X-Pedition Galapagos Cruises-HELP PLEASE

[Leesie6351]

We booked a Galapagos Cruisetour while on another X cruise last summer. I have some mobility issues--have rods/screws from base of my spine all the way up to the base of my skull so I can't bend over or "duck" under things. My stability is also not the greatest. We explained this to the X future cruise rep and she assured us I'd be fine if I took the look intensity tours and could even stay on the boat if I felt I couldn't navigate the zodiac boats. Zodiac boats are used to ferry passengers from the Xpedition to shore. They are rubber dinghy's and are small and not all that stable.

 

I just read the complete description of our cruisetour and discovered I have to go on the zodiac to get onto the X-pedition at the start and end of the cruisetour. Can someone who has done this cruise PLEASE help me understand the zodiac boats better and if you think I can manage them. I will be 65 at the time of the trip and am on the large size. What do you think?:eek:

[cruise kitty]

 

right around the 48 second mark they show people getting out of the zodiacs on shore, couldn't find one for re-boarding, but hope this helps.

 

Also, did you check the xpedition thread?

[ghstudio]

I'm going to be honest...you are probably not going to be comfortable on the zodiacs....and if you stay on the ship, you will not see anything other than distant scenery. There is a wooden structure in front of the driver which you could sit on, but getting in and out of the boats will not be easy if you don't have back mobility.

 

As much as I loved the trip, and it was my favorite cruise ever, I think you will be uncomfortable, at best, given your back issues. Yes, you do have to take a zodiac to even get on the boat. Yes, they do offer low intensity tours which are often riding around in the zodiac rather than walking on land, but it can be much like going to your gym and sitting on one of those large balls...and imagine the ball moving under you.

 

There are other "adventure" type cruises that might be more fun and interesting....The OAT upper Amazon cruise comes to mind.

 

My 2 cents...others may, of course, disagree.

[smtcan]

When we enjoyed our Xpedition cruise, one of the passengers was 90 years young. I cannot comment on her mobility except to say that two ladies were upgraded to her suite because she couldn't manage the stairs and had to swap - there is no elevator. She took low intensity tours, mainly Zodiac rides, and said she enjoyed the cruise. This is one cruise I wouldn't take if I couldn't get off the ship. You wouldn't see any wildlife and there is little to do on board during the day. While I consider this the best holiday, not just the best cruise, I have ever taken, if you have to worry about whether you will be able to participate fully it is probably not the cruise for you because no cruise is worth risking your health.

[tonyd285]

We took the Galapagos cruise on the Xpedition a few years ago. One of the vacation highlights of my life. However, you must know that if you go on the tours you will be expected to walk several miles each day on rugged terrain. The Zodiacs are basically large rubberized whaleboats. If the seas are rough they bob around and it is occasionally difficult for those of us without mobility problems to easily get on and off. On our cruise we had a woman who easily weighed in at over 300 lbs. On most days she chose to stay on board because of the difficulties she experienced with the Zodiacs. So no, as much as I know you would have a wonderful experience i could not recommend this trip for you.

[Leesie6351]

thanks so much for your honest evaluations and replies. We watched the you tube video and I do have fears about getting into and out of the zodiacs and having to sit on the rubber edges.

 

We'll do some serious pondering and make a decision.

 

I appreciate the responses.

[JJPacer]

As mentioned there are no elevators on the ship, and you have to walk up and down stairs on the ship. Also, on the aft, where the zodiacs dock, for entering and exiting the zodiac, there is a flight of stairs to get on and off the boat. There are 3 stairs to enter and exit the zodiac, itself. At some locations, it's a wet landing, and you enter and exit over the side of the zodiac. There is one very narrow wooden step to help you enter the Zodiac on a wet landing. It is high up, closer to the seating area, then the water. I struggled with this. The exit shown in the video above is one of the easier exits. Some of the other landings were much more difficult. I had to crawl up rocks, lava steps, because I couldn't rais my leg high enough to walk.

 

If the seas are rough, the zodiac is bobbing around in the water, and it is difficult to enter or exit.

 

On land, the surfaces are rough. Very rocky. The lava fields are difficult because of the "wave" effect.

 

Here's some pics of the zodiac, the aft of the Xpedition, and some of the landscape where the hikes take you.

 

I hope this helps you decide what is best for you.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/110325464155216343324/QuickViewGalapagos?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKrH0cO2rJf79wE&feat=directlink

[Freecall]

Although the staff aboard the Xpedition could not be more helpful when it comes to helping people who need it in this respect, from what you say I think that you may have been mis-sold this trip.

 

The whole time is spent aboard the ship and the only way to see anything is to take a Panga (Zodiac). At no time does the ship come alongside a pier which includes the start and finish of the trip.

[Leesie6351]

You guys are so great to give me all this information. I called X today and spoke with an Xpedition specialist who went on the ship a few months ago. He basically confirmed everything all of you said. He recommended we hang on to our reservation until just before final payment and then make the decision based upon my condition then.

 

It's hard when the heart and head don't agree!!!

[Leesie6351]

As mentioned there are no elevators on the ship, and you have to walk up and down stairs on the ship. Also, on the aft, where the zodiacs dock, for entering and exiting the zodiac, there is a flight of stairs to get on and off the boat. There are 3 stairs to enter and exit the zodiac, itself. At some locations, it's a wet landing, and you enter and exit over the side of the zodiac. There is one very narrow wooden step to help you enter the Zodiac on a wet landing. It is high up, closer to the seating area, then the water. I struggled with this. The exit shown in the video above is one of the easier exits. Some of the other landings were much more difficult. I had to crawl up rocks, lava steps, because I couldn't rais my leg high enough to walk.

 

If the seas are rough, the zodiac is bobbing around in the water, and it is difficult to enter or exit.

 

On land, the surfaces are rough. Very rocky. The lava fields are difficult because of the "wave" effect.

 

Here's some pics of the zodiac, the aft of the Xpedition, and some of the landscape where the hikes take you.

 

I hope this helps you decide what is best for you.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/110325464155216343324/QuickViewGalapagos?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKrH0cO2rJf79wE&feat=directlink

 

Hi-- thanks for the photos-- they are very helpful and give me a good idea of the zodiacs. You may want to look at the photos and delete some. There were some photos in there I don't think you meant for everyone to see. :confused:

[ghstudio]

You guys are so great to give me all this information. I called X today and spoke with an Xpedition specialist who went on the ship a few months ago. He basically confirmed everything all of you said. He recommended we hang on to our reservation until just before final payment and then make the decision based upon my condition then.

 

It's hard when the heart and head don't agree!!!

 

If you do go, as I said earlier, there is one wooden seat/structure in front of the zodiac driver where you can sit so your back will have some support. It shows in some pictures floating around the web. That will be much better than sitting on the edge. I can't help with getting on/off the zodiacs which requires either stepping up onto the side or sliding over it. Once on shore, the paths are mostly not as bumpy and rough as others would have you believe except in certain places....but you could do a zodiac tour in those spots. You can also stop along the way on walking tours and wait for the group to return (if they allow it)...most of the walks return on the same path. At all the stops, you do have to get to shore but once ashore, you will immediately see wildlife/etc....but you won't see anything sitting on the xpedition.

 

I'm suggesting that it won't be a complete bust....there will be things you can do...and you do what you can do. Your experience just will not be the same as others. My guess is that you will still have a great experience (perhaps with the assistance of a lot of percocet), it just will be a different experience.

 

Whatever you decide....good luck.