Celebrity Xperience is an upscale expedition vessel that offers unparalleled levels of comfort and service. Large enough to travel the Pacific in comfort and safety, small enough to dock at remote ports and negotiate inter-island landings with agility, the Xperience is the perfect size for an expedition-style adventure and the choice for travelers who prefer the intimate, comfortable atmosphere and attentive service of a smaller boutique vessel to a larger cruise ship. She features outstanding open-air spaces, comfortable cabins, and spectacular al fresco dining.
The 24 spacious staterooms accommodate up to 48 passengers – just half the number usually found on a ship this size. This means that passengers can enjoy the generous accommodation of a larger vessel, while preserving the atmosphere and exclusivity of a smaller yacht. Exploring with a small group of like-minded fellow travelers, guests can experience our unrivalled itineraries led by certified naturalist guides.
7-NIGHT SOUTHERN LOOP ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive at Baltra Island
Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will clear immigration and be met by your guide, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. A motorized dinghy will then transfer you to Celebrity Xperience, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard.
North Seymour Island
North Seymour is a perfect introduction to the Galapagos Islands. Although the island is characterized by arid vegetation, fauna abounds and you will soon find yourself surrounded by sea lions, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, frigatebirds and more.
DAY 2
South Plaza Island
South Plaza Island is home to a large opuntia cactus forest, land iguanas and one of the largest sea lion colonies in the central region of the archipelago. You will also be able to see Nazca boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, and other kinds of sea birds, as well as different types of finches.
Santa Fe Island
During the hike you will see some of Santa Fe’s endemic species, including the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos snake, various finches and the Galapagos mockingbird. Playful sea lions usually join swimmers and kayakers during beach time.
DAY 3
San Cristobal Island - Pitt Point
Pitt Point is located on the eastern tip of San Cristobal Island. You will hike up to a plateau where the view and landscape are so spectacular it is definitely worth the effort. The power hike is followed by kayaking, snorkeling or a dinghy ride.
San Cristobal Island - Cerro Brujo
In addition to the magnificent scenery, there is wonderful swimming and a dinghy ride at this visitor site. Cerro Brujo’s spectacular beach is home to a large colony of sea lions, and it is famous for being the first place in the archipelago that Charles Darwin visited.
DAY 4
Floreana Island - Post Office Bay & Baroness’ Viewing Point
Post Office Bay is home to a unique “post office” inspired by 18th century pirates and buccaneers who used a wooden barrel as an unofficial mailbox. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. The Baroness’ Viewing Point is the ideal place to take in the unique scenery that defines Floreana.
Floreana Island - Champion Islet & Cormorant Point
After snorkeling at Champion Islet, you will visit Cormorant Point, where there is a beautiful lagoon that is home to flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks. A great site for bird-watching.
Isabela Island - Elizabeth Bay
Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. We will enter a sheltered cove that is only accessible by dinghy – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles, rays and herons.
Isabela Island - Moreno Point
Moreno Point, which is southwest of Elizabeth Bay, is famous for its large population of seabirds. You’ll be able to get close to them on a dinghy ride along the cliffs of the island, or on a hike through lava rock that leads to tide pools and mangroves teeming with life. You will also have time for snorkeling.
DAY 6
Santa Cruz Island - Puerto Ayora & Highlands
On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the extensive efforts underway to preserve the Galapagos Islands. You will also encounter the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit we will drive to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. In the afternoon you will have free time for shopping or mingling with the locals, or you can simply relax on board.
For those on our 5-night itinerary, this will be your departure day. In the morning you will visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to see giant tortoises in the wild, followed by a transfer to Baltra airport for your flight back to the mainland.
Española Island - Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a pristine white sandy beach. In addition to being a nesting site for sea turtles, it is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions in the archipelago. Activities include swimming snorkeling and kayaking.
Española Island - Punta Suarez
Punta Suarez is home to large populations of Nazca and blue-footed boobies, as well as the beautiful waved albatross (seasonally). The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatross on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world.
DAY 8
Mosquera Islet
This tiny islet is home to a huge population of sea lions, as well as many shorebirds. Keep your eyes peeled, as there are occasional reports of dolphins and orcas around Mosquera.
NORTHERN LOOP ITINERARY
Arrive at Baltra Island
Upon arrival at Baltra airport, you will clear immigration and be met by your guide, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. A motorized dinghy will then transfer you to Celebrity Xperience, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard.
Santa Cruz Island - Black Turtle Cove
Black Turtle cove is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water islets, surrounded by three different species of mangroves. Its waters are a nursery site for sea turtles, rays and sharks, as well as a nesting site for sea birds. This site is only accessible by dinghy.
DAY 2
Rábida Island
Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt-water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Activities include snorkeling, swimming, kayaking or dinghy ride.
Santiago Island - Puerto Egas
The trail leads to tidal pools that are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. You will also see marine iguanas, finches and possibly the Galapagos hawk, as well as the less common Galapagos fur sea lion. After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel from the beach.
DAY 3
Isabela Island – Tagus Cove
Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. The trail up from the cove goes through an area of vegetation, leading to a spectacular view of Darwin Volcano Lake. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking and dinghy ride.
Fernandina Island - Espinoza Point
Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine and dynamic ecosystems in the entire world. La Cumbre Volcano, which last erupted in April 2009, dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Espinoza Point is home to unique Galapagos species such as the Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant, Galapagos snake and huge marine iguanas.
DAY 4
Isabela Island – Urbina Bay
Located in the west of Isabela, at the foot of Alcedo volcano, this site is famous for its large land iguanas, and keep your eyes peeled for Galapagos tortoises, flightless cormorants and penguins.
Isabela Island – Vicente Roca Point
Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. For those who don’t snorkel, a dinghy ride will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos spectacular geography. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area.
DAY 5
Santa Cruz Island - Puerto Ayora & Highlands
On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the extensive efforts underway to preserve the Galapagos Islands. You will also encounter the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit we will drive to the lush highlands of Santa Cruz to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. In the afternoon you will have free time for shopping or mingling with the locals, or you can simply relax on board.
DAY 6
Genovesa Island – El Barranco
El Barranco, also known as Prince Phillip’s Steps, is a steep path with stairs carved into the rock, which leads to a plateau full of bird life among a palo santo forest. You will see Nazca boobies, Galapagos doves, mockingbirds and petrels. With some luck, you may spot a short-eared lava owl.
Genovesa Island – Darwin Bay
Darwin Bay’s soft, coralline white sand is only the beginning of a spectacular excursion. A trail from the beach takes you into lush mangroves where red footed boobies nest. Other locals include sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and frigatebirds. Kayaking or snorkeling are a must here, since sharks, colorful reef fish, rays and sea turtles are often seen.
DAY 7
Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé, one of the most iconic sites in the Galapagos, is a small island with two very different visitor sites: on the beautiful beach you can hang out with sea lions and snorkel, while the hike up to the peak offers jaw-dropping scenery.
Santa Cruz Island - Dragon Hill
As the name implies, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) is known for its healthy population of land iguanas. Other locals include common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go snorkeling after the walk.
DAY 8
Santa Cruz Island - Las Bachas Beach
Las Bachas Beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
Cabin Layout:
Situated on the Boat Deck, our Elite Ocean View Staterooms boast large scenic windows and a complimentary one-time stocked minibar.
Eight Premium Ocean View Staterooms, also located on the Boat Deck, feature picture windows that provide a wonderful natural light.
Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms on the Main Deck feature all the same amenities as our Premium Ocean View Staterooms, the only difference being that they have porthole windows.
