Galapagos 10 days - how does it work?

[bethtex]

On the 10 or 11 day cruise tours to Galapagos that include airfare and hotel, does X provide transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel back to airport?

 

are they doing the tours of Quito?  I heard some 10 day trips were cut down to 9 because they weren't doing the tours.

 

what hotel are they using now?  

 

We are on Xplorer in late January.  Any tips for getting the best out of our cruise, packing tips, etc are appreciated.

 

[HskrCrsr]

I suggest looking here and similar posts:

I think just about all you want to know is answered in those posts. But yes, the transfers from/to the airport are included. There is a great brochure that describes this and more here:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/company/brochures

 

 

[LGW59]

12 hours ago, bethtex said:

On the 10 or 11 day cruise tours to Galapagos that include airfare and hotel, does X provide transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel back to airport?

 

are they doing the tours of Quito?  I heard some 10 day trips were cut down to 9 because they weren't doing the tours.

 

what hotel are they using now?  

 

We are on Xplorer in late January.  Any tips for getting the best out of our cruise, packing tips, etc are appreciated.

 

Did you not inquire with Celebrity or your TA at time of booking?

[HskrCrsr]

It might also be worth noting that Celebrity can arrange the COVID test one needs to cruise:

 

Effective September 1, 2021, all guests two years of age and older, regardless of vaccination status, are required to present a negative PCR Test conducted within three days of boarding the flight to Galapagos. We encourage that all guests get tested prior to departure from home and provide their own accredited test results. For guests booked on one of our 10+ night package, Celebrity can provide the RT-PCR test in Quito if they are unable to get the test done prior to your departure or cannot meet the 72 hours requirement. Celebrity will also administer a complimentary antigen test at the hotel prior to the transfer to the airport for the flight to Galapagos (Package guest) or at the airport in Baltra (Non-package Guests).

 

Found here:

https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/celebrity-healthy-at-sea-protocols.pdf

[as3369]

We were on the 10 day Galapagos from Oct 29-Nov 8 on Celebrity Flora.  Basically, EVERYTHING is included other than airfare to get you to Quito.  Celebrity reps are at the airport and take care of luggage all the way to the room.  We stayed at the JW Marriott.  The 1st day is just relaxing at the hotel.  Day 2 is breakfast at the hotel, a city tour with a buffet lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.  Day 3 you depart the hotel at approx 1030 am and head on a 45 minute ride to the airport.  It is a scenic ride and you are able to appreciate the natural beauty carved out by years of volcano activity.  It is an approx 2 hour air ride to Baltra, where you are escorted by bus on a 5 minute ride to the dock for tenders.

 

Once aboard, you are fitted for snorkeling gear and wetsuits.  Other than embarkation day, you are offered different excursions twice daily.  

 

IT IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.

[NouCruzer]

6 hours ago, as3369 said:

We were on the 10 day Galapagos from Oct 29-Nov 8 on Celebrity Flora.  Basically, EVERYTHING is included other than airfare to get you to Quito. 

 

For our upcoming cruise, airfare was also included.  There is a $750 per person allowance to book flights through Celebrity's air service.  It's all inclusive.

 

[as3369]

5 hours ago, NouCruzer said:

 

For our upcoming cruise, airfare was also included.  There is a $750 per person allowance to book flights through Celebrity's air service.  It's all inclusive.

 

The RT airfare from Quito to Baltra was included in our package.  We had a GREAT rate and I can say that it was a trip of a lifetime.  The Flora crew and all of the naturalists were the best.  The one negative comment I would make is that the food is a little different. Alot of emphasis on Ecuadorian cuisine and since they are required to source the beef from the Galapagos,  the beef has a different taste than U.S.

[Lastdance]

If you are doing anything "outside" the window for your cruise, like arriving a day early etc., Celebrity will not pick you up from the airport any longer.  You may want to book a hotel near the airport if your flight is late, then take a taxi to Quito(JW Marriott.)

[dani negreanu]

2 hours ago, Lastdance said:

If you are doing anything "outside" the window for your cruise, like arriving a day early etc., Celebrity will not pick you up from the airport any longer.  

 

I cruised in 2012, and, due to the long flight from Israel to Quito, chose to arrive a day earlier.

 

Celebrity didn't even then pick up those arriving a day earlier, and JW Marriott were not willing to give a better rate for the earlier additional night....

[Roger88]

3 hours ago, Lastdance said:

If you are doing anything "outside" the window for your cruise, like arriving a day early etc., Celebrity will not pick you up from the airport any longer.  You may want to book a hotel near the airport if your flight is late, then take a taxi to Quito(JW Marriott.)

I have always traveled to the dock by myself and booked a hotel room near by. I prefer to enhoy a few days before the cruise to sort of get prepared for a sea journey. I woudnt rely on those services offered

[dani negreanu]

5 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

I have always traveled to the dock by myself and booked a hotel room near by.

 

Do you mean you've travelled independently to Baltra and joined the Galapagos cruise there?

[NouCruzer]

Let me clarify and add a few more details.  We were given a $750 allowance for booking flights with the X air service, but since we wanted to arrive in MIA a day early before the flight to Quito, the allowance  did not cover the initial home to Miami leg.  We independently booked a one way flight to MIA for this.  On the return,  our Quito to Miami and Miami to home flights were both covered with the allowance, since these were connecting flights and we will not spend an additional night in MIA.  Quito to Baltra round trip flights were included in the cruise fare as stated in previous posts.

[4774Papa]

We just booked the 10 day tour that included two days in Quito prior to the cruise on the Expedition, then one day at the end.   The trip was expensive, but there are some great prices compared to what a Galapagos cruise was before COVID.  Based on reviews, this is the trip of a lifetime.  Our tour starts 28 April.

[Lastdance]

17 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

We just booked the 10 day tour that included two days in Quito prior to the cruise on the Expedition, then one day at the end.   The trip was expensive, but there are some great prices compared to what a Galapagos cruise was before COVID.  Based on reviews, this is the trip of a lifetime.  Our tour starts 28 April.

I hope you have a wonderful time...we are in May for 11 days + 1 staying at the EB by the airport for the first night in a suite that is way cheaper than JW.  Our flight doesn't get in until 11:30 PM, so for $124, including breakfast, it was a deal!  Celebrity told  me there would not be an issue taking us to the hotel when we booked, but that all changed with Covid; it is what it is, so actually, this should work out better??? TBD.  My price for Marriott was $164, but not after traveling and getting in so late.  It is less than 50 for a taxi and it will be light.  The insurance is a killer, but the trip isn't cheap. Our previous trip was canceled, so this is #2 for our anniversary on Flora.

Edited December 23, 2021 by Lastdance