Xploration to Galapagos going out of commission?

[mahdnc]

26 minutes ago, waterbug123 said:

Now I just need someone to explain how to add photos to a post. I think I figured it out once a long time ago but forget now

 

When you are writing your post, you can add photos easily via the "Drag files here to attach, or choose files..." at the bottom of the posting window.

 

 

 

[mahdnc]

2 minutes ago, airhose said:

Are kayaks available on Exploration? 

 

I can see a couple of kayaks on the bow in this photo I took when we were at Puerto Ayora in late November. 

 

[mahdnc]

When you go on the Teleferico, do that as early in the day as you can before the clouds roll in. We had a thick blanket of clouds that obscured our view of Quito initially. After half an hour or so, we got lucky and had a break in the clouds. 

 

 

Edited March 28 by mahdnc

[waterbug123]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

 waterbug,good idea on the wipes. Let us know if flying out the same day as the cruise works as we might consider doing that also. Getting to Puerto Ayova will transferring on a ferry bus & taxi seems like a schlep with luggage so leaving right from Baltra would be better. I haven't look at flights yet since it's 15 months away. what time does your flight leave Quito & arrive? & how much was flight?

 

We booked round trip flights on Avianca for $371 per person.  That was for "L" class tickets, which allowed us to change the flight if necessary, as well as choose seats in advance and have a bit more luggage allowance.

Heading to Baltra, the flight leaves Quito at 7:51am and arrives in Baltra at 10:48am.  I believe it makes a stop in Guayaquil on the way.  It's going to mean a VERY early wake up that morning since we have to transfer to the airport, then get the tourist cards, do the luggage inspection thing, and then actually check in and get through security.

 

Returning to Quito, it leaves Baltra at 11:33am and arrives in Quito at 4:15pm, and again, I believe it makes a stop in Guayaquil on the way.

[waterbug123]

1 hour ago, mahdnc said:

 

When you are writing your post, you can add photos easily via the "Drag files here to attach, or choose files..." at the bottom of the posting window.

 

 

 

Thank you, I don't know why I was thinking it was more difficult than that!

[waterbug123]

44 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

When you go on the Teleferico, do that as early in the day as you can before the clouds roll in. We had a thick blanket of clouds that obscured our view of Quito initially. After half an hour or so, we got lucky and had a break in the clouds. 

 

 

Thanks for the tip, we'll keep that in mind!

[mahdnc]

1 minute ago, waterbug123 said:

 

We booked round trip flights on Avianca for $371 per person.  That was for "L" class tickets, which allowed us to change the flight if necessary, as well as choose seats in advance and have a bit more luggage allowance.

Heading to Baltra, the flight leaves Quito at 7:51am and arrives in Baltra at 10:48am.  I believe it makes a stop in Guayaquil on the way.  It's going to mean a VERY early wake up that morning since we have to transfer to the airport, then get the tourist cards, do the luggage inspection thing, and then actually check in and get through security.

 

Returning to Quito, it leaves Baltra at 11:33am and arrives in Quito at 4:15pm, and again, I believe it makes a stop in Guayaquil on the way.

 

I think you all already know that Baltra and Quito are in different time zones.  It shouldn't be a problem.  It is more confusing when you get off the ship in Baltra because ship time = Quito time.  So the clock changes the instant you get off the zodiac on your return trip to Baltra.

[catspaw1]

waterbug that's a really early flight but I would rather get there early & not miss the ship! I am sure the Marriott will know what time you need to leave for the airport but considering it's a 45 minute drive to the airport, that means leaving around 5am or maybe earlier. I am always early for flights! 

 

I would rather pay more for a refundable ticket, seat selection & higher baggage allowance also.

 

Please let us know when you return where they can stow a large suitcase for each of us onboard. Rolling duffel bags are probably better but the big duffels we have don't roll so hard to carry. I like to carry my own luggage, so I know where it is & not depend on anyone to carry. I don't like to drag them on the floor. I'll see.

[catspaw1]

yes I know about the time difference & I always hate it as it's so confusing. 

 

We got to Bangkok once & it was 35 hours bed to bed after flying in business class. We kept getting up at 3am & my husband said the only people up at that hour were us & the prostitutes! It took almost a week to get adjusted to the time difference.

[XCXCruiser]

1 hour ago, airhose said:

Are kayaks available on Exploration? 

Yep there were kayaks on the Xploration... I think it was limited to 8 people (4 groups of 2). I didn't use them as my partner and I preferred to go on the panga ride around the islands as an alternative. The day we wanted to go kayaking it actually rained for 2 hours, so we just kind of sat around the boat and then continued our other excursion that happened after.

[waterbug123]

1 hour ago, catspaw1 said:

waterbug that's a really early flight but I would rather get there early & not miss the ship! I am sure the Marriott will know what time you need to leave for the airport but considering it's a 45 minute drive to the airport, that means leaving around 5am or maybe earlier. I am always early for flights! 

 

I would rather pay more for a refundable ticket, seat selection & higher baggage allowance also.

 

Please let us know when you return where they can stow a large suitcase for each of us onboard. Rolling duffel bags are probably better but the big duffels we have don't roll so hard to carry. I like to carry my own luggage, so I know where it is & not depend on anyone to carry. I don't like to drag them on the floor. I'll see.

We are not at the Marriott, we are staying at the Hilton but about the same distance from the airport. Planning on arranging a car at 4am.  It is what it is

[catspaw1]

I would probably go that time also. Maybe ask Celebrity or the Marriott in which order you need to do things between passport control, luggage inspection, check-in & bag drop. Plus no TSA precheck so might take longer to go through security.  Will Celebrity help at the airport since you are flying independently? We speak Spanish although not  fluently - we can get by fine. Also please let us know what happens when you have to pay the national park fee upon landing. Celebrity has said its included in our price but I'm not sure what happens if you already paid. You are lucky to go now as the park fee is increasing to $200 from $100 with no grandfather for those of us who already booked & gave deposit. 

 

[mahdnc]

On 3/23/2024 at 4:45 PM, catspaw1 said:

Hi All, We booked a Galapagos cruise next year on the Xploration but the TA said Celebrity was phasing this ship out. Anyone hear of this & if so when?  we booked cruise only so would like to know if they will switch us to another ship. We chose the Xploration because of it's small size.

 It turns out your information was quite correct.  

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 01:09 PM by mahdnc

[catspaw1]

Wow we are scheduled to go in June 2025 but haven't received anything from Celebrity yet. Although we would love the Flora, it was 8G more expensive.  Can you tell us what options you have been given? Sailing October- December is not the season we want to go there. We specifically chose early June as its the start of the summer season & we can see the waved albatross. Is there any extra charge to switch to the Flora? I'm going to contact my TA today. Please report anything you get. We are really upset over this as we wanted the Xploration. Thanks for letting us know

[mahdnc]

25 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

Wow we are scheduled to go in June 2025 but haven't received anything from Celebrity yet. Although we would love the Flora, it was 8G more expensive.  Can you tell us what options you have been given? Sailing October- December is not the season we want to go there. We specifically chose early June as its the start of the summer season & we can see the waved albatross. Is there any extra charge to switch to the Flora? I'm going to contact my TA today. Please report anything you get. We are really upset over this as we wanted the Xploration. Thanks for letting us know

 

 

 

 

Option 2 is the way to go!  I would reach out to your TA now so that you get your pick of sailings and cabins.

[catspaw1]

WILCO. Thanks so much for the heads up. Will call TA today. If we can go on the Flora for the same price, we will do it!

[Host Jazzbeau]

 

[catspaw1]

MAHDC, thanks so much for the heads up about celebrity selling the ships. My TA did send an email yesterday but it went into my junk mail folder! We are currently in CO. Flying home tomorrow after spending 18 days in CO, WY & SD. Loved the black hills! Because of your heads up, we were able to book the last cabin on our preferred sailing on the Flora next June. So a big thank you as they went fast!

[mahdnc]

3 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

MAHDC, thanks so much for the heads up about celebrity selling the ships. My TA did send an email yesterday but it went into my junk mail folder! We are currently in CO. Flying home tomorrow after spending 18 days in CO, WY & SD. Loved the black hills! Because of your heads up, we were able to book the last cabin on our preferred sailing on the Flora next June. So a big thank you as they went fast!

 

I am glad that I was of assistance.  I have been on one sailing (2/2/22 Silhouette) that was suddenly cancelled by Celebrity (pre-COVID) because of a shipyard accident which affected her drydock schedule.  There was a mad dash by all the affected passengers to snap up the limited cabins available on the other sailings.  Not everyone was able to find something to their liking.  I am glad that you were able to--and in the nick of time evidently.

 

The Black Hills is a beauty to behold.  Custer State Park is one of my favorites even though Devils Tower and Mt Rushmore are the headline attractions.  Have a safe flight home.

 

David

[catspaw1]

Yup, you are right - the cabins filled up fast! We loved Custer state park & did not pet the fluffy cows! Loved seeing the bison! We spent 3 full days in custer Park & loved it. Devils tower is something to see - the pictures don't do it justice. So grateful for your help as I don't look at my junk folder much & especially on vacation! We are going on the Eclipse in a few weeks! A big thank you to you!!!!!!!

[mahdnc]

36 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

Yup, you are right - the cabins filled up fast! We loved Custer state park & did not pet the fluffy cows! Loved seeing the bison! We spent 3 full days in custer Park & loved it. Devils tower is something to see - the pictures don't do it justice. So grateful for your help as I don't look at my junk folder much & especially on vacation! We are going on the Eclipse in a few weeks! A big thank you to you!!!!!!!

 

Again, you are welcome, but you should really thank this forum and Cruise Critic.  It is a great place to learn about fast breaking information.  Have fun on your Eclipse cruise!