Expert Aboard: Galapagos Angel Reviews

Overall Standout – Our Guide & Crew

The crew’s flexibility stood out to me. They would improvise to ensure the best chances of seeing wildlife.

For example, one evening we were leaving Santiago to head back to the ship via pangas and our guide said “let’s take a detour,” so we sailed the shoreline of Bartolomé, a neighboring island that wasn’t part of our itinerary. There we spotted penguins nestled at the base of Pinnacle Rock.

Another night, off the island of Genovesa, the captain turned on the ship’s spotlights to lure Galapagos sharks (and the fish they hunt) to the stern of the ship. At first, we saw just one, then a couple more and another–4 Galapagos sharks continued to circle us. It was spectacular, I could have watched them all night.

The crew was always in tune and knew what they were doing. Transitions were smooth and efficient while going between the ship, pangas, kayaks and land. This kept things interesting and we were able to maximize our time each day vs fumbling with logistics.

Another standout was our guide, Carmen. I was impressed that we had a trained biologist guiding; it was apparent the immense amount of experience and knowledge she had to share. I was blown away, and appreciated her passion for in-the-field education and preserving the ecosystem in the Galapagos Islands.

Cabin Notes & Comparisons

My sister and I were in Cabin #6 off the dining area on the Main Deck. It was small but didn’t feel cramped and was equipped with everything we needed.

We had two twin beds in our cabin. Adjacent Cabins #1-4 were on the opposite end of the ship by the bow, down a short hallway on the Main Deck. These were nearly identical to ours, just configured differently with a king bed (all Main Deck cabins are configurable for two twins or one king).

Suites (#7-8) were centrally located on the Upper Deck, and quite roomy compared to ours (plus they each had a tv). The Suite bathroom seemed slightly bigger as well, although with the same layout of sink and shower as the other cabins.

Consider – Storage & Cabins Off the Dining Room

For Main Deck cabins, consider #1-4 for a better location. For my Cabin #6, it was a bit awkward opening the door right into the dining area, nearly intersecting with backs of chairs.

Also consider available closet space in all Main Deck cabins (especially if two people are unpacking fully and on a longer cruise). I filled our closet with my own clothing, while my sister preferred to keep most of her belongings in her suitcase and would pull out what she needed each day. We both stored our suitcases in the bottom shelf of the closet. This was helpful as there was no space to store anything under the beds.

If budget weren’t a concern, and considering a longer itinerary, I would opt for a suite. Suites offer more space overall (including added storage shelves on the opposite side of the cabin). Suites also offer the best location, completely removed from common areas for more privacy. Note that suites require guests to walk up one short but narrow flight of stairs.

If I Booked Again – Longer Itinerary

Next time, I would choose a slightly longer cruise (like the 7-day) and try a different direction. Perhaps I’d cruise West or even combine itineraries to see more of the well-known islands. I’d still like to visit Isabela for a better chance of seeing flamingos up close. I’d also like to visit San Cristóbal to photograph its high-contrast landscapes and unique rock formations.

That said, I enjoyed my 5-day North itinerary as a first-time visitor and would recommend it to anyone, especially birders and photographers keen on capturing birds. I would also recommend this itinerary for those who are interested in geology and the rugged volcanic landscapes.