Frequently Asked Questions

The Galapagos Islands (or Archipelago de Colon) is a Province of Ecuador located 500 miles (800 kilometers) west of the Ecuadorian coast. The island chain lies directly on the equator.

• Voyage aboard one of the Celebrity vessels in Galapagos, as indicated in the applicable itinerary
• Accommodation in staterooms with air conditioning, private bathroom and showers, and refrigerators with complimentary bottled water
• All meals and complimentary beverages on board the vessel including select wines, sparkling wines, spirits, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee and teas
• Complimentary room service
• Complimentary internet access
• Onboard entertainment, including programs or lectures by onboard, Galapagos National Park certified naturalists or our experienced Celebrity staff
• Complimentary snorkeling equipment, mini-wetsuits, binoculars and walking sticks provided for the duration of the cruise
• Gratuities while on board for the crew and lecturers, as well as gratuities for the naturalist guides
• The Galapagos National Park admission fee
• Galapagos Tourist Card fee
• Transfers from/to the Baltra, Galapagos airport to/from the ship

• Air transportation of any type
• Any ground transfers other than as stated
• Any food or beverages obtained off of Celebrity Galapagos vessels
• Purchases on board
• Personal services such as spa, laundry, and telecommunication services
• Travel insurance
• Optional pre/post packages

All 10, 11, and 16 night packages include the following 2-night pre-cruise stay in Quito, Ecuador:

• Transfers from the Quito Airport to your hotel and back to the airport
• Two nights in a shared double occupancy room at a hotel in Quito, Ecuador, prior to your flight to Baltra
• Meals during the pre-land portion of the package in Quito, including all meals on Saturday, and Sunday breakfast pre-cruise
• A guided tour of Quito (full day)
• Air transportation (coach class on either scheduled or charter service) from Quito, Ecuador to Baltra
• Transfers from the airport in Baltra to the ship
• 7-night Galapagos cruise aboard one of the Celebrity ships in Galapagos as indicated in the applicable itinerary (See above description for the inclusion of the 7-night cruises)
• All gratuities

Post-Cruise Arrangements for the 10 and 11 night packages:

• Transfers from your Celebrity vessel to the airport in Baltra
• Air transportation (coach class on either scheduled or charter service) from Baltra to Quito
• Transfers from the Quito Airport to your hotel
• One night (two nights if you purchase the 11-night voyage) at a hotel (dinner and full breakfast are included)
• Afternoon shopping tour to local craft market, time permitting
• Transfer from your hotel to the Quito Airport
• All Gratuities

Post cruise arrangements for the 16-Night package (Machu Picchu extension):

• Meet and greet services at the Quito airport for all airport transfers and tours.
• 2-night pre-cruise Quito package.
• VIP check-in and check-out at the hotel.
• Full-day guided tour of historical Quito, including a visit to the Equator Line at the Middle of the World Park Museum.
• Meals and beverages while on tour and at the hotel, including a welcome dinner at a local gourmet restaurant.
• Luggage service, including compliance with mandatory Galapagos agricultural inspection of all luggage at the hotel before departure and flight check-in with distribution of boarding passes at the hotel.
• Choice of 7-night all-inclusive Galapagos cruise.
• 7-night Peru post-cruise
• 3 nights (based on return flight schedule) in Lima
• 2 nights in The Sacred Valley.
• 2 nights in Cuzco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and center of the former Inca Empire.
• Vistadome and Belmond Hiram Bingham train service to and from Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas.
• Round-trip airfare Quito/Baltra/Quito, from Quito to Lima, and round-trip Lima to Cuzco.
• Airport-hotel transfers.
• Luxury hotel accommodations (Westin Lima Hotel, Tambo del Inca in the Sacred Valley, and Belmond Hotel Monasterio for Celebrity Xpedition and Belmond Palacio Nazarenas for Celebrity Flora in Cuzco).
• Celebrity concierge service/tour escort.
• Fully escorted exclusive tours in every location.
• Park entrance fees.
• Beverages during meals.
• All meals.
• All transfers.
• All gratuities.

• Air transportation to/from Quito, Ecuador, and to Quito/from Peru. You can book this optional air travel through Flights by Celebrity
• Any additional food or beverages obtained outside of the package specifications
• Purchases of souvenirs, gifts and other personal items on board or ashore
• Personal services such as spa, laundry, and telecommunication charges
• Baggage, travel cancellation and personal insurance

The air carriers flying between Quito and Baltra typically limit the amount of luggage per guest to one checked piece (not to exceed 44 lbs.) and a small carry-on bag (not to exceed 15 lbs.). Guests may bring a reasonable amount of clothing and personal effects on board the vessels. However, for guests’ comfort and convenience, it is recommended that they limit the number of items they take

Each guest is required by Ecuadorian law to have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the departure date from Ecuador. Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship, or from debarking or entering a country, and may be subject to fines.

Also, it is important that the name on the reservation be exactly as it is stated on the passport or other official citizenship document. If the guest’s name has changed since the document was issued (i.e. marriage/divorce), it is required that the document be updated with the new name, or provide official supporting document(s) of the name change. Otherwise, it may result in delay or possible denial of boarding.

Visit celebritycruises.com/documentation for up-to-date information on documentation.
For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov or the passport service of your choice, such as CIBT – Passport and Visa Service at www.cibt.com/celebrity.
For more information on Special Groups (requirements for U.S. and Canadian children, groups of children, U.S. Military…), please visit www.cbp.gov/travel.

All guests must ensure they are medically fit for travel. As such, we remind you to check with your physician at least 4 to 6 weeks before sailing to make sure you are up to date with any required immunizations or vaccines you may need to ensure you will be permitted to visit each of the exciting destinations and tours on your itinerary. At this time, no inoculations are required for US, Canadian, and UK citizens. For further information, you may contact the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Traveler’s Health website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or toll-free at 800-232-4636.

Please note the ability to accommodate guests with special needs aboard the vessels in the Galapagos Islands is limited. The ships do not have elevators or accessible staterooms. Also, there is very little wheelchair accessibility on the Galapagos Islands, and service animals are not permitted in the Galapagos National Park. During a Galapagos journey, guests will need to ascend or descend steps into a motor coach, use stairs, walk and/or climb over uneven ground for extended distances and get on and off inflatable Zodiac tenders. In addition, the land portion of these vacations, including Quito and Galapagos in Ecuador, as well as Lima, Cuzco and Machu Picchu in Peru are not suited to persons who are wheelchair users. Celebrity welcomes guests with disabilities and special needs, and we will provide reasonable and appropriate assistance. Guests requiring assistance should consider their specific needs when making a Galapagos vacation decision. While we do not require information about the extent of your specific situation, the more information you can share with us about your specific needs, the better we are able to assist you. We encourage you to notify us of your needs at time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing.

Yes, there are small shops with limited expedition gear as well as some souvenirs. In addition, there is a limited quantity of sunscreen and other sundries available.

The country of Ecuador uses the US dollar. Peru’s currency is the Sol.

Daytime and Shore Excursions:

• Neutral-colored clothing is advised due to possible presence of insects.
• Lightweight rain jacket or windbreaker.
• A small backpack to carry water and other essentials.
• A hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and insect repellent.
• A re-sealable plastic bag to prevent water damage to cameras and other items of that nature.
• If you bring a digital camera, make sure to pack plenty of memory cards.
• The weather in these ports of call can be unpredictable, so we recommend layers. During the warmer months (February through June) it can be very hot on shore excursions.
• Lightweight shorts and pants as well as both long-and short-sleeve shirts.
• A jacket or sweatshirt will come in handy for cooler days and evenings.
• Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots, thick socks, swimsuit, and waterproof sandals or wet/dry water shoes for the beach and wet landings. Some of the island trails require walking on rocks, so be sure to have support and good tread on walking shoes.

Evening:

• As you pack evening clothes, remember that there is no need for formal attire aboard any of our Celebrity Galapagos vessels.
• For women, we recommend resort casual attire (pants, skirts or even casual dresses).
• For men, we recommend resort casual attire (comfortable shirts and pants).

Located on the equator, the Galapagos Islands are subject to oceanic currents that influence temperatures on the archipelago. The weather is pleasant at any time of the year, making it a year-round cruise destination.

There are two seasons in the Galapagos:
The dry, or garua, season runs from July to December. “Garua” refers to the fog and mist that commonly hangs on the higher elevations during this season. The hot or wet season lasts from January through June, with March and April generally being the wettest months.

Yes, complimentary high speed Wi-Fi is available throughout Celebrity Flora & Celebrity Xpedition.

Smoking is permitted only on the ship’s outer decks in designated smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted on the Zodiac rafts or other transport vessels.

Deposit requirements: A deposit must be made in order to reserve a stateroom and receive a written confirmation.
Minimum Deposit Requirements: $450 USD per person. All Suites require double the deposit amounts listed above.

Charges for late cancellation of cruises (days prior to sailing / charges per person):

Except for Galapagos Packages and Sailings. For full Galapagos Cancellation Policy please visit our FAQ Section.

We created Flights by Celebrity to provide you with the easiest, most convenient airfare service. You’ll not only receive our lowest airfare guarantee (lowest airfare guarantee only available to North America guests), but you’ll also have the flexibility to choose your favorite airline and flights, receive round-the-clock support throughout your entire vacation, and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll get to your ship—no matter what. Plus, there are absolutely no booking fees. Visit celebritycruises.com/flightsbycelebrity for details.

Purchasing airline tickets through Flights by Celebrity will allow you to receive assistance on travel days, should there be a disruption to your scheduled airline service. While we monitor flights, you should first check with the airline to request re-accommodation, and then call us if the new flights will not enable you to meet the ship. We will work with you to find a seat on the next available flight, on a regularly scheduled airline, and in the same class of service to the ship. If there are no viable options, we will work with our airline partners to accommodate you on a flight to the next available port, where you may legally join the ship.

The CruiseCare® Cancellation Penalty Waiver Program waives the non-refundable cancellation provision of your Cruise Ticket Contract and pays you the value of the unused portion of your cruise vacation in the event that you or your traveling companion need to cancel the cruise for covered reasons. If you need to cancel for any other reason, you may be eligible for Cruise

Travel Insurance with medical and evacuation coverage for Galapagos is a government requirement and guests may be asked to show printed or digital proof upon arrival in Baltra.

CruiseCare® is designed and intended for US residents only. Canadian residents may visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/cruise-insurance for more information on travel protection.

CruiseCare® is designed and intended for US residents only. Canadian residents may visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/cruise-insurance for more information on travel protection.

The Galápagos chain of islands is made up of 18 primary islands, three smaller ones, and dozens of rock formations or very small islets. You can learn more about each of the islands we sail to by visiting http://www.celebritycruises.com/galapagos/islands/.

We definitely do! We have carefully selected the most qualified certified naturalist guides from the Galápagos National Park Service. They are fully trained to lead Celebrity Cruises expeditions to the destination and are focused on giving you premium service and the most memorable experience, both on and off the ship.

The Naturalist guides will keep you informed about the flora and fauna that you will encounter on your expedition. They are there for you, so be prepared to ask questions and learn as much as you can about amazing species. Your Naturalist guide will also provide instructions on how maintain this very sensitive environment.

Currently, about 60,000 people from all over the world visit the Galapagos each year. The Ecuadorian government has established a limit of 90,000 visitors per year in order to preserve Galapagos ecosystem. So now is a great time to be among the relatively few to visit this extraordinary destination.

Ecuador is in the Eastern Time zone (GMT-5 in the mainland). Daylight savings time is not observed. Galapagos is one hour behind mainland Ecuador.

The Celebrity vessels will anchor offshore each landing site. Passengers are taken to the landing points in small boats called zodiacs or locally termed “pangas”. The landings can be ‘wet’ meaning guests must step into water anywhere from your ankles to your knees and wade to shore. Other landings are ‘dry’ where guests step from the zodiac directly to the shore. Your Celebrity naturalist guide and zodiac driver will assist each guest to maintain steadiness.

If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend you reach out to you doctor. You may find that motion sickness medications convenient to bring. Most time is spent in the calm protected waters of coves in and around the islands where the waters are more still. It is a good practice to bring motion sickness medication so you are prepared for an unexpected challenge onboard.

As a Celebrity Galapagos expedition guest you are very likely to see an abundance of wildlife including sightings of the marine iguanas, penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, the giant tortoise (at the Charles Darwin Research Station), and many more. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll get up close and personal with the wildlife of the Galapagos. To learn more about the wildlife you are likely to encounter visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/destinations/galapagos-cruises/wildlife

Laundry services are available on Celebrity Xpedition at an additional cost. A full menu including pricing can be found in each stateroom. Penthouse Suite guests have complimentary laundry services. Elite members receive 1 bag of 20 items for complimentary wash, dry and fold.
Laundry services are included twice per trip on Celebrity Flora.

Please note dry cleaning is not permitted by the Galapagos National Park.

The Galapagos Islands are regulated by the Galapagos National Park all of our itineraries are dictated by the park. Every time we renew our permits to sail in the Galapagos that comes with two alternating itineraries for each ship as an environmental mandate. The park decides where we will be going, how long we will stay at each island and what activities or shore excursions we are allowed to partake in. The itineraries are always subject to change based on the parks decisions but mostly stay the same. The most important thing for you to know is that the Galapagos Islands must be seen as a whole destination rather than where they will be in the morning versus the afternoon. All the itineraries in our program are very well balanced and will offer history, flora and fauna they won’t experience anywhere else. Among other animals, they will see blue footed boobies, sea lions, sea turtles and giant tortoises on all itineraries. You will have a fulfilling and memorable experience regardless of the loop you select.

Elite members and above receive 1 bag of 20 items for complimentary wash, dry and fold.

Elite members and above also receive a complimentary 30 minute massage.

We appreciate any and all feedback, and use it as opportunity to continue enhancing our product and services to exceed our guest’s expectations. Our goal is always to provide the most enjoyable and memorable cruise vacation experience for our guests, so it is helpful to review feedback such as yours in order to measure the success of our efforts. All sailed guests over the age of 18 who have provided us with their email address will now receive an email invitation to participate in an online survey on the day of departure. Guests will have one week to complete the survey, after leaving the ship. The survey works on smartphones, tablets, laptops and other computers. It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to answer all questions in the survey. All responses will remain strictly confidential.