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Galapagos Cruise - 5 Things You Need To Know

Galapagos Cruising Captures Best Of Both Worlds

By Land And By Sea


A Galapagos Cruise is the trip of a lifetime, affording opportunities to see plentiful examples of endemic wildlife that changed the world.  Imagine viewing birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life found nowhere else on the globe but on this isolated archipelago.  Whether you choose one of the three, four, or seven night Galapagos cruises, the opportunity abounds to see an enormous amount of wildlife and geological oddities in a very short space of time while enjoying luxury, comfort and convenience on board the all-suite Explorer II vessel.

What are five key questions to ask before booking your trip?  How can you make the most of the Galapagos experience?  We’ve put together some of the most common considerations and concerns before booking an adventure of a lifetime for you and your family.

  • What are the advantages of a Galapagos Cruise? Besides the great pleasure of enjoying Ecuadoran culture, cuisine, and luxury on the vessel, one great benefit in seeing the islands by boat is in the views of coastal areas.  Because the archipelago was formed by volcanoes, the unusual rock formations and coastal landscape is best seen from the water.  Plus, half of the Galapagos experience is in the rich marine life more conveniently visible by sea.
  • What is the best time to see the Islands? Situated on the equator, the temperate climate allows for travel any time throughout the year.  Depending on wildlife interest, many individuals like to see mating, nesting, or migratory patterns.   Or for some, it may be the flora and fauna as it blooms.  It’s best to determine your greater area of interest first, determine when a species like birds or maybe it’s the world famous iguanas’ nest then plan a trip during that season.
  • Will we always have guides to explain and explore the islands? The Galapagos Explorer coordinates two excursions each day from the ship using Certified Naturalist guides trained by the National Park service to some of the most remote parts of the islands.  They provide a rich resource for information and identification of wildlife for you to see and learn about.
  • How common are wildlife sightings? It is the quintessential reason for travelers to take a Galapagos cruise and impossible to disappoint since there are hundreds and thousands of animals, plants, aquatic life, and reptiles having few natural predators to speak of.  In fact, the animals are so fearless they often come right up to people, as curious about you as you are about them.
  • What is an average day on a Galapagos Cruise? You might want to hike inland to view vegetation or lava caves.  Some travelers choose snorkeling or a glass bottom boat trip.  Regardless of the myriad of choices available, you’ll also have the pleasure of returning to the vessel to enjoy Ecuadoran cuisine, stargazing on deck in the evenings, or relaxing with friends and family in the Jacuzzi.