things that would have been easily missed. The local guides added value and expertise to the experience. It was also a plus to have Sven Lindblad and his mother on the trip and to know that they genuinely care about their customer's experience and supporting populations in the areas where they offer expeditions. Their interest in helping maintain and restore the local culture and ecology is outstanding and speaks well for the company. To see and hear them in person confirmed to us that we picked the right company to tour with. Look for us on future expeditions. We're already looking ahead and making plans. Read Less

Going to the Galapagos was a life long dream. Since I learned about it, I've wanted to go there for over 50 years. As we researched options for our trip we found that National Geographic / Linblad offered the best value for the money. We thought they would have the most knowledgable naturalists and would provide a quality experience. We were right! Everything ran without a single problem. We did not book our travel with Linblad. But their team contacted me prior to the trip to ensure I had everything in order, including my plans that weren't part of their responsibility! They made sure everything was going to work out for us. They did the same on the back end of the trip, ensuring we had a late checkout and transportation to the airport. During the cruise the attention to detail and service was outstanding. We had 3 to 5 excursions a day to snorkel, hike, take photographs and more. Every time the zodiacs were ready with no delay or issues. The naturalists were the highlight of the trip. They knew the wildlife and made sure people stayed within the allowable boundaries, ie. 6 ft from the animals. They knew the best places to see the different species and how to get the best lifelong photographs. They made very excursion special. In our week, we saw everything we hoped to see. It was awesome. Our cabin was clean and comfortable with plenty of space. The shower was good size and allowed for a comfortable shower without sticking to the shower curtain like some cruise ships. The food was great and included the different foods of Ecuador. It was well prepared and well run. The head waiter knew I didn't like coconut and provided me with an alternative for every dish that had coconut! That's the kind of service Linblad provided; it was very personal and specific to individuals. We chose to take part in every excursion. We were tired, but it was worth it. Something great happened every time, whether we were on land or in the water. One other thing I want to mention is the help with photography. The National Geographic photographer on board was very good (there is one on every trip). He helped me improve my abilities with just a few short conversations. Because of his help and the experience I had I am considering taking a trip with NatGeo / Linblad that is focused on photography! I highly recommend Linblad and National Geographic. It was a trip of a lifetime, and they played a large part in making it the trip of a lifetime! Read Less

Recommended by friends as the best trip to the Galapagos. Nary a complaint from me or my traveling companion - it was really fantastic. Ship was attractive and comfortable, naturalists were well informed and congenial, food was surprisingly delicious, and coordination of all our various activies on land and on water was well orchestrated throughout. I especially enjoyed all the "active" excursions including snorkeling, sea kayaking and hiking. Great to see all the animals at such close range and during the mating season for many of the species, like the blue footed boobies and the frigates. I found the trip to be very relaxing and a total getaway from the stresses of every day life. One suggestion would be to add some kind of structure, even a canvas awning, to a large area of the observation deck, especially where there are chaises. Often in the afternoon it was too hot to relax outside. Read Less

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When we arrived on the Endeavor II, we knew this trip was going to be something special. We were oriented to the week's activities and couldn't wait to get started. The naturalists were all excellent, not only in their knowledge of the specialness of the Galapagos, but in their enthusiasm and obvious love of what they were doing. The days' activities were diverse and every one special. The accommodations were more than adequate and the service impeccable. Carlos was a wonderful host in the dining room, We are still trying to figure out how he learned everyone's name almost immediately. One night my wife decided to pass on dinner, and Carlos wanted to give me food to bring to our cabin for her. We enjoyed the snorkeling and kayaking, as well as the amazing hikes. The trip into the highlands to see the giant tortoises was also fantastic. The nighttime activities and lectures were perfect for review and to heighten our expectations for the coming day. After completeing our Galapagos adventure, we headed to Lima to begin our Inca exploration. This, too, was amazing, even though it took a little while to get comfortable with the altitude. Machu Pichu is an amazing feat and we enjoyed discussing how this came to be with our knowledgeable guide. The hotels were beautiful and well located. Food was excellent. Again our guides were well informed and certainly proud of the country's Inca history. Organization was perfect and travel was easy. Admittedly after 2 weeks of intense travel we were exhausted when we returned home. However, we enjoyed everything. My one caveat, however, would be to make sure that people on these trips are really physically able to do the activities. Several times people fell or had difficulty making the hikes. Overall, we loved every minute of our Galapagos adventure and Peru and are already looking into our next expedition with Lindblad. Read Less

The service, food, and attention to detail was excellent! I would strongly recommend this trip for anyone looking to see and experience a place that is filled with beautiful landscapes, amazing wildlife, and 5 star food! The crew and naturalists were very friendly and went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. Every aspect of the trip was well planned and easy for our first trip out of the Country. We met some great people from all over the world and I as sure we will stay in touch over the years. The snorkeling was the highlight of the trip as we saw hammerhead sharks, giant sea turtles, penguins, sting rays, sharks, sea lions and thousands of beautiful fish. This was not a cheap trip but if you are looking for a first class experience all the way I highly recommend this trip. If you are looking to lay on a beach with a book then this is not the trip for you. They have you going every day and there are activities for everyone. Read Less

One of our goals was to go to the Galapagos Islands and this experiential trip did not disappoint. You'll find scenery and wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. We were pleasantly surprised with the friendliness of the crew. Many greeted us by name, even without our name badges on. The crew is quite talented which provided an additional layer of fun. They even made us a special cake for our honeymoon/anniversary complete with song and other festivities. We've been on other cruises, however, make no mistake, this is an expedition versus a traditional cruise. There are at multiple outings each day and you don't want to miss any of them. One of the other unique aspects to this particular expedition is every staff member on the ship was Ecuadorian. The Naturalists were locally trained experts who internalized the nuances of the area throughout their entire lives and were able to pass on that knowledge to us-the interlopers. We were so happy with this experience, our first with National Geographic, we plan on taking another adventure in the next year or so. One word of advice I'd give to serious photographers is you may want to stick with specific photo expeditions versus a general expedition. Read Less

My husband had been wanting to visit the Galapagos Islands, especially after my positive and wonderful experience 4 years earlier with Lindblad Expeditions, November 2013. We were not disappointed by any means. Each island is unique in the landscape, animals, birds and experience. Each of the naturalists were excellent offering massive amount of interesting, fun and informative detailed information of everything we sighted and experienced! The captain, officers and crew were always friendly with smiles and knew our names within in a day or two, as well as knowing each of our preferences for food, drinks and seating areas. The 2 or 3 fresh juices made daily were beyond delicious and served at each breakfast, in the lounge, library and every time we returned to the ship after an island outing. A couple of times after cool snorkeling exploring, hot chocolate was offered as well as Bailey's, if we liked. Every meal was yummy with wonderful tastes and flavors from the Ecuador area. I thoroughly enjoyed my second experience at the Galapagos Island! The voyage and guests lived up to all my past travel with Lindblad Expeditions, since 1999, as being informative, exciting, adventurous and wonderful. Thank you for the outstanding experience and all that you do and offer! Read Less

Wanted to do something very special for our 25 th wedding anniversary . Nature and evolution in front of your eyes, absolutely amazing. All guides were so knowledgeable, in many fields, Geology, Biology ,Ornothology, and more, all expeditions were very well organized , mostly by Zodiacs wet or dry landing. Even though I am somewhat handicapped, knee replacements, I managed it well. Every day was a new adventure, we met very many nice people and made new friends. Tour of City Coaquil was very interesting. Ecuador is a very interesting country. Enjoyed some of their dance and music. One day we had Ecuadorion food, very good. Impressed by their effort to help the environment. We had Coca Cola without corn syrup, tasted great. Also air service to the Galápagos was great. We flew Avianca to and from the Galápagos Surprised to see so many other airlines to service the islands. Weather their was always comfortable 70s temperature even on the equator . People who live there are very lucky. Read Less

Outstanding learning experience and opportunity to hike, swim & snorkel in a pristine natural environment in the company of fantastic naturalist/guides. The ship was beautifully appointed and service was excellent. Our expedition leader Emma Ridley was professional, well-organized and extremely personable. The zodiac drivers were amazingly skillful. I especially appreciated the emphasis on safety, and the care all guests received, from the senior citizens to the youngest children. And all the animals & birds lived up to expectations!!! Loved those Sally Lightfoot crabs! The meals were delicious, with local flavors and more than sufficient variety. I did the western itinerary and I would love to do the eastern itinerary. All transfers and connections were efficiently handled. Fine hotel in Guayaquil for first & last nights. Entertainment was not cruise ship style (comedians, magicians, musical revues) - instead we had lectures, slide shows, a "crossing the Equator" party, and some folkloric/traditional musicians and dancers. The lounge was equipped with multiple plasma screens which could be viewed from all seats. All transfer points & connections efficiently handled. System for assigning snorkel gear was very well organized - the plan was to keep the same items for personal use for the entire cruise. The total experience was fantastic, but the naturalist/guides stand out for their contribution to the excellence of the entire cruise. Read Less

I visited the Galapagos Islands in Oct. of 2012 and it was and awesome trip. I've always wanted to go back. This year, I decided to take my two adult daughters on a cruise. the stars aligned and the July -Aug cruise fell into place for all of us time wise. The girls had a fantastic, jaw-dropping time and said it was best vacation ever. We shared a cabin for 3, which tho lacking in enough storage drawers, was comfortable and sufficient for the little time we spent there. The food was amazing, lots of choices and specialty foods. One of my daughters is vegan and I eat gluten free. Every meal and snack time, there were dishes especially prepared for both of us. There were others with dietary requirements and all were personally taken care of. Service was A-One. Excursions were amazing and led by very experienced Naturalists. The atmosphere is casual..no dressy dinner clothes needed. The ports were an adventure every excursion with lots of wildlife..flora and fauna to see and experience, like snorkeling among sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, penguins and tropical fish. Read Less

I've always wanted to visit he Galapagos and I love Lindblad and their naturalists and expeditions. I have been on four total. Unfortunately this cruise was not up to the usual standards. So many children and families, I wish someone had told me - it was not a good group for a single or couple. I think they should have made more effort to separate adults from children. There were only two lecture, one very good by Socrates and the geology lecture which was poor. Two of the naturalist brought their younger child and that was a problem. She dominated her mother's time and it was just unprofessional. The guest lecture by the Darwin researcher was great, I wish she hadn't been smashed up against dinner. Food was blah and average although service was very nice. Better naturalists needed!! Drinks should be included - one reason I travel with Silverseas instead of Lindblad at times. All in all sub-par. Read Less