Live - Celebrity Flora 9/1/24 - Slow Boat to the Galapagos

[Rewind]

Off the ship (second to last tender as we tendered with new friends).

On the bus and drove across the island to Puerto Ayora to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the tortoise breeding center.

Spent about 30-45 minutes there and then walked through town to the park to pick up the shuttle.

We then headed up to plant a couple Escalicia trees and then to lunch up Rancho El Manzanillo.

Lunch was great and then it was a walk through the natural habitat of the tortoises.

Once done with the walk, we opted to head back to town to shop a bit.

Then at 5:30, we met the shuttle, drove back across the island and picked up the last tender to the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[catspaw1]

is there any other options that day? We are arriving to Baltra a few days early & can do this on our own. Can you go back to the ship before 530pm? This seems like a waste of a day to me as I would rather be snorkeling or visiting the islands. However, we don't want to be stuck on the ship. It doesn't seem that these 2 activities are enough to fill up a full day or am I wrong? Where does the ship anchor in the area?

[Rewind]

Dinner tonight:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rewind]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

is there any other options that day? We are arriving to Baltra a few days early & can do this on our own. Can you go back to the ship before 530pm? This seems like a waste of a day to me as I would rather be snorkeling or visiting the islands. However, we don't want to be stuck on the ship. It doesn't seem that these 2 activities are enough to fill up a full day or am I wrong? Where does the ship anchor in the area?

 

The morning portion up through lunch is all the same.  From there you have one of three options:

1 - Turtle walk and bus into town

2 - Turtle walk and bus back to ship

3 - Bus back to ship

 

There are no other options on this day.

 

The ship is anchoring on the north side of Santa Cruz, fairly close to the ferry between Baltra and Santa Cruz.  It was a full day but part of that is because it takes 45 minutes to bus from one side to the other and when you go back and forth, it eats up time quickly.

[Rewind]

Morning.  We are just doing our final pack-up and wander around the ship.  We pulled anchor at 7:00am to head a very short distance to the bay at Baltra and you can tell which engine is working.

 

[catspaw1]

I didn't realize the bus ride was 45 minutes. I wish they had other alternatives for the day as it seems like filler. Do they want you to pay to plant the trees?

[catspaw1]

Can you give us a recap of what you liked & didn't like? Any more suggestions on what to bring? Did the trip meet your expectations? Was it worth the huge expense?

[Rewind]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

I didn't realize the bus ride was 45 minutes. I wish they had other alternatives for the day as it seems like filler. Do they want you to pay to plant the trees?

 

No, the trees are included in the cruise fare.  While it is a long time in the bus, it was still worth it.

 

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

Can you give us a recap of what you liked & didn't like? Any more suggestions on what to bring? Did the trip meet your expectations? Was it worth the huge expense?

 

We are flying back to Quito today, another night in the JW Marriott, and then we fly home LATE Monday night.  I'll still do a bit more trip reporting but will also be doing some wrap-up.

[kab407]

Thank you for the report and the pictures. I board the Flora on 9/22 as part of a group of 13.

[Rewind]

"Was it worth the huge expense?"

 

Quick answer - yes.

I will say we paid substantially less than the other costs people have been quoting.  We got a loyalty discount (for having Diamond status on Royal), I think there was another discount for planning our own flights to and from Quito, and maybe a "sale" at the time we booked - plus I think we didn't care what time of year we went so we picked the cheapest rate.  

 

BUT - this truly is a once in a lifetime experience that you have to see with your own eyes.  I got great pictures but they don't do this place justice.  It doesn't have to be on Celebrity, but I do think Galapagos is worth the cost.

 

As for going with Celebrity and specifically the Flora, I couldn't ask for a more attentive crew that meet and anticipate your needs.  EVERYONE has been super friendly and helpful, the guides are the best, they love what they do, and have spoken very highly on how well Celebrity treats them.  It has ruined us a bit to go back to other cruise lines as this has been a completely pampered experience.

 

I will say while this is magical place, I don't know if I would call it a "vacation" as for the entire week we have been going non-stop.  Two excursions a day (plus snorkeling a few times in the week) and you don't have much down time from the time you wake up until after dinner close to 9pm everyday. 

 

Still worth it though.

[catspaw1]

Thanks for your TR& very helpful comments. So glad you have enjoyed it. We learned a lot from your posts. Thanks so much for taking the time to post!

[airhose]

Agree 100% with the comments above!  Many thanks, Rewind.

 

catspaw....we're also going a couple of days early for our 

June 1 cruise, but we'll save the tortoise reserve for the ship excursion.   A friend who was there independently mentioned the following things that they did (as well as the reserve) ....

-swim at Las grietis, canyon, walk from town
-playa El garrapetero...Flamingo

[Rewind]

Good morning all.  Was a bit of a hurry up and wait this morning.  Breakfast opens at 7:00am but everyone has to be out of their rooms by 7:30 so they can clean the ship for the next set of guests. We sat in the dining room until about 8:30 and then decided it would be nicer to sit up on deck and enjoy the last bit of sea air.

 

We headed down to the lounge at 9:20 as they were assigning tenders and handing out boarding passes by stateroom at 9:30am.  They began running the tenders at 10am.  We were the second tender out but when you reach the shore, about three tenders worth of people can fit on one bus so we waited just a bit.

 

We saw our last couple sea lions and blue footed boobies as we took the quick bus trip back to the airport.  Luggage that was put out the night before was waiting for us right as we got off the bus.  We carried it in to check in at the Avianca counter, checked through security, showed our immigration forms, through the metal detectors, and then into the guest area of the airport.

 

We walked past a few shops and then the VIP waiting area is just off to the right of the main waiting area.  We dropped our bags with FIL and went back out to check out a couple shops.  Pretty much the same stuff you see elsewhere but it's your last chance for a "I Love Boobies" t-shirt.

 

Based on Quito time, we got off the ship at 10am, to the airport around 10:30am, and our flight leaves at 1:15pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NoWhiners]

Those pix bring back some great memories of our trip on the Flora. Thanks for that.

[alexandria]

Good grief those trip reports just flew by!  I can imagine the trip did as well...

Safe travels home.

[Rewind]

Made it back to the Marriott, probably around 4:45pm or so.  Plane landed at 3:25 and then had to gather people up, wait for luggage, wait a bit for the bus, the ride, then check in, etc.

 

We are opting to do the Mundo Cloud Forrest tour tomorrow before our flight (because the flight is so late).  It is $159 per person but it's better than sitting in the hotel all day.

 

Will keep going on the report as how things go.

Edited September 8 by Rewind

[cruisetonowhere10]

25 minutes ago, Rewind said:

Made it back to the Marriott, probably around 4:45pm or so.  Plane landed at 3:25 and then had to gather people up, wait for luggage, wait a bit for the bus, the ride, then check in, etc.

 

We are opting to do the Mundo Cloud Forrest tour tomorrow before our flight (because the flight is so late).  It is $159 per person but it's better than sitting in the hotel all day.

 

Will keep going on the report as how things go.

We are just now able to see flight options for our trip.  Flight options down are okay, but home are horrendous.  

[calicakes]

Safe trip home.  How did the laundry work on the cruise?  Did you have any laundry picked up and washed? 

[Rewind]

1 hour ago, calicakes said:

Safe trip home.  How did the laundry work on the cruise?  Did you have any laundry picked up and washed? 

 

We didn't use the laundry services but they do include a "few" washes up to a total of 40 pieces.  I don't think they wash everyday but our stateroom attendant said you would either get it back the same day or the next day.

[Rewind]

2 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said:

We are just now able to see flight options for our trip.  Flight options down are okay, but home are horrendous.  

 

Yep - the friends we made on this trip, one pair is flying out around midnight tonight, the other pair is flying out at 6:00am tomorrow, and our flight leaves at 11:20pm tomorrow.  

 

I have no logical explanation for it, but maybe they fly a lot of local flights during the day and leave the long hauls for off hours.  (That is a complete guess on my part)

[Rewind]

Dinner is included with our stay at the Marriott this evening (I believe our friends said they get dinner at the EB hotel where they were assigned).

 

If you do have a flight soon-ish after the cruise, Celebrity will assign you the EB hotel as it is much closer to the airport.  If you have a long layover like us, you will get the Marriott as they assume you will want to do something in town or add on an excursion.

 

The Marriott dinner menu (same restaurant that you get breakfast in):

[cruisetonowhere10]

12 minutes ago, Rewind said:

 

Yep - the friends we made on this trip, one pair is flying out around midnight tonight, the other pair is flying out at 6:00am tomorrow, and our flight leaves at 11:20pm tomorrow.  

 

I have no logical explanation for it, but maybe they fly a lot of local flights during the day and leave the long hauls for off hours.  (That is a complete guess on my part)

Could be.  Our only reasonable option home involves a 7+ hour layover in Miami (thinking a day room at a hotel close by our massages at a spa or something because that is just too long in an airport.)

[catspaw1]

Rewind, please let us know about Mindo as we were thinking of staying several nights precruise. My husband wants to do birdwatching & this is best at dawn. Airhose, we are on the June 1 cruise next year. Haven't made any bookings yet except the cruise but we will stay at the JW marriott & go up to Mindo. Also planning on staying a few nights in the Baltra area precruise but haven't booked that either! I'm busy trying to book our 10 nights in Spain before our TA this November! & will be away for a week in Sept & 2 weeks in October! So much traveling......

[catspaw1]

Thanks so much Rewind for all your helpful info & pics! Really appreciate your taking the time to post when I know you are probably exhausted from all the excursions. Hope you enjoy Mindo. Safe travels home.

[Rewind]

Mindo was great for bird watching. 

 

First stop was an overlook of Pululhua.  It is a small farming area that is only owned by 40 families and is restricted so nobody else can build there.

Second stop was a hummingbird sanctuary where they have 11-16 species of hummingbirds.

Third stop was the Mindo chocolate factory.  This was the most informative chocolate experience we have ever had (we have done at least three previously in the Caribbean).

Forth stop was the butterfly sanctuary.  Tons of butterflies, just be careful where you step.

Last stop was lunch at a lovely family run hotel / resort up in Mindo where there were more hummingbirds.

Then it was a two hour ride back to the hotel where we arrived around 4:45pm.

 

Info for checkout - JW Marriott's normal checkout time is noon, Celebrity has negotiated a 2pm checkout time.  If you want to, you can extend your checkout until 7pm for $45.  We did this so we would have a place to freshen up before our very late flight.

 

We have now just ordered sandwiches from the bar at the JW before our 8:30 shuttle.