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Writer's pictureSteve Farnham

Will You Swim with Hammerheads? ONLY Three Slots Left!

Updated: Aug 13, 2020

We have experienced this incredible 10-night package and you don't want to miss out on an experience of a lifetime. The 10-night package that includes everything.

  • All of your meals and beverages

  • All of your gratuities

  • Shore excursions

  • Galapagos National Park entrance fees

  • Flights to Galapagos and return flights to Quito

  • Snorkeling equipment

  • Binoculars and bathrobes. Whew!

Susana Romero gave an exceptional update on cruising the Galapagos Islands with Celebrity Cruises. We opted for the 10-night package that not only includes your 7-night cruise around the Islands but also two nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Quito, Ecuador. Celebrity has been sailing in the Galapagos Islands for 16 years and they know their way around. The only thing you'll need to pay for is glamping (luxury camping overnight under the stars) and massages on board ship and any souveniers.


The Galapagos is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. Activities are available, usually twice daily, including hiking, snorkeling, and swimming but if you're feeling tired or just want to relax and do nothing you can stay aboard ship or take a dinghy on a coastal exploration sightseeing tour. The choice is yours and every evening you will plan out the next day's adventure with your onboard naturalist. Only 8 to 10 guests per naturalist so you'll receive highly personalized attention and information throughout your excursions.



Who should go to Galapagos? Anyone with an interest in history, culture, beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife. You should be in reasonably good shape and ambulatory. Galapagos isn't well-suited for people who need wheelchairs and walkers and children under the age of seven may be too young to understand and learn. Every day there are at least two excursions that require moving off the ship and on to a dinghy. Many of the landings are wet water landings. Although you are not required to participate in any of these excursions, these excursions showcase the wildlife, topography and history of the Islands.



Most people have heard of Charles Darwin and are familiar with some of the history of the Galapagos Islands. If you're not aware, Quito, Ecuador has a rich history and was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with Krakow, Poland. When in Quito you can straddle the Equator at a museum known as la mitad del mundo or the middle of the world. The Galapagos Islands are located approximately 600 miles west of Quito so naturally you'll be straddling the equator while navigating the Islands as well.



The wildlife is truly spectacular throughout the Galapagos and you'll see some well-known animals such as the Galapagos tortoise, sea lions, sea turtles, penguins and hammerhead sharks. Also, a few interesting birds like the flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds and the waved albatross. There is only one nesting location in the entire world for the waved albatross, on Espanola Island in the Galapagos Islands (to be accurate, a few breeding pairs have been found along the coast of Peru).





Celebrity has three ships operating in the Galapagos Islands. The newest is the Celebrity Flora, a magnificent, eco-friendly ship for a maximum of 100 guests specifically designed for operations in the Galapagos. The Celebrity Xpedition that carries only 48 guests and is perfect for multi-generational families or those desiring a mid-sized ship. Finally, the Xploration is a catamaran designed for "sailor's at heart" and perfect for group outings because the ship only allows a maximum of 16 guests. Once your ship is selected, you'll need to finalize an itinerary. Basically, you can tour the northern half on one sailing and the following week the ship will tour the southern half. This is to reduce the footprint on all of the islands. If you have the time and money, you could do back-to-back sailings and see everything! Which itineray depends on your wish list. If you want to swim with hammerheads, you'll probably be more inclined to see them on the northern loop. If you want to see the waved albatrosses, you'll only see them from March to November on the southernmost island of Espanola.




If you're ready to book a Galapagos sailing, you're in luck. Celebrity offers BOGOHO or Buy One Get One Half Off with Free Economy Air. You won't want to miss this offer. Call us at 512-819-1536.






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