Galápagos and Celebrity Xpedition

My husband, Ed, and I took a trip to the Galápagos in April ’05 aboard the 96-passenger Celebrity Xpedition (Celebrity Cruises, Miami, FL; 866/973-8466 or www.celebrity xpeditions.com).

The 10-night package included a 2-night pre-cruise stay, with meals, at the Marriott in Quito, Ecuador; a city tour; transfers; air transportation between Quito and Baltra Island and return; a one-night post-cruise stay in Quito (the dinner that night was at the Opera House, quite a grand place); the 7-night cruise; ocean-view staterooms; all meals; complimentary beverages, wine and bottled water; port taxes; gratuities; visits to 10 islands; Galápagos National Park admission fee, and onboard lectures and entertainment. If someone chose to snorkel, wetsuits and goggles were provided.

In Category XD, our stateroom No. 306 (160 square feet) cost $3,650 per person. We arranged our own air, using frequent-flyer miles. The only out-of-pocket expense was the $25-per-person exit fee we paid leaving the Quito airport.

The ship was modern and spacious, with all outside staterooms. The onboard naturalists were excellent. We had buffet breakfasts and lunches and menu dinners. The food was varied and, on the whole, quite good.

Twice each day we would board the Zodiacs for explorations set at each guest’s choice of three different levels: high intensity, medium and low.

This was a very well-organized cruise/hotel package and we would highly recommend it.

The only downside — I was quite badly affected by the elevation of Quito (9,350 feet). No appetite. A general lousy feeling. I tried drinking coca tea, which they recommended; it helped a little bit. Ed felt no ill effects whatsoever. As soon as we arrived in the Galápagos, my general well being returned.

Upon our return, I called the Celebrity office and questioned why they did not stay in Guayaquil rather than Quito and they claimed that Quito was a much safer city.

BETTY ZANDER
Cibolo, TX