Galapagos Island Cruises

Galapagos Island cruises acquaint travelers with the uninhabited environment of the Galapagos archipelago. Cruises are small and intimate, offering luxury accommodations with exceptional services. The mood is casual and friendly, with a wide array of exciting and educational activities. No matter what cruise you choose, you will experience an unforgettable journey through the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos archipelago is located on the equator west of Ecuador's mainland. Cruises sail the Galapagos Islands year-round as the climate is quite pleasant in every season. Many travelers explore the islands after visiting the mainland of Ecuador, and most cruise companies offer extended packages, including adventure sailings, plus hotel packages on the mainland.

Environmental standards are closely regulated to ensure preservation of one of the most isolated archipelagos left on earth, thus travel by water is restricted to small, environmentally regulated modes of transportation. You can choose to tour the islands on a sailboat, mid-sized yacht or luxury cruise vessel designed to accommodate up to 100 guests.

Smaller-sized ships not only help preserve the natural ecological environment, but afford adventurous cruisers the opportunity to explore some of the archipelagos' most remote locations. Another advantage of smaller-sized ships is the cozy social atmosphere they offer. The larger expedition cruises are not nearly as intimate as smaller sailboats, but offer additional perks, such as roomier cabins and a larger range of onboard services and activities.

Most cruise ships navigating through the Galapagos Islands offer some type of all-inclusive package tailored to the ship's style and expedition experience. Some companies offer packages that include full itineraries and meals, but do not include airfare or other courtesies, such as transfers or gratuities, within the total package price. The all-inclusive package offered on Celebrity Cruises for the 2011 season includes the following:

Gratuities Airfare Transfers Meals and beverages Expert onboard naturalist guides Daily itinerary and excursions

Before booking an expedition, read the fine print for a full description of what is included in the ship's all-inclusive package. This ensures a more pleasurable voyage and minimizes unexpected last minute expenditures that can so often break the bank.

Virtually every cruise in the Galapagos Islands offers a full itinerary of daily excursions and activities included in the package price. Cruisers can expect to experience at least one guided port of call each day led by a qualified naturalist fluent in English. Some naturalists are also fluent in multiple languages. The opportunity to select an activity level preference, from active, moderate or minimal exertion is provided for each daily excursion. Each activity level is formed into a small group. Different activities featured on Galapagos cruise itineraries include:

Snorkeling Whale watching Bird watching Guided hikes Zodiac cruises Scuba diving Kayaking Cave explorations Photography excursions

A Galapagos expedition cruise is a luxury cruise coupled with adventurous and educational activities designed to inspire both your mind and body. Although luxury class expedition cruises are smaller in size, everything a world cruiser would want and need is packed into these cozy luxury liners. You will find world class service, an intimate and relaxed environment and luxurious accommodations, including:

Complimentary sparkling wine Fruit baskets Binoculars Snorkeling equipment Daily hors d'oeuvers Stocked minibars

Galapagos Island cruises are managed exclusively for exploring one of the most uninhabited regions of the world. Moreover, Galapagos cruises are sustainable and are either locally or privately managed. The one exception is Celebrity Cruises' sailings, which is one of the large cruise ship companies operating within the archipelago. All cruise lines hire onboard staff fluent in English, and sometimes skilled in multiple languages. Below are a number of luxury class cruises that sail within the isolated boundaries of the Galapagos Islands:

While planning a vacation to the Galapagos Islands keep in mind most cruise ships sailing through this destination book one year in advance. However, it is also advantageous to explore last-minute cruise deals, as they often include incentives, such as free airfare to the region.