Galapagos Cruises 2023 & 2024

Accommodations Review

Both the Origin and Casa Gangotena met our expectations.

Crew & Guides Review

Karina and Ivan Lopez (The Origin) were fabulous as were Delores and Martin (Quito).

Transportation Review

I'm not a fan of cities, so Quito (in transit) was my least favorite experience.

Traveler Advice

Casual packing (no need to dress up) and pack an extra suit.  You end up taking 4-5 showers a day (after each activity).  Do everything offered, each location is unique.

Accommodations Review

Our room was comfortable. The turn down service and making the bed everyday was a huge plus.

Meals Review

The food was amazing and so much of it. They had snacks waiting for us when we returned from activities. Wr had several options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Crew & Guides Review

Everyone we dealt with was amazing. Our ships Captain, Peter, was very present and even joined the Friday night dance party. Really an amazing group of people. The crew was very hospitable and took care of us very well. The naturalist guides are very knowledgeable and even helped us all with our photography. They teach photography for National Geographic.

Transportation Review

Everything went smoothly.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Very happy with AdventureSmith! We appreciate everything Arielle did for us. Our original trip was supposed to be April 2020, but was canceled due to COVID. Arielle worked with us to get a new trip for 2021 and kept in touch all year. She made sure we had everything in order to travel in the age of COVID.

Traveler Advice

The sun in the Galapagos is intense. Bring sunscreen.

Accommodations Review

The service on board was amazing. My cabin on La Pinta exceeded my expectations, it was the first time that I felt so comfortable staying on a ship.

Meals Review

The choices and the flexibility from the kitchen with our group’s requests were excellent.  Our server, Luis, was absolutely amazing, always very gracious and patient with our requests. I personally did not like any of the desserts, I suppose I was comparing them with the excellent meals that I had in Quito the week before the cruise.

Crew & Guides Review

Our group had a wonderful guide, Dennis, he was extremely knowledgeable and helpful with everything that we needed. Dennis was fantastic, our group felt very fortunate to have him guiding us for the entire week, very professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and a fantastic photographer too.  The other guides, even though we did not spend much time with them, were all very attentive and professional.

Transporation Review

I did find it extremely stressful to receive the email from Metropolitan Touring two days before my departure to Baltra asking me to fill in the forms electronically and to receive the email from Leslie concerning the Salvoconducto shortly before my departure when we realized that there was a mistake with my passport number. I feel that Metropolitan Touring could have sent this important document out much earlier rather than waiting for the same week of departure. The hotel that I stayed at in Santa Cruz after my cruise managed to send me a similar document the day after I made the booking.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Leslie was excellent to work with, she was always there and very helpful with my queries and concerns. All my flight details were very clear. I would definitely recommend AdventureSmith Explorations to the others, my experience with the whole process of booking my trip with Leslie was easy and professional. I would be more than happy to work with her again on other trips.

COVID Logistics Review

I filled out [the health declaration form] on the plane and someone took it upon arrival to UIO airport. Nobody asked for travel insurance at either the Quito or Galapagos airport.

For COVID testing, the owner of my hotel translated between the nurse and I. After taking the sample, the nurse asked for my email address and gave me contact information for the lab. I expected the results that evening but instead received them the next morning after following up.

We travelers were not assisted with our Transit Control Card; instead we were expected to fill it out in advance. Some of us got an email the morning of our Galapagos flight informing us to complete it online.

In Quito everything is very compliant. Grocery stores and restaurants take temperatures & provide hand sanitizer. In the Galapagos I felt like they didn’t take it that seriously—nobody asked for additional documentation for my extended stay in the Galapagos. They only asked for my Salvoconducto from the cruise operator but did not ask for my Salvoconducto from the Galapagos hotel operator.

On board La Pinta and during excursions, masks remained on most of the time. The only time we took it off was when we spent time on the beach by ourselves, or when we had pictures taken or during dinner. during lectures and social hours everyone kept masks on. When getting back on La Pinta after excursions, we were sprayed through a chamber.

Traveler Advice

Make the most of what the Galapagos have to offer, it is best to go there when one is still in good health and in good shape. There was quite a bit of walking and even hiking to do, the days were pretty active, and I feel that some of my older friends would not have been able to take part in some of the activities on the cruise if they had come along.  In other words, go soon and don’t wait for too long.

Accommodations Review

Cabin was very comfortable, ship had everything we needed.

Meals Review

The food was incredible. Some of the best soups I've had in my life. The change I'd recommend is instead of having dessert directly after lunch, to serve it at 3pm as a mid afternoon snack. The dessert was too enticing to pass up and having it after delicious food made for a very full belly.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Aaron was very helpful, providing not only specific and high level information but also addressed all my questions and put me at ease (which he can tell you is not an easy job, as I am a worrier). He helped me understand logistics and pros/cons of various situations.

Crew & Guides Review

Carlos, the expedition leader, was organized and helpful in making decisions about which excursions to take. He helped make things funny and memorable where possible. The suggestion I have for him would be that he can be a bit long winded. I process better with brief oral instructions and information followed-up in writing. There was always written information but I'd prefer a shorter speech, or not to tie critical information in with non-critical so I could leave early if I needed to go rest. Sebastian was phenomenal. I couldn't imagine better care or being treated more like family. Throughout the trip, I felt like Sebastian was taking care of just my family. It wasn't until the last day that I realized many families felt that way. Sebastian changed the feel of the trip from a vacation with strangers to vacationing with extended family, all of whom cared for us and our well being. In every moment I felt safe, cared for, and that anything I could need was not only met but anticipated in advance. The Zodiac crew - drivers and boat loaders - were extremely helpful. Passengers had varying physical abilities and they made everyone feel cared for and that it was a pleasure to help them enjoy themselves rather than a burden to adjust and accommodate. The wait staff was warm, friendly, knew us by name.

Accommodations Review

Seaman Journey was exquisite. Great food. Great staff. Great guides. Tried to recommend to someone else already. All other hotels were above expectations.

Meals Review

I think on meals, a little more explanation would be helpful. Included hotel meals were a nice surprise as I didn't realize as many were included as they were. 

Crew & Guides Review

Guide Andres on Seaman was funny, a unique individual with great knowledge. He was excellent.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Excellent management of all travel plans. Taylor was great. Setting up this trip was simple and easy and she was helpful with any and all my questions.

Traveler Advice

Don't trust weather websites on the weather in the Galapagos. It is entirely island dependent and we overpacked warm clothes a bit.

Accommodations Review

All I could say is I was so pleased with the accommodations and everything. I took pictures and show them to my friends and they could not believe the yacht that I was on.

Meals Review

I enjoyed that I had the opportunity to experience some Ecuadorian cuisine and everything was very tasty and tender and delicious.

Traveler Advice

Just that they should be prepared for the best trip ever!! 

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Taylor was like my private coordinator. I was always asking her questions and she was very quick and thorough with responses and would even anticipate what the next question might be. Her demeanor is very helpful, warm and welcoming. Sometimes I would think to myself I can’t believe all that she is doing for me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Taylor C.

Crew & Guides Review 

Luis, our naturalist, was so extremely knowledgeable, sweet and considerate. Since I was traveling solo and not very experienced at snorkeling he would take my hand and point sea life out to me. Luis gave a presentation every evening before dinner, complete with slides of explanations of what we were going to see and the schedule for the next day. I cannot compliment Luis enough. He was extremely knowledgeable and very kind, considerate and compassionate to everyone on the trip. He took his job/responsibility very seriously. Was always concerned for everyone's safety. Amazing!!!!!