National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions to host first fam trip for UK agents 

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has unveiled details of its first fam trip for UK travel agents.

The 10-day Showcase at Sea will include round trip flights, two nights in Quito and a seven-night expedition in the Galapagos Islands from November 28 to December 8 and will be hosted by UK head of sales Danielle Bates. 

Nine agencies will join the expedition cruise on National Geographic Endeavour II, including Panache Cruises, Mundy Cruising, Latin Routes, Iglu and Fred Olsen Travel. 

The group will have the chance to visit the co-brand entire Galapagos fleet ranging from 16 to 96 passenger capacity, which has doubled in size with the additions of National Geographic Delfina and National Geographic Gemini. 

While on the fam trip, agents will be offered the chance to go on excursions by kayak, paddleboard, glass-bottom boat and zodiac, plus walk among wildlife such as sea lions and marine iguanas, observe giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz, and snorkel with turtles and fish in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Bates said: “My first experience of a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions cruise was in the Galapagos Islands earlier this year and I can only describe it as one of the most meaningful and transformative travel experiences of my life.

"I truly believe we have a wonderful offering in this part of the world, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with some key individuals from the UK travel industry as part of my personal mission to establish us as the ‘go-to for Galápagos’ expedition provider.”