We've just returned from the Galapagos, via the Celebrity Xpedition. This is not like other Celebrity cruises. It was all-inclusive from the moment we stepped off the plane in Quito until the moment we were driven back to the airport to return home. Everything was included which made it expensive, but also so much easier.

We would say that this was the most exhilarating and most exhausting vacation we've ever taken, so to have everything taken care of was perfect for us. To start we were met at the airport and put on buses to the Marriott in Quito. The following day we were given a tour of the city with a trip to the equator. Since this is a difficult city to navigate and one that shouldn't be traveled alone, this gave us an overview of the city while feeling safe. All buses have guards since crime can be a huge issue there.

We arrived back at the airport for the 2 hour flight to Baltra on Galapagos. Avianca airlines provided great service and made me wish we had taken it to Quito rather than American Airlines, which was awful. At the airport we were fairly quickly brought to the dock (5 minute ride) where we donned life vests and boarded our first zodiac boat for the trip to the ship, which never docks, so zodiacs are the only way to board. Read more