Small Ship Cruise Reviews

Accommodations Review

La Pinta was the perfect size and very comfortable. We chose La Pinta because of the size of the ship (not too big or too small), the itinerary (north islands), planned activities for kids, and the availability of a glass-bottom boat. Not a big fan of Quito, but that was a necessary stop. The recommended hotel in the old town area was wonderful.

Meals Review

Lots of options, all of them excellent. Staff worked very hard to accommodate my picky son's whims and were extremely respectful of my choice to be vegetarian.

Crew & Guides Review

The naturalists aboard La Pinta could not have been more professional or knowledgeable. We appreciated Paul sitting with us at lunch and getting to know us personally, and Dennis's enthusiasm about Charles Darwin was contagious. We enjoyed having several guides with different perspectives, but they were all phenomenal.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Nick M. was friendly, attentive, communicative, and very helpful. I handled much of it myself (transportation), but the portion handled by AdventureSmith all ran very smoothly, which was much appreciated.

Traveler Advice

Don't put it off - everyone tells me it's on their bucket list. My son wanted to see penguins, and I was not willing to travel to Antarctica so the Galapagos was the next best option. 

Accommodations Review

Ship, cabins, common areas, equipment all very well maintained. Everything was great.

Meals Review

The food was fine, but nothing to write home about.  Long lines at buffets. Seated dinner service a little slow.

Crew & Guides Review

All the guides were above and beyond exceptional.  Their knowledge and ENTHUSIASM was impressive - whether talking about lichen or slugs, the weather, the tides, or a Grizzly, they were all so enthusiastic about everything. Maybe even more so than the guests! They were also amazingly organized. Getting 10-20 day trips organized and punctual can't be easy. The skiff captains and guides worked remarkably well keeping everything running like a German train (super efficient and punctual, that is)!

Transportation Review

Aaron Gaines did an incredible job helping me book the trip, sending me ship, itinerary and flight information. Excellent job of communications. He was also very enthusiastic about making this a wonderful trip for us! You'd think he was going himself!

Traveler Advice

Don't expect to go shopping on this trip (except in the towns where you embark/disembark), this is an ADVENTURE and EXPLORATION experience!  You will travel to remote areas to see whales, porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, bears, or maybe a wolf, or some mink!  You will walk, hike, kayak and skiff ride! On this cruise you will get close to nature and feed your soul!

Accommodations Review

Seaman Journey was a palace, a floating five star hotel. Our spacious room had quite a big bathroom for a boat. The sundeck up on the very top was the best lounging area, day and night. We had two outdoor meals, which made it seem like a super special occasion.

Every night before dinner we would have a briefing of the next day’s activities. I must admit that seeing a disembarking time of 6:15am made me a little nervous. But I felt for the Australians that chose to sleep in and miss out because it was a magical introduction to the island of Isabela. Our guide grew up on this island and shared stories of swimming in shark channels. Now the Galapagos are extremely regulated and not only for tourists, but locals have strict hours when they can go to certain places. I felt fortunate to have seen these sleeping sharks, definitely worth getting up early for! Yes the days were filled with quite a lot to do; yet there was time to relax as well.

Crew & Guides Review

Not sure how everybody felt when my daughter drove the panga back to our boat, but it was one of her highlights as she laughed the whole way.

Itinerary Review

Rabida island was one of the raddest reddest beaches I’ve ever been to! Also, this is where the sea lions played the most with us.

Transportation Review

We had been in Ecuador for over a month and all the traveling finally turned into a vacation on this trip when a local guide at the airport greeted us at 5:00am and took care of us. Then again on arrival in the Galapagos a local guide showed us the way. Being taken care of was relaxing.

We were assured that our luggage would end up on our boat and not to worry about anything as we hopped on a public bus to a small boat to cross between the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz. Then we had our own mini bus to take us an hour from the north to the south where our ship awaits. I enjoyed this ride, as it was the greenest part of our journeys with a stop to meet the giant tortoises. Arrived just before dark to see the lively town of Puerto Ayora cheering on the volleyball game and all the kids on a fun playground (including my daughter).

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

I had plenty opportunities in Ecuador to book a ‘cheaper trip’ like I did before. But honestly I started to recall how poor my first trip to the Galapagos was. I started hearing travelers share their experiences about their boats in the Galapagos. I heard horror stories about different boats; bad service, poor gear, guides unable to speak English, and even hunger from running out of food! The wise mother came out in me as I was traveling with my 8 year old this time. It now seemed vital that I book with someone I trust. AdventureSmith Explorations really knows what kind of trip people desire and they only work with the very best world-wide!

Traveler Advice

I sure hope that if you’re reading this you go to the Galapagos with the best, and honestly the next time I go I want to bring as many family and friends as I can to fill the boat so I can share the memories all the time! No other place is like this in the world!

Accommodations Review

The beds were surprisingly comfortable!! Loved having the window cracked and having the fresh air at night. Very clean cabins and we were really only in our rooms at night to sleep :)

Crew & Guides Review

Again - beyond excellent!! Sarah (with an "h") was the BEST!! She was so friendly and fun! My kids and I really enjoyed her. She did a great job planning the activities and offered a good variety of options. She was also so enthusiastic about everything and she was really easy to approach and talk to. She was a blast when she was our guide. She and Julie were quite the combo!!!

Julie - she was my daughters favorite!! She was a great guide and so much fun!! She always made sure Syd was at the front of the boat to get the best pictures!! She knows her stuff and when asked questions - she had an answer for everything!

Ted - I went kayaking with him the first day. He was awesome!! Very helpful and knowledgeable too. He was fun and very easy to approach and ask questions. He did a presentation on loons - and taught us how to call birds. We are still trying to master that! My daughter is the best one out of all of us. 

Gray - he was my son's favorite. I had him for the fish hatchery. When I saw the bear - he came right to the front and "read" the bear and allowed us to take pictures and have that experience. Very respectful to the wildlife - I wanted to just stay there and watch the bear and baby - but he had us continue on after a few minutes to leave the bear be. 

Andy and Adelia - they drove the skiffs for us a few times. Very nice and fun! We saw orcas with Andy and she got us safely (very fast) lol - to the orcas in time to see carnage with the sea lions. That was a great experience (sad) but awesome. 

Dakota - he was our waiter. HE WAS THE BEST!! After one day - he  knew our drinks for every meal. He had drinks in place in the morning and then different drinks for lunch and dinner.  We and our tablemates adored him. He was a highlight of our day. He asked us about our adventures at night - that was appreciated. 

Matt the bartender ......  what a guy!! Any drink we wanted he would make.. My son is 21 - not a drinker but wanted to try some things. Matt was up for it. Now that I am home and I am not sure I can have a margarita - Matt made the best margaritas!!! He made drinks of the day - and was more than happy to tell how he made it. At the end of the trip he wanted to make me a new margarita. He made a jalepeno, orange cinnamon one. It took a while to make it and it was well worth the wait. I am sure I am missing someone - but EVERYONE was great!!!

Transportation Review

It was a smooth transition on and off the boat and with our luggage. No complaints!

Itinerary Review

I think every place we went had it's own unique experience. My son LOVED the bush whacking tours!!!! He loved seeing things that even people on the ship (me) didn't see. They found blueberries every time and stopped and ate them. He raved about how good they were. He also was able to eat salmon berries which he loved also. He would have done that every day for both excursions! My daughter loved the skiff rides because she wants to be a photographer and what a great place to get good pictures!! She was in heaven and 14,000 picture or more later - she found her happy place. 

I liked everything I did - going to the fish hatchery I think was my favorite though because that is where we saw a mamma grizzly and her baby!! They were right there and didn't seem to mind us a bit! I think my mom enjoyed the skiff rides and the one day it was open kayak - my son took her out on one for about an hour and she loved that. She has never done that before so she enjoyed that. My kids also loved the polar plunge. What a way to end the trip - and they can say they jumped in glacial waters!!! Everything was so beautiful and wonderful!

There was nothing we didn't enjoy - and I am saying that honestly! I think the only thing is one morning we anchored in a really rocky (back and forth) spot and my mom got sea sick and missed out on the days activities. After the morning excursions - they did move the boat to a calmer area - and Matt the bartender made my mom a drink that settled her stomach so she was able to join us for dinner and the evening activities.

Meals Review

Beyond excellent!! I packed snacks for the kids for in between meals - mistake!! I brought them all back home. There was way more than enough food! The food was excellent! The choices were great with a great variety. My son is soooo picky and he tried new foods and found out that he actually liked them. Breakfast was always exciting because we got to hear what we were having for lunch and dinner! No one can say they went hungry or didn't have anything they wanted. If we didn't like any of the options - they offered other items also - but we all tried something that was offered. I found out my self that I like scallops and my son decided he liked crab with the all you can eat crab night! Amazing!! The desserts were to die for also!!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Very good!! The packing list was spot on - our fault we didn't listen to all if it - most of it - but a few things we didn't think we would need - but we did need. That was our own fault!!

Traveler Advice

Listen to the packing instructions :) A strap for your phone and a camera and a sense of adventure!!!

Accommodations Review

The ship was comfortable and welcoming.  Our cabin, while not large, had plenty of storage and was well appointed.

Meals Review

We thought the food was superb.  Both the chef and pastry chef offered a wonderful variety of delights at every meal, and we were always given choices.  The service was always capable and gracious

Crew & Guides Review

Our leaders (Jill Q. and Jill B) couldn't have been better.  They were highly knowledgeable, obviously loved nature and Hawaii, always positive and helpful -- they had that elusive balance of energy and even temper. They went out of their way to give us a beautiful experience!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

The information provided and Aaron's helpfulness were great.

Traveler Advice

Try to plan some time in Hawaii before and after the cruise.  The "before" allowed us to explore another part of the islands -- and gave the airline time to get our luggage to us two days late!  The "after" gives a chance to transition from the relaxation of the cruise to the hassle of the flight home.

Accommodations Review

Superb! Top-notch cleaning of our rooms. 

Meals Review

Every meal at North Face was outstanding! Much of it was grown on-site and was fixed and presented beautifully. They even picked wild blueberries and made blueberry tarts!!

The cruise meals were good as well, but you can't get that fresh quality on a boat like you can on land. They were very timely served and hot things were hot and cold things were cold. I was full every day!

Crew & Guides Review

I cannot remember our moderate hike guides' names at North Face Lodge, but both were excellent and very knowledgeable! John made a most superb leader, along with Andi, and were gentle with their bell before announcements.

Katie, Dani, Sarah, really all the crew on board the Wilderness Adventurer were beyond great. They were also knowledgeable and helpful. They were highly trained and had kind, fun-loving spirits.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Most excellent! We were well prepared for this trip, right down to the rubber boots, which we really didn't need on the boat because they had plenty of all sizes. But our boots came in handy for the rest of the trip. Shuttles, buses, flights, trains, really every mode of transportation was on time and had friendly drivers.

I can't thank you enough for the best vacation I have ever had. When I had questions, you either called me or emailed me in a timely manner, which alleviated any concerns I had. 

I know at least three people who want to "pick my brain" about this trip, and you will be highly recommended.

Traveler Advice

Go for it!  Its worth every penny, and you won't regret it.