Galapagos Island Cruises

Hi All,

What are some of the cruise lines that sail the Galapagos?

I know that Celebrity does. Do they ever have sales on these cruises?

Thanks!

Celebrity Xpedition is very popular and tends to book far in advance. You can read a lot about that itinerary on the Xpedition monster thread, which is very helpful in general. National Geographic/Lindblad have two ships that do the G, and there are a handful of CCers here who have done those trips. Then there are many small local charter yachts available too. There is more information available on those through Trip Advisor, I think. You might try a search on Galapagos on the South America thread, too.

We're doing the Lindblad trip in March and we can't wait.

Check out http://www.ecoventura.com they have 3 yachts that each hold 20 passengers, and 2 naturalists per yacht. Plus they seem to be able to be very accommodating. We are requesting some special food due to dietary needs and they told us no problem. Also there is time for snorkeling, scuba and kyacking if you like. We are booked for a June cruise.

International Expeditions has done GI tours for probably 20 years and they are just excellent. We are planning on August 12 or Sept. 30 tour. We have done Amazon River w Machu Pichu extension and a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar extension through this company and both were way past excellent. The MV Evolution looks like a wonderful ship. 32 people, 2 naturalist and 16 crew. BBB rating of A+. Don't get turned off by the rather quiet and low key Galapalos Island specialist who was a man of very limited words when we called IE.:p

Here is an absolutely excellent list of about 95% of the boats operating in the Galapagos. http://www.galapagosislands.com/galapagos-cruise.html

I know nothing about the agency and am NOT recommending them because I know nothing about them. BUT you can generally book directly with the boat itself and have additional savings. Very often there are some spectacular savings-like 50% off during certain sailings.

IF you can handle making your own air reservations from XXX to Guayaquil, Ecuador, there are generally savings there too. Guayaquil is generally one of the cheaper cities in South America to fly into from the USA. And there are only two airlines that fly into the Galapagos (one to one airport, one to the other). All the boat operators can help you with those tickets.

I booked my brother and his friends on the Dancer boats, as they are specifically set up for diving. And my friends and I chose a sail boat (which no longer operates in the Galapagos-they moved to Fiji).

Of course, you can pick Expedition. For me, just too big, too many people and not enough "private" time in places. Lots of people make LOTS of noise. Expedition also only travels the "main" route. The smaller ships (under 60 people) are allowed to go to some of the other islands, where there are restrictions about how many people can be off the ship at the same time. Enjoy.

Check out www.ecoventura.com they have 3 yachts that each hold 20 passengers, and 2 naturalists per yacht. Plus they seem to be able to be very accommodating. We are requesting some special food due to dietary needs and they told us no problem. Also there is time for snorkeling, scuba and kyacking if you like. We are booked for a June cruise.

We were on the Letty and loved it! They go to Genovesa Island where larger boats are not allowed - only place for red footed boobies. The ship is small and does get rough at times!

Pointer to our experiences in my signature!

Some tour companies ( e.g. Globus) use this ship. Takes about 100 passengers (well, 53 "suites"), and is mid-way between the Xpedition that takes 300 people, and small yachts that take 20 or so but might toss and turn if it gets rough. They offer 8 day and 5 day cruises. Ecuadorean crew.

Does anyone have any information about it? Good or bad?

The Xpedition takes under 100 people. We're getting ready to sail next week.

The National Park Service (Ecuador) limits how many people can be on an island at a time. It is strictly regulated and I do believe that the largest boat is 98 people (Lindblat/National Geographic and Celebrity). Next size range seems to be 32 to 48 (M/V Evolution for example) and then there are yachts with 8-16. Where you can go and where you can land are regulated by NPS and size of ship is a factor. Also have to have guides that are liscensed by the government -- think that Level 3 is the highest.

Other factors to consider: the flight over to starting point from main land -- limited number of seats. Make sure that you can get to the "go" dock. One tourist site said to get your flights from the ship (if your starting point is in GI). Who pays the $100 park fee (included or extra)? Diving or snorkeling boats -- what is included.

Just doing my research now. Share what you find out:D

Check out Ecoventura. Dileep used them as well. They have a dive boat but there other 3 yachts also allow time for snorkel and diving.

check out http://www.ecoventura.com

We used GAP for our trip to the Galapagos. Definitely budget as far as the boat goes (16 pax) but excellent guide.

If you are interested in reading about our trip, click the Galapagos link on the right sidebar of my blog.

3 friends and I were on the Flamingo I, an Ecoventura yacht, in May-June/2010. Absolutely topnotch! Small numbers=very personalized service. I think we had 16 travellers onboard. As a scientist, that was important to me. The naturalists were excellent. We booked through Adventure Life, because we were combining it with Peru [Amazon and Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley]. Adventure Life provided excellent tour planning and customer service!

Would those of you who sailed this year report back?

Thanks.

Just getting ready to go next month. I am excited and I think that this will be an amazing trip. I will try to report back in early Sept.

I just returned from the Galapagos last week. After doing A LOT of research on the different boats, I decided to go with Ecoventura that is always recommended here and on Trip Advisor. They have 3 identical 20 passenger yachts -- Letty, Eric, and Flamingo. In a place like the Galapagos, it's much better to have a small group when you hike on the islands, and it's also true that the 16 - 20 passenger boats visit many of the islands that the larger boats can't. The Galapagos is a unique, once in a lifetime experience, and I felt it was so much better to have a more individualized tour. These boats have a 7 day itinerary that visits all the "best" islands recommended for their wildlife. None of the other boats I researched could match it. I'll be happy to answer any questions about my trip to this amazing place.

Leaving Tuesday for Miami then to Galapagos Islands. How cold was the water for snorkeling? Limit of 44 pounds of luggage -- what to take and what to leave at home:p Packing tomorrow! How about drying out shoes and clothes?

Tell me the best things! I am so excited about the trip. TIA Barbara

hi. I know the forum I'm referring u 2 is specifically Celebrity X, but it has a thread (1st one on top) that is from those Galapagos travellers who have just returned and they speak mostly of the islands, marine life, water, weight, hazards, etc. It is excellent and someone is on daily. Water temp, packing etc have been dealt with recently. "Try it, you'll like it": ) Celebrity Expedition Roll Call, 'Anyone just back from Islands'. I know you'll find ur answers there and quickly. Have a great trip!!

Leaving Tuesday for Miami then to Galapagos Islands. How cold was the water for snorkeling? Limit of 44 pounds of luggage -- what to take and what to leave at home:p Packing tomorrow! How about drying out shoes and clothes?

Tell me the best things! I am so excited about the trip. TIA Barbara

Leaving Tuesday for Miami then to Galapagos Islands. How cold was the water for snorkeling? Limit of 44 pounds of luggage -- what to take and what to leave at home:p Packing tomorrow! How about drying out shoes and clothes?

Tell me the best things! I am so excited about the trip. TIA Barbara

Hi Barbara, I live near you in Laurel. You will have a fabulous time. I just returned last week. I didn't snorkle, but my adult daughter did. The water was cold and the boat provided wetsuits. Since there was the 44 pound weight limit, I packed light for this trip. Even though we were gone 2 weeks, I made do with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. For shoes I brought a pair of New Balance hiking shoes (not boots) for the dry landings and closed-toe water sandles (like Keen) from LL Bean for the wet landings. Be sure to also bring a hat and a light waterproof jacket. Also, I never ever get seasick on cruise ships, but on the smaller boats you will definitely need some medication. I brought Bonine which worked fine for my daughter, but for myself I ended up using a patch that another passenger was kind enough to give me. The "best things" are the incredible scenery and wildlife -- like no place else on earth! The following blog that I found on Trip Advisor is fantastic and was invaluable in helping me prepare for my trip -- do check it out since it will probably answer ALL of your questions! http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/

Thanks I have read the tome of tips and it was indeed helpful. I am thinking about the patch. I have not ever been one to be bothered by motion sickness but the malaria medicine on the Amazon River made me so crasy would not have known if the small boat bothered me or not:p

We are carrying our wet suits because I was afraid of not fitting into the suits on board being a little on the wide side of life. I am exactly at 40.6 pounds for my luggage right now. We bought new ultra light Delsey rolling duffel bags. At 6 pounds for the bag they carry alot. We are doing 5 days before the ship and 3 after so packing for 14 days since I have not been assured of a laundry availability. If I wash in Miami only 2 days of stuff -- hardly worth it unless I mess something up. In Ecuador don't know but maybe the afternoon of the 4th day at the hotel.

What ship did you go on and what organization did you book through?

Ok when I reread the post you went with ecoventure. We chose International Expeditions (they are in Alabama) because we had done the Amazon River cruise and an African Safari with them. Hopefully all the cruises are fairly consistent because of the regulations of Galapagos National Park. I was reading on the Celebrity Expeditions roll call and apparently the trip last week was very badly marred by one large family of 25 with 14 kids on board who were wilder than the critters they went to see. Teens captured a lizard and "adopted it" on board. Fairly horrifying the other passengers. Small boats can be so great when everyone gets along but one "nasty" and you can't get away from them!:eek: I think we will have 23 guests on the MV Evolution.

That's unbelievable that someone was able to bring wildlife onboard the ship. I don't even see how that could happen. The guides are supposed to monitor and control their group. We had 2 of the best guides in the business on our boat. I was told it was because a large group of our passengers were on a trip organized by the Phoenix Zoo, including the zoo CEO, so they had requested expert guides. On the few occasions when we were near another group and were able to overhear their guides, the difference was amazing. I know what you mean about annoying people in small groups. Each of our excursions had 2 groups of 10 passengers with a guide so if there was someone whose company you didn't prefer, you could just make sure they were in the other group. Usually each group went on a trail in a different direction or one group left a little before the other. We were fortunate, though, that everyone was pleasant and got along well.

I've been going through all of my hundreds of photos, and I want to go back! You will have the trip of a lifetime -- Enjoy!!!

A little late on a response but wanted to provide input. I sailed the Celebrity Xpedition in April 2011 and it was one of the best cruise experiences I have had. I suppose everyone has a different perspective on a large crowd, but sailing with 98 people was not a large crowd for us. It was very intimate. The guides were good with taking our groups of 16 people to different starting points on each island so we were separated on land. One advantage with Celebrity is the all-inclusiveness of it. No need to pay for mixed drinks, wine, beer, soda, tips, etc. That made it much more relaxing for everyone. The only extra thing I paid for was a massage.

I also prefer the "larger" ships for more stability. The small boats just don't do it for me with stability or luxury.

I would sail with Celebrity again. However if I go again I may consider a ship like the MV Eclipse (48 passengers) so I can try an itinerary that goes to some different islands. All of the islands that Celebrity visited were great. A second visit would be better trying some other islands.

We went with Metropolitan Touring in 2005, and booked directly with them out of their Ecuador office. They own several ships, and we went on the Santa Cruz with about 80 passengers.

It is still our number 1 favorite vacation & cruise ever, and we have been to all 7 continents.

We would travel with them again.