There are countless reviews on Cruise Critic about the Galapagos cruise on the Celebrity Xpedition and we echo the glowing reports already posted. So instead I am going to concentrate on only those items that we learned while on the cruise that can help others in their preparation or while on their cruise. Our trip was during the hot and wet season (early April 2013).

The Celebrity Xpedition

With only 98 passengers, you will get to know most people on a first name basis quickly. The staff was terrific and ever attentive to your needs. All staff come from either the Galapagos Islands or the Ecuadorean mainland and are very proud of their country and speak very good English. One bartender got to know us so well that when he saw us approaching the ship in the panga coming back from an excursion he made us our favorite returning drinks, ice teas and glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. As mentioned in at least another review, you can order dinner to be served to you outside on the Beagle Grill. Dining room seating is always open seating at any time the DR is open and at rounds of 6-10 people. Breakfast and lunch is always buffet style with lunch sometimes offered both in the DR as well as a BBQ on the Beagle Grill. The food was generally very good with only a few chicken dishes that were dry. I don't know why other posters said the beef was not good, but several friends we met on the cruise that had the beef, said it was fine. We always tried to eat the fish of the day and it was very good. Since it is a small ship, there is one bar and a small ship's store on board. The ship's store does stock several microfiber clothing items as well as sunscreen and toothpaste. Your cabin attendant will change dirty or wet towels three times per day so you also have a fresh set. The beds are spartan by today's cruise ship standards- no box spring, lumpy and uncomfortable. I would recommend packing either a small power strip or a 3 in 1 electrical plug for charging electronic devices as there are only two outlets in most cabins; either the one above the bathroom sink or unplugging the television. There is limited wi-fi on the ship with the best signal in the Explorer lounge. Only 8 people can be on at one time and many forget to logoff when finished. Read more