10 Night Galapagos Expedition – June 2016

24 June – 4 July 2016

SOLD OUT, wait list only – Join Wine Diva Deb for the experience of a lifetime. Many destinations promise the chance to step back in history but The Galapagos Islands gives you a chance to step into a place that shaped one of the world’s leading scientific doctrines the theory of evolution.

See the wonder of giant tortoises and marine iguanas in a living laboratory of adaptation.

Voyage Details

Ship Details

The Celebrity Xpedition^® offers the perfect combination of explorer’s voyage and cosmopolitan bliss. The cruise ship is in a class by herself, designed not just for travel, but for exploration of the Galapagos Islands, one of the world’s last pristine environments. Outfitted with a wealth of luxuries that cater to her 96 guests, just as her environmentally sound design helps preserve this immaculate archipelago.

Ship Facts

Inclusions

Your Galapagos Islands cruise onboard Celebrity Xpedition includes nearly everything you need to relax and enjoy one of the world’s most pristine environments.

• All beverages, including bottled water, wine, beer and spirits, as well as coffee and tea service, including espresso and cappuccino.
• All shore excursions, with choices of activity levels and locations.
• All gratuities.
• 2 night pre – and 1 night post-cruise hotel accommodations at the Marriott and tours.
• Air to/from Quito and Baltra.
• All transfers.
• Park entrance fees and Galapagos Tourist Card fees.
• All meals, including room service and in-stateroom dining during meal hours.
• All snorkeling equipment, including masks, snorkels, fins, wet-suits and snorkeling vests.
• All on board briefings and lectures led by our expert naturalists.

Additional items and services available for purchase onboard

• Massage services.
• Scuba diving (where available).
• Internet access.
• Select high-end liquors, apéritifs and wines.
• Laundry services.

Port Details

Baltra (Galapagos)

During World War II, Baltra served as a U.S. military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Now the cactus-strewn landscapes of Baltra are home to the region’s main airport and where you will meet the ship. After just a short bus and zodiac ride you will be aboard. Your luggage will be delivered straight to your stateroom, giving you the opportunity to explore the Celebrity Xpedition, a 296-foot mega-yacht and your home for the week.

Daphne Island (Galapagos)

The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue footed boobies and tropic bird. In addition, large schools of fish can be observed from the zodiac rides.

Gardner Bay (Espanola)

A long white sand beach and clear blue waters make this an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. In the water, sea turtles, rays, colorful tropical fish, and maybe even a white-tip reef shark may be seen. It is also home to a colony of sea lions. Excursion options include beach walking, swimming or a deepwater snorkel for experienced snorkelers.

Punta Suarez (Espanola)

Espanola is the oldest island in the Galapagos and is home to an abundance of wildlife. At this site, visitors can expect to see sea lions, Galapagos hawks, marine iguanas, and both blue-footed and Nazca boobies. And between late March to the following January, the waved albatross come here to mate and raise their young. Excursion options include a long, rocky walk to look for albatross and observe an impressive blowhole that spews water like a towering geyser. A short, easier walk to observe much of this island’s amazing wildlife is also offered.

Cormorant Point (Floreana)

Floreana was the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the islands’ Governor. Its small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a highly used nesting site for sea turtles. Check out the green-hued sand where you land! Excursion options include a relatively short walk to the lagoon and sea turtle-nesting beach, and optional snorkeling and swimming at the landing beach. In addition, for experienced snorkelers only we offer a deepwater snorkel at nearby Champion Island.

Bahia Post Office (Floreana)

Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793 where whalers and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. Continue the tradition and during our short visit post your own letter or post-cards at this early mail stop.

Punta Moreno (Isabela)

Punta Moreno will almost give you the feeling of time travel into a prehistoric era. Located on the extreme north coast of Isabela Island, between volcanoes Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul, Punta Moreno is dominated by jet-black pahoehoe lava that seems to extend as far as the eye can see. This has created numerous tidal pools, some surrounded by mangroves, that are a magnet for wildlife, including flamingo, great blue herons, moorhens and pintails. You can walk to the edge of the lava to look straight down at the inhabitants of the crystal clear pools, including the occasional green sea turtle, white-tipped reef sharks, and pufferfish. You may also have a chance to see huge marine iguanas, Galapagos Penguins and the rare flightless cormorant.

Urvina Bay (Isabela)

Composed of five coalesced volcanoes, this is the largest island in the Galapagos and the most recently active, the latest eruption occurred in 2009. Here we will see large land iguanas, finches, and if lucky, a giant tortoise or two. In 1954, the intrusion of magma below one of the island’s volcanoes caused part of the bay to be uplifted some 6 meters, and today we can walk through the remains of what was once a thriving underwater reef. Excursion options include a long, faster-paced hike with some rock climbing required, followed by an optional snorkel (if conditions allow), or a short walk and optional snorkel.

Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)

The half-collapsed remains of an ancient volcano make for a spectacular setting at this site. Awe-inspiring cliffs, blue waters, and wildlife create a zodiac ride to remember as we search for sea turtles, penguins, fur seals, the flightless cormorant, marine iguanas, marine mammals, and the oddly shaped form of the elusive sun fish.

Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)

Here on Isla Fernandina, guests may walk on recent lava flows from La Cumbre volcano and also observe the flightless cormorant, one of the islands’ best examples of evolution.

South Plaza (Santa Cruz)

One of two twin islands off Santa Cruz, South Plaza was born of upheaval, uplifted during a geologic event. The rocky island is strewn with prickly pear cactus and home to land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions. Our excursion here is a short walk to view wildlife, flora, and geology.

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)

Dragon Hill, or “Cerro Dragon,” is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we’ll cross a beautiful “white forest” of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options include a high-intensity hike with swimming/snorkeling at the beach, high intensity snorkeling from a zodiac followed by a short walk and a low-intensity Zodiac ride along the coastline with optional dry landing for animal observation.

Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)

This is the main population center of the islands and home to the National Park Service tortoise breeding center and the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will be able to visit the tortoise-breeding center and hopefully say hello to one of the island’s most famous residents, Lonesome George, and walk through the Charles Darwin Station. You will also have the opportunity to take a bus ride to the Highlands to observe giant tortoises in the wild and walk through a lava tunnel. There will also be free time available for shopping.

Pricing Details* (per person US$) – SOLD OUT, wait list only

*Prices subject to change. Airfare not included in prices listed.

	Oceanview Stateroom   $5909
	Deluxe Stateroom   $6109
	Premium Oceanview Stateroom   $6409

Suites available

Xpedition Suite (230 sq’) – $8359
Royal Suite (250 sq’) – $9309
Penthouse Suite (450 sq’) – $11,459

To Reserve your space

Call Wine Diva Deb at 206-617-6160 or send email to: winedivadeb@yahoo.com.

A deposit of $900/Ocean view Cabin and $1800/suite is required. Final and full payment by 5 January 2016

All reservations based on double occupancy. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to impose a fuel supplement on all guests if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeds US$65 per barrel. Travel Insurance highly recommended as well as Personal & Medical Insurance.