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Selecting a Galapagos Cruise
By Galapagos Travel of Galapagos Online
The Galapagos Islands are a dream destination for nature lovers from all over the world. Selecting the perfect Galapagos Cruise can often seem like an overwhelming decision – it can be difficult to determine the differences between boats and which one is right for you. We have put together this guide to assist you in selecting the perfect Galapagos Cruise for you. Galapagos Cruises vary in price based depending on the comfort level and services offered on board. Prices typically range from around $200 a day for a low end cruise catering to the backpackers to over $400 a day for a luxury cruise. Let’s just say it – the Galapagos is not an inexpensive destination. When deciding how much you want to spend, first take a look at the itinerary, as well as the features of the boat whether you’ll have your own cabin or be sleeping in a dormitory situation. You’ll want to look whether the cabins have lower beds or bunk beds, shared bathrooms or private baths. There are also optional choices like whether they have snorkel gear available, kayaks or wetsuits for you to use. Some of the newer boats offer mini-spas, gyms and play areas for kids all adding to the comfort you will experience on board. Once you have decided on the type of boat you prefer the next most important factor is the itinerary. Galapagos Cruises come in assorted lengths from 4 days to 15 days. Each cruise itinerary has been preset with the Galapagos National Park. The itineraries are designed to offer the best possible experience for visitors while minimizing the effects of their visit on the islands and the wildlife that lives there. During your cruise you will have a glimpse of the great diversity that makes the Galapagos Islands so special, you’ll delight at incredible interactions with the island’s wildlife and with the help of your naturalist guide gain an understanding of what makes these islands so unique and their preservation so important. The Galapagos can be divided into four regions each with their own characteristics —the Southern, Western, Northern and Central Islands. Each of these regions differs depending on the geologic age and the wildlife found there. The Galapagos Islands are all volcanic in nature. On the younger islands the volcanoes are still active, these islands are rugged, and the wildlife lives off the fruit of the sea and has evolved to survive in harsh conditions. As a contrast on the older islands, the volcanoes have become extinct, the lava has broken down to become fertile soil and this rich soil is able to support a variety of plants and assortment of wildlife. San Cristobal, Espanola and Floreana in the southern part of the chain are the oldest of the islands. These islands were favorites among pirates, whalers, and early setters. Where other islands are stark and desolate these older islands have an assortment of plants and animals. Visiting these older islands you will see the life-cycle of an island and see a combination of wildlife those who live from the sea like frigatebirds, bluefooted boobies and sea lions as well as those that live off the land like Galapagos Mockingbirds, yellow warblers, and Galapagos Doves and the waved albatross. Isabela and Fernandina are the youngest islands in the Galapagos. Most of the volcanoes here are still active! Visiting Isabela and Fernandina offers a sense of how the islands are born and evolve over time. Both islands are primarily lava with pioneer plants like candelabra cactus and mangroves. The climate here is unforgiving and in order to survive the wildlife that lives here had to evolve. The cormorants for example took to the water for food and over the years became great swimmers, yet lost their ability to fly. Isabela and Fernandina is where you will encounter the greatest number of endemic animals (wildlife found in Galapagos and nowhere else in the world) including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos Penguins, marine iguanas, mangrove and woodpecker finch. Traveling to the north you’ll reach the island of Genovesa or Tower known as "bird island". Genovesa has the most incredible amount of birds in all of Galapagos. I've heard from many travelers over the years "I don't care about seeing birds" yet they come back from their trip saying Genovesa was their favorite island. The central Galapagos offer a mixture of what is found in the other islands. Colonies of boobies, frigate birds and sea lions are common sites. Land Iguanas can be seen in forests of opunita cactus. The highlight of the central islands is seeing Galapagos Tortoises - the symbol of the Galapagos Islands. The best Galapagos cruise will combine at least three if not all four of these areas. Selecting this type of cruise offers you the best way to see the great diversity of the Galapagos Islands. Lastly when selecting the perfect Galapagos Cruise we suggest asking about the other people on board the cruise. If you are traveling with young children you may want a family friendly boat. If you are older you may not want to travel with a group of college students on spring break. Ask who you will be traveling with to make sure it is a good fit. For most traveler’s the Galapagos is a once in a lifetime destination, so make sure to take your time choosing the right cruise and to get good advice from an expert who knows the islands so your Galapagos Cruise will live up to all your dreams.
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 |  | nick recommended this intel. Mar 14, 2011 |  | | sheilamarie loved this intel. Mar 14, 2011 | | | humagaia recommended this intel. Mar 14, 2011 |  | | adac liked this intel. Mar 14, 2011 |  | | Marika liked this intel. Mar 14, 2011 |  | | frederick appreciated this intel. Mar 14, 2011 |  | | bronnamdi liked this intel. Mar 15, 2011 |
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Thank you for sharing this detailed information, Galapagos Travel.
We have taken a number of cruises,but haven't been on a galapagos tour.
Keep up the good writing and images.
Best wishes.
Frederick
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