Sunday, March 31, 2024

Galapagos cruise guide: Itineraries, planning tips and things to do

best galapagos cruise

If you have enjoyed the services provided by your guide and crew, a tip will be very much appreciated. As a guideline US$10-15 per passenger, per day, is standard for the crew, with US$7-10 per day for your guide. Tips can be left in envelopes in your cabin on the last day of your journey. We’ve taken care of the details so you can focus on spotting wildlife. All our cruises include all meals onboard, tea and coffee, water, beach towels and snorkeling equipment.

Island exploration with Adventures by Disney on Galapagos Legend

Our destination specialists have compiled the definitive Galápagos Islands travel guide to help you plan your cruise. Find out when and where to go, what to see and do, where to eat and sleep, and more below. There are generally two types of vessels in the Galapagos – yachts (monohull) and catamarans (multihull). With the introduction of the Camila in 2019, the Galapagos now also got its first and only triple hull trimaran. When it comes to sailing, the biggest difference between a catamaran and a conventional yacht is the lack of heeling which makes a catamaran much more stable in rough seas. Cruising catamarans and trimarans do simply not heel over like a monohull when underway and tend to be the better choice for people prone to seasickness.

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best galapagos cruise

The Silver Origin sails the north, central, and western loops of the Galapagos Islands. There are over 70 tourist cruise vessels working in the Galapagos Islands, ranging from intimate classic sailing yachts to larger expedition vessels for more than 100 passengers. Budget-class ships offer the basic comforts and are ideal for those who want to get the best from the Galapagos Islands while being conscious of affordability. Mid-range ships are a popular choice, offering a compromise between price and facilities. First-class Galapagos cruises feature sizeable rooms, great decor, and wonderful food.

Experienced Guides

In the Galapagos that means a chance to visit the locals in a small community on Floreana, some descended from eccentric German settlers who tried to set up a utopian society on the island in the 1930s. The ships vary depending on the length of time you’re looking to spend on the islands, but the Eden and Reina Silvia Voyager, each carrying 16 passengers, are two of their most frequently used. Consider your special interests to hone in further on your many choices, from luxury escapes to bringing the whole family. Or better yet, our experts are just a phone call or email away. Contact us to receive a personalized recommendation on Galapagos Island cruises to best fit your travel style, budget and timing needs. We specialize in small ship Galapagos cruises; let us be your guide.

Northern Islands

11 of the best wildlife cruises for 2024 and beyond - National Geographic

11 of the best wildlife cruises for 2024 and beyond.

Posted: Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The naturalist guides were fun, informative, knowledgeable, and they really took the time to get to know us, the travelers. The certified photo instructor was fun, informative, knowledgeable, and he really took the time to get to know us, the travelers. She was fun, informative, knowledgeable, and her daily presentations provided the perfect balance of important information, brevity and humor. The expedition on La Pinta was just right for us - the itinerary, boat size, and amenities were perfect. Lastly, the trip to Cuenca was interesting and we very much enjoyed the architecture, restaurants, scenery, and the nearby gem of a national park. Snorkeling is indeed an integral part of a Galapagos Islands cruise and is offered most days, along with Zodiac rides.

Animal sightings on Bartolome might include Galapagos penguins, herons and elusive Galapagos hawks. Should you choose to snorkel at the nearby beach, you're likely to see sharks, rays, sea lions and red-lipped batfish. Rabida is also where you'll find a unique menagerie of birds, including pelicans, mockingbirds, doves, flamingos, white-cheeked pintail ducks, yellow warblers and Darwin finches.

Best Galapagos cruises for an epic wildlife adventure of a lifetime - The Points Guy

Best Galapagos cruises for an epic wildlife adventure of a lifetime.

Posted: Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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In Quito, we had a good guide, notwithstanding she had a limited palette of locations to work with. All guides and naturalists were very proficient in English, though when we were off the boat, we tried speaking Spanish as often as we could. Islander was an elegant ship extremely clean, comfortable, and perfectly decked out for all the expeditions we went one.

Be you bucket-lister or wildlife buff, the idea of the Galapagos pulses with animal magnetism. A cruise, which lets visitors efficiently trace remarkable evolutionary variations from island to island, is the most immersive way to see the destination in a three- to 14-night stretch. Perhaps most exciting of all are the expert photographers, naturalists and marine biologists that accompany you on the trip to share their fascinating insights into the wildlife and landscape. For most avid travellers and wildlife lovers, the Galapagos Islands is a must-do bucket list destination. I’ve been to many “wildlife heavy” destinations, but to me there is nothing quite as special and unique as the Galapagos Islands. Only a few other places around the world offer more spectacular close-up wildlife encounters (don’t touch, just watch) surrounded by such diverse volcanic landscapes.

best galapagos cruise

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Also offering incredible experiences onboard smaller ships is Angermeyer Cruises. The family-run business is helmed by Fiddi Angermeyer who was born and raised in the Galapagos and learned his craft from his boatbuilding father, Fritz. The majority of the newer yachts and catamarans in the luxury segment will feature very spacious cabins with panoramic windows and balconies and elegantly designed common areas. On another note, some cruise operators merely sell their cruises through tour operators and simply won’t let you book a Galapagos cruise with them directly. This means you’ll have to go through a travel agent to book your cruise in any case.

But the tiny island, which was formed by volcanic uplift, makes a powerful impression with its color-changing ground vegetation, sea birds and colony of Galapagos land iguanas. The successful male iguanas can be seen standing guard in front of a cactus tree, waiting patiently to provide a hungry female with a piece of prickly fruit. The higher-end ships also feature Level 3 guides, the highest designation afforded by Galapagos National Park.

Sea lions, especially the curious juveniles, often zip past and around the awkward humans in fins and masks. There are typically two excursions per day, and if you participate in every hike and snorkel, expect limited down time -- and expect to be enthralled but slightly exhausted by debarkation day. The airline that we use for our Galapagos trips has a check-in baggage allowance of 23kg per person and a cabin baggage allowance of 10kg. If you are travelling with a larger bag you do have the option of leaving it behind at the start hotel on Day 1and borrowing one of our kit bags, which hold about 12kg.

Because sailings can cost upwards of $10,000 per person and last two weeks or more, you'll want to know what to expect ahead of time, so you can get the most out of such a sizeable investment in both time and funds. Also, keep any fresh fruits and vegetables at home, along with loose nuts and seeds. The local government is extremely cautious about preventing visitors from introducing anything foreign that could harm the islands' delicate ecosystems. Although people do change for dinner, you likely won't need dressy clothes. When I priced out a few sailings over the next 18 months, I noticed that fares within the next two months are actually higher than those for voyages six months out. In other words, booking at the last minute is unlikely to get you a deal.

Its list of uncommon amenities — butler service, a fitness center, salon and spa — might just make you forget you're not on a larger ship. The Galapagos is one of the world's true bucket-list destinations, a veritable wonderland filled with stunning vistas, amazing wildlife and plenty of expedition-style opportunities. Nearly a hundred ships call this region home, but we've picked seven of our favorites that offer a great mix of authentic experiences ashore and world-class comforts.

There is also likely to be a water sports platform and equipment storage area with outdoor showers or hoses for rinsing off shoes and feet when you return from landings ashore. Frigate bird eggs start hatching, and flamingos and flightless cormorants initiate the mating process during this time of the year. If you'd like to time your trip to see certain animals or animal behaviors, below are some timeframes to keep in mind. Request Champagne from your butler while you lounge in the hot tub.

Our tour guide was good, but that did not change the fact that it was not somewhere we would want to spend a lot of time. There are some areas to avoid, but generally it seems to be a very safe city that also boasts clean tap water (though a several day acclimation period is recommended). Book the 16-guest Calipso yacht in Galapagos for either her naturalist cruises, dedicated dive cruises, or both in a back-to-back package. This airy ship features comfortable accommodations, attentive crew members, panoramic views and a Jacuzzi-equipped Sundeck. Terrain varies between sandy beaches, lava rocks and established paths that may be flat or hilly. Naturalist guides are very good at pacing excursions, so guests of all levels can enjoy the wildlife and have plenty of photographic opportunities.

There were a few things I wish that I had taken in addition to the clothing on the list. I would have taken something slightly more dressy than hiking clothes as many of the women on our cruise had nicer blouses and sundresses. She provided me with all of the important information I needed. She was also very timely in getting back to me with my myriad of questions. It was great to have a dedicated Adventure Specialist, Leslie, to whom I could turn with questions. It was like visiting a 5-star quality restaurant at every meal!

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