All staterooms are outside accommodations, many with balconies
Attentive personal service, including an experienced Cruise Manager
Ship Facts
Occupancy: 94
Tonnage: 2329
Length: 296ft
Beam: 43ft
Cruisespeed: 17
Ship's registry: Ecuador
Inaugural Date: Jan 01, 2001
Overview Our 10-night package consists of a two-night hotel stay in historical Quito, capital of Ecuador, seven-night Galapagos cruise, and one-night post-cruise Quito hotel stay. Included are a Quito city tour, transfers, round trip air from Quito to the ship, daily tours by an onboard naturalist, onboard food and house wines, beer, and well drinks, onboard events, and all cruise gratuities. Visit Quito, Isla N. Seymour, Isla Espaola, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Bartolome, Isla Isabela, and Isla Rabida.
A stroll on deck reveals a hint of the luxury that lies below: polished teak rails, unsurpassed views, sumptuous furnishings that invite you to linger for hours. The feeling here is elegant yet relaxed. So this is what it's like to sail aboard your own private yacht!
Schedules remain back on dry land where they belong. Instead, you're free to indulge your desires - like dancing naked under the stars and sails.
Europe is at once ancient and avant-garde. Where else in the world will you find Roman runis just steps away from an Internet Cafe? In Europe, the cappuccinos are exquisite and the pastires inspired. Even the sunsets are works of art.
Your shore experience:
Located 600 miles west of the coast of Ecuador, the
19 islands of the Galapagos Archipelago are famous for the
window they provided
into the workings of evolution. The youngest of the islands
is estimated to be about four million years old, and the oldest,
though now submerged, almost nine million years. Due to their
complete isolation, the flora and fauna have evolved into species
found nowhere else in the world, with unique adaptations to
the individual environments of the islands. There are over
1,900 species of animals and plants endemic to the Galapagos.
The most amazing result of this isolation is that the indigenous
animals have no natural predators, and as a consequence, almost
no fear of humans. You literally will be stepping over and
around snoozing sea lions and nesting blue footed boobies as
you hike the islands.
When Charles Darwin reached the archipelago from England in 1835 aboard HMS
Beagle, the islands were deemed "worthless." Darwin and the crew surveyed
the islands, creating maps so accurate they were used well into the 20th
Century. This view into a unique, untouched eco-evolutionary system spurred
his evolutionary theory, which triumphed with his 1859 tome The
Origin of the Species. The Galapagos Islands were placed on the World
Heritage List by UNESCO in 1978.
Due
to the sensitive ecosystem, Xpedition does not dock at any
of the islands; you will be tendered by Zodiac. These small,
comfortable, inflatable craft are equipped with high-powered
engines and hold about 16 passengers. Tours are offered in
three intensities depending on your physical ability. High-intensity
tours are longer hikes, usually two or more miles, over the
roughest terrain. Medium-intensity tours are shorter in length,
but over the same rugged terrain, and low-intensity tours are
usually beach walks or Zodiac tours around the islands. During
our last visit, a woman in her eighties and walking with a
cane completed the high intensity tours without much problem.
No one is allowed on the islands without a guided escort. All
tours are limited to 16 people and are conducted by Galapagos
National Park Naturalist-Guides. The guides are highly educated,
having accredited biology degrees, and are experts in the flora
and fauna of the Galapagos. They provide insight on the islands'
history, animals, plants, and geology. The guides are some
of the nicest people, with deep personal interest in the conservation
and culture of the islands. Smoking and littering is forbidden
on the islands. Once you see this unique, pristine land you
will understand the motto, "Leave
only footprints and take only memories".
Day 3: Air transfer to Baltra and North Seymour
The flight from mainland Ecuador lands on the island
of Baltra, where we will be greeted by park guides and staff
from Xpedition. (Luggage will be sent directly to the ship.)
As you approach by air, observe the rocky plateau of Baltra
emerging from the blue waters of the Pacific. The terrain is
flat and arid, specked with red volcanic rock and sparse growth
of cactus.
The airport is your first taste of the isolated, unspoiled, out-country--it's
a former WW2 military airstrip set up by the US to guard the Panama Canal
during the war. You will have some time to browse the small village's shops
before one of island's three buses will pick you up for transfer to the
Zodiacs, which will deliver you to Xpedition.
A
short sail away is North Seymour, the first island we will
visit. After lunch onboard while we reposition, we will be
briefed on the afternoon's tours and head toward the Zodiacs
awaiting you at the Beach Club deck aft. Don your life jacket,
grab the bosun's arm with a sailor's handshake, and get comfortable
for the short ride to shore.
At the rocky landing, we will climb a small cliff and be
immediately immersed in the animals of the Galapagos. Sea
lions romp in the water and sun on the rocks. Female boobies
will be nesting right along the trails, remarkably nonchalant
about human
presence. Galapagos mockingbirds provide the music as you take it all in.
Our guide will explain the mating rituals, and if we are lucky, the males
will be strutting for the females. Male frigate birds pump their red throats
to entice the ladies, while blue-footed boobies wobble comically like circus
clowns. Note: With all animals we encounter, WE need to step around them,
NOT the other way around.
Day 4: Isla Espanola
Known in English as Hood Island, Isla Espanola is the
southernmost part of the Galapagos.The Zodiac will glide into
a protected cove, and if we're lucky, sea lions will be bodysurfing
in the waves and swimming around the boat to welcome us. On
our last trip, one small pup was not happy to see us but lost
interest and swam away after a lot of barking and posturing.
The terrain across the island is highly diverse. The hike will begin on
the jetty, where the immediate terrain is low, flat savannah, slightly
sloping up from the shore, with low grasses and plants and sandy beaches
dotted with smooth rocks. You will be amazed at the colorful sally lightfoot
crabs and sunning marine iguanas covering the rocks. The trail slowly is
rockier toward the ocean side of the island, where enormous waves crash
huge cliffs.
On Isla Espanola, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawks,
and warbler finches are only a few of the birds we will encounter; the
island also is home to the waved albatross. These birds can weigh as much
as 40 pounds and are fantastic flyers. Their crash landings, however, are
less than graceful--they come down like bags of soggy clothes thrown hard
across the meadow. Farther around the island is its famous blowhole. The
basalt rock at the sea edge has cracked, creating a fissure that, at high
tide, fills with pressurized seawater. The resulting geyser can reach 75
feet in the air. Photo opportunities here are outstanding.
For the remainder of the trip, we will sample the finest of the Galapagos.
Below is the approximate itinerary, which varies depending on weather,
season, and marine conditions.
Day 5: Isla Santa Cruz Puerto Ayora
Highlights: Tourist souvenirs, art galleries, Bahamian pintail ducks, flamingos,
fly catchers.
Cerro Dragon
Highlights: Hiking tour, land iguanas, saltwater lagoon, and view from
top of Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill).
Day 6: Isla Bartolome
and Las Banchas Isla Bartolome
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs,
sharks, Pinnacle Rock, lava fields.
Las Bachas
Highlights: White sand beaches, Pacific green turtle nesting grounds, pelicans,
frigate birds.
Day 9: Isla Santa Maria
and Isla Santa Cruz Isla Santa Maria a.k.a. Floreana Island
Highlights: Blacks Beach, snorkeling, Devil's Crown, lava tube, bull sea
lions.
Isla Santa Cruz/Darwin Station
Highlights: Charles Darwin Research Station, Academy Bay, Lonesome George
and Galapagos tortoises, and Pelican Bay. After Darwin's studies and surveys, the Galapagos Archipelago
remained untouched except for occasional landings for water
and meager supplies mustered from the uninhabited islands.
Many tortoises were taken for food and oil.
Unknowingly,
these ships left behind non-indigenous animals like rats and
cats. This, along with human settlement and the further introduction
of non-indigenous animals like goats, pigs, and dogs, had a
devastating effect on many native species. Once-domesticated
animals escaped and became feral, and the islands suddenly
were overrun with predators never seen before. They competed
for available food, eating tortoise eggs, baby iguanas, and
the plant base, which led to massive erosion and overall .
The Galapagos tortoises are still in danger of extinction.
Just ask "Lonesome George," the last of his particular species
in the world, who's estimated to be 150 years old.
In 1930, an expedition from the US arrived to create a wildlife sanctuary
for the entire archipelago, and finally, in 1935, the first laws were passed
to protect these islands. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared the
Galapagos a national park, the catalyst needed to promote scientific research,
restoration, and preservation of the ecosystem. That year saw the creation
of the Charles Darwin Foundation, which funds the Charles Darwin Research
Station on Santa Cruz. Eradication of all invading species, capping or
reduction of human population, and perhaps even stronger limits on tourism
may be the future of the Galapagos Archipelago as scientists work to save
this spectacular place and return it to its pristine, natural beauty.
Day 10 Baltra / Quito
We will disembark on Baltra, fly to Quito, and return
to the J.W. Marriott for one last night. Relax by the pool
sipping cocktails, snack on superb sushi, or enjoy a leisurely
dinner. Perhaps do a little exploring on your own.
Day 11 Quito
Awake refreshed and enjoy the complimentary breakfast.
Coaches will transfer you to the airport for your return flights
home from this fantastic place.
Join us for ROmanCE VOYAGES' Galapagos Adventure and get more than just
a vacation. Our customers say that ROmanCE VOYAGES is the best vacation
they have ever taken as a couple.
Day
Location
Arrive
Depart
May 1
Quito, Ecuador
May 2
Quito, Ecuador
May 3
Quito/ Baltra/ Isla N. Seymour
May 4
Isla San Cristobal/ Espanola
May 5
Isla Florena
May 6
Isla Santa Cruz/ San Salvador
May 7
Isla Isabela/ Isla Fernandina, Punta Espinosa
May 8
Isla San Salvador/ Santa Cruz
May 9
Isla Santa Cruz, Darwin Station
May 10
Baltra/ Quito
May 11
Quito
Itinerary subject to change
Days 1, 2, and 3: Quito, Ecuador
Our trip begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, surrounded
by the peaks of the Andes. During our full-day tour, we will
be chauffeured in air-conditioned, luxury coaches and escorted
by professional, English-speaking guides. Lunch featuring local
fare is included.
Almost due south from New York, Quito is about 15 miles from the Equator.
Although the city is about 9,000 feet above sea level, this wanderer--
who has the vices of smoking and some extra pounds--was pleasantly surprised
that altitude sickness was nonexistent. Everyone is different, but allow
yourself to acclimate, and, if you do not try to run a marathon the first
day, you should be fine. The weather is also quite mild. Ecuadorians say
they have only two seasons: rainy (October to early May) and dry (May through
September). Both are temperate.
Quito was first settled in pre-Columbian times, when ancient Indians built
an empire ultimately ruled by the Incas. Around 1526, the natives destroyed
their own city rather than surrendering to the invading Spanish, and after
the fires, the only remains were stone foundations of Incan temples, which
the Spanish used to build their own churches, convents, and monasteries.
Despite earthquakes, Quito is one of the best preserved Latin American
cities, and our tour takes you to the best the city offers.
Quito is home to extraordinary colonial Spanish architecture referred to
as Latin American Baroque. In Casco Colonial, the old town of Quito, historical
multi-colored buildings, iron balconies, and red-tiled roofs offer examples
of this beautiful style, which in part earned it World Historical Site
status by the United Nations in 1978.
One of the finest examples of Latin Baroque is the 16th-century
La
Compañia de Jesus, a Jesuit church that took 163 years
to build and is considered the most beautiful in South America.
Its interior is coated in over a ton of pure gold leaf and lavishly
painted with religious art, giving rise to its nickname, Quito's
Sistine Chapel. We will also visit the historic Virgin of Quito
and The Plaza and Monastery of San Francisco, as well as La
Basilica, which was finished in the early 20th Century. Although
one would not know by looking, the Basilica--decorated with hundreds
of turtle-, iguana-, and dolphin-shaped gargoyles--is entirely concrete.
Next, we will visit Mitad
del Mundo (Middle of the World), where you can take the ubiquitous
snapshot of yourself straddling the Equator, simultaneously standing in
both hemispheres. The entire park is nestled at the foot of the immense
Andes Mountains, so there are stunning views in every direction. The granite
monument tower, topped with a brass globe, houses a museum and an observation
deck, and the boulevard running down from the tower is lined with bronze
busts of the French explorers who mapped the area in the 18th Century.
After
our active day, we will retreat to the J.W.
Marriott, one of Quito's premier hotels.
Reminiscent of an Incan-stepped temple, the J.W. Marriott
is modern and attractive, with a vast atrium lobby, two restaurants,
and one of the finest sushi bars we have ever experienced.
(In general, seafood in Ecuador is outstanding.) The hotel
is elegant and yet country club in feel; there's no need for
jackets or ties. Fresh roses are everywhere. There is a sundry
shop, but it is best to bring the toiletries and other items
you are used to. The outdoor pool area resembles a tropical
lagoon. Rooms are spacious, with marbled baths and deep tubs,
110V power, and best of all, breathtaking views of the Andes.
Some tips: Bring comfortable, casual clothes, and good walking
shoes. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, since
the water supply, while purified, may disagree with your
system. The currency of Ecuador is the US dollar (so you
will not need to exchange money), and we will have access
to an ATM and a small upscale mall.
If you're considering going out in the evening: Gay
life in Quito and Ecuador is in its infancy. Only recently
have laws prohibiting discrimination due to sexual orientation
been passed. Unfortunately, we are not able to recommend any
venues, since it would be less than conducive to our safety.
The few existing hotspots are in terrible neighborhoods.
Celebrity Xpedition Ship Info
ROmanCE VOYAGES has an exclusive charter on Celebrity Xpedition, the only luxury ship granted special permission by the Ecuadorian government to tour the strictly protected, eco-sensitive Galapagos Archipelago.
Xpedition is the ultimate in casual elegance. With a mere 45 staterooms and a length of 296 feet, she is spacious and comfortable.
The elegant staterooms have either an oceanview window or a balcony, and all are appointed with fine wood, leather, marble, etched glass, and fine linens. The duvets are to die for, and there is more wardrobe space than many larger ships. A television, refrigerator, satellite-accessible telephones, and Egyptian-cotton towels complete the splendor. Power is 220V, so bring a converter to keep the camera batteries charged.
Xpedition's public spaces, both indoors and out, allow plenty of room to relax after sightseeing and hiking. Sip cocktails in the Discovery Lounge, with its classic nautical theme and comfortable banquettes, sound system, and dance floor. This lounge opens directly to the aft open deck, where you can watch the Pacific sunset. Try the refreshing local draft beer called simply "Pilsener," fine local wines, or a traditional mixed cocktail. Remember that all well drinks, beer, wine, and soft drinks are complimentary (as are all the onboard gratuities, Galapagos park entrance fees, and all shore excursions).
The bridge is always open for you to tour, and the onboard naturalists give briefings every day on the islands you will be hiking the next day. These are very informative, and the naturalists are quite enthusiastic, since to them the Galapagos is the ultimate assignment.
Darwin's Restaurant is a relaxed, casual-dining experience surrounded by washed woods, deep-blue upholstery, and subtle lighting. Large windows offer sweeping views. Most meals are open seating: you pick when and with whom you dine, with no strict times or seating charts. The chef prepares all dishes � la minute, and the presentation rivals a Parisian restaurant. Variations on any menu item are available to suit your individual taste or dietary needs. Fine local wines are selected by the chef and sommelier (and poured generously) to complement each dish.
Breakfast is served buffet-style with a station for prepared-to-order omelets, eggs, and a special breakfast selection chosen by the chef. Lunch is served in the same style. For those who want lunch al fresco, there is a daily barbeque and lunch buffet at the Beagle Grill on the aft deck.
If the hiking has not worked your muscles enough, feel free to workout in the small gym on the top deck. Or enjoy ultimate relaxation with a massage or sauna. The gym, massage area, and sauna are open early and close late.
Also, on the top deck, there is an oversized Jacuzzi and plenty of lounge chairs for good old-fashioned sun- or moon-bathing. At night, try stargazing from the warmth of the Jacuzzi. It is an awesome experience, and the waiters will keep bringing you drinks long past any reasonable bedtime. You will never find the Jacuzzi closed: It is yours to use anytime you choose. Of course, the ship is outfitted with a business center (if you absolutely have to check e-mail), a library, gift shop, and salon. A licensed and accredited doctor is also on call.
Xpedition has a top cruising speed of 17 knots (about 20 miles per hour) and is equipped with state-of-the-art stabilizers and navigational and propulsion systems. She is designed to be the most advanced, eco-friendly vessel of all time, and every onboard source of waste is processed, filtered, and cleansed in the ship, so only clear, completely potable water is released into the sea. The remaining solid waste is recycled or processed into fertilizers. The sensitive ecosystem of the Galapagos is disturbed only by the wake of this extraordinary vessel.
Panorama Deck. Features two single beds and one double bed, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that lead to two personal verandas, sitting area with sofa, TV, direct dial telephone and private bathroom.
Panorama Deck. Features convertible double or single beds, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that lead to your personal veranda, sitting area with sofa, TV, direct dial telephone and private bathroom.
Rates - All prices are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, and do not include fees, charges, and taxes totaling $310.
Prices includehotel, cruise, all shore excursions, onboard meals, beverages, gratuities, and all intra-Ecuador transfers.
Singlesupplement is 100% of rate.
Security notice Due to heightened security throughout the world, we cannot accommodate non-registered passengers onboard at any time. The safety and well being of our passengers and crew cannot be compromised. ROmanCE VOYAGES appreciates your understanding and compliance..
Minimum participation requirements apply.This is a whole-ship charter. Bookings made directly through the cruise line cannot be honored. Cabins sell quickly and all deals are subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions.
When you book with Happy Gay Travel you get more for the same price!
We will send you a port city document including hotel information, links to gay sites, links to tourist sites, and other valuable city and gay information. Our clients have complimented us on this information.
A Tips and Tricks document with over 13 pages of valuable Travel & Packing information. This has saved our clients time and money.
We provide friendly people with years of traveling experience who love to talk about travel. Someone who has been on many all gay Atlantis and RSVP cruises and all over Europe. And we will give you an unbiased opinion.
We will help you select a good cabin to meet your expectations utilizing years of cruising experience.
We Offer air fare suggestions upon request.
We will monitor and status any wait list for cruises and events.
We offer a more extensive cabin share program where you can talk with potential cabin mates.
Located 600 miles west of the coast of Ecuador, the
19 islands of the Galapagos Archipelago are famous for the
window they provided
into the workings of evolution. The youngest of the islands
is estimated to be about four million years old, and the oldest,
though now submerged, almost nine million years. Due to their
complete isolation, the flora and fauna have evolved into species
found nowhere else in the world, with unique adaptations to
the individual environments of the islands. There are over
1,900 species of animals and plants endemic to the Galapagos.
The most amazing result of this isolation is that the indigenous
animals have no natural predators, and as a consequence, almost
no fear of humans. You literally will be stepping over and
around snoozing sea lions and nesting blue footed boobies as
you hike the islands. 
When Charles Darwin reached the archipelago from England in 1835 aboard HMS
Beagle, the islands were deemed "worthless." Darwin and the crew surveyed
the islands, creating maps so accurate they were used well into the 20th
Century. This view into a unique, untouched eco-evolutionary system spurred
his evolutionary theory, which triumphed with his 1859 tome 
No one is allowed on the islands without a guided escort. All
tours are limited to 16 people and are conducted by Galapagos
National Park Naturalist-Guides. The guides are highly educated,
having accredited biology degrees, and are experts in the flora
and fauna of the Galapagos. They provide insight on the islands'
history, animals, plants, and geology. The guides are some
of the nicest people, with deep personal interest in the conservation
and culture of the islands. Smoking and littering is forbidden
on the islands. Once you see this unique, pristine land you
will understand the motto, "Leave
only footprints and take only memories".
The airport is your first taste of the isolated, unspoiled, out-country--it's
a former WW2 military airstrip set up by the US to guard the Panama Canal
during the war. You will have some time to browse the small village's shops
before one of island's three buses will pick you up for transfer to the
Zodiacs, which will deliver you to Xpedition. 
At the rocky landing, we will climb a small cliff and be
immediately immersed in the animals of the Galapagos. Sea
lions romp in the water and sun on the rocks. Female boobies
will be nesting right along the trails, remarkably nonchalant
about human
presence. Galapagos mockingbirds provide the music as you take it all in.
Our guide will explain the mating rituals, and if we are lucky, the males
will be strutting for the females. Male frigate birds pump their red throats
to entice the ladies, while blue-footed boobies wobble comically like circus
clowns. Note: With all animals we encounter, WE need to step around them,
NOT the other way around.
Unknowingly,
these ships left behind non-indigenous animals like rats and
cats. This, along with human settlement and the further introduction
of non-indigenous animals like goats, pigs, and dogs, had a
devastating effect on many native species. Once-domesticated
animals escaped and became feral, and the islands suddenly
were overrun with predators never seen before. They competed
for available food, eating tortoise eggs, baby iguanas, and
the plant base, which led to massive erosion and overall .
The Galapagos tortoises are still in danger of extinction.
Just ask "Lonesome George," the last of his particular species
in the world, who's estimated to be 150 years old. 
In 1930, an expedition from the US arrived to create a wildlife sanctuary
for the entire archipelago, and finally, in 1935, the first laws were passed
to protect these islands. In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared the
Galapagos a national park, the catalyst needed to promote scientific research,
restoration, and preservation of the ecosystem. That year saw the creation
of the Charles Darwin Foundation, which funds the Charles Darwin Research
Station on Santa Cruz. Eradication of all invading species, capping or
reduction of human population, and perhaps even stronger limits on tourism
may be the future of the Galapagos Archipelago as scientists work to save
this spectacular place and return it to its pristine, natural beauty. 
Quito is home to extraordinary colonial Spanish architecture referred to
as Latin American Baroque. In Casco Colonial, the old town of Quito, historical
multi-colored buildings, iron balconies, and red-tiled roofs offer examples
of this beautiful style, which in part earned it World Historical Site
status by the United Nations in 1978.
After
our active day, we will retreat to the J.W.
Marriott, one of Quito's premier hotels. 
Fresh roses are everywhere. There is a sundry
shop, but it is best to bring the toiletries and other items
you are used to. The outdoor pool area resembles a tropical
lagoon. Rooms are spacious, with marbled baths and deep tubs,
110V power, and best of all, breathtaking views of the Andes. 
The elegant staterooms have either an oceanview window or a balcony, and all are appointed with fine wood, leather, marble, etched glass, and fine linens. The duvets are to die for, and there is more wardrobe space than many larger ships. A television, refrigerator, satellite-accessible telephones, and Egyptian-cotton towels complete the splendor. Power is 220V, so bring a converter to keep the camera batteries charged.
Xpedition's public spaces, both indoors and out, allow plenty of room to relax after sightseeing and hiking. Sip cocktails in the Discovery Lounge, with its classic nautical theme and comfortable banquettes, sound system, and dance floor. This lounge opens directly to the aft open deck, where you can watch the Pacific sunset. Try the refreshing local draft beer called simply "Pilsener," fine local wines, or a traditional mixed cocktail. Remember that all well drinks, beer, wine, and soft drinks are complimentary (as are all the onboard gratuities, Galapagos park entrance fees, and all shore excursions).
Darwin's Restaurant is a relaxed, casual-dining experience surrounded by washed woods, deep-blue upholstery, and subtle lighting. Large windows offer sweeping views. Most meals are open seating: you pick when and with whom you dine, with no strict times or seating charts. The chef prepares all dishes � la minute, and the presentation rivals a Parisian restaurant. Variations on any menu item are available to suit your individual taste or dietary needs. Fine local wines are selected by the chef and sommelier (and poured generously) to complement each dish.
Breakfast is served buffet-style with a station for prepared-to-order omelets, eggs, and a special breakfast selection chosen by the chef. Lunch is served in the same style. For those who want lunch al fresco, there is a daily barbeque and lunch buffet at the Beagle Grill on the aft deck.
