Lindblad Expedition’s newest addition, the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour ll, will make its maiden voyage on Saturday, December 3, 2016. That is one month ahead of schedule, according to the company.

The first voyage will be the 17-Day Epic Galapagos Photography Expedition.

Before sailing to the Galapagos, the National Geographic Endeavour ll was celebrated in Guayaquil with a traditional Ecuadorian religious blessing. Sven Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, hosted the celebration and onboard festivities.

“A ship is a ship. It is a piece of hardware, it does its job, and it is an important one. But it is not nearly as important as the people who run the ship, who provide the experience for the guests,” Lindblad stated in his toast.