Expedition to Galapagos

Ahoy Mates!  Batten down the hatches and secure your booty in a comfortable seat.  We are about to embark on an adventure on the high seas and land that takes us to distant shores to a Land Beyond Expectations.

This is the captain, gather ‘round to learn about our vessel, Celebrity Flora®, before we depart on our expedition to a land beyond expectations, Galapagos Islands.  She is a beauty, the first of its kind built specially to traverse the Galapagos archipelago.   Alas, only 100 souls can make this journey on this ship along with the naturalists that are familiar with the terrain and its inhabitants.

Each of your suites provide an outward-facing view of our surroundings.  Be vigilant throughout our journey so you do not overlook anything.   When we stop to go ashore, we will board landing craft while our ship remains stationary without even weighing our anchor.  This way the natives will not even hear us coming.

Over one hundred sixty years ago, a man wrote about his quest that took him to a place where he would discover how life evolved thousands of years ago.  We are about to follow in his footsteps and discover a land that is inhabited by species that can be found nowhere else on earth.  Sit back, relax, and watch this briefing. 

Captain, Isn't travel here dangerous now?   

No Mates, we have safety & health protocols in place:

(Click images to enlarge)

Why Visit Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands contain a unique combination of land and oceanic ecosystems, with many distinct habitats found in each. The Galapagos are located at the point where major ocean currents meet and the islands straddle the junctions between several shifting tectonic plates. This area is truly unlike any other place on earth.

The Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), one of the world's largest protected areas, has more than 2,900 reported marine species and over 18% of those live nowhere else on earth. Some of the best-known coastal animals of Galapagos include sea lions, fur seals, flightless cormorants, albatrosses, three species of booby, two frigatebird species, sea turtles, the marine iguana, and penguins.

 

Silversea Entering Galapagos Market

What are these Land Iguanas Looking For?

A common site on the islands of Galapagos are land iguanas huddled together looking out to sea.  Perhaps these iguanas are looking for the new major cruise line on the block - Silversea.

Silversea announced that it has just bought the 100-passenger, 4,077-ton expedition ship Galapagos Explorer II and upmarket Ecuadorian tourism company Canodros.  The ship will continue to operate as Galapagos Explorer II until September 2013, when it will be refurbished to Silversea standards and renamed.

The purchase is part of Silversea's long-running desire to expand further into the expedition market. It will also mean the line can offer Galapagos itineraries for the first time.

The line said that the ship will stay the same structurally with its 50 ocean view suites.  Of those, 24 have private balconies.  Public spaces include a restaurant, piano bar, library and internet station, main lounge, outdoor bar, two outdoor whirlpools and a marine observation deck.

 

 Exploring Galapagos

Small ships, such s the Explorer II, are a must in the Galapagos Archipelago.  The area is protected and access is strictly controlled by the Galapagos National Park.

Actual exploration is typically done via transfers by zodiacs from the main ship to the islands.  In some cases, the tour may simply be a zodiac ride along the coastline.

Celebrity Xpedition is currently the only major cruise line in the Galapagos.  Private charters, such as those operated by Canodros, National Geographic, and others are the alternative choices for touring the region.

The ship will be out of service next September for some modifications and then it will be back under the Silversea name and Ecuadorian flag with its all-Ecuadorian crew.  We look forward to providing choices to our clients that want to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience walking in the footsteps of Darwin.