Celebrity Expedition to Galapagos

[Roland4]

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.

 

 

Just my opinion.

 

JoAnne B

 

This paragraph pretty well describes the Celebrity Xpedition experience. Groups of no more than 16 (and often fewer) escorted by naturalists, licensed by the Ecuadorian government and the Galapagos Park, who, in many cases, were born and/or raised and/or live in the islands.

 

Not all "mass market" itineraries/ships are alike. While you are entitled to your opinions, I would strongly suggest checking the facts first before making such a blanket condemnation.

[Iamboatman]

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.

 

I was just trying to compare apples to apples. A cruise ship vs. a small "yacht" (actually large boat possibly marketed as a yacht).

 

I think calling the PG "semi-mass market" is almost - but not as - incorrect as calling the Xpedition "mass market". I would more rather consider them "somewhat" similar products in two different areas of the world.

[Dolebludger]

Perhaps it is time to define terms. We all may have different definitions. To me, if the ship/cruise is open dining, beverage all-inclusive, no crowds or lines, and fairly consistent good food and service, and some degree of available personal service, it is a luxury line. If it lacks open dining and/or beverage all inclusive, and has maybe a few crowds and lines, it is a premium ship/cruise. If it is a pure "ala carte cattle car" it is mass market. If it isn't even a good cattle car, it is budget.

 

Without having been on Celebrity Expidition (yet) the objective facts seem to qualify it as a luxury ship/cruise -- no matter what line name is painted on the ship.

[RachelG]

I would never sail on a regular Celebrity cruise; however, given that RSSC, Seabourn and Silversea don't go to the Galapagos, the Xpedition is my choice. I would hardly call their Galapagos cruise "mass-market". I doubt it would be very appealling to the vast majority of "mass-market" cruisers, and it is a very small ship as stated above.

[blackbird71]

I would never sail on a regular Celebrity cruise; however, given that RSSC, Seabourn and Silversea don't go to the Galapagos, the Xpedition is my choice. I would hardly call their Galapagos cruise "mass-market". I doubt it would be very appealling to the vast majority of "mass-market" cruisers, and it is a very small ship as stated above.

 

For one it's per day price would scare off most "mass-market" cruisers. :p

 

Also for the Galapagos there is Lindblad Expeditions http://www.expeditions.com/ but I have not hear much about them.

[CLOU]

My husband and I are booked on our 8th Regent cruise this September and I too have been fascinated by the Xpedidition to the Galapagos. We currently have reservations for a February, 2009 cruise. It is that far in the distance because there are only 5 larger suites on the Xpedition and they are booked for most of the times we would want to cruise beofre Febraury 2009. While I am not expecting a Regent level suite, we want the extra room. It does not surprise me that Regent cruisers like myself would be interested on this trip with Celebrity. The destination/itinerary sounds amazing and the cruise does not seem to be a typical Celebrity cruise.

[cruiseyguy]

Celebrity's Xpedition is generally considered to be the gold standard of Galapagos cruises. And its prices certainly aren't "mass market."

[JoAnne B]

We sailed on a small boat (don't think it qualified as a ship) called the Corinthian. There were only about 50 onboard. I'm sorry, but 6 groups of 16 at one time is a lot for these small islands to absorb without having an impact on an until recently relatively untouched natural population. Tourism on Galapagos has changed as it's come to be viewed as a big moneymaker for the country. Unless it has changed, the hefty entrance fee goes into the gov't coffers with little returned to the islands. It's a real push-pull of eco concerns vs. the lure of money. Nothing new there...it's a problem for popular tourist sites the world over.

 

I'll sidestep the Celebrity as mass-market argument. My one and only trip on Celebrity was the 2nd worst cruise I've been on...second only to being on one of the last Royal Cruise Line cruises where staff and rations were scarce. Celebrity did a terrible job, and they didn't care. As a result, they'll never have the opportunity to take my money and ruin a vacation again. Nonetheless, the line obviously meets the expectations of lots of passengers and this cruise may be a good compromise between the more intimate (and more basic) options. If I had it to do again, I'd still choose a smaller option.

The topic was opened for opinions and I gave mine. That doesn't mean that I expect everybody to agree.

 

JoAnne B

[Dolebludger]

JoanneB:

 

I would never chose Celebrity for any of their "regular" cruises. I'm not putting them down, but they just don't fit my criteria, and a cruise must fit my criteria or else (if nothing further is available) I'll just stay home.

 

It however, is my understanding that Celebrity Expedition in the Galapagos is an entirely different cruise product, and a much upscale one. My investigation continues, so we'll see. My basic criteria are open dinner seating, all-beverage inclusive, no nickel and diming, and reasonable food and service. Cruise lines? Give me that, and I'll give you a try -- if the price is right.

[JoAnne B]

My problem with Celebrity wasn't the cruise product, it was the total lack of customer service or concern with the quality of the implementation of the product. At the time, we sailed what has come to be known as mass market so our expectations weren't even that high. Keep to the port schedule, and by the way, try not to get into any collisions in Gatum Lake. They couldn't even do that. They had Captain from hell who was disliked by passengers and staff. And again, they didn't care. I'm not sure that kind of attitude is different whether it's a large ship or a small expedition product.

 

The Xpedition product is selling out their cruises (yeah, I did do my research). They offer nicer accommodations than the smaller boats, still not luxury, but not bad. They have extensive itineraries. It sound like you know what is important to you, and have pretty much made up your mind.

 

My main point was that it isn't out of the question to coordinate the trip on your own. Ecuador is no more difficult to accomplish on your own than any other country. As I now recall, the tour company may have coordinated the plane trip to and from the island so you may have to do the Celebrity air. If they're taking 100 passengers +/- at a time, they probably block a significant portion of the available seats. If I were doing a pre-or-post, I'd go to the mainland instead of a Marriott on the island. Go to the equator marker and Otavalo market. Drive the beautiful Ecuador countryside. Buy some beautiful carved pieces in the small village markets. There are lots of options.

 

JoAnne B

[Dolebludger]

Have I made up my mind? Oh, no, not at all. I just want to visit the Galapagos. If anybody has a suggestion of a more luxurious way to go than Celebrity Expedition, I would be eagar to here of it. I know it has to be done by boat/ship, and I just don't want one of those "things" where one sleeps(?) in bunk beds and is wakened (mandatorily) at the crack of dawn, as I don't wan't that much "adventure" in my trip. Believe me, if Regent, Silverseas, or Seabourn were to put a little ship/boat down there, I would go with one of them. But they haven't. I have another rule: "don't go deep into the third world on one's own". I want some reliable entity to be responsible for me. And Celebrity wouldn't be my first choice, but it seems that if I want some bit of luxury, they are all I have.

[mcavanaugh]

Well hello Richard: Perhaps you remember that Dave and I loved this trip. Celebrity did a fabulous job with the Marriott Hotel and tours in Quito. The ship was small (take the best cabin...its larger and has a small balcony). We had 63 passengers... it was like a family. Unfortunately we have had to cancel our Regent trip to Fiji scheduled for November because Dave broke his back (wil not bore the board with the details except to say that Seabourn was wonderful in handling a horrible situation). Write me if you want the gory details. Anyhow, take the trip. You will love it. Fondly, Maxine

[azjoy]

Dolebludger, we took the 7-day cruise on Celebrity Xpedition in late November, 2005. Enjoyed every single moment - we saw all the animals unique to the islands, including hundreds of seal pups and about 10 billion marine iguanas (unless it was the same 1 billion swimming from island to island to greet us). It was a wonderful experience but I don't think I would have enjoyed the 10-day any more than the 7-day cruise. So consider the shorter cruise - but definitely go. One of the big pluses on this trip is that the naturalists (who are your "tour guides" whenever you leave the ship), are traveling with you for the entire cruise, so you get to know them like your fellow passengers. And the captain and crew are so devoted to your enjoyment that they will divert the zodiacs or the entire ship to observe animals. We circled a group of whales in the big ship and a group of dolphins in the zodiac. Truly, a once in a lifetime experience.

[RachelG]

Azjoy, I am glad to hear from someone who has done the 7-day. We are signed up for the 7-day next May, but Celebrity keeps trying to get me to change to the 10-day. But we're not really that interested in spending time in Quito. How did your reservations with TAME work? Did you have any problem? I keep hearing horror stories of being sold a ticket then not being able to board the flight because it is full, but I haven't heard of anyone this has actually happened to--just "it could happen".

[Dolebludger]

Thanks to all:

 

We are pretty much committed to doing this now. However, my mother died earlier this month, and all the responsibilities of settling the estate, selling the house, and all that "darned old heavy work" has fallen to me. When this matter is over, I will get serious abut booking this cruise.

 

If I felt there was anything "mass market" about it, I wouldn't want to book it. But some very good friends of ours have posted on this thread (Regent/Silversea types) with rave reviews. That pretty much convinced me.

 

I've just had a bit of a detour in my plans, but it is only a delay -- not a rejction. Indeed, I find myself needing this cruise very badly at the moment.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[Iamboatman]

Richard,

 

Sorry for your loss. It is hard, but having something to look forward to - even if just to decompress - may help.

 

Also, I was just at a travel agent function and I heard two TAs who tried other options both say, "It was almost as good as Celebrity." Well, when I hear that it seems pretty clear that Celebrity has positioned - no earned - itself to be the "gold standard".

 

BTW, I know there have been some comments about being "pushed" for the 10 day version. I believe the reality is that the level of overall satisfaction and seamlessness is higher for the 10 day version, so it is encouraged. It really isn't any different from flying to Tahiti and then hopping on a short 7 day cruise versus taking a few days to adjust beforehand. I would almost always encourage the latter because the overall experience will probably be better for most.

[Emdee]

Hi Dolebludger, like you I am a big Regent and especially PG fan. In fact I think you helped me along on my first PG trip - I am up to three and am wondering whether one more PG trip next year is in order. I have not done much cruising recently other than the PG at New Year but instead took a spectacular trip to South Africa and am visiting East Afriaca and Dubai this year.

 

I went on the Expedition a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. The arrangements are pretty decent and the flight is usually scheduled but can sometimes be a charter. When we took the trip the airport was under repairs so we had to board at another port - I think Santa Cruz.

 

The food is fine - nothing special but fine. Its all inclusive for drinks tips etc and the staff are good but not up to PG quality. The naturalists were pretty good and that was important. They have a mix of excursions two or three or sometimes four times a day. They include those that just take you around in a zodiac (we needed to take that one to see the galapagos penguins) others which are more intensive and most of which are just good long walks stopping along to view the seals , marine iguanas, boobies etc.

 

We had a 78 year old gentleman on board and he was game for almost everything. The boat is very small and basic, cabins are the same size of PG basic cabins or maybe a tad smaller as bathrooms are not as nice. But quite adequate.

 

Each evening there is a slide show of what you will be seeing the next day and a discussion of the next walk/island as the case may be. My daughter snorkelled with the seals and penguins and really enjoyed it though the water is quite cold.

 

Do make the trip its definitely worthwhile. We also tagged on Machu Picchu with a couple of days in Lima and Cuzco and had that part of the trip put together by a south american specialist in Toronto. There is a fairly large community from those areas here.

Let me know if you have any questions

 

Miriam

[azjoy]

RachelG, if the 10-day includes more time in Quito, then I wouldn't take it. One day there was just fine for me. If you want to take a side trip to Macchu Picchu, that's different. Some folks did that and said it was great. The highlight and the main point of the cruise for me was the animals and the islands. As for TAME, we let Celebrity make all the arrangements and had no problems. In fact we always let the cruise line make the air/transfer arrangements. My husband tends to fret about the transfers/luggage but everything has worked out smoothly so far (knock wood) when the cruise line makes the arrangements. He thought about using FF miles to Oslo for a Norwegian fjord cruise but then talked himself out of it when he discovered how many connections we would have to make - too much room for problems/delays. We've had delays when RSSC made the arrangements, but their rep was still waiting for us at the airport. Also, I STRONGLY recommend you read the postings on the Celebrity board about what to take. I cut and pasted of all of them into a file and then deleted the duplicates. It was incredibly helpful. Have a GREAT TIME!

[RachelG]

The cruise time on the 7 day and the 10 day is the same--7 days. The difference is that the 10 day includes 2 nights before and 1 night after in Quito. Have already been to Machu Picchu last year, so not interested in going again so soon.