Lindblad Expeditions vs Metropolitan Touring: which is better for the Galápagos?

No score and no verdict of ours: what Lindblad Expeditions and Metropolitan Touring each publish on their own websites, read 9 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.

Lindblad Expeditions vs Metropolitan Touring: which is better for the Galápagos?

Neither is better for everyone: Lindblad Expeditions sells Galápagos voyages among others worldwide and says its staff-to-guest ratio is no more than 1-to-16, while Metropolitan Touring sells only the Galápagos at sea, on three ships it says it owns, with one naturalist for every 12 guests on average.

What is each line?

Lindblad Expeditions sells and runs National Geographic-Lindblad expedition cruises under licence from National Geographic Partners, on ships it owns and on ships it operates on long-term charter; Sven Lindblad founded it in 1979. Source

Metropolitan Touring sells Galapagos cruises on vessels it says it owns and operates, plus land and hotel trips in Ecuador and Peru. Source

Which ships does each line sail?

Lindblad Expeditions says it owns twelve National Geographic ships: Explorer, Orion, Endeavour II, Islander II, Gemini, Delfina, Sea Bird, Sea Lion, Venture, Quest, Resolution and Endurance. It also sails ships it operates on long-term charter, among them Greg Mortimer, Delfin II, Delfin III, Connect, Evolve, Sea Cloud II and Aqua Blu. Greg Mortimer is also sailed by Aurora Expeditions under its own name. Source

Metropolitan Touring says it owns and operates Yacht La Pinta, Yacht Isabela II and Santa Cruz II, plus the Sea Lion day-tour yacht. La Pinta is also listed among UnCruise Adventures' ships. Source

How many guests are on board?

Lindblad Expeditions carries 100 guests on National Geographic Venture; the chartered Connect takes 120 and the chartered riverboat Delfin III 42. Source

Metropolitan Touring carries 48 guests on Yacht La Pinta (24 cabins), 40 on Yacht Isabela II (20 cabins) and 90 on Santa Cruz II (50 cabins); the Sea Lion day yacht takes up to 20. Source

Where does each line sail?

Lindblad Expeditions sells named voyages to Antarctica and Patagonia, Antarctica by air across the Drake Passage, the Galápagos, Svalbard and the Norwegian fjords, Fiji and Tahiti and the Greek Isles; its terms also name Greenland, Iceland, Northwest Passage and South Georgia voyages; it says it sails on all seven continents. Source

Metropolitan Touring sells named voyages only in the Galapagos Islands: 5, 7 and 9-day cruises from Baltra such as Origin of Species on Yacht La Pinta and Islands of Fire on Yacht Isabela II; its Ecuador and Peru trips are land and hotel packages. Source

What ice class are the ships?

Lindblad Expeditions says National Geographic Endurance is of the highest ice class (PC5 Category A); it calls National Geographic Resolution her sister ship without giving that ship's class. Source

Metropolitan Touring does not publish this on the pages read.

Who leads the landings?

Lindblad Expeditions says its staff-to-guest ratio is no more than 1-to-16; the team includes naturalists, undersea specialists, certified photo instructors and historians; a National Geographic photographer sails on every Endurance, Resolution, Explorer and Orion departure. Source

Metropolitan Touring's cruises each carry one Expedition Leader and on average one Naturalist Guide for every 12 guests, all certified by the Galapagos National Park, with a Medical Officer on board. Source

How much time ashore?

Metropolitan Touring keeps excursion groups below the National Park maximum of 16 guests per guide and offers a choice of activities at each site at the same time; it does not say how many guests go ashore at once. Source

Lindblad Expeditions does not publish this on the pages read.

What can you do off the ship?

Lindblad Expeditions includes kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling equipment, wetsuits, cross-country skis and snowshoes where the voyage uses them; scuba diving costs extra. Source

Metropolitan Touring includes hiking, kayaking, snorkelling, paddleboarding, panga rides and glass-bottom boat rides, with gear supplied; says only dedicated live-aboard dive ships may offer diving in the Galapagos. Source

What does a voyage cost?

Metropolitan Touring prices the 9-day Origin of Species cruise on Yacht La Pinta from USD 12,250 per guest for 2027; it names no cabin grade or fixed date. Source

Lindblad Expeditions does not publish a dated price on the pages read.

What does the fare include?

Lindblad Expeditions' fares include meals, excursions, expedition staff, park fees and port taxes, plus alcoholic drinks, crew gratuities and basic Wi-Fi on listed ships; airfare is extra unless stated (it books flights for a $50 per-person fee), as are travel protection, spa, laundry and scuba diving. Source

Metropolitan Touring's cruise fares include shared transfers, all meals, island expeditions with park-certified naturalist guides, a 24/7 medical officer, Starlink Wi-Fi, non-alcoholic drinks on board, snorkelling gear, wetsuits, kayaks and paddleboards; international airfare, the Galapagos National Park fee (USD 200), the INGALA migration card (USD 20), alcoholic drinks, gratuities and fuel surcharges are extra. Source

What do solo travellers pay?

Lindblad Expeditions offers solo cabins on all expeditions, limited on some ships; solo guests willing to share pay the double-occupancy rate even if no roommate is found, on certain ships and categories; solo premiums start from 25% above current fares on a rotating selection of voyages or are waived on select departures. Source

Metropolitan Touring offers a Standard Cabin on Yacht Isabela II that it calls the solo traveller's cabin with no single supplement, plus two Voyager Cabins for solo travellers on Santa Cruz II; it states no single rule for La Pinta. Source

How much is the deposit?

Lindblad Expeditions takes an advance payment of 15% of the cabin fare at reservation; final payment is due 120 days before departure. Source

Metropolitan Touring does not publish this on the pages read.

What happens if you cancel?

Lindblad Expeditions charges no penalty 120 days or more before departure but keeps the advance payment as a Lindblad Travel Certificate valid 12 months; it charges 50% of trip cost from 119 to 90 days and 100% from 89 days; longer voyages, holiday departures and promotional bookings may differ. Source

Metropolitan Touring does not publish this on the pages read.

Is your money protected?

Lindblad Expeditions says it gives a full refund to the original form of payment under the US Federal Maritime Commission passenger vessel financial responsibility rule (46 C.F.R. Part 540); it is registered California Seller of Travel #2151120 and Washington Seller of Travel #601134845 001 0001. Source

Metropolitan Touring does not publish this on the pages read.

What insurance do you need?

Lindblad Expeditions recommends but does not require travel protection; its optional plan for US residents covers emergency evacuation and repatriation up to $100,000 and accident and sickness medical expense up to $50,000. Source

Metropolitan Touring strongly recommends medical cover plus trip cancellation insurance but does not state it as required or name an evacuation minimum. Source

Can children come?

Lindblad Expeditions takes children from 6 months on most voyages and from 4 years on Antarctica, Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard voyages; some chartered ships set their own age (7 on Delfin II and Delfin III); its National Geographic Explorers-in-Training programme runs on select voyages. Source

Metropolitan Touring takes children on its 7-day Galapagos Islands Family Expedition Cruise and offers family and interconnecting cabins; says children under 6 need special permission from their parents or guardians to board a Galapagos cruise and that age restrictions apply on some vessels. Source

When is each not the fit?

The limits below are published by each line on their own websites.

• Lindblad Expeditions: not the fit if you want cash back for an early cancellation: cancelling 120 days or more ahead credits your advance payment to a future expedition rather than refunding it. Source
• Metropolitan Touring: not the fit if you have serious mobility issues: it says Galapagos visitor sites have rugged terrain with no access ramps. Source

How do their reviews compare?

Their figures per platform, read 9 November 2026, each from a listing under the line's own name; a whole-company profile is marked. Figures are never added together.

• Lindblad Expeditions: Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 84 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.2 out of 5 from 6 reviews, newest 4 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.
• Metropolitan Touring: Google (whole company): 4.5 out of 5 from 550 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 4.9 out of 5 from 254 reviews, newest 8 November 2026. Read 9 November 2026.

The lines at a glance

One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel expedition page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.

Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 9 November 2026 · updated 9 November 2026