04/07/2016
The Galapagos Islands are home to the most diverse habitats of wildlife and plant species on Earth. Nature lovers and curious travelers alike want to experience the islands made famous by Charles Darwin and the highly influential discoveries he made there.
Discovering the Galapagos by sea feels like you you’ve sailed into a living museum of the archipelago, except here you can actually disembark from the ship and take a much closer look. With countless vessels, departure dates, and the Galapagos’ growing popularity, it can be overwhelming for travelers to decide when and how to book their cruise.
Non-peak travel dates: six to nine months in advance
Peak travel dates (Spring Break, Easter & Summer Vacations): nine months to a year in advance
Christmas & New Year’s travel dates: a year or more in advance
Considering the location of the Galapagos, the weather is rarely a concern for travelers, but there are a few other factors that are unique to a cruise in this destination that make it important to plan ahead:
Do you want a more intimate onboard experience? What kind of amenities are you expecting? Do you want a sailboat? A catamaran? Do you want a long cruise or a short cruise? These are just a few things you have to consider when finding the ideal vessel for your trip.
If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, we suggest a small vessel, ranging from economical to luxury, which carries around 16-20 passengers like the Origin, Treasure of the Galapagos, or Archipel. For a more traditional cruising experience, board a cruise ship like the Santa Cruz II. These ships can carry 40-100 people, and offer more deck space, lounges, and cabin upgrade options.
Availability is a key factor when deciding how far in advance you should book your cruise. If you have a particular ship in mind, you need flexibility in your dates. If you are set on a particular date, then you have to be flexible with your ship. Booking in advance increases the chances that your preferences coincide.
The Galapagos Islands are home to numerous species including penguins, sea lions, iguanas, tortoises and boobies. If you want to see a specific animal while on board, then it’s important to consult with your Galapagos travel-planning expert who can find the right cruise for you.
A perfect example would be the annual migration of the Waved Albatross every March to October, when they return to Espanola Island for nesting season, and an absolute must-see for birding enthusiasts.
The land of great scientific discovery, outlandish creatures, and otherworldly landscapes can be appreciated on another level if you properly prepare yourself. Research on the species and wildlife you are about to encounter makes for a wild bucket list game once you arrive.
We always suggest doing a bit of reading before heading to the Galapagos to fully appreciate the biodiversity of the land. An obvious choice would be Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, but for something to set the stage with a little more narrative, we suggest the autobiography Floreana: A Woman’s Pilgrimage to the Galapagos by Margret Wittmer, or the page-turning The Galapagos Affair by John Treherne.
A trip as inspiring as the Galapagos may also be the perfect excuse to pick up a new hobby, or rekindle an old one before you go. Perfect your photography skills, play with new lenses, and get that frame just right before sensory overload in the Galapagos. Ever dream of sailing through exotic waters on board a yacht? The Beagle and Mary Anne let you test your stopper knots and clove hitches in style as you sail through the Galapagos.
Our team has scouted the Galapagos and its vessels so that you don’t have to do any of the guesswork, or sift through millions of internet search results. You tell us what you want to see, how you want to see it and when you want to go, and we will find the perfect trip and cruise to bring you there.
Have you ever considered a Galapagos cruise? It’s time to start planning now!Submitted by Kaitlyn on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 8:42am
The Galapagos Islands are home to the most diverse habitats of wildlife and plant species on Earth. Nature lovers and curious travelers alike want to experience the islands made famous by Charles Darwin and the highly influential discoveries he made there.
Discovering the Galapagos by sea feels like you you’ve sailed into a living museum of the archipelago, except here you can actually disembark from the ship and take a much closer look. With countless vessels, departure dates, and the Galapagos’ growing popularity, it can be overwhelming for travelers to decide when and how to book their cruise.
When to book:
Non-peak travel dates: six to nine months in advance
Peak travel dates (Spring Break, Easter & Summer Vacations): nine months to a year in advance
Christmas & New Year’s travel dates: a year or more in advance
Considering the location of the Galapagos, the weather is rarely a concern for travelers, but there are a few other factors that are unique to a cruise in this destination that make it important to plan ahead:
1) Ships
Do you want a more intimate onboard experience? What kind of amenities are you expecting? Do you want a sailboat? A catamaran? Do you want a long cruise or a short cruise? These are just a few things you have to consider when finding the ideal vessel for your trip.
If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, we suggest a small vessel, ranging from economical to luxury, which carries around 16-20 passengers like the Origin, Treasure of the Galapagos, or Archipel. For a more traditional cruising experience, board a cruise ship like the Santa Cruz II. These ships can carry 40-100 people, and offer more deck space, lounges, and cabin upgrade options.
Availability is a key factor when deciding how far in advance you should book your cruise. If you have a particular ship in mind, you need flexibility in your dates. If you are set on a particular date, then you have to be flexible with your ship. Booking in advance increases the chances that your preferences coincide.
2) Wildlife
The Galapagos Islands are home to numerous species including penguins, sea lions, iguanas, tortoises and boobies. If you want to see a specific animal while on board, then it’s important to consult with your Galapagos travel-planning expert who can find the right cruise for you.
A perfect example would be the annual migration of the Waved Albatross every March to October, when they return to Espanola Island for nesting season, and an absolute must-see for birding enthusiasts.
3) Time to Prepare
The land of great scientific discovery, outlandish creatures, and otherworldly landscapes can be appreciated on another level if you properly prepare yourself. Research on the species and wildlife you are about to encounter makes for a wild bucket list game once you arrive.
We always suggest doing a bit of reading before heading to the Galapagos to fully appreciate the biodiversity of the land. An obvious choice would be Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, but for something to set the stage with a little more narrative, we suggest the autobiography Floreana: A Woman’s Pilgrimage to the Galapagos by Margret Wittmer, or the page-turning The Galapagos Affair by John Treherne.
A trip as inspiring as the Galapagos may also be the perfect excuse to pick up a new hobby, or rekindle an old one before you go. Perfect your photography skills, play with new lenses, and get that frame just right before sensory overload in the Galapagos. Ever dream of sailing through exotic waters on board a yacht? The Beagle and Mary Anne let you test your stopper knots and clove hitches in style as you sail through the Galapagos.
4) Let’s Plan
Our team has scouted the Galapagos and its vessels so that you don’t have to do any of the guesswork, or sift through millions of internet search results. You tell us what you want to see, how you want to see it and when you want to go, and we will find the perfect trip and cruise to bring you there.
Have you ever considered a Galapagos cruise? It’s time to start planning now!
