I found that despite my research and preparations, my Galapagos Silver Origin cruise was very different to my expectations. The landscapes, the wildlife I saw, and even how this expedition cruise ran and went were not entirely as I expected from both my past Silversea expeditions, but also from the reading and what I had watched. I came away also wondering if the Galapagos should be on as many cruisers’ bucket lists as it appears to be.
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00:00 Start
00:28 Galapagos Landscape Surprises
03:52 Galapagos Expedition Surprises
04:11 Crew
04:38 Schedule
07:26 Mobility
08:04 Rules & Regulations
10:24 Silversea Silver Origin Surprises
49 Comments
I have never been on a cruise and probably never will in my lifetime but I enjoy your videos very much happy holidays.
Thanks for the great video and information. 100% spot on. We’re just back from a Galapagos Outer Loop cruise with Celebrity Flora at the beginning of December and matches EXACTLY with your experiences. Enjoyed seeing you photos and videos as they brought the experience back.
We went on a Galapagoes archeological expedition in 2017. It was amazing.
It looks like you had an awesome time Gary. Your not wrong, The most amazing places in the world are definately very inaccessible. It's so frustrating.
Great video Gary. Possibly your best yet. Thanks.
Sounds like it wasn’t your cup of tea, sorry you were disappointed 😔
I loved my cruise. I actually took my own personal park ranger, my girlfriend at the time. She made sure I was primed and ready to appreciate the trip and what we were seeing. I’d loved to go back again some day. Like you, the fact that nothing was afraid of us was mind blowing. I will always remember snorkeling and some immature curious sea lions coming out to play. The sea turtles knocking me out of the way to get to that particular bit of vegetation. Finally, was watching a group of dolphins and large fish feed off a huge ball of bait fish. This lasted for ten minutes until everyone was gorged I guess. I came back with literally thousands of photos. Thank goodness for digital cameras.
And I loved the crew and the guides. They were great people and really wanted us to appreciate what they had and why they had to protect it.
But I agree it is not for everyone. And they need to keep the number of tourists down. But it’s one hell of a trip. It’s also not cheap. But I found it was worth every penny.
Thanks for the tips. Wishing you and yours a most happy holidays.
A very encouraging video. I am grateful that Ecuador seems really committed to protecting this unique place.
The video you recommend at the end to watch isn't there
We were on the Celebrity Xpedition last year. Similar experiences. One couple aged 80, the other 74. Snorkeling and long hikes were outside our comfort zone, but we did most shore excursions including the one up that staircase on Genovesa.
Merry Christmas, Gary. As a Biosecurity Inspector conducting inspections on the hundreds of cruise ships visiting my island home this summer, I would like to thank you for bringing biosecurity to the attention of your cruising viewers. This will help make my job a bit easier and help prevent the devastating effects of pests and diseases to our environment and economy. Many thanks.
Thanks for all that info. Thought I might do a Galapagos cruise one day just to do..but I don’t think I’d really enjoy it.
omg, this is a DREAM itinerary for me. I have little interest in mega fauna – I'm totally into the marine wildlife/birds/reptiles (and is exactly what I would expect there).
Some of those tortoises probably are older than every person in the world.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Health and Happiness to all. 2022/2023.
So disappointed I didn't get to meet you in the JW Marriott in Quito. We were there at the same time as we were sailing on the Origin's sister ship – Celebrity Flora. This was our second Galapagos trip on Flora, having done the Outer Loop in Sept 2019. You're right about the demanding terrain for those less mobile. We had a great time both trips, but enjoyed the first trip as there's more wildlife on the Outer Loop and the weather was better. Looking forward to the video you referenced at the end. Always enjoy your insight and tips!
Merry Christmas 🎄 thank you for your insight and information. My husband would love the snorkelling but getting in and out of zodiacs and walking on uneven terrain is the deal breaker sadly.
What types of things are they looking for when they search your bags? Also u usually have to do a lot if Terri's to get all my stuff in & the bag zipped. I'd be concerned they wouldn't get it all back in.
Very informative. We experienced the same disinfecting of planes in Australia/New Zealand. In New Zealand there’s also been a high level of insects and animals that have come in and destroyed the ecosystem. We went into an ancient forest we had to go through a three part cleaning of the bottom of our shoes as to not bring a certain fungus into the forest. We had wanted to go on a rib boat tour in Iceland but they have strict warnings/restrictions for back problems, mobility/coordination problems, dizziness and pregnancy. So no tours in rib boots for this bad back couple. Glad you enjoyed yourself and gave detailed information about how wonderful a cruise for some but not all people. Merry Christmas!,,🎄
Great video and fantastic information! The Galapagos is a bucket destination for me!
I'm absolutely nackered just watching the video!
did you go solo on this trip, is it possible for someone without paying double?
Really great review. Don’t think my Mrs would have the mobility for this. This is one of my bucket list items.
Did a guided tour on the Galapagos 4 year ago. The wildlife was the draw. it was the most amazing vacation ever.
One surprise for us was that there are fairly well populated towns that are quite touristy. But overall, it was a great trip. All guides must be trained naturalists, which was a positive.
Fantastic information, Gary.🥰 Although it certainly looks like a wonderful place to visit, I think it won't be a place I'll ever be able to go. I don't have the strength anymore to handle all the rough terrain or Zodiacs.
Have a very Merry Christmas!🎄🎁 I hope 2023 brings you and yours wonderful trips, lots of peaceful days, and only good things.🎉🎇
Thank you for this video. The only expedition I would wish to go on would be in Antarctica.
Hey Gary, Merry Christmas and hope you have a prosperous 2023.
Very informative. Having view this, I do not think this kind of trip is the right fit for me. More room for the people who are interested in this kind of a vacation.
Informative video. I’ve never been interested in a Galapagos cruise and after viewing your video I’m even more uninterested.
We visited the Galápagos but not by cruise ship which is not the best way IMHO far better is via a small group trekking company eg Exodus or Explore. We moved between islands via small fishing boats and were accompanied by hundreds of dolphins. We slept overnight on the islands and trekked inland which is where you’ll see spectacular scenery. We were there for a month. Hopping on and off for a day trip from your cruise ship you don’t see very much in my opinion. All you saw really was the coastal aspects, if you go far inland it’s phenomenally spectacular and fascinating. Yes snorkelling is essential.
Wow, thank you so much for this review Gary. So informative and really covers the unique aspects of a Galapagos expedition cruise
Loved this video as it brought back so many vivid memories of our Galapagos cruise last June. We were on an even smaller ship, the Celebrity Xpedition which held a max of 50 passengers, although we only had 36 that week. We did exactly the same routine as you, expedition tour in the morning, great lunch and then deep sea snorkeling in the afternoon followed by dinner and a meeting on the nest day's activities. I loved it, got to know everyone within a couple of days and then 10 of us went on to Peru for another week at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. That was even more rigorous, especially for someone that doesn't care for heights. All in all, probably the best 16 day vacation I have ever taken. Thanks for letting me relive the the experience.
Gary, thank you for this video. I've had Galapagos on my bucket list for a few years now, but I will have to seriously reconsider. I am mobility limited due to severe arthritis in my feet, with one of my feet fully fused at the shin / ankle / heel joints. While I can climb stairs and walk for a couple of miles a day without issues, seeing the landscapes you had to cross every day makes me think that I would end up missing out on nearly all of the avian wildlife and also the tortoises that are the biggest draw for me. Even snorkeling is challenging for me (fins don't work well or comfortably on a fused foot), so I have a feeling that if I went I would end up either extremely disappointed, or else I'd try to power through and experience as much as possible and end up in a lot of pain.
What a great video. Merry Christmas Gary
When I was in school, I learned the hard way that TOO MUCH STUDYING for a test is futile. Sometimes you just have to shut the books and notes and go with what you already have learned. I think this lesson has proven me correct. You pride yourself on your research abilities and cruise itinerary and ship knowledge. But I think for some exotic itineraries you just need to shut off the computer and go with a low list of expectations, instead of being upset by everything you did NOT expect from that trip. You were on information overload and you lost the game. Because you went with what everybody else has already said and done, which left you very little of yourself to be either pleased or displeased by your OWN experience !! You went with everybody else's opinions and had already made up your mind (read: Preconceived Notions) before you even set foot on that ship. That serves you right for that huge mistake. Sometimes we need to experience people, places, and things on our own steam and not someone else's.
… now theres a great cruise …
My husband and I are 77 and 85. Do you think we’re too old and have missed the “boat” for this trip? We can walk about 3 miles a day.
Thank you for your time and effort in making this.
Wow Gary great video. I do enjoy nature& animals guess I have to aim. I snorkel with stingray @half moon cay Dec cruise. My Jan cruise i await to see.
What a fascinating place Gary. Interesting to hear your perspectives on it compared to some of the other expedition locations.
Any chance you can review the Scientology cruise ship Freewinds? 😱
The Galapagos has more rules for a reason, the ecosystem can be destroyed so quickly, and badly damaged as seen from the introduction of animals and plants which have already done so.
The wildlife are unafraid of humans due to lack of contact previously, they don’t know how much of a threat we are. It’s sad that they are so easy to photograph as they don’t have that protective fear.
IMO the Galapagos should be left alone, not a bucket list tick, there are so very few places left for non humans to thrive.
It’s good that you have pointed out the reality of visiting the Galapagos, and it may hopefully encourage those who just want IG photos etc to stay away.
I think it’s ok, for those who are extremely knowledgeable and more interested in conservation rather than a ‘thrilling cruise’ experience to visit in very small numbers. The same goes for the polar regions.
Hi Gary- I wanted to check out the video you recommended at the end but there was no video to click on. Luv your videos! ♥️🎄
Definitely NUMBER 1 on my bucket list! As soon as I win the lottery 😁🌴
I absolutely loved cruising the Galapagos on Celebrity Flora last spring. I agree, the trip is demanding, and snorkeling was amazing. We got to see albatross and Blue footed Boobies mating. Swam with turtles, sea lions, penguins and an incredible array of fish.
Finally found a NO BS cruising channel that's actually very informative.
Hey Gary, SCAMMER ALERT, it appears you have someone using a copy of your account to scam people. Please see my other comment on this video.
@Tips for Travelers Gary Bembridge – Except that video does not show up that you are pointing too! Sorry!