Galapagos Cruise

We were inspired to take this trip because this was our chance, with the kids out and before we were too advanced in years, to take a long trip that included physical exertion and adventure. All was memorable!

The Galapagos was amazing, Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were awe-inspiring, and the Amazon was for me (Howard) perhaps the most fascinating part, probably because I read several books on the subject before we left.

The scheduling was just right. We took too much luggage and would stress the need to travel light. It didn't matter for the Islander, as they handled everything. It mattered after that. Also, the difficulty getting anything to dry in the Amazon cannot be overemphasized. Another tip would be, at the Lima airport, to be sure to stay inside the terminal building to meet your transfer driver.

Hot chocolate waited on the ship and the chocolates in our cabin nightly was a nice treat.

The most memorable part was snorkeling with penguins and sea lions, learning so much from the naturalists, seeing our son so engaged in the hiking and the wildlife and feeling so at home on the National Geographic Islander.

Every person on the Nat'l Geo. Islander provided much more than what we anticipated. Their energy, their kindliness, their excitement at sharing their wisdom was outstanding. Every crew member wanted us to feel at home. Their encouragement and friendliness led to our son making friends with the crew as well as the other children on board. They can combine a relaxed atmosphere with unsurpassed service. Their organizational abilities were incredible. We were cared for from the moment we reached the gate in Miami to our last stop in Quito. Transportation was a breeze because of their assistance.

We also really appreciated the different activity options each day and how the guides would let us know if the landing was to be a dry or wet one. The ship doctor helped me out when my leg was painful (from an injury from before the trip) and fresh ice was always available when I needed to ice my leg. One day we were lucky enough to have a pod of bottle nosed dolphins riding beneath us and alongside us. To have the crew and staff join us in our excitement and joy made that experience even better! And when some people were snorkeling and a manta ray was spotted, to have one guide yell, 'Manta Ray!' loud enough so those on the ship could hear it, it's a testament to their commitment to the archipelago. This one truly is a trip of a lifetime!

She was able to arrange all of our transfers and air arrangements. We counted 10 airplane landings!!!! The Polaris cabins and wait staff were so attentive. The cabins and dining room were spotless. The Zodiac drivers are amazing. All of the Naturalists were fabulous. Knowledgable and so nice and friendly. No question was silly. They knew all the answers.

Shelley also suggested Patio Andaluz in Quito and it was darling and the food was great. The wait staff were so friendly and helpful. We even got complimentary drinks and appetizers with our dinner. Also, my daughters were so happy with the free internet access. The ground agent in Quito was also great. They were always on time and the guide for the city tour was great. Also, thanks to you for the hats and the complimentary expedition DVD's.

It was an all around great experience, but the animals were the greatest. The destination was as expected from all of the DVD's and books we researched. I can't think of anything that needed to be improved on.

They were also helpful with physical assistance. I had a ligament problem in my ankle and they were always there to help me transfer and to suggest using the great walking sticks available on the ship. We used the glass bottom boat on each offering and it was a great alternative to snorkeling for us who do not 'do water'. The girls kayaked and snorkeled, though. We found that the cabins that we had, 102 and 104 were great. They are the lowest and therefore, seemed to sway the least. There was some rocking of the boat! They were also just as large, if not larger than the other level cabins. We also enjoyed the Polaris size as there is a great mix of people and everyone changed eating arrangements so that we were able to mingle with just about everyone.

We loved Napo. It is a little slice of heaven. The people are wonderful. All of the staff was so knowledgeable and personable. The cabanas were homey and comfortable. The showers were always warm and powerful. I cannot say enough good things. We were told that the fame is spreading quickly and they are booked through January, so you may have trouble getting people in there now. I would highly recommend the entire experience!! It is so great that they are doing so well and that it is all community run now.

For us, the 4 days was good. We didn't know what to expect and it turned out ok. One has to be able-bodied to go here. The canoe trips are great, but after 2 and a half hours our knees and backs were grumbling. The walk to the tower was long and a little hard as I had recently torn a ligament in my ankle. The stairs were many also. The girls were fine with it. My husband and I were ok, but were on the slower side with the guides splitting up for us to accommodate our slower pace. The clay lick was great. We did not go to the farther one. The tower attached to the dining room was also great. We saw much wildlife from up there.

The only downside, which was under no one's control, was the very wet motorized canoe ride. It was pouring rain the whole morning. Our flight was delayed as the airport was closed from the storm. We got there and then it started to pour again. They give everyone ponchos for the ride and plastic bags for the luggage and bags. Even gave us a Napo napsack with our lunch inside.

Also, we were glad that we left some of our luggage in Quito as Napo is very damp. All and all, I would certainly recommend this trip to anyone who is in the least bit interested. I have to admit that I was a little nervous about it, but it turned out wonderful. We want to thank you for all of your help with our trip!

They only had one naturalist but that was all they needed since most of the people were apparently there to shop. Yuck!! It was great to be with like-minded folk.

I assumed the food would be good but it was even better than I imagined. I loved how there were always options so even my elderly father-in-law could enjoy the scenery and animals. Every day was an adventure and always a lot of fun AND educational.

I was very impressed with all the guides. They really knew their stuff and if there was something they weren't sure about they would look it up and tell you the correct answer. Always patient. More than once I had a guide tell me - when I would apologize for asking yet again what something was - 'Don't worry about asking me to repeat. That just shows that you really want to learn and understand. The only question I don't like is 'when's lunch?''

We've always dreamed of seeing the Galapagos - but never thought we would get the opportunity - and then my father-in-law offered to pay half!

I liked that they let us be on our own and didn't treat us like children. They gave you free reign while keeping safety intact. I really felt like they were there for us, that is was 'our' trip. The staff, crew and everyone in between far exceeded my expectations of service. I could go on and on about every single staff member right down to the singing pastry chef to the bartender.

Tyrone, the hotel manager in particular was above and beyond. We met him on the flight over to the islands and he spent the whole time talking to us and answering all of our questions. He gave us restaurants and ideas for when we returned to Guayaquil afterwards. He was there on a moment's notice on board and even helped me try to recover my lost photos. He is a gem that should be noticed. Ernesto was a fantastic guide, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and very safety orientated. Celso was also one of a kind, he made the trip very professional, yet light and fun.

There were so many memorable moments like snorkeling with the sea turtles, sitting on the black lava cliffs on Punta Suarez with the surf pounding below and 100's of waved albatross flying overhead. Climbing Cotopaxi volcano in a thunder snowstorm and sitting in a dugout canoe with troops of squirrel and capuchin monkeys crossing right overhead. I could list many more!

The staff, guides, and crew were ALL excellent (at Napo where we were treated like honored guests), in Quito and especially on the Islander. Also, the food was wonderful on the Islander, far superior to all other expedition cruises we've taken (the food was great in Quito and Napo as well).

Tourists are treated so well in Ecuador. I have never been to a country where I felt so welcome.

All flights were on time or early and no luggage was lost!

On one particular afternoon, during lunch, I spotted a school of dolphins following the boat; I shouted 'DOLPHINS' and everyone jumped to their feet and left the table. We shuffled up to the top of the boat and the staff encouraged us to lean over the railing where the dolphins were swimming alongside the boat. This was amazing and very exciting - I'm sure I'd seen this on National Geographic TV but never thought I would ever experience this up close - I think I even cried at the site.

One more moment that must be mentioned; a whale was found beached on another island. The guide explained the details and asked if we wanted to see it and also cautioned us as to what we might see. It was a very somber site to see this massive animal - silence for a few seconds, almost as a collective respect, as we moved closer to see the size of this beautiful creature. Hard to find the right words to describe that experience.

This trip surpassed my expectations; I didn't expect the Islander to be as beautiful as it is. This being my first 'adventure cruise', I was expecting the boat to be minimal in its accommodations. And one side note about our name tags which were extremely helpful. On the AeroGal flight to Beltran, we could easily see who was part of our group. I overheard another tour group commenting on our name tags and that their tour group was too cheap to provide them.

The kids will probably most fondly remember the friends they made on the ship while my wife and I will remember the natural beauty of the islands.

The ship's service was outstanding throughout the whole cruise; the naturalists were knowledgeable; there were activities available for everyone depending on their capabilities; the food was served elegantly, but every fish dish we had at dinner tasted the same....the food could have had more seasoning and flavor. We liked the small ship concept. It gave us a chance to meet almost everyone and make some nice shipboard friends. And yet there were enough people aboard to pick and choose among to find people who were interesting to us and shared common interests. I wouldn't hesitate to take another Lindblad expedition.

My group all commented on the excellent service. We had contact with the waiters in the dining room three times a day, and they went out of their way to be available for whatever our wants were. The 'Panga' drivers were also very helpful, courteous, and always close by while we were snorkeling which was very reassuring. Cindy Manning, the Expedition Leader, was outstanding! I don't know when she slept, she was always available and on the job.

This was a dream trip I've had for years when my 8 grandchildren were at the middle and high school age.. Many things interfered with doing this trip with them and their parents over the years, but some of my family never forgot the idea. Two daughters, and one college aged grand-daughter accompanied me on this trip....which turn out to be a perfect combination of interested companions. Sharing the wonders of Galapagos with people I love!

When we got to the airport, the arrangements had already been made for us by you, ExpeditionTrips. Thank you for salvaging what could have been a mess - several people from Posadas Amazonas were not able to get onto the Lima flight that day- and we would have missed our connection if you hadn't been on the 'qui vive'. We were particularly impressed with the 'Islander' staff and crew. Everyone was very polite and considerate and really knew their stuff.

I am an animal lover and have wanted to see the Galapagos for years. (I was unable to travel for many years because of my aged and infirm parents.)We really had a fabulous time and were very happy with all of the arrangements. The guides were terrific. All the transfers were simple and everyone took great care of us - It took all the angst out of traveling. Highlight of the trip was playing 'chicken' with sealions.

It might have been helpful to have all the paperwork a bit earlier - at each step of the way we were handed some additional written instructions and in some cases verbal instructions about what time or train station etc. which should have been written down.

I am a vegetarian and the accommodations were made for my special diet with little fuss and fanfare - but I was always well taken care of on the 'Islander'. (Box lunch day in the Sacred Valley was chicken - so I just ate the fruit. The return trip with Lan did not have vegetarian meals.) Actually the food everywhere was wonderful.

Lynn Fowler was always upbeat and helpful and managed to corral everyone and move people with a minimum of hassle and we really felt like we were maximizing every minute of the trip.

The hotel in Lima (Hotel del Bosque) had a nice lobby and the breakfast was good - the staff very helpful - but the rooms need updating - grungy carpet and the kitchen was a nice touch, but there were no plates, glasses, cutlery, etc - so it wasn't terribly useful.

Casa Andina -private collection in Cusco = common areas were lovely and the restaurant was excellent - but the rooms are a bit small and don't give an impression of cleaness.

Sol y Luna was gorgeous all around as was Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes = 5 star

Casa Andina in Lima was really grungy down to the grey bath towels that had once been white - but we were grateful to be there and not trapped in Cusco by the strike.

Our trip exceeded our expectations. We didn't expect it to equal our trip to Antarctica, but it did.

This shipping company is more casual and more focused on nature, conservation, and education, and the staff is wonderful.

When doing my trip research, I contacted ExpeditionTrips.com and spoke to a Program Manager. I said I was interested in going to the Galapagos, but needed some help deciding which cruise line I should use, since I saw several cruise lines listed. I described what I like in a cruise (knowing perfectly well that I was stacking the deck in the shipping company's favor�since I had traveled with them previously�but wanting to see what she said). As I expected, she suggested the Polaris.

There were so many highlights: The level of activity, the incredible wildlife that you could get up close and personal with, the incredible scenery, the great naturalists, all the new friends I made... I could go on and on.

It was more physically active than my previous Vancouver trip. I found I really enjoyed that. But it wasn't too strenuous for the most part�I just skipped a few things I didn't want to tackle. I felt a little rushed on a couple of the walks, where I would have liked to slow down a little and take some more pictures, but not everyone is into that, so you have to strike a balance. I still managed to take an extraordinary number!

When there were cocktail hours, there is a reason for them: the daily recap. Now that makes sense. I could be there and not drink and not chat unless I felt like it (although with all we did, there was plenty to chat about!) and still feel comfortable. There were things to listen to, so I didn't feel obligated to talk unless I wanted to. And I didn't have to dress up for ANYTHING!

The strong ecological bent of the company is very important to me. I can�t think of a thing that could have been improved.

The whole staff gave the impression of wanting to share their magical islands with us. They accommodated every level of ability�we had a couple of 86 and 87 years old who were so included. They decided they could do one activity per day; when there was something else they should see, well out came the zodiac to get them there. The staff was friendly and kind and even funny at all times, and no exasperation ever showed. The naturalists had a lot of knowledge at hand, and were always willing to share.

Swimming with sea turtles, watching blue-footed boobies doing courtship rituals, seeing giant Galapagos tortoises�it was magical.

The staff was wonderful--it was amazing how patient they all were with one particularly difficult passenger. The naturalists were all very knowledgeable, even if a subject wasn't in the area of their expertise. The dining room staff was very attentive and anticipated all our wants.

This trip has been on our list of places to see for a long time. We had many memorable parts to this trip. Having to step over the sea lions on the gangway to get to the zodiac was a great way to start the trip. We saw a whale breaching the very first afternoon. Snorkeling amongst sea lions and giant turtles will be unforgettable, and the sunsets were unbelievable. The trip surpassed our expectations. Would love to have more time to swim and snorkel!

We were planning a trip to Alaska, but after seeing all of the photos of the Galapagos, we couldn�t resist. I also wanted an opportunity to travel in South America and learn Spanish.

The crew on the boat was exceptional in every way. They went above and beyond to make all of the guests feel comfortable. Some of my best memories involve talking with them. Each naturalist had his/her unique style. Though some of the guests had difficulties with certain guides, it was more a matter of personal style than competence.

My mother and I had often thought of going to the Galapagos together, and she was really the guiding force behind the trip. It far exceeded our expectations, which were pretty high to begin with. I can't imagine any way it could have been improved.

The staff, naturalists and crew were all incredible -- wonderful with the children and with us, and great with all the little touches that make a voyage special -- hot chocolate after snorkeling, fruit juice after hiking, special activities for the kids, and constant kindness and attention.

Yes, I would book future trips with you. I can't think of anything to improve the service you provided.

The Galapagos Islands have been on my list of things to do before I die for a long time, maybe since I was a child. We finally had the money and the vacation time to go.

How can I pick just one memorable thing? One of the things is the tameness of all the creatures. I saw several sea lion mothers nursing their babies. I could actually hear the sucking sound. The mothers didn't mind that I was taking pictures of the precious moment.

The expedition surpassed our expectations. Everyone was friendly and willing to do anything to make us happy and content. I enjoyed my massage and stretching sessions with Hilda. I really didn't expect such a competent therapist. I was pleased to meet Juan, who was raised on the Islands. It was a treat to actually talk to a native. The guides are real professionals. You can tell they love their jobs and enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.

The trip surpassed our expectations; everything was wonderful. I wish somehow I could give my body extra energy to do everything there was to do. I missed a few excursions, darn it!

The Galapagos is certainly an amazing place and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it really did seem to be quite remote in that we rarely encountered other parties except in the more populated areas.

I really wanted to see the landscape and particularly the wildlife on the Galapagos, which I had read so much about over the years. I think the most memorable aspects were almost total indifference of the animals and birds in particular, to our presence. The most stunning single experience was probably walking close by the Wave Albatross nesting colony.

The trip lived up to expectations pretty well; the ship was comfortable and the organization of the shore excursions was excellent. The food was good and interesting and the accommodation and service was exceptionally good. The deck officers and crew were very friendly and happy to answer questions and the Zodiac drivers in particular were both expert and patient! The locally based guides were excellent in the field and had encyclopedic knowledge of the various creatures and where to find them.

The trip was for a 50th Birthday and therefore needed to be something special. The Galapagos was somewhere we have always talked about going and it proved to be a good time of the year for this part of the globe.

The trip exceeded our expectations in all respects except perhaps the verandah/enclosed deck space which was narrower than we had anticipated from the plan and subject to a continuous noisy a/c. We would have sat out there on more occasions, but still had lots of private deck time elsewhere on the boat. We had difficulty understanding the hotel manager; we believe she thinks her English is better than it actually is, but she was very charming.

It is almost impossible to pull out one single memory as the whole trip was amazing, but standing at the top of Bartolome and watching the sun rise over the different bays and the light on the surrounding landscape was wonderful, especially as it was our first land excursion. On the same day we had our first underwater (snorkel) trip which was equally as wonderful.

If all the [cruise company�s] expeditions are of this standard we would not hesitate to be drawn to their program again, in particular Alaska and Antarctica. We are open to suggestions on other organizations that operate at this level.

They answered all the questions no matter how small. They seemed to go out of their way to make our trip the perfect expedition.

I wish it had been longer with more time on the islands, but understand that the National Park controls itineraries. I expected the Naturalists to be more specific and have more specialized educations, such as Marine Biologist or Underwater specialist. Several of our Naturalists were extraordinary, Dora and Antonio were excellent. The Expedition leader, Paula was the best.

I especially like the casual atmosphere, emphasis on learning, and appreciation of and respect for the environment. My girlfriend Suzanne has embarked on a second career, and just graduated with her degree in Biology from University of Illinois, Chicago. This was her graduation/birthday gift.

Most memorable was the beach on Fernandina, teeming with life -- nesting cormorants, iguanas, sea lions, pelicans, frigates. Another was the very kind birthday party the crew threw for Suzanne.

The enthusiasm of the naturalist guides, and Samuel Quiroz in particular, added to our appreciation. The attention the entire staff gave Suzanne on her birthday, the Latin dance lessons, in particular, were very gracious and unexpected. She refers to it as 'the best birthday of my life.'

One minor issue -- we had cabin 306 on the Islander, which is apparently next to the toilet system. Every flush from the top deck created a rumble in our room. This is the ONLY imperfection I can conjure up about this wonderful adventure.

The one disappointment was after the Galapagos trip we were to take a 1 day Otavalo excursion. The trip, however, was cancelled due to a strike of some kind.

The expedition was wonderful. The naturalists were great and all the staff seemed to want their guests to have the best possible experience. The Zodiac drivers were so skilled. There was one quite elderly couple on the trip (I believe David was 89) and they were so well taken care of. (Not that they needed it, really, because they put us 'youngsters' to shame.) And the most fun was the last evening when we were entertained by all staff members. I believe it was the pastry chef who sang beautifully and the stewardess also sang so beautifully. I haven't transferred the video to DVD yet, and I hope it comes out OK. The lights were dimmed in the dining room and flashlights were used for disco-style lighting. What a riot. It was great fun.

It was a relaxing and educational trip, one in which you learned not only of the plant and wildlife, but also of the history, customs, and geology of the Galapagos. We went in not sure what we were going to experience, but left with the fond memories of swimming with penguins, doing water ballet with sea turtles, and diving and playing with sea lions. Not only did we have great underwater memories, but being able to get so close to the birds and other land animals without them showing fear was awe-inspiring.

The ship exceeded my expectations. It was very clean, everywhere was easily accessible and it was just the right size--not too big and not too small to where you get a lot of rocking. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

From the moment we got on board till we said goodbye the expedition leader made sure that we learned as much as we could about all aspects of the Galapagos, answering any and all questions we had and seeing to it that people's needs were met.

The naturalists did a great job; though they had their individual specialties, they each had a potpourri of knowledge on the Galapagos. You could ask them just about anything and they would have the answer for you. They went slow enough on the hikes so that you could take pictures, or listen to the birds, and were there either in the water or not too far off in the Zodiacs while you were snorkeling in case you had a question about a sea turtle or one of the many thousands of tropical fish. The best part about the naturalists having so many specialties was that with each one you would get different background knowledge about one particular aspect of the Galapagos.

The Zodiac drivers were also really amazing -- they stayed right with you as you snorkeled, and pointed out both dangers and underwater wildlife that were right there in front of you. They also did an amazing job at finding land wildlife and getting you as close as they could in the Zodiacs.

The most memorable aspect of my trip was playing with the sea lions. It was so much fun getting to dive down and have them follow you -- I loved how they encouraged you to play with them by biting your flippers. There is nothing in our every day lives that could come close to equaling the amazement you have as they follow you around and invite you to experience their world.

And ... just sitting on the beach can be an adventure with mockingbirds, sea lions, and hermit crabs! For me (Karen), the most memorable part of the trip were the wonderful birds that would just walk up to (or over) you and show no fear. I'm a bird-person, and this was really special for me. For Todd, I think he enjoyed the whole thing!

We have recommended this trip to others many times. And, wait until we get our pictures! We'll be insufferable!

We felt that the experience on the Polaris was great for our children and us. The guides were interested and attentive, the service was both professional and friendly, the excursions were perfectly planned and everything ran smoothly.

This trip exceeded our expectations... I don't think that the reading in brochures and travel books can fully convey just what an amazing place the Galapagos really is! The ship was what we expected, although a few more lounge chairs on the decks would have been great. The cushions on the decks chairs were also a bit dirty. The cabins, however, were very clean and the staff was extremely accommodating. The ship had an intimate feeling, even though there were 75 guests aboard.

The waiters in the dining room were always courteous, efficient and friendly. All of the crewmembers seemed to go out of their way to make the trip enjoyable for us. The Expedition Leader took time to reassure my son about snorkeling with sharks and she also taught my 7 year-old how to snorkel. We felt that the boat had tremendous range and the itinerary was designed to give us a real feeling for the Galapagos.

Our favorite part of the voyage was probably the boat detour, because they spotted a whale. It turned out to be an Orca whale, which is a rare sighting in the Galapagos. The adventure started as we were crossing the equator and the Expedition Leader's enthusiasm, fascination and outright joy over this sighting was so contagious... it was a party out there at 7:30 a.m.! The beauty of the island we were anchoring next to was breathtaking... (Fernandina) It was an absolutely amazing way to start a day!

The only way to improve on this trip is do it again! We were only disappointed when we went to the highlands and saw the turtles on the farm. We felt that was a bit contrived.

The highlight of the trip was having Lynn Fowler, the head naturalist, and the other Ecuadorian naturalists, onboard. Their knowledge and love of this special place was extraordinary, and their enthusiasm infectious. I have traveled with many tour companies and have never been treated so well!

The ship MV Polaris was just the right size and was very comfortable. Stairwells were steep though, so be prepared. There are a few overnight crossings with the potential for some open water motion but most of the time the ship is in protected waters. The day trips in zodiacs (known as Pangas in these waters) are a real treat.

The staff and crew could not have been better. My wife and I have limited diets and the kitchen worked around them flawlessly. The naturalists are experienced and knowledgeable, but best of all, enthusiastic. The ship also usually has a video chronicler on board who spends the waking hours documenting the people, activities and sightings during the trip.

My favorite, most memorable part of the adventure was swimming with sea lions! We traveled in November, so the waters are colder than in the summer, but this also means that the Penguins are in residence. We thought that was a fair trade and we're native Floridians and hate cold. But, this is the top of a long list of wildlife encounters and interactions that will leave you wanting more. This trip will spoil wildlife photographers.

If you are prone to seasickness, try the electronic Relief Band. It was first developed to help Chemotherapy patients deal with the nausea of treatment. It works wonderfully for seasickness and has made cruising possible for me. I easily slept through those overnight open water crossings. This is a lot better than drugs, which leave you tired and dry mouthed.