Galapagos Cruise

[walkr]

We are planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands and are looking for a cruise where the ship's purpose is for a place to eat and sleep and to get you to the various islands. (Usually on these ships there is no entertainment at night as there is on regular cruises, because after getting up early and going out all day you are so tired that you just want to crash anyway.) We are looking at Lindblad Expeditions because they advertise their trained naturalists and other experts who lead the daily tours. But it looks like they are the priciest. Does anyone have any experience with taking a Galapagos trip, either with Lindblad or with one of the other adventure tours?

[Carla B]

Ten years ago we sailed to the Galapagos from the Panama Canal with another couple on their sailboat. We left the boat at anchor at the main island, as required, and boarded a sanctioned tour boat, the "Fragata", which held 16 passengers. There was an English-speaking naturalist guide, along with ample crew on board, including a chef who prepared delicious meals. The crew were very nice and a couple of them asked me to help them study English after dinner at night. It seemed that all the boats, including the most expensive ones, did the same tours, as the Park is highly regulated. We had a wonderful time on this local boat and also just hanging around Puerto Ayora with other yachties.

You can get information on Galapagos cruise boats at GalapagosIslands.net (http://www.galapagosislands.net).

[blueash]

I did the trip a few years ago with Galapagos Travel Galapagos Natural History & Photography Tours | GALAPAGOS TRAVEL (http://www.galapagostravel.com/) I chose them because of the extra time and attention to it being a learning experience. On our 16 tourists ship we had not just the local guide which all tours have, but additionally a university biologist from Washington. Each day we seemed to be the first group on the islands. We were in the water snorkeling with seals and one day with hammerhead sharks! (not too close). Each day we did at least 2 island walks and one water experience. Additionally we had every evening a one hour long lecture or talk if you like on topics of interest. I recall ones on tectonic plates, volcanism, Darwin, reptiles, of course birds, etc. The talks were neither too simple nor too complex. Keep in mind the Islands and the wildlife is the same no matter what tour company you use. You will only do this once and need to decide if you want to maximize the seeing and doing or is having lots of rest time and fancy meals a priority. I don't know how the price compares with other companies and of course who the guide is on your ship will be really important. I did really like having two guides for 16 rather than the usual one.

edit, one other thought. Some (?most) make you spend a day or two on the mainland. Be sure you look not at total trip time, but rather time in the Islands. Time of year also will change which species are most likely seen.

[walkr]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. It sounds as if all the tours are pretty similar, so I think I will look into some of the less expensive tours. Thanks again.

[Becky]

We just booked a cruise to the Galapagos on Celebrity Xpedition. Because the ship only holds 96 People, 2014 & 2015 are booked up. 2016 just opened up so we booked April for then. Cruised with Celebrity quite a bit so feel comfortable booking with them. They also have a naturalist for every 16 people.

Becky

[Arctic Fox]

We had a great trip on the Mary Anne - a three-masted brigantine

A tour group had cancelled so the boat was up for rent at short notice, and there were nine of us plus ten crew on board, plus an excellent naturalist.

Although we did sail a couple of times, most of the travel was under motor (between islands at night)

Highly recommended - we were even allowed to climb the rigging and use a rope to swing off and jump into the sea :-)

The water there can be cold, but most boats have wetsuits for hire.