We went with a group of 16, and we knew the cruise Line Celebrity Xpedition is the best that sails there. We were not disappointed. We did the 2 nights prior in Quito and 1 post night day in Quito, and the 7 day sailing around the Galapagos islands. Everything was included, including the land portion. The staff, the food, drinks (water, soda, bar drinks), tips, tours, naturalist, transfers, flights from Quito to Baltra. You just had to bring enough memory for your camera and batteries, and lots of sunscreen. This is not a regular cruise, everything is casual, no dressing up in the evening, just a meet before dinner to talk about the tours for tomorrow ( one in morning and one in the afternoon) you had to decide what you want to do the next day and sign up, which takes about 5 minutes after the cruise directors talk. Sample of tour is long walk and short zodiac ride, or short walk and long zodiac ride. The talks told you what you would see and what animals are there. They were all FABULOUS, sometime you forgot to take photos because you were watching everything. We saw, sea lions, fur seals, Blue footed boobys, more other birds then I can remember, sea turtles that just had finished laying her eggs,lava lizards, marine iguanas, penguins ( my favorite),tortoises, land iguanas ( really big guys), the biggest bees (but they are friendly), and golden rays, eagle rays, fish of all kinds, and white tipped reef sharks. They were everywhere, some stated they brought a huge zoom to take pictures but did not use as they were too close. It's a fasinating place to visit.

May was a great time to visit, after the rainy season but before the dry season.Everything was green, and lush, and all the animals looked healthy due to all the food. Weather was great, warm, cloudy, sunny and one day for light rain. The naturalist state everyday is like that.

It's an unbelievable place and the people that live there and protect it, are the nicest people, and I now understand why this place to so special. They do a great job, showing it off to us visitors. If you decide to go, enjoy it, as it is nothing I have every experienced,it will change you,for the better. It makes you want to stop and enjoy everything simple on earth.