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Everything posted by sippican
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I aim struggling to find a highly rated private tour guide. I have used Tours by Locals in many locations worldwide, but their site has been nonfunctional for weeks.
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Silhouette repositioning August 16, 2025. Iceland to Boston. silhouette
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Strangely, today when I did a mock booking floor the same cruise I had called about, the promo was applied for one passenger!
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Just got told by a CVP to book someone as a second passenger that "will not show up". The e-quotes show the price for 1st/2nd passenger. The promo restriction says solo supplement 200%. Nothing states not applicable to solo pricing. Completely false advertising.
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Do you recall the rate?
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16 Day Galapagos and Peru - Tauck & SilverSea VS. Celebrity Flora
sippican replied to HiroPro's topic in Celebrity Cruises
What date is that? I know someone who may be interested. THX -
16 Day Galapagos and Peru - Tauck & SilverSea VS. Celebrity Flora
sippican replied to HiroPro's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Are you sure the Flora package has 10 days at sea?Their itineraries are usually 7 day sailings with a 2 or 3 day post/pre. I did do the X MP extension and it was excellent in every aspect. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Regarding the licenses. The National Park only issued a finite number of licenses to sail in the area. They have made it pretty clear they will not be issuing more. Celebrity had licenses to sail Xpedition, Xploration and Xperience (sold). They mistakenly believed they could simply transfer the Xpedition slots to Flora, and combine the Xploration and Xperience to Xpedition. They were denied then. sold the Xperience. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Wondering where you found that information? The Flora responded to help evacuate passengers, but I never read that she was allowed to tow the Xpedition. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
The number of people on the tours has nothing at all to do with Celebrity, the ship, or the zodiacs. It is strictly regulated by the Galapagos National Park regulations to minimize impact ecologically. It would remain the same no matter which company you sail with. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Where are people hearing that they can just sail with Lindblad as an option? When would they be done with their planned renovations? -
I've been twice. There is no best month, that's why it's a year round destination. That being said - North Seymour Island was our very favorite stop.
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Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
As I mentioned, I've been on Xpedition twice and loved the feel of the ship, especially since it went to lower capacity. Having had contact with those who have sailed on Flora comparing experiences compelled me to book Xpedition for our second trip. I really feel that Xpedition offered the same experience, with fewer people, at a better price. I am thrilled that. Lindblad is buying the ships. They are a cruise company the specializes in expedition-style cruising. In the future, I'll stick with using cruiselines that do their best in the destinations I am going to. (Antarctica and Galapagos for example). Although I've sailed a great deal with them, Celebrity's loyalty program is no longer an incentive to not look elsewhere. I just don't think expedition travel is Celebrity's niche. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
How exciting! I feel they are much more adept at keeping the expedition feel of a Galapagos Cruise. Have always felt they were a little out of their league here. -
Celebrity Xploration and Xpedition To Be No More
sippican replied to user32746's topic in Celebrity Cruises
So the real question is - did Celebrity sell the licenses too? Lindblad currently sails on the National Geograpihc ships. Those licenses are worth gold. I wouldn't hesitate to sail to the Galapagos with Lindblad on the Xpedition. Flora holds no attraction for me after being on Xpedition twice. Infinite verandas are a huge design mistake. -
Is the mini-bar set up standard, or can you request certain items?
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The tour was excellent. You can personalize the day as you like. Yea, they picked up at the terminal.
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I have an acquaintance who is very interested in cruising the Seine with our group next year. She is prone to seasickness and is hesitant to book fearing she'll be miserable, I've never heard of anyone feeling ill from motion on a river cruise, Although I've sailed on a river cruise and don't recall feeling any motion whatsoever, I'm a poor judge because I've ridden out some pretty rough ocean waters with no queasiness. Has anyone been affected by motion sickness on a river cruise?
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We've booked this tour. https://www.toursbylocals.com/koh-samui-thai-culture-big-buddha-local-restaurant-shore-excursion-suphot
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Sorry, no. We did Tokyo and Seoul on our own. Used a private guide on Jeju Island, and I don't recall the guide in Kobe. Just read the reviews for the guides/tours that are of interest to you. I've found them helpful, then correspond with the guide through the site.
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Check out the Tours By Locals website, We have used them extensively for shore excursions with great luck.
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Galapagos - are we going to be wowed by the Flora?
sippican replied to Ken the cruiser's topic in Celebrity Cruises
FWIW, I wanted to put my two cents in here. I have been to The Galapagos twice. Both times we sailed on the Xpedition. The first cruise it was at capacity, 100 passengers. The second time The Flora was sailing and the capacity on Xpedition had been reduced to 48 passengers. We loved the ship so much during the first cruise, that we decided to rebook. My clients have sailed Flora and absolutely loved it so I'm sure we would have also had we booked it. On Xpedition with lass than 50 passengers, it felt like a private yacht. We noticed no drop in the quality of the crew, guides or offered excursions (in fact, our wildlife viewing was better the 2nd trip). Having had two amazing trips, I'd only choose Flora if it was much a better deal than Xpedition. I'd also like to address the misconception that this trip is only for those in good physical shape. Sure, you might miss out on a few activities if you are not a strong swimmer or hiker, but they do offer something for everyone every day. They even did a private zodiac tour for a 90 year old passenger one day! I'm often asked when is the best time to go; which itinerary is the best, etc. The Galapagos are a year round destination. There is no best time. Each season has something different to offer. You'll see incredible things no matter which itinerary. We visited some of the same destinations both times, and they seemed completely new. I'm so glad we didn't put off this trip. And blessed we were able to go twice.