We have just arrived home from the Celebrity Xpedition in the Galapagos, any questions? It is a beautiful small ship.

Hi Triptaker, how was the dining attire on the ship? I heard this vacation is more relaxed. Did you get to see a lot of wildlife up close?

Everything was very casual. I actually repacked into one small bag, and left our big suitcase at the Marriott in Quito. I do recommend the 10 day package. Celebrity does a very good job with this, and the cost is not too bad.

Normal attire in the dining room in the evening was a casual dress, skirt, nice capri or pants. I took all linen, and used the ships laundry. My husband wore casual pants, and a polo shirt.

I recommend this to the cruiser who is really tired of the big ships. They just keep getting bigger. Celebrity is now building a 3500 person ship.

The wildlife is totally unafraid of humans. They have three levels of activities each morning and afternoon.

Remember this is all inclusive, so other than a few t shirts and a massage, our bill was not over $100. We did tip the maid. It was nice and the staff and the guests get to know each other. Very pleasant, and highly recommend. Wish they had more small ships.

That is a trip I would really like to do. You mentioned small ship cruising - there is a site called www.smallshipcruises.com which is quite informative. I am a big fan of Clipper cruises.

Triptaker: Thanks for the post.....we are taking the cruise in June. Tell me about the itinerary. What islands did you visit? I've heard some negative comments....something about having to "double back" to return the 4-day only passengers to the main port. Did you snorkel? How much opportunity is there to do that? Are wet suits available (hate to use up the precious weight taking ours)? How strict are they on the 35 pound weight limit on luggage? Does the ship have a laundry that passengers can use, or is it dry cleaning service only? Will probably have more questions before we leave, will try to keep them to a minimum. Can we talk you into writing a trip report? I'd love to read about your experiences. Thanks in advance.

By all inclusive, do you mean wine, alcohol, and soft drinks which are extra on most cruise ships?

All drinks are included. The only exception would be premium brands, but I have to say that everything that we liked was covered. From wine, pop, to brandy.

We hit most all of the islands. Sadly, my leg had been injured on the Celebrity Infinity....their fault...so I was somewhat limited in activities, but like I said before, my husband was quite pleased. Some of the "highest level" activities were not that difficult, but for most people it was quite adequate.

All of the passengers were 7 days on the ship, so there was no repeating. Actually the islands are quite similar. It was very hot when we were there.

My husband did snorkel, without a wetsuit, however, they did provide all equipment including wetsuits. He just did not think it was cold. There were quite a few opportunities for snorkeling. Some took their own wetsuits, but apparently you can sign up before, and they are all delivered to your cabin. Very efficient.

As far as the weight limit, people took big suitcases, but we were under the impression that we needed to stick to the 35lb. Actually we had plenty of clothing. The flight to the Galapagos is on Tame an Ecuador airline. Going over we were on an airbus, but coming back we were on a horrible old 727. It was very crowded and hot.

There is no internet on the ship, but you do stop at several towns where internet is $1 per hour, and phone is 25 cents per minute, so you can keep in touch. The phone was so cheap I never bothered with the internet.

The ship has a laundry, no dry cleaning, and like I said we used it once, and it was fine.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions. It is a delightful trip and the ship is lovely. We had a cabin on Deck 3..........the lowest, and it was fine. It says porthole, but is actually a window.

Again, no complaints. Lovely trip. I like the small ships.

Thanks so much for your report Triptaker, it is really helpful. My other question is, did you feel safe in Quito? My husband is a little hesitant about traveling in South America. I would love to do this cruise some time in the fall.

We have been in South America four times. I feel safe in Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador. I would not be concerned anymore than a big city in the US.

Triptaker, the itinerary is a dream to me. I just ordered the brochure & I'm thinking of going in the next 2-3 years.
What was the demographics of the cruise passengers? I'm in my early 30s and I figured this trip would have many active people on board.
Also, what did you think of the food and the dining set-up? I've read that the tables are all long-rows.
Thanks!

Blossom, the itinerary covers the islands well. The dining room is lovely. The tables are round, and seat from 4 to 8 depending on the size you want. All of the seatings are open. All ages were on this trip, from 30 to 80. We always found the passengers to be most pleasant and interesting. Those people that you tend to dread on a cruise, getting stuck with at dinner do not go on this cruise.

The Galapagos are interesting in their own way. It is very dry, and you will get to see your share of animals and birds, however, it will get to be a bit much. A week was the right amount of time. I will add, that this is the nicest ship in the Galapagos, and although I do not like the big Celebrity ships, this is a total different type of vacation. I think everyone had a pleasant time.

Did you notice if there was a noticeable number getting the 'tourita' bug? There are a number of reports of very high incidence on Xpedition on sailings since October. Cruise Critic has quite a few postings about it.

There was one passenger out of 80 that was seasick, but no one else had any problems.

However we were on the Infinity Jan 3rd to Chile, and there was a horrible outbreak of an upper respiratory virus. I would guess that at least 250 people were very ill, and nothing was mentioned. It was a big secret. However, the excessive medical bills were well discussed. Mine was $616!

To quote one of the nurses, "we are very concerned"

We are booked on this cruise for Dec. 11, the 10 day package. I'm glad no one your sailing got the GI bug, but it seems to be a recurring problem on this ship. Maybe people are getting sick in Quito at the Marriott. Were there any wetsuits in small women's sizes? I've heard that early on there wern't but Celebrity was planning on getting some and wondered if they had by now.

Budman: almost every other cruise ship charges extra for soda, beer, wine, and liquor. Only a few cruiselines include drinks. All other Celebrity ships charge for beverages.
Susie

susiesan, I cannot answer your question about wetsuits. I do not snorkle, but my husband did not wear one.

As far as illness, you can get sick on the plane to quito, any restaurant,hotel, tour bus, flight to Galapagos(nasty food on the plane), food in restaurants in the islands, etc, etc......

The airline Tame, only flies in Ecuador, and it isn't very good. The food was horrible looking...maybe that is were the bug is coming from and not the ship. I gave my "meal" back.

Triptaker: My wife and I are on the May 29 cruise and are in a cabin at the front of the ship on level 3. We just made the reservation, probably a cancellation, since the cruise had previously been sold out. I read somewhere that the anchor chain makes noise at night. Any experience with that? Also, how was the so-called "extreme snorkeling"? I will go, but my wife is concerned that it may be too strenuous for her. Finally, what was your view of the food? Thanks.

I think I heard the anchor, but since everything starts early, it really does not matter. This is not a terribly restful vacation.

I do not snorkle, but my husband who is in great shape at 63 found most of the "high level" outings not that difficult.

The food was excellent. I usually would have the pasta and a big salad at lunch. It was delightful. I think they did a great job, and did not have anything that was not good. They are limited as to what they can bring aboard, like beef, but the fish is fresh, caught locally and brought to the ship everyday. The dining room staff did an excellent job. Much better than the big Celebrity ships......which we had just been on the Infinity.

I think you will like it. Oh, tell your wife to have a massage. The gal is great, books up fast, and it is only $50 for an hour.

You will have a nice time.

Well, after loving the Xpedition, we decided to book the Clipper Odyssey. We went from New Caledonia to Melbourne. I know there are a lot of Clipper lovers out there, but this ship is in horrible condition. Dirty, poor food, bad service, and the cabins looked like a bad decorator had done them, and everything was very worn.

I have not been on any other of the Clipper ships.........not to be confused with the Royal Clipper sailing ship.....(which is fantastic).......but the Clipper Odyssey was a very big disappointment. If you are looking for a lovely vacation that is worth the $$$$$ do the Celebrity Xpedition, as you will not be disappointed.

I searched and got this????
Fare Air Price Prepaid
Gratuities Taxes/Fees Total
1) 100072.50 799.00 73.50 337.10 101208.60 USD
2) 100072.50 799.00 73.50 337.10 101208.60 USD
3) 100035.75 799.00 36.75 337.10 101171.85 USD

Total: 300180.76 2397.00 183.75 1011.30 303589.06 USD

Can this be the truth???