Celebrity’s Xpedition, added in 2004, is completely different from the rest of the fleet. Small and deluxe, it is used for year-round sailing in the Galápagos Islands. But even eco-focused travelers appreciate fine cuisine, wine, and modern amenities, and indeed, Celebrity Cruises uses as a tag line for Celebrity Xpedition’s Galápagos cruises: “Where the untamed meets the indulged.”
Celebrity is able to offer these cruises by having purchased an Ecuadorian tour operator that held the necessary government permits for Galápagos sailings and ensuring that the 100-passenger Xpedition (formerly the Sun Bay) was Ecuadorian-flagged and crewed. The German-built vessel is headed by an experienced Royal Caribbean or Celebrity captain, assisted by Ecuadorian and international officers. Most of the staff are experienced in cruise service but have been retrained by Celebrity. The cruise includes all meals, naturalist guides, folkloric entertainment, enrichment program, shore excursions, gratuities, and Zodiac rides, as well as bottled water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages (except premium brands) on board. On cruise-tour packages, passengers fly to Quito for a two-night stay at the luxurious J. W. Marriott hotel and a city tour by bus and on foot. In addition, the package includes airport transfers, round-trip flights between Quito and Baltra via Guayaquil, Galápagos entry fee; one or two nights’ hotel stay in Quito on return, and some meals in Quito.
Despite its small size, Xpedition feels spacious. The Discovery Lounge includes a large bar, comfortable seating, and a library with books and games. Here, passengers attend folkloric presentations, lectures, and naturalist discussions about each day’s program. The ship also has a small exercise room with sauna, several bars, outdoor deck lounging space, and a small boutique.
Xpedition does not have a passenger elevator and is not equipped to accommodate wheelchair passengers or those who can’t climb two or three flights of stairs. The ship has a doctor onboard for every voyage, but it does not have Internet access. The ship has a modern waste management system that Celebrity upgraded further.
Passengers enter and leave the ship via a platform incorporated into the vessel’s structure. To explore ashore, they are tendered via Zodiac craft and proceed on foot. The ship stops at several islands for wildlife
viewing. Snorkeling and swimming are included on several excursions; a dive trip can be booked for an additional charge. As on all Galápagos cruises, naturalist guides or the ship’s staff accompany all excursions, providing commentary and discussions.
Unofficial Guide © 2009
.jpg_thumb.jpg "Santorini sunset")
