We chose this cruise because the reviews of the guides and excursions were excellent, and we were not disappointed. This cruise was an expedition rather than a luxury cruise, but Silversea did a great job of making us all feel pampered. The ship is not new, because Ecuador does not allow new ships and controls their itineraries. However, Silversea performed beyond our expectations. The experience was seamless. They met us at the airport in Quito, and brought us to the J W Marriott for 2 nights, which was modern and lovely. They picked us up on time to fly from Quito to Baltra, with our tickets in hand. Every step of the way, Silversea was organized and professional. The ship has capacity for only 100 guests, which is the limit allowed by Ecuador, and was fully booked. The other passengers were extremely congenial, and we feel that by the end of the week, we knew everyone. Of course, the highlight of the cruise was the excursions. They often scheduled at least three per day, including hikes, snorkeling, and beaches, all of which were reached by zodiacs with about 10-12 passengers. The guides are highly trained, knowledgeable, and personable. In addition to the excursions, they had an educational program every afternoon, and every evening at 7 pm was a talk previewing the next day's schedule. Every day was fun filled and exciting. We saw all the birds and other wildlife that we were hoping to see. Some of the hikes were quite strenuous on very rocky slopes, and you have to wear appropriate shoes and be in decent shape to do them. The entertainment consisted of a piano player in the afternoon and evenings, but everyone was always so tired from the day's activities that it seemed perfect. Many activities started at 7 am, so it was generally an early night for most. That said, we did manage to have some fun with karaoke and dancing. The food was not as gourmet as regular cruise ships, as again, there were restrictions on what the ship could bring on board, but we ate well and the wine was delicious, and the chef did a great job with Ecuadorian specialties, especially ceviche. As you can tell, we had a fabulous week, and highly recommend it. Just be prepared to come back home tired from too much fun!