maryogreen

@directionfinder Great questions...thanks for posting! We did not snorkel, but quite a few people did. There are two options – beach snorkeling after some of the hikes and deep water snorkeling for experienced snorkelers, which is offered several times as a separate activity in addition to the two daily excursions. The water was cold in May, but Celebrity provided wet suits, and some people brought their own. The Flora visits two places each day – sometimes two different islands and sometimes different landings on the same island. Every evening there is a meeting to learn about and sign up for the following day's excursions. We were typically offered about four options for each excursion, and there was never a problem with getting our preferred excursion. The weather was lovely – in the 70s and never feeling too hot. My husband and I wore hats, long-sleeved tops and long pants on most of the rougher terrain hikes and shorts on the beach hikes. The big issue is sun protection, and it's easy to forget that you are on the equator! We found that light-weight, moisture-wicking exercise and hiking clothing, some with SPF protection, worked really well. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have additional questions. I'm delighted to share any information on this wonderful itinerary! Mary

@directionfinderI love that you got lost in my travel blog! Many thanks for the kind words. Your land-based tour sounds terrific as well and would be interesting to compare with a Galápagos cruise. The group sizes for expeditions are limited to each zodiac, which I believe is about 10 or 12 people, just as you experienced. Celebrity held a meeting each evening to discuss the next day's expeditions. We signed up for our preferences and were given a departure time slot. Everything was handled seamlessly. And yes...zodiacs are used for going ashore!

@voyager1964I can only speak for our cabin 526, but we had no issues at all with lack of privacy on the verandah. I also don't recall hearing anyone in our area mentioning balcony privacy as a problem. A really nice feature of that location is the access to the back stairway, which is a quick route to the Discovery Lounge on the deck below. Several of us in the S3 section commented on how it felt like we had our own private entrance!

@voyager1964 Glad you enjoyed the review! We were confused by the "squiggle" marking between some cabins on the deck plan as well, but it turned out not to be an issue. All cabins on Deck 5 had their own non-shared verandahs. There was a locked latch on our verandah divider, which I imagine could have been unlocked if a family or group of friends had cabins next to each other and wanted to go between them from their verandah rather than the hallway. We loved having a verandah and spent a surprising amount of time enjoying the views and taking photos from there. I hope this helps answer your question!

@Gilly, it's a delight, as always, following your blog as well as the helpful information posted here. Wishing you continued safe and happy travels on the Navigator! Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

@slewis7, Thank you so much!

silby, I'm glad to know you enjoyed the review! I know what you mean about trying to figure out the differences between the two itineraries. The winning points for choosing the Inner Loop for us were the "iconic view" hike on Bartolomé Island looking out over Pinnacle Rock and the chance to see all three species of Boobies (San Cristóbal) as well as the great frigatebirds (North Seymour). If you want to see the waved albatross, the Outer Loop is the only chance to do that. I've just finished posting all my blogs from the Galápagos, which may help give you a better idea of what you will see on the Inner Loop. Here's the link: https://www.themodernpostcard.com/category/ecuador/ There is also an excellent – and extremely long! – thread on the Cruise Critic Celebrity Flora Roll Call page called "recently returned on Flora" which has quite a bit of helpful information. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/832-celebrity-flora-roll-calls/ The bottom line seems to be that both itineraries are fantastic and that travelers are happy with the one they chose. Best of luck with your plans, and please feel free to contact me if future questions arise! Mary

That's a really good question and a tough one to answer. I had read so many month-by-month reports about Galápagos weather. January to June is considered the "wet" season, and June to December are the "dry" months. We chose May because of the transitioning weather "shoulder season" and the wildlife we had hoped to see. I'd also read that summer and the holiday season in late December and early January are popular with families. The bottom line seems to be there is no bad time to visit because of the mild climate along the equator. If you Google "Galapagos weather my month" or "Galapagos wildlife by month," you will find more information than you may even want!😊

deabic, I hope we left the cabin in great shape for you!😊 So glad you liked the review. It was truly a fabulous cruise, and I'm sure Machu Picchu offered another wonderful and vastly different experience. Here's to continued good health and travel!

julieacp1, You are very welcome! I'm happy to share information on this wonderful adventure. I will have stories and photos from each excursion on my blog in the coming days. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions as it gets closer to your cruise. Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

RoseAnn55, Great to hear from another recent Flora traveler! I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed the review and that you had a similar experience. And I completely agree with your recommendation of not putting this most active Galápagos itinerary too far down on the list!

My husband and I were concerned that Quito's altitude would be an issue, but we didn't have any problems. The Celebrity tour guides advised everyone to drink LOTS of water and avoid alcoholic beverages, which can impact altitude sickness. We did not take any pre-medication. We did an Antarctica cruise with Seabourn a few years ago that began in Buenos Aires and ended in Santiago. Although Antarctica was the centerpiece of the cruise, we were thrilled that we had booked the itinerary that included Argentina and Chile. Still an all-time favorite!

I'm sorry to have missed you on the Flora, and I hope you will be able to reschedule. I will be posting stories and photos on my blog from every excursion, if you'd like a little more detail of what we experienced. I have to admit that the blue-footed boobies were my favorites as well! Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

I'm so glad to know you enjoyed the review! You are sure to have a wonderful time in the Galápagos, and you definitely have a flight advantage living in Florida 🙂 Please feel free to email me (blog's contact page) if any questions arise before your cruise that I might be able to help with.

JRG, that's so kind of you to say...many thanks!

Thank you! We found that staying overnight in Miami and arriving in Quito in the daytime was a great way to avoid jet-lag and get settled before the city tour. After reading reviews of hotels near Miami International, we chose the EB Hotel, which I highly recommend checking out as you do your research. Also, Quito is in the U.S. Central Time Zone, and although the Galápagos runs on U.S. Mountain Time, the ship remains on Quito time...a nice bonus for someone from Chicago 🙂

You are so welcome! The Galápagos is such a special place, and seeing it on the Flora is a real treat. I will be posting stories and photos from all our excursions on my blog, which you might find helpful as you plan your time there. Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

Hi Tom & Judy, Yes, this is the same itinerary as ours. The difference is that we did not book the post-cruise. It's a 45 minute drive between the airport and the JW Marriott. When we returned to Quito, Celebrity divided us into groups – those who were doing the post-cruise were transferred to the JW Marriott; those – including us – who had flights either later that evening or early the next morning were transferred to the EB Hotel, which is less than 10 minutes from the airport. Be sure to keep an eye on the Celebrity website as it gets closer to your cruise. Things tend to change because of Covid protocols. I know the post-cruise shopping excursion was cancelled on our cruise. If it is cancelled when you sail, the JW Marriott should be able to arrange a driver or private tour for you. I was thrilled that the pre-cruise city tour went as scheduled, with mask-wearing and smaller groups. Here's a link to my blog post on what we saw in Quito, which should give you an idea how much we were able to take in: https://www.themodernpostcard.com/a-day-in-quito-galapagos-gargoyles-glittering-gilded-ness-a-tale-of-two-equators/ Mary

We had heard about the bathroom glass as well and wondered if it would be an issue. It was not at all a problem for us. The bathroom has a larger mirror in the center, which does not show through to the living area, and glass on each side that looks through to the living area and beyond to the veranda doors. The design idea, I imagine, was to offer a feel of the outdoors. The bed faces the veranda doors as well. The Flora is a stunning ship, and for me the bathroom glass would not be a deal-breaker. But it's good to do your own research and go with what you find is the best fit. Best of luck with your plans. The Galápagos is a fabulous and unforgettable place!

You're absolutely correct that this is an all inclusive cruise. The only extra costs that I'm aware of were for alcoholic beverages at the Quito city tour lunch and dinner and anything extra you might want to purchase on board at the spa, gift shop or premium wines. We had no onboard credit, so perhaps someone else could weigh in on how this would be handled. Hope this helps!

@thebutlerdiditThank you so much! I'm glad you found the review helpful. I will be posting stories and photos on my blog from each expedition in the coming days. Mary

A Little Background When my husband and I first thought about dong a Galápagos cruise, we knew we didn't want to go on one of the small boats that carry 16-50 passengers. We felt there was too much risk of being the "odd-man-out" if a large family or group had chartered the boat and liked the idea of the 100-passenger Flora. We typically have sailed on Seabourn, Regent and the late Crystal and consistently had heard good things about Celebrity's Galápagos operations. We also considered Silversea's Galápagos voyages – both Celebrity and Silversea have almost identical new ships – but we liked Celebrity's Quito pre-cruise city tour with a visit to the equator as well as the charter flights directly to and from the Galápagos, with no stops in Guayaquil. Plus, we really liked Celebrity's Inner Loop itinerary...so, Celebrity it was. Then there was the issue of getting there. We live in San Diego, and traveling to the Galápagos isn't easy. Most flights start late at night and connect through one of three U.S. cities, with nonstops to Quito – Houston (United Airlines), Atlanta (Delta) and Miami (American) – with the connecting flight to Quito arriving late at night. We opted for a mid-morning flight from Los Angeles to Miami, with an overnight stay at the excellent EB Hotel a few minutes from the airport...followed by a mid-morning flight to Quito the next morning, with an early afternoon arrival. We booked the flights on our own, and Celebrity provided the transfers in Quito. Travel and the Pandemic Celebrity did a top-notch job with Covid protocols and handled all the necessary testing paperwork and arrangements seamlessly. A representative met us at the airport in Quito and arranged a van for the 45-minute drive to the JW Marriott Hotel. Each couple or group had its own van due to social distancing. We were tested twice for Covid – a PCR test after we arrived and an antigen test before flying to the Galápagos. We were required to wear KN95 masks during our stay in Quito, but did not have to wear any masks in the Galápagos. At the end of the cruise, based on U.S. regulations, we were tested again at the EB Hotel near the airport in Quito before flying home. Quito City Tour The city tour was on par in terms of quality and guide with any we have had on other cruise lines we've sailed. This tour offered a comprehensive look at Quito's "Histórico Centro" old town area and a fun visit to the equator as well as lovely places for lunch and dinner. Groups of about ten were assigned a guide and tour bus. We stayed together like a little Covid pod, sitting with our group at designated tables for lunch and dinner. This pandemic protocol was designed to keep us as safe as possible, but it turned out to be a great way to get to know people early on as well as a means to an end of not having to wear masks once we were on the ship. The Celebrity Flora What a beautiful ship! We were in cabin 526, a Sky Suite with Veranda – spacious, with more than enough storage, and a lovely bathroom with a separate sink and faucet with filtered water for filling our water bottles. It's a personal choice whether to opt for a veranda or an "Infinite Veranda" cabin that offers more room with a large window rather than actual outdoor space. From our experience, we loved having the veranda. Although this isn't a cruise where you spend a huge amount of time in your cabin, it was wonderful to sit outside, take photos and watch the Galápagos go by. The Food Meals were served in the Seaside Restaurant, with breakfast and lunch buffets and dinner table service. As part of Covid protocols, at the buffets the staff grabs plates and walks with you, dishing your choices. It was never a problem, with little-to-no wait. A limited special menu for lunch and dinner was also available at the outdoor Ocean Grill. We were hugely surprised by the quality, variety and taste of the Galápagos-based Ecuadorian cuisine. The wonderful chef was from Colombia and will soon be opening one of the specialty restaurants on Celebrity's newest ship. The service was terrific as well and equal to other ships we've sailed, with servers even learning our names and whether we preferred regular or carbonated water. Special kudos to the incredibly talented and personable Ukrainian server Natalia, who proudly boasts that she and her Ecuadorian husband, also a server, opened the Flora. The Internet This was the best and fastest Internet we have had on any cruise ship. And it was free. Outlets were available for both U.S. and European-pronged plugs. It is helpful to bring a multi-use adaptor with USB ports for charging phones, cameras and laptops. The Expeditions The main event on this itinerary is the fantastic wildlife and fascinating landscape of the Galápagos Islands. We couldn't have asked for a better experience here. Excursion briefings were held each evening before dinner in the Discovery Lounge, where we selected our expeditions for the following day. We were off the ship twice a day on morning and afternoon hikes or zodiac cruises that included options for beach snorkeling. An additional deep water snorkeling experience was also offered on several days. The expedition team guides were certified naturalists by the Galápagos National Park Service. They did a terrific job leading the hikes and zodiac tours, explaining what we were seeing as well as identifying the various birds and animals. All were excellent, but we did have a few favorites including the ever-delightful Charly, whose enthusiasm was so effervescent that it seemed as if he was seeing the Galápagos for the first time! Bottom Line Our experience on the Celebrity Flora was outstanding in every way. We can't stress enough how well organized everything was and how friendly the staff was. From the moment we were met in Quito to the champagne welcome and greeting from captain Patricio and hotel director Vlado when we arrived on board, to the final night at the EB Hotel, our experience we equal to any cruise we have sailed. We arrived home exhausted from this most active adventure and incredibly fulfilled! Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com

A Little Background When my husband and I first thought about dong a Galápagos cruise, we knew we didn't want to go on one of the small boats that carry 16-50 passengers. We felt there was too much risk of being the "odd-man-out" if a large family or group had chartered the boat and liked the idea of the 100-passenger Flora. We typically have sailed on Seabourn, Regent and the late Crystal and consistently had heard good things about Celebrity's Galápagos operations. We also considered Silversea's Galápagos voyages – both Celebrity and Silversea have almost identical new ships – but we liked Celebrity's Quito pre-cruise city tour with a visit to the equator as well as the charter flights directly to and from the Galápagos, with no stops in Guayaquil. Plus, we really liked Celebrity's Inner Loop itinerary...so, Celebrity it was. Then there was the issue of getting there. We live in San Diego, and traveling to the Galápagos isn't easy. Most flights start late at night and connect through one of three U.S. cities, with nonstops to Quito – Houston (United Airlines), Atlanta (Delta) and Miami (American) – with the connecting flight to Quito arriving late at night. We opted for a mid-morning flight from Los Angeles to Miami, with an overnight stay at the excellent EB Hotel a few minutes from the airport...followed by a mid-morning flight to Quito the next morning, with an early afternoon arrival. We booked the flights on our own, and Celebrity provided the transfers in Quito. Travel and the Pandemic Celebrity did a top-notch job with Covid protocols and handled all the necessary testing paperwork and arrangements seamlessly. A representative met us at the airport in Quito and arranged a van for the 45-minute drive to the JW Marriott Hotel. Each couple or group had its own van due to social distancing. We were tested twice for Covid – a PCR test after we arrived and an antigen test before flying to the Galápagos. We were required to wear KN95 masks during our stay in Quito, but did not have to wear any masks in the Galápagos. At the end of the cruise, based on U.S. regulations, we were tested again at the EB Hotel near the airport in Quito before flying home. Quito City Tour The city tour was on par in terms of quality and guide with any we have had on other cruise lines we've sailed. This tour offered a comprehensive look at Quito's "Histórico Centro" old town area and a fun visit to the equator as well as lovely places for lunch and dinner. Groups of about ten were assigned a guide and tour bus. We stayed together like a little Covid pod, sitting with our group at designated tables for lunch and dinner. This pandemic protocol was designed to keep us as safe as possible, but it turned out to be a great way to get to know people early on as well as a means to an end of not having to wear masks once we were on the ship. The Celebrity Flora What a beautiful ship! We were in cabin 526, a Sky Suite with Veranda – spacious, with more than enough storage, and a lovely bathroom with a separate sink and faucet with filtered water for filling our water bottles. It's a personal choice whether to opt for a veranda or an "Infinite Veranda" cabin that offers more room with a large window rather than actual outdoor space. From our experience, we loved having the veranda. Although this isn't a cruise where you spend a huge amount of time in your cabin, it was wonderful to sit outside, take photos and watch the Galápagos go by. The Food Meals were served in the Seaside Restaurant, with breakfast and lunch buffets and dinner table service. As part of Covid protocols, at the buffets the staff grabs plates and walks with you, dishing your choices. It was never a problem, with little-to-no wait. A limited special menu for lunch and dinner was also available at the outdoor Ocean Grill. We were hugely surprised by the quality, variety and taste of the Galápagos-based Ecuadorian cuisine. The wonderful chef was from Colombia and will soon be opening one of the specialty restaurants on Celebrity's newest ship. The service was terrific as well and equal to other ships we've sailed, with servers even learning our names and whether we preferred regular or carbonated water. Special kudos to the incredibly talented and personable Ukrainian server Natalia, who proudly boasts that she and her Ecuadorian husband, also a server, opened the Flora. The Internet This was the best and fastest Internet we have had on any cruise ship. And it was free. Outlets were available for both U.S. and European-pronged plugs. It is helpful to bring a multi-use adaptor with USB ports for charging phones, cameras and laptops. The Expeditions The main event on this itinerary is the fantastic wildlife and fascinating landscape of the Galápagos Islands. We couldn't have asked for a better experience here. Excursion briefings were held each evening before dinner in the Discovery Lounge, where we selected our expeditions for the following day. We were off the ship twice a day on morning and afternoon hikes or zodiac cruises that included options for beach snorkeling. An additional deep water snorkeling experience was also offered on several days. The expedition team guides were certified naturalists by the Galápagos National Park Service. They did a terrific job leading the hikes and zodiac tours, explaining what we were seeing as well as identifying the various birds and animals. All were excellent, but we did have a few favorites including the ever-delightful Charly, whose enthusiasm was so effervescent that it seemed as if he was seeing the Galápagos for the first time! Bottom Line Our experience on the Celebrity Flora was outstanding in every way. We can't stress enough how well organized everything was and how friendly the staff was. From the moment we were met in Quito to the champagne welcome and greeting from captain Patricio and hotel director Vlado when we arrived on board, to the final night at the EB Hotel, our experience we equal to any cruise we have sailed. We arrived home exhausted from this most active adventure and incredibly fulfilled! Mary Travel Blog: https://www.themodernpostcard.com