Time for lovely family trip again and all my Mom's friends take Tauck tours. Since I use Fodors alot, I want to ask if this is the best for us? We are 4 adults with my two kids, daughter 12, son 9. Last trip was to Alaska on Celebrity. It was lovely and I hear Celebrity does Galapagos tours as well. Recommend this?

Found on internet, ExpeditionTrips.com in Seattle, who are holding triple rooms on Explorer II, a 100 passenger boat, a 5 day cruise. The Tauck tour is on M/V Santa Cruz, a 4 day cruise.

Any comments for either tours or ANY OTHER TOUR would be truly appreciated. THANKS!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A 3 full days visiting 4 islands-no more!! We went on a 7 day/6 nights and it was boring. A boat that takes 40-50 couples and has cabins that are at least 120 sq. ft.
We found it a big disappointment for the cost.This may create a major discussion but having been to Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Honduras, Belize, Thailand. Malaysia I would rank the Galapagos at the bottom in terms of over all interest.

Tauck has a reputation of being top of the line and you pay for it. How many people does the Celebrity boat hold? I would prefer the smaller ship.

If either of the boats has family activities or caters to kids, that would be a plus.

A company I've traveled with (though not to the Galapagos), Natural Habitat, has special Galapagos departures for families. Their boats hold about 16 guests, which has been the size I've gone on. I used Galapagos Travel which does 2-week and longer trips. That might be too much for kids. The owner of the company, Barry Boyce, has a great book that discusses all of the islands and their wildlife plus lists many tour operators and vessels. The book is A Traveler's Guide to the Galapagos.

My suggestion for the 4 vs 5 day trip is completely the opposite of StanKase. Just shows how that eye of the beholder comment applies to travel as well.

I spent about two weeks in the Galapagos on two separate trips and am planning a return. Being a nature lover, I found it captivating with many great photgraphic opportunities. Frequent snorkeling as well. So my appproach is: if you're going all that way, you might as well spend as much time there as you can.

But I have encountered others who have felt 3-4 days was plenty. If your goal is just to see some sea lions, boobies (birds) and lizards, you can easily accomplish that in 3 days. In fact, there are land based programs for 3-4 days that might be more appealing to a 9 and 12 year old than a ship.

Have a good trip.

I went to the Galapagos almost 2 years ago .

I did the seven day tour and spent four days in Quito also.

Personally I was never bored and I enjoyed every Island that I visited.

However they do have 3-4 day tours and 5 day tours also.

I was on a lovely Luxury Yacht...the 40 passenger(there were only 36 of us) called the Isabella 2.

It all depends what your interests are and how much time you want to spend persuing them.

To me the Galapagos is one of those once in a lifetime places.

I just got back from Egypt after 18 days ..this to me ,is another of those once in a lifetime places.
I mean if you want to Cruise the Nile,see the Sphinx or see and climb the Pyramids...you have to go to Egypt.

But it is sure nice to have StanKase's view and that is how we all learn and exchange ideas.

Percy

I too was interested in the Celebrity Expedition ship in the Galapagos - that is, until I saw the price. If you're more interested in the "cruising" part - this might be a good choice. (although for the same price you could likely charter a private yacht).

Our primary interest was the scenery and wildlife, which are the same regardless of what ship/boat you are on. We chose a smaller boat (and could probably have gone two or three times for what the Celebrity fare costs).

We went last Christmas on a 12 passenger yacht - 7 days. Trip of a lifetime!

Pictures and trip report here

http://www.whywework.com/travel/galapagos/index.htm

At over $3000 per person for their cheapest cabin, Celebrity is quite expensive, but it's an all-inclusive, so it's not as bad as you think.

They include airfare for transport between the Galapagos and Quito/Guayaquil ($400), the national park entrance fee ($100), your pre and post cruise accommodations ($200-300), snorkeling equipment, tips, and all beverages (including alcohol).

Is it still pricey? Yes, but not quite as expensive when you price all of the included things. I made the same calculations when I booked my cruise on the Polaris with Lindblad Expeditions (leaving on Friday). They're expensive up front, but once you factor in what gets included, it's not too bad. It helps that I was able to get $1000 off on a twin share with a last minute fare.

I have clients who just returned from sailing on the Legend on a Junior Suite, and they loved it. From my own experience, I would take a smaller ship rather than a large one. The ship itself will have fewer amenities (the one I was on had pretty much no ammenities) but the excursions will be more intimate.

Let me know if you want some more information on the ship...

ebrener,

How many guests on the Legend? How many nights were your clients in the Galapagos?
If you have the islands visited, that would be good too. Thank you.

Ciaodeb - We did the Celebrity land/cruise package to the Galapagos last June and were extremely happy with our decision. The 11-day package is on the expensive side but considering all you get, it wasn't that much more than what you would pay for the better luxury 16-passenger yachts. Included was pre and post cruise nights at the Marriott Resort in Quito, virtually all meals while in Quito, full day tour of Quito, including "Mitad del Mundo" (the equator), round trip air from Quito/Galapagos, all alcoholic beverages while on board the ship and the Galapagos National Park entrance fee ($100.00 per person).
The "X-pedition" was a wonderful ship, large enough to provide all the creature comforts but not too large (98 passengers). The crew lived up to the Celebrity reputation, as did the naturalists. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any specific questions or if you would like to view our photographs of the ship, the islands and Quito.
[email protected]

My husband and I are planning to visit the islands with Tauck on the Isabella II ship. Our choices are Feb, July and Sept 2006 - does anyone have advice about which month to go? and has anyone been on this specific ship?

Any words of wisdom would be tremendously appreciated!

dndz,

Feb--The waved albatross go out to sea Jan through March so they would not be present at this time.

July--I was there in early August and it was pleasantly cool much of the time. A light jacket was needed at times. Upper 60s to near 80.

Sept--A little sunnier and less rainy than July but about the same temps. No kids off from school in Sept, as there could be in July.

There is no bad time to go, unlike some places.

Thank you, all who replied. My mother decided on Tauck, it will be my first trip with them as I usually set trip myself. This is a family trip so Mom gets to pick! We will be going mid August '06 a 4 day cruise trip on Santa Cruz boat. The longer trips go on Isabella, the boats mentioned in many posts here.

I look forward to this natural beautiful area of the world. Again, many thanks.