Rare Sailing12Away Posted Saturday at 06:35 PM Author #26 Share Posted Saturday at 06:35 PM A few quick photos from breakfast & lunch. On our way to the equator now, more photos from the city tour later after I download them from my real camera. Only 14 people on the tour with us, and in addition to the guide we have two additional X crew for security. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Saturday at 10:05 PM Author #27 Share Posted Saturday at 10:05 PM Equator tour was fun with all the science experiments. On our way back to the hotel before dinner tonight. VID20241026145722.mp4 VID20241026145029.mp4 VID20241026144940.mp4 VID20241026150325.mp4 VID20241026153423.mp4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Saturday at 10:39 PM Author #28 Share Posted Saturday at 10:39 PM The one thing we didn't think about was having sunscreen for today here in Quito for the city tour. You don't get the reef safe sunscreen from X until you get onboard Flora. So we each got a little burnt today, nothing bad, but just something to consider for next time. Mostly my face and the small v-shaped spot on my chest where my shirt dipped down, and hubby a little on the sides of his neck (he had his Mets cap on). So if you're more sensitive or don't want to be any shade of pink at all - plan accordingly. For the city tour and equator stop we did today, my fitbit is saying I'm up to 9,300 steps. So it's a decent amount of walking, but nothing too terrible. Difficulty of physical activity is so subjective, but at least with total number of steps folks can hopefully gauge if that's within their normal activity level and doable, or something they need to consider. The only time we felt a bit winded was when there were a decent amount of steps at once, but even then the guide would pause and chat a bit so we could catch our breath. As for the weather - don't listen to any of the weather apps or websites at all. They all lie. It was telling us that yesterday and today would be rain and thunderstorms - not a doom cloud in site. Upper 60s to low 70s. We brought a light zip up and didn't need it at all today. And it will be even warmer over in Baltra when we get there. Dinner for tonight is here: https://lagloria.com.ec/menu/ Hubby asked the guide if it was possible to get the cuy and he said yes, but for an upcharge. Lots of seafood, so I'm hoping there's a non-fish option for me. So far the food options have been plentiful, even for my picky self. So I'm not too worried. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Saturday at 10:59 PM Author #29 Share Posted Saturday at 10:59 PM Ok, so the difference between X and the SilverSea folks is egregiously apparent tonight. We were told casual dress code, whatever you want. In the lobby they're groups of folks in ball gowns. So yeah, not our scene at all. 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare garyl62 Posted Sunday at 12:29 AM #30 Share Posted Sunday at 12:29 AM Thanks for taking us along, it's unusual to follow along on Galapagos trip and while it may be a couple years away, it's still something I'd love to take in the not too distant future. I appreciate the info about the pre-cruise days as well since it's harder to learn about those from Celebrity's website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catspaw1 Posted Sunday at 01:37 AM #31 Share Posted Sunday at 01:37 AM Thanks for the great TR& very helpful information. Please keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travlr21 Posted Sunday at 01:41 AM #32 Share Posted Sunday at 01:41 AM 3 hours ago, Sailing12Away said: Dinner for tonight is here: https://lagloria.com.ec/menu/ Interesting. We were a large group last year and we had a limited menu specific to our group. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 02:00 AM Author #33 Share Posted Sunday at 02:00 AM Dinner was so much fun. We were at a table of 6 with folks from our tour this morning. They put the drinkers together as we finished off 4 bottles of wine between the 6 of us at the table. Hands down everyone agreed the chicken tonga dish I got was the best of the bunch. We were all sharing tastes with each other. Hubby was able to try his cuy so another thing crossed off the bucket list. $24 extra charge if you want that as it's not included. He said it tasted similar to duck, slightly greasy dark meat. Dropped the checked bags off downstairs with a health questionnaire and watching the world series in the room. Bags will be checked by the Galapagos folks tomorrow morning and we don't have to worry about them until we land in Baltra. Early morning breakfast tomorrow, then a ride to the airport and the real adventure begins. But we've found our crew of drinkers that we'll have fun with at the bar once drinks are free. The 4 bottles cost $250 with the tax and to included already. So about $45/person which isn't horrible. Camera is packed away in my checked bag, so I'll transfer those photos another time. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 02:02 AM Author #34 Share Posted Sunday at 02:02 AM 19 minutes ago, travlr21 said: Interesting. We were a large group last year and we had a limited menu specific to our group. Enjoy. There's 92 people on board this sailing. Ours was a set menu with items off their main offering list, but you could order off menu if you gave them enough notice (like hubby's cuy dish). 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare abbydancer2003 Posted Sunday at 04:20 AM #35 Share Posted Sunday at 04:20 AM 15 hours ago, Sailing12Away said: That's correct. Day 1 you're completely on your own for meals unless you book some type of tour that includes one. As for status, I have no clue what the fancy lounge even is so I'm the wrong person to ask about that. We didn't even give them our number for this trip, guess we should do that at some point before we leave. We're not fancy, but hubby has a number from when he takes the random once a year work trip. Thanks. So the guy I talked to at the stateside Galapagos desk (2nd time I responded to a call about our passport numbers - still had to put them in when checking in this week) told me dinner was included, but I don't think he actually knew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 11:55 AM Author #36 Share Posted Sunday at 11:55 AM 7 hours ago, abbydancer2003 said: Thanks. So the guy I talked to at the stateside Galapagos desk (2nd time I responded to a call about our passport numbers - still had to put them in when checking in this week) told me dinner was included, but I don't think he actually knew. To be fair I haven't seen the room bill yet, everything we've eaten at the hotel on arrival day was charged to the room. I'll see if I can pull the folio up on the TV before we head down to breakfast. But on arrival they put a credit card hold for $250 for "incidentals" that did go through my cc as an alert based on my settings with the cc company. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 02:43 PM Author #37 Share Posted Sunday at 02:43 PM Hotel Bill at checkout was around $230. That was for early check in, lunch, dinner, and several drinks. Sitting at the airport now waiting for phase 2. No need to worry about liquids in your carryon, no need to show passports or ID, just grab you bag, bring to the counter, then walk to the gate after going through security with your carryon. Super easy and quick. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisetonowhere10 Posted Sunday at 03:47 PM #38 Share Posted Sunday at 03:47 PM This is awesome info. We go in July. We arrive in the evening so it sounds like we should plan for dinner at the hotel that first night then X takes care of the rest (outside of alcohol until on the ship) correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:07 PM Author #39 Share Posted Sunday at 08:07 PM 4 hours ago, cruisetonowhere10 said: This is awesome info. We go in July. We arrive in the evening so it sounds like we should plan for dinner at the hotel that first night then X takes care of the rest (outside of alcohol until on the ship) correct? Correct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:25 PM Author #40 Share Posted Sunday at 08:25 PM Ok, mind is officially blown away. The ship is gorgeous. We booked the entry level balcony room and it's more than sufficient. Staff are so attentive, the lunch buffet on board might as well have been called "The Kyle" as it was all stuff I would eat. Whole hamburger/hot dog station at the back too. At the airport in Baltra you wait in line for customs and scanning of your carry on bags. There's a potty to the left, or another one after you get through. From there you wait on line for the bus to the pier area. That took a bit of time as only 25 people per bus and just 2 running at a time. Flight into Baltra was the same Avianca plane we had from JFK, but we were back in row 19. It's tight, but the middle seat in each row is empty and it's a short flight. When you land you have to walk off onto the runway to get inside the building. Bus ride to the pier is only 5 minutes. At the pier you are given a life jacket and put your backpack on over that for the zodiac. There was a seal barking at us under the pier and tons of wildlife everywhere you look. Zodiac ride to the ship had some stops along the coast for the naturalist to point out the animals along the way. I had my phone safe in my bag as I wasn't sure how bumpy it would be, but so amazing to see just 5 mins into the trip. Once you get on board there's a short meeting with the cruise director and Captain and introductions to all the officers. Scan your key card then you're escorted to your cabin but a staff member who explains everything in your cabin. Lunch on deck 4, first cocktail in, then we walked across to the lounge for cocktail 2. Up on deck 7 for the muster drill. VID20241027121045.mp4 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:28 PM Author #41 Share Posted Sunday at 08:28 PM Our cabin on deck 5. Mini fridge is stocked with soda and beer, and can be filled with anything we want. All included and free. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:30 PM Author #42 Share Posted Sunday at 08:30 PM Lunch buffet on deck 4. The spicy sauce is spicy! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:35 PM Author #43 Share Posted Sunday at 08:35 PM Documents in the cabin with our itinerary and list of excursions. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 08:45 PM Author #44 Share Posted Sunday at 08:45 PM And some photos around the ship so far. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catspaw1 Posted Sunday at 09:13 PM #45 Share Posted Sunday at 09:13 PM Thanks for posting! Loved the pics- especially the room cabin. We have a basic balcony also & it looks much nicer than the Silhouette we are boarding in about 2 weeks! One thing I learned from living in South America is to stay away from salads or any fruit that's not peeled. Also when going up to altitude from sea level, don't drink for a few days but drink plenty of water. I also never brush my teeth with tap water. Have a great cruise & please continue your great TR! We are looking forward to our trip there next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted Sunday at 09:35 PM #46 Share Posted Sunday at 09:35 PM You are going to have soooo much fun on your cruise, especially in that suite with a real balcony!! We were in one back in December and loved sitting out on the balcony during our “downtime” between eating and excursions! 😁 Here’s hoping you have an awesome time!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted Sunday at 11:57 PM Author #47 Share Posted Sunday at 11:57 PM Gorgeous out here. For tomorrow we signed up for the short walk with snorkel in the morning and tender ride with snorkel in the afternoon. Figured ease into it on day one. Long hike was listed as 1.5 miles, short was 0.8 miles. They said the long would be approximately 1:15 to 1:30 time wise. But wanted to start slow and see how we feel for the rest of the week. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted yesterday at 12:00 AM Author #48 Share Posted yesterday at 12:00 AM In the cabin bathroom there's a separate faucet for drinkable water to refill your bottle and brush teeth and such. Refill stations all over the ship too. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sailing12Away Posted yesterday at 12:17 AM Author #49 Share Posted yesterday at 12:17 AM Internet speed is decent with Starlink onboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarEll1 Posted yesterday at 12:18 AM #50 Share Posted yesterday at 12:18 AM Thank you for posting all this! Your photos are beautiful. Have a wonderful time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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