We’re just finishing up our trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We’ve been documenting the trip with daily posts and photos on Facebook, if you want to follow along, visit our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/
So Why Do You Want to Come Here?
The Galapagos is really not like anywhere else I’ve ever been, so here’s a few reasons you might want it on your Bucket List:
- The wildlife has not learned that humans are a threat. It’s like being at the zoo, but on the side of the fence with the animals. If you don’t get out of their way, they’ll step on your feet.
- One reason the land and sea creatures here have no fear of humans is that this place was uninhabited until the 1800s, and even now, there are very few human settlements, with 97% of the land area designated as a protected National Park.
- You like being outside. These trips are active and busy. You’ll be walking, snorkeling (or a glass-bottomed boat), sea kayaking, and taking zodiac boat rides. You DON’T have to be an Olympic athlete – we met an 82 year-old woman on this trip. You DO have to be curious about the natural world.
- Darwin’s Research. If you’re a student of biology or ecology, this destination is already on your list. Charles Darwin was here in 1835, and the research he conducted is still being discussed today.
- It’s not too far away, but very exotic. It’s only a 5 hour plane ride from Houston or Atlanta to get here, and Ecuador is in the same time zone as Atlanta (Galapagos is one hour earlier – or the same as Houston) – so jet lag is minimized.
Is this an Expedition Cruise?
- Yes… but “Expedition” is a misunderstood word, and not nearly as scary as it sounds.
- If you can walk for an hour on uneven surfaces, and get in and out of a bathtub unassisted, then you pass the fitness requirements.
- Glass-bottomed boats are available for those that don’t want to snorkel.
- The biggest ship here is small – 100 guests maximum. Many are as few as 16.
What’s the best cruise line for me to travel with to Galapagos Islands?
As always, this is highly dependent on the individual, so here’s a bit of cheat sheet:
- Hurtigruten – this is who we’re travelling with this week on Santa Cruz II. The ship holds 90 people, and it is a solid 4-star offering, with fantastic food, and comfortable cabins all of which have a picture window.
- SilverSea – If you’re looking for a 5-star luxury experience, look at the Silver Origin (100 guests). She’s brand new, all veranda suites, and has the service and amenities that SilverSea is famous for.
- Celebrity Flora (100 guests) – If you want something in between the first two options look at Flora. Keep in mind Celebrity has 3 ships in Galapagos, and Flora is unique both because she’s new, and because the other two ships are a lot smaller.
- National Geographic – has 2 ships in Galapagos. One holds 48, and the other 96.
- Intrepid, G-Adventures and Celebrity’s smaller 2 ships: These operators have between 16 and 50 guests. There is an advantage to being on a ship with only 16-guests, but keep in mind there will be fewer naturalists and experts on board.
If you want a day by idea of what the itineraries look like for Galapagos, click the link above to our FB page, and follow along. We’ll post more videos to our YouTube channel (subscribe if you’d like to be notified of when), and we’ve already posted a snorkelling video: https://www.youtube.com/thepamperedcruiser
Finally, a great thing about this type of cruise is that there’s a professional photographer on board to capture high quality images of the stuff you see (they give you those images, you don’t have to buy them like on the floating amusement parks). This takes the pressure off, and you can enjoy this unique place in the moment.
We are doubly lucky, because we’re also travelling with a professional photographer, and most of the images we’re posting on Facebook and YouTube belong to him. If you want to see more of Callum’s images from Galapagos: https://callumeastwoodphotography.com/galapagos
Today’s Travel Opportunities
I’ve put some Galapagos Islands travel options below, but in case that’s not on your radar, we’re seeing some layering up of offers on AMA Waterways that caught my eye:
AMA WATERWAYS:
The sailings below have a reduced fare, and we can also combine:
- Air for $899 (economy), $2299 (Premium), or $4299 (Business)
- $150 per person on board credit.
Paris & Normandy departing July 13 for 7-nights
- Visit Chateau Gillard (where Richard the Lionheart lived), Le Havre, Honfleur, Normandy Beaches, Caudebec en Caux, Rouen, Vernon (for Monet’s Gardens), and a day in Paris.
- Fares from $3499 ($1000 off).
Wine Cruise in Burgundy departing August 29 for 7-nights
- Visit Dijon, Seurre, Chalon sur Saone, Tournus, Macon, & Lyon. Experience the wine and gastronomic capital of France.
- Fares from $3599 ($1000 off).
Danube River Wine Cruise departing November 11 for 7-nights
- Visit Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Melk Abbey, scenic cruising in Strudengau Valley, Linz (for Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov), Passau, Vilshofen.
- Fares from $3199 ($1000 off).
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Here are some options if you’re feeling inspired by the information above. Keep in mind that Galapagos cruises often have add-ons for Machu Picchu, the Amazon Headwaters, and/or Quito. All of the cruises below are round-trip from Quito, and include the flight between there and the Galapagos (you will still need to get yourself to Quito).
HX (Hurtigruten)
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- $6539 for departures in November & December of 2024. Fare also available in Jan/Feb/Mar of 2025.
SilverSea’s Silver Origin
- Visit San Cristobal, Kicker Rock, Isla Bartolome, Santiago, Isabela, Punta, Espinoza, Tagus Cove, Elizabeth Bay, Floreana, Champion Islet, Punta Comorant, Santa Cruz.
- Depart February 1 or 8, 2025 from $12,900 for 7-days.
Celebrity Cruises
It’s the same company that runs the megaships but these Celebrity Cruises are vastly different:
- Celebrity Flora – 100 guests (brand new yacht)
- $7880 for 7-nights departing June 15, 2025.
- Celebrity Xpedition — 48 guests
- $5791 for 7-nights departing May 10, 2025
- Celebrity Xploration — 16 person catamaran
- $5407 for 7-nights departing June 28, 2025
DOMESTIC TRIPS with TAUCK
If you’d rather explore a tropic paradise closer to home… how about Hawaii?
4 Different Hawaiian Islands (with air connections between them) for 12-days
- Visit Oahu (for Waikiki and Pearl Harbor), the BIG Island (for Volacanoes NP), Kauai (for helicopter flight-seeing), and Maui (for beach, the scenery, and an authentic luau).
- Several departures January through April from $12,190
Music & Food tour from Nashville to New Orleans for 9-days
- Visit Nashville (for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry), Memphis (to see the Peabody Ducks, Elvis’ tailor, Graceland Manor, Sun Studios, and the Civil Rights Museum), the Blues Highway through Mississippi, and New Orleans (for Creole food, the WW2 museum, Bourbon Street, and the French Quarter).
- Several departures March through May 2025 from $6290
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line (or on board), that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
Have something to say about this?
Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedCruiser/posts/pfbid0Krfn8r5CsPu6iD5yocsA8etsnBfnUXUFPazrUyucSAKcsrHdfLKnSx2DwDbnuENwl
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
