By: Jodi Bainter, Vice President, Domestic Leisure Sales, Disney Destinations
May 23, 2025
I recently had the incredible opportunity to set sail on a Galápagos Expedition Cruise with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions. This was my first trip since our recently expanded relationship, and I was so proud of the power of the two brands united. In honor of World Turtle Day, I am excited to take you through my travel journal including, you guessed it, seeing the world-famous giant Galápagos tortoise!
Our expedition was the 7-day Galápagos Escape aboard the National Geographic Islander II. One thing I noticed right away was how accessible this trip felt – guests do not have to be thrill-seekers or overly outdoorsy to do an expedition cruise. I admit that ahead of my vacation I was a little bit hesitant about the activity level – did I need to be an amateur athlete to take full advantage of all the Galápagos has to offer? As soon as our expedition began, though, I was put immediately at ease.
On day one, we boarded zodiacs (small inflatable vessels) and headed to board the Islander II. Our first afternoon we got to know the crew, familiarized ourselves with the ship, and were briefed on what we could expect for our trip. Everyone gathered at the marina to be fitted for our wet suit, snorkel and fins, which we would use throughout our cruise. We even headed to a nearby cove for our first snorkel to practice a wet landing – exiting the zodiacs in the water – and of course do some snorkeling. The time we spent learning the ropes on our first day made the rest of our trip seamless.
I can’t talk about my time in the Galápagos without mentioning the huge variety of wildlife we got to see every day. At our first port of call we were greeted with a colony of Galápagos sea lions. We also saw the Galápagos land iguana, Galápagos penguins and more. One of my favorite wildlife moments was our early morning hike along Great Darwin Bay in Genovesa Island. We had an incredible seabird experience, sighting species like great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, storm petrels and tropicbirds. And we topped off the trip on our final day with a land excursion to see the giant Galápagos tortoise!
In addition to the wildlife, there were countless stunning landscapes that looked straight out of a National Geographic magazine! We experienced the beauty of nature by both land and sea, including deep water snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and even stargazing.
And just when I thought this trip truly couldn’t get any better, the incredible crew, experiences and of course food and beverage aboard the National Geographic Islander II were outstanding from beginning to end. In addition to Captain Gonzalo and his crew, we also had onboard naturalist staff to answer questions and add in layers of detail throughout our entire trip. A naturalist joined us on every excursion from snorkeling to kayaking, making each moment even more memorable. The trip was by far, one of the most incredible vacations I have ever experienced.
The delicious food and beverage made our trip feel even more authentic and immersive, as much of it is sourced directly from local producers on nearby islands. And of course, the chefs ensured there was something for everyone!
After my incredible week exploring the Galápagos, I was truly sad to leave. My biggest takeaway and one I would encourage you to share with any of your clients is that this trip felt so ‘doable.’ Throughout my expedition we had several excursions, which were perfectly choreographed. Because everything was so well-planned, I never felt intimidated. I always felt within my abilities and safe. This truly allowed me to soak up the experience even more greatly than I ever anticipated. I have officially become and explorer and am looking forward to planning my next trip. I’m thinking Antarctica is next on the line-up!
Together, Lindblad and National Geographic bring to life a rich history of exploration and travel, and they do it in a way that gives consumers a once in a lifetime experience. For those who want an unforgettable vacation full of experiences you cannot get anywhere else, this trip is the one for them.
