Celebrity Expedition to Galapagos

[Dolebludger]

Have any of you ever taken the Celebrity Expedition cruise to the Galapagos Islands? You may be asking, "why is he posting this question here, instead of on the Celebrity board?" The answer is that I am seeking comments on this cruise from those with expectations like my own.

 

I have heard that this cruise (unlike Celebrity's other cruises) is all inclusive like Regent, SS, and Seabourn. Is this true? How are excursions handled? How is the food? What are the staterooms like? Are there lines and crowds, or is it fairly uncrowded like Regent? Are tips included? You know, all the questions a repeat Regent cruiser would want to know.

[cruiseyguy]

Everything is included--tips, wine, cocktails and all excursions. Several excursions are offered each day--morning and afternoon--of various activity levels. The ship carries 98 passengers max (and often less, since there are usually singles onboard) and is never crowded anywhere. The rooms are small but nicely decorated (it's a small ship, after all). Open seating dining--food is very good but not cruise line "gourmet" as with Regent, Seabourn, etc. This is deluxe adventure cruising--not social cruising. The "entertainment" usually consists of lectures by naturalists, guides, photographers, etc. No dress code other than nice casual. A wealth of info is on the Celebrity board regarding best seasons, package deals, etc.

[freddie]

Dolebludger - Pat & I have also been considering the Xpedition for a Galapagos cruise. I have found two informative reviews (there may be more since the last time I did a search). The first was posted on the Celebrity CC board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=266402&page=10 If the link doesn't work, it's a thread by SandyR5, started on Dec. 13, 2005, entitled "Xpedition - Just returned from 12/4/05 sailing".

 

There is also a good review with lots of photos on CruiseReviews.com by Pearl Irby, for the same December sailing as the reference above: http://www.cruisereviews.com/Celebrity/Xpedition1.htm

 

I think that the two reviews will answer many of your questions. It appears to be approaching all-inclusive.

 

Cheers, Fred

[Iamboatman]

I think you will find probably a better comparison to the PG than the other Regent ships (smaller cabins, less onboard facilities, casual dress, while still being all inclusive) , but obviously not as elaborate as it is a truly small ship and is not focused on entertainment, but the experience.

 

While it is not apples and oranges, it is not intended to be compared with another cruise line as Celebrity purchased the ship as part of its effort to provide unique experiences, which it has successfully done.

 

BTW, it was going to be marketed with the two former RShips, Journey and Quest (Amazura Cruises), but because it is so unique, it remains by itself.

[Dolebludger]

This is actually starting to sound very good! Because my favorite Regent cruise, the PG is a bit of an adventure cruise. I attend more lectures about exotic places I am in than generic Vegas-type shows. And I usually order simple food, even when gourmet fare is available. Was thinking about doing the PG again, but have spent five weeks on her in the last five years, and am getting into a rut!

 

My only concern is that Celegbrity Expedition is run by a mass market line (albeit the top of the heap), and I just don't want any mass market type nickel and diming, crowds, or lines. But it sounds like I would have none of this on this cruise.

 

What is the best time of year to go?

[cruiseyguy]

It's actually beyond "all inclusive" since all excursions are included and, if you take either the 10 or 11 day package (most do) hotels, meals, and excursions in Quito are included as well as charter air to Expedition's port. There is no "best" season--each is very different, with various wildlife encounters, tidal patterns, etc. This is a cruise which requires prior research to fully appreciate. No nickel and diming whatsoever.

[Roland4]

We did Xpedition a year ago and it is an incredible trip. Go to the Celebrity CC board and look for the thread "Xpedition-Anyone Recently Back". It is currently at 83 pages and 1600+ posts. It's a LOT of reading, but you will find answers to absolutely any question you could think to ask on that thread. If you decide to go you really should seriously consider the 10 or 11 day package. Celebrity have been doing this for a number of years and have it down to a science.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

This sounds good to us too, the Galapagos has always been high on my list, and would not mind the simpler digs because the focus would be on the location, as it is on the PG. Maybe some day, although I'm trying to consider cutting back on air travel to save the planet a bit, and of course, the Galapagos is a fairly threatened environment as well. I see all the Verandahs are sold out for the April 2009 journeys!

[RachelG]

We are scheduled on this cruise next May 25th. I have done one similar to Costa Rica with what was then Temptress Cruise Line--Lindblad and Cruise West bought their ships and now run these cruises. Different than a regular Regent Cruise because of the very small ship, but everything (tours, drinks, etc) was included. I think I maybe spent $10 at most during the cruise.

I booked directly with Celebrity as I knew exactly when and what I wanted. My only complaint with them so far is that I feel they are trying to pressure me into buying the 10 or 11 day package instead of the 7 day. The cruise part is exactly the same, but the 10 day includes lodging before and after in Quito and the flight from Quito to the Galapagos. at a considerably higher price than what I can do on my own. We like to travel more independently, and I don't want to buy that. The Celebrity rep was quite misleading, telling me that I couldn't buy the airline tickets to the Galapagos myself and would have to go through them, something I knew was false.

Otherwise, everything so far has been perfect.

[Dolebludger]

RachelG:

 

Strange: I called Celebrity a couple of days ago and the rep was HIGHLY recommending at least the ten day package. The reason he gave was that the flight from Quito to the Galapagos was a charter and hard to book on your own. Personally, I'll never book this or any other cruise without the help of a TA with knowlege of the particular line of my interest.

[cruiseyguy]

Celebrity's flight from Quito to Expedition's port IS a charter.

[Dolebludger]

A good TA who is savy in Celebrity I have contacted seconds the motion to go with one of the Expedition "packages" that includes the pre and post hotel and the flight to the Galapagos. The TA reported that South America is a place where it is a bit difficult to "go it on your own."

[blackbird71]

A good but long slideshow http://picasaweb.google.com/sloancat/GalapagosOnXpedition

 

From her photos I like the "ship officer" at embarkation :D

 

[Dolebludger]

Blackbird:

 

Good pictures. I am having a bit of a problem figuring out what types of bed are located in the stateroom shown. Are those two twins or two fulls or what? Also, what category stateroom is shown?

[RachelG]

The flight from Quito to Baltra is not a charter. It is a regularly scheduled flight by Tame airlines--see, this is what I meant about Celebrity being misleading. I have already been in touch with Tame about this. (And I've travelled a lot in South America--not a problem).

[Iamboatman]

There is a BIG difference between what you CAN do versus what you SHOULD do.

 

Yes, there are limited flights which are not charter flights, but you are on your own both for transfers and timing to get on the ship. Also there can be issues with where and how you can purchase the tickets...and if you have to do it upon arrival, that is long way to go to find your reservation is amiss or not honored and then not have many good options. And, just as there is the saying "TIA" (This is Africa) the same holds true for much of this part of South America.

 

The concept to me is to disaster-proof yourself if the premium is not to high, for the disaster which may loom as a result of the few dollars savings may well not be worth it. (That is a personal decision and, even being an independent traveler, I would in this instance go with the Celebrity package.)

 

There are also land-based logistic issues and from what I see the premium for booking with the line is not sufficiently high to make it something to avoid. Regent gets a pretty good premium on its hotels and transfers and many on these boards strongly support them. In Europe I would never take them.

 

Simply put: Seamlessness and Accountability matter for many; especially in exotic destinations.

 

Richard, the beds are either twins or queen. Most can have the twins put into queens, but some queens cannot be made into twins.

[blackbird71]

I could be wrong, but from what I understand, you are tendered at embarkation and disembarkation. So doing the Celebrity package insures their zodiacs being at the pier.

[Iamboatman]

That was what I was implying. You have to be tendered, so just showing up isn't a great idea.

[Roland4]

This is probably the one time when an "independent traveller" should "curb their enthusiasm". Yes, you can book the flight to Baltra with TAME directly, but they are notoriously difficult to deal with. While the Celebrity group can take up most of the plane (an A-320) it is a scheduled flight as opposed to a charter. The biggest advantage to taking the package? Celebrity does all the work. You get your boarding pass BEFORE you leave the hotel, clear security and get on the plane. At Baltra you are escorted to the air conditioned VIP lounge until the bus leaves for the pier. On your return, you are given your boarding passes and are escorted, again, to the VIP lounge, where there is an open bar, to wait for the plane. Keep in mind that the airport in Baltra is a refurbished WW II-era bomber base. To call it ramshackle would not be to far off the mark and to call the main "terminal" area chaotic would be a major understatement. The positives to booking the package far outweigh any perceived "advantages" of booking direct. IMHO.

[Dolebludger]

Roland:

 

You have erased any doubt in my mind about the subject of Air from Purue to Galapagos. Actually, it was not actually my understanding that the air on this route is a "charter" as we in the US know the term. Instead, it is a "regularly scheduled" airline that may "bump" you off a booked flight IF they chose to instead charter the plane. Just like some regent guests have been "bumped" or rescheduled when Regent decided to charter the whole ship on the date when these guests were booked on it.

 

Last thing I want on such a remote vacation is a big hassle, for which no one is responsible. Me thinks that if I find I can't afford to take this cruise with air and hotel (and everything in between) locked down by the cruise line, I'll just have to pass on the cruise -- just like I did on that new Bugatti!

[JoAnne B]

I can't imagine doing Galapagos from a mass market cruise ship.

 

We went several years ago on our own. There's a long story behind that which I won't bore you with. We flew into Quito for a few days on Saeta Airlines. Our inbound flight was grounded by fog (a common occurence) in Guayaquil and we were put up for the night in what could only be called a flop house and flown out the next morning. We went back to Guayaquil for a few days on our own, flew to Galapagos on our own, and caught up with a small cruise (fewer than 50 aboard as I recall). The cruise line picked us up at the airport and returned us at the end. We had small problems along the way, but nothing that wasn't quickly resolved. I don't think any experienced traveler should be concerned doing an independent trip.

 

The Galapagos is unique and each island a unique adventure in nature. At least when we went it was tightly controlled...only so many people on an island at a time, couldn't carry any food of the ship, had to be meticulous washing our shoes before going ashore and on the return. We were broken down into small groups, probably a dozen or so. That's the only way to enjoy the birds and animals without disrupting the ecology. We were able to watch the mating dance of the blue footed booby up close and the group minutes ahead of us saw a sea lion giving birth. By the time we got there, the pup was being cleaned and nuzzled. We were also stranded for a time by an angry bull sea lion who wouldn't let us get to the tender. Ships crew had to take on the relatively dangerous task of distracting him while we scurried across the rocks. I wouldn't want to do this with a couple of hundred people on a mass market line.

 

There are a number of packages that utilize smaller boats and keep with the spirit of the islands. I understand there is also now an elegant hotel complex on the main island, although I'm not sure what elegant means in this basic country.

 

I'd encourage you to look at options before you decide to explore this very special place with Celebrity.

 

Just my opinion.

 

JoAnne B

[blackbird71]

 

I'd encourage you to look at options before you decide to explore this very special place with Celebrity.

 

Just my opinion.

 

JoAnne B

 

You should check out Celebrity ship, it is < 100 passengers. And they do the islands well.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/plancruise/ships/ship.do?shipCode=XP

 

Mass market is it NOT....

[Dolebludger]

Joanne B:

 

What cruise line did you take for your Galapagos cruise?

[Iamboatman]

I am not sure why the Celebrity Xpedition brand should be branded by anyone "mass market"; especially when it is anything but.:confused:

 

I would encourage anyone who thinks a 98 passenger, all-inclusive (including tours), open seating cruise with varied tours and zodiacs as tenders to reexamine their definition of "mass market". Further, all of the guides have the same licenses and approvals...and are regularly checked by Celebrity Xpeditions so quality and accountability are fairly predictable.

 

I would also note that not many of the Regent posters here would be terribly satisfied with "flop house" accommodations, but also note your take on independent travel (while obviously doable) does show that there are benefits having a major player on your side.

 

Keeping it in perspective, you can also cruise Tahiti and French Polynesia on small 10-50 passenger "yachts", but the rave reviews of the "semi-mass market" Regent PG (keeping things in perspective) doesn't seem to be objectionable...because of what you receive.

 

Just my opinion.

[Dolebludger]

Yes, all, the reason I am considering Celebrity Expedition for this itinerary is that it has repeatedly been reported to be the least mass-market type way to see these islands. A little "boat" just large enough to offer all inclusive cruise ship amenities, but certainly small enough for a proper tour of this ecologicaly-sensitive area. Neither Regent, Silver Seas nor Seabourn do this itinerary, so these "usual suspects" are not an option here.

 

BTW, many don't consider the Paul Gauguin to be "semi mass-market" but full blown luxury cruising. Indeed, I enjoyed my latest PG cruise more than my most recent cruise, which was on the Silver Cloud. Certianly a different style, but a truly luxurious substance.

 

Another thing is we have some friends with whom we've cruised Regent several times. They took the Celebrity Expedition cruise of the Galapagos. Now, these are people with very high expectations and requirements. They would never consider one of Celebrity's "regular" cruises, which are premium but not lux. The had rave comments on the Expedition. My main concern is , can I afford it!