sippican

12 minutes ago, shipster60 said:

Also, I live in Chacos in the summer but they’re opened toed. Will I be ok in those for hiking or will I need something with a closed toe?

We visited the Galapagos in 2018 and are returning next month. Although you'll see people wearing whatever they want,  I strongly recommend a shoe with a closed toe for walking/hiking excursions. The rocks, particularly the lava, can be very, very sharp. 

Thank you for the report.

Did you have a COVID test in Quito to comply with Galapagos requirements?

So I reached out earlier today and left a message. The Galapagos Desk just returned my call. Although they are encouraging travelers to arrange their own PCR test within the 72 hour window if possible, they will administer them at the hotel the night of arrival if necessary.  Departure tests will also be available to those requiring a negative test for reentry to their country of origin. 

We will be spending a free day in Vancouver next month. (Not cruising, but trying a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer)

Does anyone have any private tour operators they can recommend?

4 hours ago, shipster60 said:

Now that we are required to get our own pcr test before we leave the states, could someone tell me what time you were taken to the airport to board the plane to Balta? The test has to be within 72 hrs of arrival in Balta. 

You may consider getting a PCR test in Quito. It is not needed to enter Ecuador. just the Galapagos.

6 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

Consult the Celebrity website where the FAQ clearly spells out their current requirements.  

It also is highly dependent upon your destination - which may vary from X's requirements!

18 hours ago, Kimboriffic said:

.if Kent 4489 used a travel agent they usually have some back channels to find things out.

Trust me, there is no "back channel" for this issue!

One more number to try - Corporate - 305-539-6000!

Call the Galapagos desk directly  866-973-8466. If they are unable to clarify or resolve, ask to speak with the Resolutions Department.

19 hours ago, cincykellers said:

I am wondering why as well. There are only 8 cabins on board and they are all booked currently. Is the Xploration a lower profit for X? More passengers = more money. 

Celebrity had no intention of keeping Xploration once Flora began sailing. They assumed (incorrectly) they could just combine and transfer the park licenses of Xperience and Xploration to the Xpedition. The government took them to court and that is why Xpedition is only sailing with limited capacity (taking over the Xperience licenses). 
 

1 hour ago, miltonplane88 said:

Thanks, did you by chance do the Train of the Volcanoes excursion in Quito?

No we did not, but I'd be interested in learning more.

3 minutes ago, miltonplane88 said:

Sippican- Did you guys finally get to go? I remember your posts from the Galapagos Problems forum (Xpedition issues), we are set for 11-18 on the Xpedition

We are scheduled for the October 23rd sailing on Xpedition. (We previously sailed Xpedition in 2018.) Looking forward to it. 

16 hours ago, DrKoob said:

 

Wish I could answer this one but we were prevented due to COVID. I am kind of sorry that the Marriott is open again because the EB was awesome. If you come in early, that's where I would stay. Are they doing the  10 or 11 night again where you get a day in Quito? I am surprised if they are but great for you if that's what they are doing.

 

For future cruisers,  the JW Marriott was fantastic! 

We stayed in 6145 on Millie. It was just ok. I would not choose it again as it is not comparable to other Sky Suites IMHO The balcony had no shade whatsoever and the cabin seemed dark. It was roomy, but that was the only plus for us.Take the CS if the price is right. I usually prefer an S1 over CS because I do not like the windowless bedrooms.

On 8/14/2021 at 9:02 PM, clo said:

We were booked on this trip on Silverseas and wound up canceling. Curious why you'd be more more comfortable on Seabourn? We've not been on either but the Origin sure looks wonderful. It was decades ago that we traveled to Machu Picchu. It was very DIY at the time (all our travel was back then) but I gather that it's not any more. You don't just show up...or that's what I think. Have you researched it yet. Have a great time.

My understanding is that the Flora and Origin were designed and built by the same shipyard. Looking at them, they seem to be almost identical. Silversea is now owned by the same company as Celebrity.

You are correct that the MP trip is probably quite different now. Advance reservations required, along with assigned entry times. We are dedicated DIYers but, after much research, we decided to take the post-cruise tour offered by Celebrity. It was small group, exceptional guides, top-notch hotels and dining.  I would not hesitate to recommend it.

Host Kat has offered some really great resources above ( we're up to Part 4 in Xpedition Recently Back).  I strongly recommend that everyone considering a Galapagos sailing read those 4 threads, no matter which ship you are sailing, they are a wealth of information about the experience.

Regarding the dress code; we sailed on Xpedition (we are returning in October), and have friends who sailed Flora. The norm at dinnertime was casual. Most returned from excursions, took a shower and changed into their clean excursion clothes for the next day. Hiking attire, shorts and sandals were entirely acceptable. We did see an occasional sundress and even a lovely gentleman in a jacket, so if you prefer to dress up, by all means do so. I had a few plain colored T-shirts that I threw a scarf over or added a necklace, paired with my very simple hiking pants or capris. I brought one pair of sandals to wear onboard. I had packed a flowy skirt and T-shirt type dress but never wore either. 

You are in for the experience of a lifetime!

On 8/7/2021 at 5:45 PM, jelayne said:

On E class ships only the Sunset Verandas  & Suites have a true balcony.

The other attraction of a SV is the view of the wake.

Can you please explain what you consider a "true balcony" on the E class as opposed to others?

If I can't stay in an aft cabin (S1, or SV), I don't sail!

14 hours ago, Pilgrim70 said:

Yes our flight from Miami was changed but we were not notified. We had two choices with AA and picked one  arriving Quito at 12;30 am. 
my concern since our cruise booklet has us with both flights listed which one will Celebrity rep meet. I hear getting transportation at this time is difficult. Also we paid for being met at the airport. 

 

 

We also had a flight change. We now depart at 1:30 am. Based on our last trip to the Galapagos, X will make sure you are transported to and from the airport no matter what time your flights are.

You should call the Galapagos Desk to ensure they have the updated times noted for you.

On 7/28/2021 at 9:39 AM, scottjeanne said:

So far, we are still a go.  We are on Seabourn's South America, Antarctica and South Georgia cruise beginning on February 24 2022.

Did you have The Falklands as a port of call? What is the ship size?

We love the S class ships and Sunset Verandas in particular. We've stayed in a number of SVs on the higher decks.

Can anyone comment on the deck 6 SVs?  Are they noisier over the dining areas?  Is the view at all obstructed by the roof extension of the dining room below? I know the balconies vary in width, but are the deck 6 verandas as deep as the upper decks.

Any balcony photos would be greatly appreciated. (And, yes, I've checked the cabin spreadsheets.)

19 hours ago, VioletView said:

 

One other question - I'm planning to bring water shoe/sandals (merrells and my bf has Keen) and hiking boots.  I saw that one some of the hikes (especially over the lava rocks), the boots were really key.  Was there ever a case where you did a wet landing and needed a water shoe but needed to transition to a proper hiking boot for the terrain?

There was at least one occasion when we wore water shoes on the zodiac, then switched to shoes/boots. We used to cheap thin water shoes that are virtually flat when packed. I'm sure it depends on your itinerary. I never used my Keens at all, preferring my Merrell low hikers for virtually every walk/hike (I absolutely can't tolerate a speck of sand between my foot and the shoe/sandal, lol!)

17 hours ago, VioletView said:

Hi Jim - thanks for all the info.  We are heading out on the Flora in Mid-October and I really hope we get to have the extra days at the JW in Quito.  So far, you answered nearly all of my questions but I had one more.   We plan to bring camera equipment and are all set with dry bags and appropriate backpacks.  How much space did you need to reserve in your backpack (or that little turtle bag!) for drinking water?  I really don't want to lug a huge backpack, but I don't know how much water we need/should bring for the long/short hikes.  

Regarding water, we purchased small hydration back packs (Camel and Osprey make them). We never had to fiddle with taking a water bottle in and out, and there was plenty of room for incidentals. 

On 7/19/2021 at 12:45 PM, guidance lady said:

We were so tired at night that I never felt the ship rolling and Xpedition was a small tub compared to Flora. 

Nely

Did you mean Xploration?

On 7/19/2021 at 12:19 PM, vermonter16 said:

I am in the AZ trials and that is the issue  If I get an approved vaccine after already getting the AZ vaccine (which I know that I got because I was unblinded) I cannot then get another vaccine and continue in the trials as that would skew the numbers and I would have to leave the trial.

 

Yes, he did leave the trial, but his goal was to get vaccinated one way or another.  He also knew he received the AZ vaccine and was provided with a letter as proof.