Eat Sleep Cruise
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What We Wish We Knew BEFORE Taking a Galapagos Islands Cruise
A Galapagos cruise sounds like a dream, and it is, but nobody warns you about the parts that catch first timers off guard. From no bathrooms ashore to rough crossings between islands, here's what we wish we knew before our Galapagos Islands expedition. 💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 Up Next: Best Cruises for Adults: https://youtu.be/43tXZ0XIwng 🛳️ FREE CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE: https://eatsleepcruise.com/cruise-planning-guide We've sailed over 100 cruises, and the Galapagos still caught us off guard. After nine days aboard an expedition ship, Heidi and I are sharing the honest realities nobody tells you before you book a Galapagos cruise. 🌎 PLANNING YOUR GALAPAGOS CRUISE Not all Galapagos itineraries are the same. The eastern, western, and northern routes each show off different wildlife and landscapes, so the route you pick shapes the whole trip. The ship matters too, and with over 70 vessels ranging from 16 to 100 guests, size and expedition style should drive your choice. The season shifts everything as well, since water temperature, sea conditions, and animal activity all change through the year. A Galapagos cruise costs more than most people expect once you factor in flights, hotels, tips, and the $200 national park entrance fee. Read up on the Big 15, the signature species you'll hope to spot, and time your route around the wildlife you most want to see. Book early, because the park caps visitors and the best ships and cabins go fast. 🧳 GETTING THERE AND WHAT TO PACK There are no direct international flights into the Galapagos. You fly into Quito or Guayaquil first, then take a domestic flight to Baltra to board. We always fly in at least a day early for a buffer against delays. If you spend time in Quito or Cusco, prepare for altitude sickness, because both sit thousands of feet above sea level. There's paperwork too, like a Transit Control Card and a biosecurity screening on your bags. Packing for the Galapagos takes more thought than the Caribbean. Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a dry bag, binoculars, and a rain jacket all earn their place. 🐢 LIFE ONBOARD AND ASHORE Expedition cruising is active, and the days run packed from early morning to evening. Every landing starts with a zodiac, and you'll want to know whether it's a wet or dry landing before you dress. Here's the one that surprised us most. There are no bathrooms once you step onto an island. The no-trace rules are strict, so you stay on marked trails and keep your distance, even when the animals wander right up to you. Embarkation isn't traditional either, with no gangway and no security line, just a zodiac ride out to the ship. Snorkeling, kayaking, and panga rides fill the days, and you'll likely be too tired most nights for an after-dinner drink. 💡 THE SMALL STUFF THAT TRIPS PEOPLE UP Crossings between islands can get rough, so pack seasickness remedies even if you never usually need them. Onboard life is casual, so you can leave the formal wear at home. Ecuador runs on the US dollar and standard US outlets, which makes things easy for American travelers. Little things like magnetic hooks and a plastic shoe organizer go a long way in a compact cabin. And since you've flown all that way, a pre or post-cruise extension to Machu Picchu or Quito is worth every penny. 0:00 What We Wish We Knew BEFORE Going to Galapagos Islands 0:30 Galapagos Islands trip Planning Mistakes 5:03 Galapagos Cruises Logistics No One Mentions 9:42 A Galapagos expedition is Very Different Than a Cruise 13:51 Be Prepared for Biosecurity Regulations 16:37 What to Pack (and Leave at Home) During a Galapagos Expedition Cruise 19:49 Who Should (and Shouldn't) Visit the Galapagos Islands 20:54 You May Not Be as Disconnected as You Think 21:28 Why Choose HX Expeditions #Galapagos #GalapagosCruise #GalapagosIslands #GalapagosTravel #CruiseTips #ExpeditionCruise #Ecuador #CruisePlanning #GalapagosTips #BucketListTravel #Wildlife #CruiseVlog #Galapagos #galapagosislands #galapagosexpedition ----TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ We Tested 10 Major Cruise Lines: https://youtu.be/n6ThEY2l2r0 40 Cruise Hacks We Swear by After 100 Cruises: https://youtu.be/ivvzrns5QOI 15 Things We Stopped Doing on Cruises: https://youtu.be/GtkBjn5GvJA Best Cruises for Couples: https://youtu.be/fenNj5GmLdM Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatsleepcruise Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise Question – Which cruise line are you sailing on in 2026? Affiliate link: Some links above may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Disclaimer: This video is not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate links.