Back from The Celebrity Flora's Galápagos Inner Loop: A Review

[maryogreen]

On 8/9/2022 at 2:10 AM, directionfinder said:

Hallo Mary, hallo Noucruzer,

 

thank you very much for this information! 

If it would not be so complicated getting there, I would be ready now to go again! 

30 hours to, but only 20 hours back! I have to work on this. 

 

 

 

@directionfinder You're very welcome! Please feel free to email me (info on my blog Contact page) or ask here if other questions arise. Best of luck with your plans 😊

[pantherkat]

On 6/5/2022 at 4:01 PM, maryogreen said:

A Little Background

When my husband and I first thought about dong a Galápagos cruise, we knew we didn't want to go on one of the small boats that carry 16-50 passengers. We felt there was too much risk of being the "odd-man-out" if a large family or group had chartered the boat and liked the idea of the 100-passenger Flora. We typically have sailed on Seabourn, Regent and the late Crystal and consistently had heard good things about Celebrity's Galápagos operations.

 

We also considered Silversea's Galápagos voyages – both Celebrity and Silversea have almost identical new ships – but we liked Celebrity's Quito pre-cruise city tour with a visit to the equator as well as the charter flights directly to and from the Galápagos, with no stops in Guayaquil. Plus, we really liked Celebrity's Inner Loop itinerary...so, Celebrity it was.

 

Then there was the issue of getting there. We live in San Diego, and traveling to the Galápagos isn't easy. Most flights start late at night and connect through one of three U.S. cities, with nonstops to Quito – Houston (United Airlines), Atlanta (Delta) and Miami (American) – with the connecting flight to Quito arriving late at night. We opted for a mid-morning flight from Los Angeles to Miami, with an overnight stay at the excellent EB Hotel a few minutes from the airport...followed by a mid-morning flight to Quito the next morning, with an early afternoon arrival. We booked the flights on our own, and Celebrity provided the transfers in Quito.

 

Travel and the Pandemic

Celebrity did a top-notch job with Covid protocols and handled all the necessary testing paperwork and arrangements seamlessly. A representative met us at the airport in Quito and arranged a van for the 45-minute drive to the JW Marriott Hotel. Each couple or group had its own van due to social distancing. We were tested twice for Covid – a PCR test after we arrived and an antigen test before flying to the Galápagos. We were required to wear KN95 masks during our stay in Quito, but did not have to wear any masks in the Galápagos. At the end of the cruise, based on U.S. regulations, we were tested again at the EB Hotel near the airport in Quito before flying home.

 

Quito City Tour

The city tour was on par in terms of quality and guide with any we have had on other cruise lines we've sailed. This tour offered a comprehensive look at Quito's "Histórico Centro" old town area and a fun visit to the equator as well as lovely places for lunch and dinner. Groups of about ten were assigned a guide and tour bus. We stayed together like a little Covid pod, sitting with our group at designated tables for lunch and dinner. This pandemic protocol was designed to keep us as safe as possible, but it turned out to be a great way to get to know people early on as well as a means to an end of not having to wear masks once we were on the ship.

 

The Celebrity Flora

What a beautiful ship! We were in cabin 526, a Sky Suite with Veranda – spacious, with more than enough storage, and a lovely bathroom with a separate sink and faucet with filtered water for filling our water bottles. It's a personal choice whether to opt for a veranda or an "Infinite Veranda" cabin that offers more room with a large window rather than actual outdoor space. From our experience, we loved having the veranda. Although this isn't a cruise where you spend a huge amount of time in your cabin, it was wonderful to sit outside, take photos and watch the Galápagos go by.

 

The Food

Meals were served in the Seaside Restaurant, with breakfast and lunch buffets and dinner table service. As part of Covid protocols, at the buffets the staff grabs plates and walks with you, dishing your choices. It was never a problem, with little-to-no wait. A limited special menu for lunch and dinner was also available at the outdoor Ocean Grill. We were hugely surprised by the quality, variety and taste of the Galápagos-based Ecuadorian cuisine. The wonderful chef was from Colombia and will soon be opening one of the specialty restaurants on Celebrity's newest ship. The service was terrific as well and equal to other ships we've sailed, with servers even learning our names and whether we preferred regular or carbonated water. Special kudos to the incredibly talented and personable Ukrainian server Natalia, who proudly boasts that she and her Ecuadorian husband, also a server, opened the Flora.

 

The Internet

This was the best and fastest Internet we have had on any cruise ship. And it was free. Outlets were available for both U.S. and European-pronged plugs. It is helpful to bring a multi-use adaptor with USB ports for charging phones, cameras and laptops.

 

The Expeditions

The main event on this itinerary is the fantastic wildlife and fascinating landscape of the Galápagos Islands. We couldn't have asked for a better experience here. Excursion briefings were held each evening before dinner in the Discovery Lounge, where we selected our expeditions for the following day. We were off the ship twice a day on morning and afternoon hikes or zodiac cruises that included options for beach snorkeling. An additional deep water snorkeling experience was also offered on several days.

The expedition team guides were certified naturalists by the Galápagos National Park Service. They did a terrific job leading the hikes and zodiac tours, explaining what we were seeing as well as identifying the various birds and animals. All were excellent, but we did have a few favorites including the ever-delightful Charly, whose enthusiasm was so effervescent that it seemed as if he was seeing the Galápagos for the first time!

Bottom Line

Our experience on the Celebrity Flora was outstanding in every way. We can't stress enough how well organized everything was and how friendly the staff was. From the moment we were met in Quito to the champagne welcome and greeting from captain Patricio and hotel director Vlado when we arrived on board, to the final night at the EB Hotel, our experience we equal to any cruise we have sailed.

We arrived home exhausted from this most active adventure and incredibly fulfilled!

 

 

Mary

Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

Fabulous review! Thank you for sharing this - didn’t think I could be more excited about this trip but now I am! 🙂

[maryogreen]

3 hours ago, pantherkat said:

Fabulous review! Thank you for sharing this - didn’t think I could be more excited about this trip but now I am! 🙂

@pantherkatI'm delighted to know that you enjoyed the review. Many thanks! You will have an unforgettable time in the Galápagos. Every day offers a different adventure! Wishing you safe and happy travels 🙂

[eddieg07410]

On 6/5/2022 at 4:01 PM, maryogreen said:

A Little Background

When my husband and I first thought about dong a Galápagos cruise, we knew we didn't want to go on one of the small boats that carry 16-50 passengers. We felt there was too much risk of being the "odd-man-out" if a large family or group had chartered the boat and liked the idea of the 100-passenger Flora. We typically have sailed on Seabourn, Regent and the late Crystal and consistently had heard good things about Celebrity's Galápagos operations.

 

We also considered Silversea's Galápagos voyages – both Celebrity and Silversea have almost identical new ships – but we liked Celebrity's Quito pre-cruise city tour with a visit to the equator as well as the charter flights directly to and from the Galápagos, with no stops in Guayaquil. Plus, we really liked Celebrity's Inner Loop itinerary...so, Celebrity it was.

 

Then there was the issue of getting there. We live in San Diego, and traveling to the Galápagos isn't easy. Most flights start late at night and connect through one of three U.S. cities, with nonstops to Quito – Houston (United Airlines), Atlanta (Delta) and Miami (American) – with the connecting flight to Quito arriving late at night. We opted for a mid-morning flight from Los Angeles to Miami, with an overnight stay at the excellent EB Hotel a few minutes from the airport...followed by a mid-morning flight to Quito the next morning, with an early afternoon arrival. We booked the flights on our own, and Celebrity provided the transfers in Quito.

 

Travel and the Pandemic

Celebrity did a top-notch job with Covid protocols and handled all the necessary testing paperwork and arrangements seamlessly. A representative met us at the airport in Quito and arranged a van for the 45-minute drive to the JW Marriott Hotel. Each couple or group had its own van due to social distancing. We were tested twice for Covid – a PCR test after we arrived and an antigen test before flying to the Galápagos. We were required to wear KN95 masks during our stay in Quito, but did not have to wear any masks in the Galápagos. At the end of the cruise, based on U.S. regulations, we were tested again at the EB Hotel near the airport in Quito before flying home.

 

Quito City Tour

The city tour was on par in terms of quality and guide with any we have had on other cruise lines we've sailed. This tour offered a comprehensive look at Quito's "Histórico Centro" old town area and a fun visit to the equator as well as lovely places for lunch and dinner. Groups of about ten were assigned a guide and tour bus. We stayed together like a little Covid pod, sitting with our group at designated tables for lunch and dinner. This pandemic protocol was designed to keep us as safe as possible, but it turned out to be a great way to get to know people early on as well as a means to an end of not having to wear masks once we were on the ship.

 

The Celebrity Flora

What a beautiful ship! We were in cabin 526, a Sky Suite with Veranda – spacious, with more than enough storage, and a lovely bathroom with a separate sink and faucet with filtered water for filling our water bottles. It's a personal choice whether to opt for a veranda or an "Infinite Veranda" cabin that offers more room with a large window rather than actual outdoor space. From our experience, we loved having the veranda. Although this isn't a cruise where you spend a huge amount of time in your cabin, it was wonderful to sit outside, take photos and watch the Galápagos go by.

 

The Food

Meals were served in the Seaside Restaurant, with breakfast and lunch buffets and dinner table service. As part of Covid protocols, at the buffets the staff grabs plates and walks with you, dishing your choices. It was never a problem, with little-to-no wait. A limited special menu for lunch and dinner was also available at the outdoor Ocean Grill. We were hugely surprised by the quality, variety and taste of the Galápagos-based Ecuadorian cuisine. The wonderful chef was from Colombia and will soon be opening one of the specialty restaurants on Celebrity's newest ship. The service was terrific as well and equal to other ships we've sailed, with servers even learning our names and whether we preferred regular or carbonated water. Special kudos to the incredibly talented and personable Ukrainian server Natalia, who proudly boasts that she and her Ecuadorian husband, also a server, opened the Flora.

 

The Internet

This was the best and fastest Internet we have had on any cruise ship. And it was free. Outlets were available for both U.S. and European-pronged plugs. It is helpful to bring a multi-use adaptor with USB ports for charging phones, cameras and laptops.

 

The Expeditions

The main event on this itinerary is the fantastic wildlife and fascinating landscape of the Galápagos Islands. We couldn't have asked for a better experience here. Excursion briefings were held each evening before dinner in the Discovery Lounge, where we selected our expeditions for the following day. We were off the ship twice a day on morning and afternoon hikes or zodiac cruises that included options for beach snorkeling. An additional deep water snorkeling experience was also offered on several days.

The expedition team guides were certified naturalists by the Galápagos National Park Service. They did a terrific job leading the hikes and zodiac tours, explaining what we were seeing as well as identifying the various birds and animals. All were excellent, but we did have a few favorites including the ever-delightful Charly, whose enthusiasm was so effervescent that it seemed as if he was seeing the Galápagos for the first time!

Bottom Line

Our experience on the Celebrity Flora was outstanding in every way. We can't stress enough how well organized everything was and how friendly the staff was. From the moment we were met in Quito to the champagne welcome and greeting from captain Patricio and hotel director Vlado when we arrived on board, to the final night at the EB Hotel, our experience we equal to any cruise we have sailed.

We arrived home exhausted from this most active adventure and incredibly fulfilled!

 

 

Mary

Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

What a wonderful and uplifting review of your trip. My wife and I just booked a trip on the Flora for December 2023. We are both over seventy with slight balance issues. We are able to walk without a cain but on unloved ground may require assistance. How was the crew and tour guides in providing this type of assistance? I understand the design of the zodiacs and the ship make it fairly easy to get on and off. Id that the case?

[maryogreen]

9 hours ago, eddieg07410 said:

What a wonderful and uplifting review of your trip. My wife and I just booked a trip on the Flora for December 2023. We are both over seventy with slight balance issues. We are able to walk without a cain but on unloved ground may require assistance. How was the crew and tour guides in providing this type of assistance? I understand the design of the zodiacs and the ship make it fairly easy to get on and off. Id that the case?

@eddieg07410Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm confident that you will be able to navigate the cruise quite well. The crew and naturalists were extremely helpful and tuned into everyone's needs. There is a meeting every evening before dinner when the cruise director goes over the following day's expedition options and discusses what to expect with the terrain and any issues with each choice. There typically was a zodiac-only option, and walking sticks were also available. You're correct about the design of the zodiacs. They are equipped with a small staircase – several steps with railings on both sides – which make getting on and off much easier than traditional zodiacs. On the last day's visit to see the giant tortoises, anyone with mobility issues or who needed assistance walked in their own group at a slower pace. I can't stress enough how helpful, kind and enthusiastic the naturalist guides were, and I would recommend letting them know any concerns you might have throughout the voyage. It's one of those "trips of a lifetime" that you will carry with you long after the trip is over. 🙂

[Sarah1974]

I have just found your review here and then followed the link to your amazing blog.  What a fabulous holiday and thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures

[maryogreen]

36 minutes ago, Sarah1974 said:

I have just found your review here and then followed the link to your amazing blog.  What a fabulous holiday and thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures

@Sarah1974Many thanks for your lovely comment! 

[eddieg07410]

5 hours ago, maryogreen said:

@eddieg07410Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm confident that you will be able to navigate the cruise quite well. The crew and naturalists were extremely helpful and tuned into everyone's needs. There is a meeting every evening before dinner when the cruise director goes over the following day's expedition options and discusses what to expect with the terrain and any issues with each choice. There typically was a zodiac-only option, and walking sticks were also available. You're correct about the design of the zodiacs. They are equipped with a small staircase – several steps with railings on both sides – which make getting on and off much easier than traditional zodiacs. On the last day's visit to see the giant tortoises, anyone with mobility issues or who needed assistance walked in their own group at a slower pace. I can't stress enough how helpful, kind and enthusiastic the naturalist guides were, and I would recommend letting them know any concerns you might have throughout the voyage. It's one of those "trips of a lifetime" that you will carry with you long after the trip is over. 🙂

Thanks again. By the way, you and I have the same last name.

[Ken the cruiser]

I realize it's been a little over a year since you went on your wonderful Galapagos cruise, but maybe you can share what you remember about the frequency of returning zodiac rides coming back to the ship after an excursion. 

 

Here's the issue. My DW has to eat dinner early for medical reasons, so we'll probably ask the Flora's maitre 'd if we can have Room Service deliver dinner to our cabin every night between 5:30 and 6 pm, as dinner doesn't officially start in the dining room until 7:30 pm. 

 

Here's the question: We would like to go on the afternoon walking excursions while passing on the optional swimming/snorkeling portion. Is it possible to get on a zodiac and head back to the ship early, or will we have to wait until everyone on the excursion to include those attending the optional events are ready to go back?

 

- OR -

 

Or are we over thinking this, and the zodiacs usually have everyone back onboard before 5:30 pm?

[maryogreen]

@Ken the cruiser You're not overthinking at all! I remember there were zodiacs going back-and-forth from the beaches to the ship at various times after the walks. Everyone in the group did their own exploring post-hike – some snorkeled, some spent time walking or sitting on the beach and some went directly back to the Flora.

 

On the excursions with no independent time – hiking to Darwin's Lake, mangroves cruise, Bartolomé Island hike – everyone stays together, but I don't think you'll have a problem with getting back to the Flora at your preferred time. If you have any concerns, just ask one of the naturalists before heading out. There is also a meeting with the naturalist team every evening before dinner when excursions for the following day are discussed and sign-ups are taken.

 

It has been over a year since we were there, but the images are as clear and memorable as if it were yesterday. It's a really special part of the world, and you're sure to have a fantastic time! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

 

Mary

The Modern Postcard

[Ken the cruiser]

1 minute ago, maryogreen said:

@Ken the cruiser You're not overthinking at all! I remember there were zodiacs going back-and-forth from the beaches to the ship at various times after the walks. Everyone in the group did their own exploring post-hike – some snorkeled, some spent time walking or sitting on the beach and some went directly back to the Flora.

 

On the excursions with no independent time – hiking to Darwin's Lake, mangroves cruise, Bartolomé Island hike – everyone stays together, but I don't think you'll have a problem with getting back to the Flora at your preferred time. If you have any concerns, just ask one of the naturalists before heading out. There is also a meeting with the naturalist team every evening before dinner when excursions for the following day are discussed and sign-ups are taken.

 

It has been over a year since we were there, but the images are as clear and memorable as if it were yesterday. It's a really special part of the world, and you're sure to have a fantastic time! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.

 

Mary

The Modern Postcard

Thanks Mary!! That is exactly what we were hoping to hear. We were on the Xpedition back in 2015 and we too have so many great memories from that cruise and are so looking forward to creating more on our upcoming December cruise on the Flora. Thanks again. You have definitely made my DW a much happier cruiser today!! 😊

[billc23]

6 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

 

 

- OR -

 

Or are we over thinking this, and the zodiacs usually have everyone back onboard before 5:30 pm?

Hi Ken,

We were on the Flora last week and we were always back onboard by 5:30 and usually earlier. We did the MP add on (16 days total) and it has been excellent!