Booking on The Flora

[kingcole]

We are planning to cruise the Galapagos on the Flora in June of 2021. I have a few questions about the booking process and what discounts I might be entitled to as well as a few about the ship.

 

We shall be 3 adults and one 15 year old and we plan to book the lowest category, partly due to cost but also as I would much prefer a proper balcony. Although we have never sailed Celebrity before we are Emerald in Royal’s Crown and Anchor club.

 

When we book on Royal we get discounts due to our status and also further discounts due to our play in the casino. I’m not expecting a casino discount as there is no casino on board, but should I expect a discount due to our C+A status and should I call the Celebrity Casino booking number regardless.

 

Am I also right in thinking my trip on Flora will contribute to my C+A status?

 

I realise these cruises have limited numbers, hence the 18+ months of planning, but how realistic are hopes of price reductions after booking and before final payment?

 

Currently the base price is $8999 per person which we are OK with but would naturally prefer to pay less. I have noticed there are GTY rooms offered but they are not showing as available of our chosen dates. If/when they do become available, is there much of a saving over picking a suite?

 

I notice that sometimes the price includes Quito hotels before and after as well as flights to Baltra. I’m trying to compare costs us doing Quito under our own steam and booking the flights ourselves.

 

Any ideas on the expected weather for June? I see August can be the coldest and see then that sea temps are a chilly 65. Is June better? And is June a particularly good or bad month for seeing the creatures?

 

Finally, we have also noticed Silver Seas are  launching the Origin next year. It appears to be a sister ship to The Flora albeit under a different brand? Looking at costs, I think Silver Seas will be about 10% more expensive for an experience that looks very similar. Are there any reasons that you think should make me consider Silver Seas further? 

 

Would really appreciate any feedback 

[DrKoob]

5 hours ago, kingcole said:

We are planning to cruise the Galapagos on the Flora in June of 2021. I have a few questions about the booking process and what discounts I might be entitled to as well as a few about the ship.

 

We shall be 3 adults and one 15 year old and we plan to book the lowest category, partly due to cost but also as I would much prefer a proper balcony. Although we have never sailed Celebrity before we are Emerald in Royal’s Crown and Anchor club.

 

When we book on Royal we get discounts due to our status and also further discounts due to our play in the casino. I’m not expecting a casino discount as there is no casino on board, but should I expect a discount due to our C+A status and should I call the Celebrity Casino booking number regardless.

 

Am I also right in thinking my trip on Flora will contribute to my C+A status?

 

I realise these cruises have limited numbers, hence the 18+ months of planning, but how realistic are hopes of price reductions after booking and before final payment?

 

Currently the base price is $8999 per person which we are OK with but would naturally prefer to pay less. I have noticed there are GTY rooms offered but they are not showing as available of our chosen dates. If/when they do become available, is there much of a saving over picking a suite?

 

I notice that sometimes the price includes Quito hotels before and after as well as flights to Baltra. I’m trying to compare costs us doing Quito under our own steam and booking the flights ourselves.

 

Any ideas on the expected weather for June? I see August can be the coldest and see then that sea temps are a chilly 65. Is June better? And is June a particularly good or bad month for seeing the creatures?

 

Finally, we have also noticed Silver Seas are  launching the Origin next year. It appears to be a sister ship to The Flora albeit under a different brand? Looking at costs, I think Silver Seas will be about 10% more expensive for an experience that looks very similar. Are there any reasons that you think should make me consider Silver Seas further? 

 

Would really appreciate any feedback 

 

Good day kingcole!

 

We too are just about to book Flora for this summer. We have been doing a TON of research and my wife and I are both travel professionals so I hope I can address some of your questions. 

 

First, if there are no guarantees, then the lowest category you can book is the normal balcony "suite." It's not really a suite but they call it that. Keep in mind that the stateroom is almost 350 square feet so about double the size of your regular cruise stateroom.

 

I can't answer your gambling question as we are not gamblers but my guess is that there won't be any discount for that. Right now there is a BOGO sale going on with a $750 PP air credit as well. As to a discount for being Emerald, we are Elite Plus on Celebrity and there is no discount for us. Other than their regular discounts on these cruises, Celebrity does not differentiate between passengers.

 

You won't get any credit towards your RCL status. You don't get credit either way although on a regular Celebrity/RCL/Azamara cruise. Your status will carry over from one line to another but it does not increase. We have recently taken two RCL cruises and it didn't affect our Celebrity status at all.

 

We are booking a guarantee and it is about $650 pp less than booking a chosen suite. We figure that since all staterooms are the same size (other than the true suites) we will be OK. 

 

The difference between the pre and post packages (10 days) as opposed to just buying the cruise is about $3000 for the two of us. But there is NO WAY I would do it any other way. One reason is that past cruisers on Flora have said that if she is late getting back to Baltra your self-booked plane will not wait for you and you are your own. If you book with Celebrity, they wait for you and get you back to Quito. 

 

Also, that 3K includes transfer from airport to hotel, hotel (JW Marriott), all meals, full day of small group tours in Quito on the day before the cruise, transfer to airport for flight to Baltra, flight to Baltra, transfer from Baltra airport to Flora, then all the in reverse plus another night at the Marriott and transfer back to Quito airport. 

 

Lastly, unless you do the 10 day package, you can't book air with Celebrity and that means you can't take advantage of the $750 air credit. 

 

As far as the weather, the Galapagos sit on the equator so they have pretty much the same weather all year long. The bigger decisions are do you want the inside or the outside route in the islands. They do each, every other week. Do some research. The best place to do that is this thread: 

It is an AWESOME thread and you can ask past Flora cruisers whatever you want. We have read every thing on the thread and you read every word before you buy. 

 

Hope this helps,

 

Jim

 

PS: You are right about the Origin. When I launches, it will be more expensive. 

Edited November 9, 2019 by DrKoob

[BellKat]

DrKoob (Jim - my husband) did not notice you are in the UK so you may not have the same sale going on as we do. Since there are 4 of you going, you will be required to have 2 cabins. Not sure why this is but only 2 people are allowed in each cabin. I’m guessing it’s to keep the number of passengers down. I agree with Jim that you should read the thread he mentioned regarding the Flora. Also read all of the reviews. This is a cruise that you really need to do your homework for. It is not like other cruises.

[sippican]

I agree with the advice to book at least the 10  night package with Celebrity.  I am also a travel professional and have booked our second cruise to the Galapagos (both on Xpedition), and others on the Flora and Xpedition.  If you elect to do the 7-day cruise only, you are entirely on your own. Baltra  is a tiny airport, with few flights each day. Even if you elect to fly in a day early, you lodging options are limited. (There are none at the airport.). I am a price stalker.  You will see promos for Flora, sometimes free air (up to $1000 pp), sometimes BOGOHO.  The only significant base price drops I've seen have been on Xpedition. I just saved over $3000.  On our first trip, the [rice dropped so low, I was able to upgrade to a suite for a minimal amount. GTY room categories can pop up (and disappear) at any time.

 

In addition to the Flora thread mentioned, it may be worth reviewing the Xpedition recently back threads, as there is much more information and Xpedition used to sail Flora's itineraries.

 

As far as when to go, only you can decide on your priorities - best water temps, calmest seas,  bird mating seasons,  young sea lion pups, etc. These happen during different seasons, that's why the Galapagos are a year-round destination. I did so much research, that I actually made a spreadsheet, lol!  In the end, it didn't matter.  I've attended many seminars on the galapagos, and everyone thought they took their trip at the best time!  So you can't lose. Here is a good resource to start. https://www.galapagosislands.com/blog/the-best-time-to-visit-the-galapagos/

[Lastdance]

I booked Flora with the BOGO 50% off second person, a couple days before Celebrity sent me their small brochure with an added *free airfare.  My TA was told that they could not include this additional travel air perk because you cannot book air until 10 months out.  Of course, that is ridiculous.  I sent her photos of the brochure and information, so she is doing her best to speak with someone who knows the product better.  In addition, I wrote LLP, Lisa Perl, advising her of this situation.   If Celebrity does not allow this, I may just cancel this cruise of a lifetime.  After all, the prices are extremely high and the cruise is for May, 28 of 2021, and a ten night package, but I am holding out for a positive outcome.  My DH and I are elite + on Celebrity, so we have been around the block, so to speak!  I hope everyone going to these beautiful islands has a trip of a lifetime!

Edited November 9, 2019 by Lastdance

[flora_123]

On 11/9/2019 at 8:09 AM, DrKoob said:

 

As far as the weather, the Galapagos sit on the equator so they have pretty much the same weather all year long. The bigger decisions are do you want the inside or the outside route in the islands. They do each, every other week. Do some research. The best place to do that is this thread: 

 

A naturalist told me the biggest difference between the routes is that on the outer loop you get to see the albatrosses and on the inner loop you get to see the red-footed boobies.  Otherwise can see most everything on either one.

[G.M.T.]

1 hour ago, flora_123 said:

 

A naturalist told me the biggest difference between the routes is that on the outer loop you get to see the albatrosses and on the inner loop you get to see the red-footed boobies.  Otherwise can see most everything on either one.

Take the middle route and you get to see red footed albatrosses.

[kingcole]

Thanks all. Will be booking the 10 day. I have contact with a US agent so we can compare. In the past we nearly always book the US route

 

 Can someone that the beds can be separated in the basic balcony suite?