Cruise Galapagos Testimonials
Perhaps the memorable part of the Xpedition was landing on to a new island twice
a day and experiencing the wonderful creatures that live there. It's hard to
describe the feeling of knowing that you have entered a very special place and
that they were there long before you arrived and will, hopefully, be there for a
long time after. Thank you once again Off the Beat for a very special journey.
J
and L – London
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WOW – our voyage on Celebrity Xpedition was truly magical……from that very first
moment when we landed at Baltra we were mesmerized – we could have easily been
transported to Jurassic Park – Pelicans soared overhead…Frigate Birds
dived….lazy seals slumbered – and there lying just off shore was Celebrity
Xpedition – thank you for choosing this lovely vessel it was simply 5 star.
R and C London
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Hi Alan and Linda, we arrived home safely and on time today. I know I said it
many times over the past few weeks but thank you from us both for a wonderful
wonderful holiday. The organization and planning could not have been better and
because of your efforts we have experienced the holiday of a life time. We made
a whole new bunch of friends and experienced Galapagos the most magical of
destinations.
B and Gail – UK
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What can we say – when we arrived at Baltra and looked out to sea we saw this
gleaming vessel which stood out from the rest…and yes it was Celebrity Xpedition
– you had promised us a 5 star experience both on board and on shore….this
certainly exceeded our expectations – everything was just perfect, the ship, the
staff, the naturalists, the wildlife – we have travelled all over the world with
you both and this voyage and its memories will stay with us forever.
Thank you
both - H and J from Norfolk
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Hi Linda and Alan
Thank you, thank you, thank you for a really memorable holiday we had a really
fantastic time and enjoyed every moment of it, including all the excursions in
Quito. The service on Celebrity Xpedition was great and in most respects was
equal to Silverseas We certainly have come back with some great memories and we
have loved re-living it when telling friends about it. It is going to take me
for ever to decide which photos to keep, I had 785 in all.
M and M London
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You read all sorts of reports in the Travel Press about the
wonders of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, and they all
seem to have the undercurrent that,as a (deliberately ) under-developed
part of the world, (for ecological reasons), you might expect
that accommodation, for example, would be closer to the Back-packer
market than the Savoy Hotel, London. Well, in line with their
usual very high standards, Off the Beat has found the 5-star
crème de la crème Galapagos, in conjunction
with Celebrity Xpedition.
We flew into the Capital of Ecuador, Quito, ( 9,000Ft above
sea level)(not quite a high as La Paz ) landing at the International
Airport in the centre of the City ( they are building a new
Airport away from the City Centre, but it’s slightly
delayed - the now usual cry of archaeological digs holding
up progress !! ) and were swiftly borne away to the JW Marriott
Hotel, where we began our (genuinely All Inclusive) holiday
for a couple of days ( smashing rooms, too !) - We next enjoyed
a couple of trips out - Firstly a trip to Otovalo and the
Otovalo Market, which took us North, and on which we enjoyed
a stop and a Photo opportunity as we made a crossing of the
Equator, and later a little light retail therapy in Otovalo
Market, and our tour allowed us to enjoy the magnificent view
of the Avenue of Volcanoes . The following day included a
City Tour of the Old Town – 16th century Spanish influence
– and another crossing of the Equator. It was clear that
Linda and Alan had their work cut out sorting a generally
disorganised ground handling in Quito – sighs of ‘Do
we have 14 Kgs now only where met by Linda’s smile and
a nod saying 20Kgs which is what we have come to expect from
our intrepid leaders – they always endeavour to greet
these frustrations with a sense of humour but beware those
who do not match up to the promises made – things are
changed back to the order they should be in.
Early start next day for Galapagos.. Suitcases were collected
from outside the room, inspected at the hotel, and after being
identified, whipped off, only to reappear in ones cabin on
board shortly after we boarded the ship ( a fairly smart bit
of work ,that !) We were transferred to the Airport for a
short flight to Baltra Island (via a 20 minute stop-over in
Guayaquil to re-fuel and take on other passengers) . We were
met by representatives of Celebrity Xpedition as we came through
Immigration, settled on a bus for short ride to the harbour,
and given a brief introduction to lifejacket drill and the
correct way to enter and leave the Panga or Zodiac, before
being whisked off to ship.
Right, OK, the ship - Celebrity Xpedition – less than
10 years old, small ( 96 maximum passengers), but perfectly
formed – high quality fittings, very clean and tidy,
well maintained, gives the impression of being loved !
Cabins - surprisingly roomy, double or twin single beds,
small settee, dressing table with (stocked) fridge, hairdryer
and mirror, small chair, and largish window, making it light
and airy. Twin wardrobes either side of the shower room, with
more than adequate hanging room ( and hangers !), one with
safe deposit box – two bathrobes behind cabin door. Shower
room – full size shower (and smellies !) marble wash
basin, and a flush toilet (Eco-friendly – uses grey water
and reduces discharges to a minimum ) . Suitcases handily
under the bed. Cabins were refreshed at least twice per day.
Public areas inside - well appointed and comfortable –
Dining room - Deck 3 - tables for 4 to 10 people, majority
chairs but some banquettes, central buffet island and side
sweet island, plus short order cook station morning and lunchtime.
Excellent staff (even the few beginners were smart , attentive,
and quick learners) Cuisine excellent in quality, quantity,
and presentation - with plenty of suitable choices to suit
all tastes. The chef runs a very tight brigade in a quite
small kitchen, and service is pretty rapid.
Public areas Deck 4 - Discovery Lounge , Reception area,
and Bar inside where each evening the Cruise Director has
a briefing , going over details of the days adventures, and
a ‘walk-through’ of the following days programme.
Indoors, Guest Relations,(and the ever smiling faces) and
outdoors, an seating area with tables, used on occasions (weather
permitting) for a lunchtime barbeque, (and that was excellent
too – the fish particularly !) This was also used as
a greeting area for the return of intrepid adventurers, where
the bar staff served ice cold drinks to die for ! The Bar
staff, when working indoors, very soon learned names, and
more importantly could anticipate drink orders).
Public areas Deck 5 – Wicker loungers and tables under
an awning, and the Blue Finch Bar (a handy small watering
hole !). Dinner was served here and on the outdoor seating
on Deck 4 on one evening, instead of the Dining Room.
Public area Deck 6 – Sun Deck, with small spa, gym,
and sauna, and the Bridge. Passengers are invited to visit
the Bridge at any time, and are made to feel welcome ( except
when actively dropping or weighing anchor, or moving Zodiac
craft on or off the ship.)
The trip ashore format was very well organised – on
first boarding, each passenger was given a small 4 page programme
showing the days activities, and the next days programme was
delivered to your cabin before going for dinner each night
thereafter. Day 1, a short visit to North Seymour Island (quite
close to Baltra) offered three alternatives – Low, Medium,
and High intensity landings and walks ashore, which you were
invited to select, and the fact sheet gave details of the
type of landing - Dry -(ranging from proper piers or jetties
–(about 3 on the entire trip) or more usually flat rocky
landings) or Wet – (nose-in onto sandy or small shingle
beaches ).
Each Zodiac, which carried not more than 16
passengers, had a crew of two – a driver and a Naturalist
- the latter going ashore with each party, and who accompanied
the group for the duration of the landing.
Each Naturalist is a highly trained individual, knowledgeable,
(and also English speaking). Safety standards are high - each
passenger is counted out, and more importantly, counted back
in after each trip, and life jackets are worn at all times
when on the water.
Each evening before dinner a Briefing is held by the Cruise
Director, and each passenger is invited to sign up for the
next days adventure ( but you could change your mind ) and
the requirements of each landing is covered , Wet/ Dry, shoes
most suitable, binoculars, camera and lenses, towels if Snorkelling
, walking sticks, etc ( the ship provides Snorkelling gear
and walking sticks if necessary ).
Of the trips themselves, most can be achieved with persistence
and stamina, but the Low Intensity trips are within the reach
of just about everyone – even the most ungainly (me !)
could manage the ‘swing legs over side of Zodiac –
and look where you’re putting your feet’ or in reverse
‘Sit on side, swing legs over, find your seat’.
Ashore, the paths aren’t exactly the boulevards of Paris,
but watching where you put your feet, and using a stick means
they’re passable.
The wildlife – well, it’s just out of this world
- if you’ve watched the BBC’s Ring of Fire, and
David Attenborough doing his thing - it’s a darn sight
better than that !! It’s truly indescribable - so close
- so unafraid of humans – so much of it !!
Most outstanding for me was the Charles Darwin Station, in
Port Aroya, to see the Giant Tortoise breeding programme,
and see the last sole surviving Pinta Island Saddleback tortoise,
famous on television as ‘Lonesome George’, believe
to be over 100 years old, and possibly alive when Darwin visited
the Islands.
This one isn’t Lonesome George – He had his back
to the crowds!!
At the end of a wonderful, eventful, week, a flight back
to Quito, and the JW Marriott again - smashing room again!!
We finished the trip with a visit to Cotapaxi National Park,
with a driver taking a 40 seater coach along ( and UP, mainly
UP !!) roads which I wouldn’t personally walk up even
wearing crampons, gripping an ice axe, and being securely
roped to a Sherpa !! Steep, narrow - you wouldn’t believe
!! (But it was worth it when we got there!!) 3,800 metres
above sea level, ice capped volcano, deer, birds and a view
!!
(The only condor seen was alas, taxidermied in the Interpretation
Centre - But we saw a mighty fine Buzzard ) - The only time
I had to put my hand in my pocket during the whole trip was
at Cotapaxi - entrance fee to the park - and worth every red
cent - ($10)
Next day, return ( reluctantly) to UK - narrowly avoiding
lava flow in cloud from Iceland!
Summary
Excellent from start to finish – try as I might I can’t
find anything to complain about.
It stands as one of the best holidays I’ve enjoyed with
Off the Beat – and we’ve done a few of them !
A and M Yorkshire
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