This post is sponsored by Travel Leaders Network.

Famous for their unique species and diversity of wildlife, the Galapagos Islands are a bucket list destination for curious travelers. Visiting the Galapagos sounds like an incredible experience, but it requires more planning and attention to detail than your average tropical getaway. Many travelers also want to minimize the impact their visit has on the ecosystems of the islands. That’s where your travel agent and Celebrity Cruises come in. Celebrity Cruises has two ships that sail around the Galapagos Islands: the Celebrity Xpedition and the new Celebrity Flora.

Why Sail the Galapagos Islands?

The 19 islands that make up the Galapagos are known for their biodiversity. This living museum is influenced by three ocean currents, making it an important area for marine life as well. Many of the plants and animals that call the island home are found nowhere else in the world. The islands were made famous by the naturalist Charles Darwin and today are still an important area of scientific study. Guided tours take travelers to see the wildlife firsthand, including sea lions, land iguanas, flamingos, and the islands’ renowned giant tortoises. The opportunity to experience the remarkable landscape of the Galapagos and the wealth of life found there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature and bear witness to the incredible creatures with whom we share the planet.

For most travelers, taking a cruise to the Galapagos is not only the most convenient way to see the island. Guests unpack once as they travel to various sites around the islands, including Post Office Bay, a historic site which was once a common stop of pirates and Elizabeth Bay, home to sea turtles and many species of birds including penguins, pelicans, and lava herons. Accommodations on the islands are limited since there is a strong desire to preserve the land and its species, so cruising assures guests of their rooms as well as dining and entertainment options. Cruising also provides vetted tours and excursions, so guests know that they are going to have knowledgeable and reputable guides. Cruising the Galapagos allows guests to get the most value for their dollar all while experiencing Celebrity Cruises’ luxury ships.

Celebrity Cruises Galapagos itineraries range from 10 to 16 nights and travel on either an inner or outer loop of the islands. Many of the 10-night and 11-night itineraries include Quito, Ecuador while the longer, 16-night options begin in Quito then sail around the Galapagos Islands before taking guests on a land touring experience in Peru. This touring portion begins in Lima and progresses through the Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, and on to Machu Picchu, adding another opportunity to visit a bucket-list destination with respected guides to explain the sites along the way.

Celebrity Xpedition

The Celebrity Xpedition is a state-of-the-art, 100-passenger luxury ship that includes room service, massages, and a fitness room. To uphold the ship’s high-level of service, Celebrity has introduced an enhanced list of suite services and amenities in June of this year. These services include a personal suite attendant, in-suite dinner service, and premium room amenities.

Perhaps the most valuable amenity onboard is the nightly lectures hosted by certified naturalists from the Galapagos National Park. These sessions educate cruisers about the islands and add meaning and connect with the nature surrounding them. Celebrity Cruises also won the Charles Darwin Socially Responsible Award from the Government of the Archipelago for their sustainable efforts and dedication to protecting the Galapagos environment.

Celebrity Flora

Since launching in May of 2019, the Celebrity Flora has been making waves. Designed and built specifically for sailing the Galapagos Islands, this ship uses an innovative outward facing concept to immerse guests into the natural beauty and stunning views of the islands. Like the views, the guest experience is unmatched. Meals are prepared by a Michelin Star chef and the indulgent staterooms allow guests to control everything in their stateroom with the push of a button, advanced water filtration, and locally sourced bath products and chocolates. For the design of the Celebrity Flora, Francesca Bucci of BG Studio International worked to source sustainable materials that meet the cruise line’s standard of luxury.

The Celebrity Flora also allows science-loving cruisers to be a part of historic research. The ship is the first vessel in the Galapagos to have Oceanscope. This cutting-edge oceanographic technology will help scientists study ocean circulation dynamics, surface temperature, and critical information for weather prediction. The findings will be brought back for guests to view and become globally accessible to further help scientists in this field.

If you are interested in learning more about setting sail to the Galapagos or to any of the other destinations around the world where Celebrity Cruises sails, give your travel agent a call.

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