I think maybe I need a separate thread about this! Anyone have any information about tours to the Galapagos? We would like some leads to explore!
We were just there in December. Fantastic trip. We took the Celebrity Flora and were very happy. Feel free to PM me.
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If you’re interested in a land-based tour I can recommend a fabulous tour company.
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Sure. All options are open…but we really don’t want to have to move from hotel to hotel, etc. And I’m not a HUGE hiker!
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Well - there will be some moving but we were effectively based at two hotels on two different islands. The company we used was excellent about tailoring tours to what suited the family - C26 is not a huge hiker either. We did one “real” hike, to the crater of a volcano. Do you snorkel? There was a fair bit of snorkeling on offer and it was pretty amazing. The guides guide you in the water too - while you can’t miss the giant turtles swimming by you 
, they were really good at pointing out things you might otherwise miss (tiny seahorses, for example).
Am I allowed to post the company name here or is that seen as advertising? I can also PM it to anyone interested.
My general understanding was cruise you see more islands, land based you see more in depth of the ones you are on (and there is plenty, plenty to see). I think both work, it’s about what you prefer to do. We would either take small boats to different parts of the islands or nearby ones for various things, or drive. The days were pretty packed itinerary-wise. We loved being able to relax by the pool and go for long walks on the beach in the evenings or wander around the nearby towns. Even with a dedicated private guide the whole time and the top hotels*, I think land-based still ended up being cheaper than most cruises.
*a reminder that a top hotel on an island belonging to Ecuador is not going to be the same as a 5 star resort in Hawaii. But they were totally fine.
To add: this was one of the best vacations we did. We absolutely loved it.
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Because it is a larger boat (100 people is largest allowed), the Celebrity Flora could set up multiple excursion options at most stops. They often offered the option of a longer, strenuous hike or a shorter hike and/or zodiac ride.
I also expect @SJ2727 is correct. With most cruises you get breadth over depth. But we were fine with that tradeoff.
What were the ages and physical adeptness of the guests on board?
Most in 50s to early 70’s. Most everyone seemed in decent shape. You should be able to get in and out of the zodiac and take a hike over sometimes not so even terrain (they have walking sticks), but you certainly don’t need to be super-fit for this cruise.
We found people on our trip to be lovely – friendly and well-traveled.
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Thanks. It is one of my bucket list items before I get too old. I’m in decent shape but I’m not 20 anymore. 
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I’m interested in how you phrased that, because the most common objection to land-based I hear is “but we don’t see as many islands that way”.
I will say that if we go back we would do land-based again, because we loved it. But the other side of my family did a cruise and loved it too. I think whichever way one goes, it’s a fabulous destination and experience.
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Bucket list destination for me.
I would love to know who you did your land tour with - please DM me. Thanks!
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Could you message me your land vendor? @happy1 gave the name of hers on this thread. Maybe some moderator can clarify if you can post it here @skieurope?
Such recommendations can only be sent via PM
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Thanks.
I did some googling on Galapagos…a lot of marine live, hiking, outdoor activities.
I think that’s why it’s not on bucket list. 
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Yup- you don’t need the hiking and all the outdoor “activities” necessarily but it’s very much a unique wildlife + unique landscapes place. If that doesn’t hold interest there’s no point going.
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@thumper1 - I would also like the name of the company!
Yes please. You can send me a message if you like.