WhollyTerriers

I've never cruised Celebrity. (Hey, once you qualify for free laundry, it would take a lot to switch ...)

The Silversea and Celebrity ships are the same size.

Silversea has two itineraries, both seven nights on the ship. All the Celebrity voyages are also seven nights, despite the extra shore days they claim.

We did a back-to-back on Silversea. (They give you a 5% discount.) I'd say a 10 ship-night cruise would be just right.

Our first time down, we got one included night in Quito. Our second time, we got two nights. You'll have to look at the deals that are being offered.

If two Silversea ships are in port at the same time, you are welcome to have lunch and wander around on the other ship at no additional cost (Just show the boarding pass from your ship, and on you go ...)

That's how we decided the Spirit is way too big for our tastes.

Sailing up the Thames to Tower Bridge is a blast. "Get out on the bow," said Ray, our cruise director, "Not to be missed!" Indeed. My wife (ever the intrepid one) grabbed a chair and started hauling it to the bow. Of course, they grabbed it and took it up for her. I came down for coffee with Bailey's, and of course they had to deliver that. Then they brought blankets. Then they brought glasses and Champagne. So, while all these people on apartment balconies are waving at us (and their kids are jumping up and down), there we were toasting back at them. Indeed.

We were docked for two nights at Tower Bridge, so in the morning we dragged our table out on our balcony, and had breakfast in our robes, waving at the people on the ferries.

(we've been on Silver Galápagos voyages 8422/8423/8633)

Assuming you're staying at the JW Marriott, you'll be offered some local options. We took the combo city/equator/cable car full day tour. You can assort the parts for shorter tours.

Cable car: Definitely. Fine views of the city from Pichincha. Donned a serape and sombrero for picture with burro.

Equator: Goofy picture opportunities. Been there, don't need to go back. Opinions may vary.

City tour: Maybe, if you were going to be there several days, and wanted an overview ...

Also available:

Yanacocha Highland Reserve - 5 hrs -hummingbirds

Otavalo Market - full day - textiles, crafts, lunch at hacienda

Cloud forest, hummingbirds, orchids - full day

Antisana Ecological Reserve - lava flow, Isco Cliffs home to Andean Condor.

Other advice:

If you are on a cruise that visits Post Office Bay, be brave and take two or three postcards home for personal delivery. We probably drove a couple hundred miles dropping off the postcards, talking with people about their experience (and, getting fed). One group of girls booked a private boat vacation on the internet. They were seasick the whole time, and the food was so bad they ate on shore.

This cruise tends to attract unruly (American) children that you will not find on other Silversea cruises (except, maybe, Alaska)