Our beautiful ship! |
Excited to board! And one of my colleagues can confirm that these do inflate when dropped in the water. (Oops!) |
Here are the features that make Lindblad Expeditions a great choice for families, including multi-generational groups:
Embarrassed to admit I spent a good hour hunting for my reading glasses. |
First snorkel of the trip for me and my buddies! |
Onboard amenities – Being one of the largest ships in the islands, the Nat Geo Endeavour II offered lots of common areas for people to spread out including:
I will confess this is the only time I was in this room. |
– A spacious top deck equipped with tables, umbrellas, and chairs, chaise lounges, and couches. It was perfect for sunbathing, socializing, and a “pirate” cocktail party held at sunset while crossing the equator. It was a fantastic location for early morning yoga classes, too.
They daily loading and unloading of equipment can be fascinating for kids to watch. |
A typical afternoon before dinner. |
My reading nook |
Family-friendly cabins – There was plenty of room for storing belongings, including ample space under the bed for empty suitcases. Connecting cabins are available on all decks, plus there are larger suites that sleep three. All beds can push together to form a queen or split apart into two singles.
The floor stayed this clear the entire trip! |
Book this suite if you want more elbow room in the bathroom |
Activities for everyone – The broad variety of activities ensured everyone could find something to do, no matter their age or fitness level. There were usually two hiking options of varying length and difficulty. Water sports included kayaking, paddle boarding, and of course snorkeling, sometimes twice a day. Zodiac and glass bottom boat rides were available for anyone who wasn’t comfortable being in the water.
Yes, you could get this close, and sometimes closer. |
Zodiac boats rides are fun for all ages! |
And of course,
The children’s program – Already regarded as one of the best in the industry, it was re-introduced this year as the National Geographic Global Explorers program. Kids received an expedition guide, had daily challenges, and participated in photography and video workshops. (Even parents wanted to sit in on these!) There were other onboard activities led by the staff, culminating in zodiac driving lessons.
Hot off the presses! |
Nobody seemed to mind this homework |
Learning how the islands formed |
Though it is the largest boat allowed in the Galapagos (96 passengers) it didn’t feel too crowded, and we became one big happy family. We got to know other passengers by name, and the kids had soon started reserving their own table in the dining room. At the farewell party, we hugged and thanked our guides as we laughed over shared memories.
Javier, one of our fantastic guides. |
Selfies with giant tortoises are a must! |
For more information about travel to the Galapagos, send an email to suzette@family-treks.com.
This youngster agrees, the Galapagos is great for families! |