Galapagos Cruise

The staff, guides and crew of the National Geographic Endeavour was way past expectations. The Expedition Leader was extraordinary. She seems so sweet and casual, but she ran the tour like Patton going through France. She packed so much into so little time. There was something for everyone, even the wimps who wanted to take the easy tours. The food was extraordinary. The cooks and food staff did a great job of providing interesting and well-displayed food. I am going to search out an Ecuadorian cookbook after the trip.

From the gal who met us at the airport to the chef on board to every single naturalist, we experienced nothing but perfection. The ship and crew were marvelous, the food was delicious and the animals are indescribable. Talk about perfect!  To insure perfection was even more perfect, the organizational ability of those who meet us at the airports, hotels, Zodiacs, ship and plane was top drawer. There were two guides who were particularly outstanding (although all of them were excellent). One took three of us deep water snorkeling even though we were the only ones who wanted to go again. She was in the water the whole time explaining every fish, rock formation and penguin encounter and she taught my granddaughter how to dive down with snorkeling equipment on to get better pictures.  Another guide made every hike a joy. He was very informative and made us laugh all the time.

I don't think you could improve on this trip. We would definitely seek ExpeditionTrips’ advice before travelling, especially to unusual places.

Our experience working with ExpeditionTrips has been a uniformly positive one. Lori and Emily are prompt with information. We have come to rely on their suggestions and observations. Packets are complete and anticipate questions and concerns. I have no suggestions for how to improve. You are doing everything right.

The fellow travelers were also exceptional, always ready on time and excited for the adventure ahead. Nice mix of ages too. I thought the morale on the boat was unusually high at all levels - staff, guides, kitchen staff, and other crew. The Expedition Leader ran a tight ship with everything running smoothly, and with humor and clear rules. He was a wonderful communicator and seemed very accessible to all. In the kitchen, our regular waiter gave us great personal service, remembering our names and what coffee or other item we liked. The food was uniformly great and our cabin was well maintained. When we visited the bridge, the crew was informative and welcoming. I think the snorkeling the last day with over forty sea turtles, a shark, manta rays and schools of colorful fish in a pristine, spectacular setting may have been one of the most memorable parts of the expedition. Having said that, I miss the head butting of the marine iguanas, the knowing looks of the tortoise, the boobies, penguins and other birds.  

As for the ship’s staff and guides, what more can I say?  Everyone tried 120% to please us, to make us happy, and to care for our health and safety. It was a perfect blend. The superb service on the National Geographic Endeavour was surprising beyond words and just added to the wonders of the trip. It was way beyond my expectations. I could not even dream of how to improve it.

Shelley was wonderful to work with and send oodles of questions to. Everything from questions about luggage to money, to clothing to side trips—she was knowledgeable and helpful.  Her service was key to my trip's success. Emily was helpful with details about our tours.

Choosing a larger boat worked out well. We met lots of people who were very interesting and my 16 year old had a good number of other teens to "hang with.” There were always options for each activity and that worked well. If you didn't want to hike you could snorkel or hang on the beach. The crew did a good job of monitoring people, moving them from activity to activity or location to location so that people could "do it all" if they wanted to.

The Expedition Leader ran a great program. Her staff worked well together. I was impressed with the knowledge the naturalists shared. They were friendly and helpful, too. I have to sing the praises of the Zodiac drivers. They did a fab job handling the boats, even taking us to see dolphins on our way back to the ship. They are masters at what they do! The ship's crew did a great job maintaining the ship, doing what needed to be done and always with a smile on!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.