National Geographic Delfina
Lindblad Expeditions ship guide
Page updated
About National Geographic Delfina
National Geographic Delfina is a Lindblad Expeditions cruise ship, in service since 2007. She measures 242 gross tons and carries 16 guests with a crew of 12. She sails Galápagos itineraries. We rate her 3.2 out of 5.
National Geographic Delfina is a 16-guest catamaran, the smallest ship in the Lindblad fleet, and she spends the whole year in the Galápagos. Botto Astilleros y Marina completed her in Guayaquil in 2007; she sailed as Athala II for Ocean Adventures and, from 2017, as Celebrity Xploration before Lindblad bought her, renovated her and named her after Sven-Olof Lindblad's youngest daughter. Each of her eight staterooms has either a private balcony or a door straight onto the outer deck, and she has an observation deck with a hot tub, an outdoor café, and a dining room, bar and lounge. Her first Lindblad voyage sailed on 14 February 2025, on 10-day island itineraries that can be combined with Machu Picchu and Peru.
Ship facts
- Guests
- 16
- Crew 12 · 1:1.3
- Entered service
- 2007
- Refitted 2025
- Length
- 30 m
- Shorter than 100% of 575 ships
- Decks
- 3
National Geographic Delfina is smaller than 100% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 100%. At 15.1 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 100% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
Ratings
- Cabins
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Dining
- 4/5, fleet average 4.0
- Entertainment
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
- Service
- 5/5, fleet average 5.0
- Pools & decks
- 1/5−1.1, fleet average 2.1
- Value
- 3/5, fleet average 3.0
Editorial scores, 1 to 5 per metric; the overall is their average, not an average of reader reviews. Ticks mark the Lindblad Expeditions fleet average across 12 rated ships in service.
More from Lindblad Expeditions
The ships in the fleet closest to her in size.
3.2 ★National Geographic Quest2017 · 2,920 GT · 100 guests · Alaska · Mexican RivieraNational Geographic Quest was the first ship Lindblad ordered new, built with her sister National Geographic Venture by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders at Freeland on Whidbey…
3.5 ★National Geographic Gemini2001 · 2,937 GT · 48 guests · GalápagosNational Geographic Gemini is a 48-guest expedition ship that works the Galápagos all year. Cassens Werft in Emden, Germany, built her in 2001 as Sun Bay, and she became…Official deck plans
Where she sails
Quick answers
Which cruise line operates National Geographic Delfina?
National Geographic Delfina is operated by Lindblad Expeditions.
How big is National Geographic Delfina?
National Geographic Delfina measures 242 gross tons and 30 metres in length, with 3 decks.
How does National Geographic Delfina compare in size with other cruise ships?
National Geographic Delfina is smaller than 100% of the 418 cruise ships in service on Cruises Frog with a tonnage on record, and carries fewer guests than 100%. At 15.1 gross tons per guest she is tighter than 100% of 416; the median ship is 39.4.
How crowded does National Geographic Delfina feel?
National Geographic Delfina has a passenger space ratio of 15.1: 242 gross tons for 16 guests. Ratios over 50 feel spacious and under 30 busy, so National Geographic Delfina feels busy for her size.
How many passengers does National Geographic Delfina carry?
National Geographic Delfina carries 16 guests at double occupancy, with a crew of 12 (about 1.3 guests per crew member).
When did National Geographic Delfina enter service?
National Geographic Delfina entered service in 2007 and was last refurbished in 2025.
Where does National Geographic Delfina sail?
National Geographic Delfina sails Galápagos itineraries.
Where can I find the deck plans for National Geographic Delfina?
Lindblad Expeditions publishes the deck plans for National Geographic Delfina; this page links to Deck plans and Deck plans (PDF).
How is National Geographic Delfina rated?
Cruises Frog rates National Geographic Delfina 3.2 out of 5 overall, the average of 6 editorial scores. She scores best on service (5/5) and lowest on pools & decks (1/5).
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
Related news about National Geographic Delfina
- Traveling solo with Lindblad Expeditions: solo cabins, roommate matching and open seating
Lindblad has solo cabins on every ship, a roommate-matching option, and open-seating dining where nobody eats alone unless they want to. How to book it.
Cruise lines