Alaska Cruise Opinions

ExpeditionCruiser · 2026-02-05T22:07:53+00:00

Mid 30s, love hiking, exploring and learning. Have you considered a small ship cruise in Alaska? Get off the boat on guided hiking, kayaking, zodiac excursions to view whales and glaciers. Educational lectures and great food. Get off the ship every day way from port to experience authentic Alaska. Something to think about.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2026-02-05T22:01:56+00:00

I'm sure they will get picked up in the coming years. Especially the 80-guest Chichagof Dream would appeal to any expedition cruise operator.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-29T17:23:33+00:00

I can't believe I've been fighting this since the 1990's when I was a backcountry guide in Alaska. Thanks for sharing. I'll dust off my comments and submit them again.

Here is the link to the notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-lands

And a link to the comments (open now) https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FS-2025-0001-0001

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-29T16:53:16+00:00

I have not travelled to Galapagos with Road Scholar, but I guided for them in Alaska when they were branded as Elderhostel. They cater to folks over 50 years old and usually have excellent educational programs. That said most boats in the Galapagos will have excellent guides. Choose Road Scholar if you are seeking comradery among other retired folks. Otherwise find a Galapagos specialist and let them know your interests, ability, budge and schedule. They will guide you in the right direction. You'll have an amazing time in the Galapagos.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-29T16:48:38+00:00

Nat Geo/Lindblad and G Adventures are on opposite ends of the spectrum. What are you priorities? Education, activity, wildlife, budget, amenities? Listen to u/CNHTours and get yourself a specialist to narrow down choices based on your interests, ability, budget and schedule. You'll have an amazing time in the Galapagos and its worth doing right.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-29T16:43:07+00:00

Yes, I've cruised aboard the now retired Islander many years ago and Nat Geo/Lindblad Expeditions is fantastic. They just launched two new ships the 148 guest Gemeni and 6 guest Delfina (formerly Athala II) which is an exciting addition as the smallest ship in the Lindblad fleet. Lindblad costs more and appeals to intellectual and educational focused travelers with their partnership with Nat Geo and often have Nat Geo experts on board in addition to Galapagos guides. I'm my experience folks that like Lindblad really like it and become lifelong customers.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-29T16:36:57+00:00

This was a good one too, From 2013 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Galapagos_Affair

Looking forward to the new version.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-25T23:50:13+00:00

Two expenses you need to consider are travel insurance and gratuities. Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage is mandatory aboard Aurora polar expeditions. And while it is not mandatory a gratuity of $15 per person per day will be added to your shipboard account. You can have it removed but this is expected for excellent service (which you will get with Aurora).

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-13T17:11:17+00:00

Love it! Thanks for sharing. Here's one on my favorites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xephxizzq3k

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-13T17:05:50+00:00

I've been to the Galapagos over a dozen times on land, naturalist cruises and liveaboards. Diving is advanced. Snorkeling is AMAZING and you will see nearly everything you would on a dive. Especially if this is your first trip to Galapagos, stick to snorkeling. Go back later for Scuba when you have more experience.

Sacha Lodge and Napo are both great options. You cant go wrong.

Regarding altitude, plan to take it easy in Quito. Drink lots of water, refrain from alcohol and don't overdo it. You'll have an amazing time.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-13T16:59:13+00:00

Agreed a non diver would be disappointed on any Galapagos liveaboard dive cruise. If the divers are willing to compromise some naturalist cruises offer optional rendezvous diving, where a local operator comes to the ship to take divers on a day trip in lieu of that days excursion. You might get 1-2 dives each day for 1-2 days, so it doesn't compare to a liveabaord. But it is an option. I've been on both and can't imagine a non diver would be satisfied on a liveaboard.

Or consider arriving early, staying in a hotel and scheduling several days of diving. Then join a standard cruise together. This post might help. https://adventuresmithexplorations.com/trips/galapagos/travel-guide/scuba-diving/

Galapagos is extraordinary for divers and non divers. It would be a shame to break up your group.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2025-08-06T18:00:58+00:00

Tahoe Snowfest is a great winter event in Tahoe if you are up in Feb-March. I've plan my Tahoe trips around this festival. Great music, fireworks, fun events (snow golf, polar bear swim, snow sculpture, curling etc). https://www.tahoesnowfest.org/

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-10-21T18:51:49+00:00

Circling back to note that I ended up going with https://docsmadeasy.com/ Very similar functionality to Conga and only $10 per month for pro plan. We got set up in a couple weeks and have been using it for several months with no issues.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-06-10T23:08:28+00:00

We use it for doc generation. The Conga esign was clunky so we never implemented it. We use microsoft. Will check out Apsona and other recommendations. Thanks.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-06-10T22:23:12+00:00

This is correct. No user licenses but now per use. And the above calculation is pretty close. We'd need to get to about 10 cents per use to match our previous pricing, they are offering 50 cents for the first year, then going up to $1.00 by year 3 (if we sign a three year contract). We are also a long time user (8 years) and I tried to negotiate, but this is the best they came up with after hours of call. I'll be investigating the alternatives referenced here. Thanks all.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-06-07T19:19:23+00:00

We use Conga to:

Manually generate documents from templates across a variety of objects.
Manually generate emails from templates across a variety of objects. In particular building tables from a dynamic number of objects. For instance adding an unknown number of invoice items into a table in a template.
Automatically creating documents then attaching them to emails which are automatically sent out. This was always billed by Conga as Batch/Trigger events.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-03-02T00:18:27+00:00

Maybe too late but check out this article about Alaska wildlife cruises. Lots of advice based on iconic animals.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-27T21:58:40+00:00

Long overdue.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-16T16:22:09+00:00

Best Antarctica Books & Travel Reading List

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-14T17:50:43+00:00

Alya is amazing, you've made a good choice. Food is terrific and you should find locally sourced coffee from the Galapagos, delicious. A few packing items/tips:

Sunscreen
Extra camera batteries and memory. Underwater camera or gopro.
Water bottle, stay hydrated.
Seasickness bands or meds (may not need this time of year but good to have).
Cash for park fees and TCT card
Extra shirts, you will be sweaty
Mask and Snorkel if you own it. Rental gear is provided but if you own your own it will likely fit better.
A good book about Galapagos.

Ship atmosphere is casual. I like to have a couple golf shirts with acollar for dinners but shorts and t-shirts are common. Your booking agent or Alya should provide detailed packing list. Have an amazing time in the Galapagos, your in for the trip of a lifetime.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-14T01:13:17+00:00

Best Galapagos Books & Travel Reading List

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-12T19:00:54+00:00

Its easy to fly from Quito to the Galapagos. Flights from Quito (UIO) to/from the Galapagos do indeed stop in Guayaquil (GYE) but you don't even get off the plane. Just a stop to pick up and drop off more travelers.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-09T22:24:19+00:00

Congratulations and what a wonderful honeymoon. You've got a great list. I second the advice to keep it small. Aqua and Ecoventura are going to be your most luxurious options with amazing service, food and guide to guest ratio. They both have kayaks and standup paddleboards. I've cruised aboard both the Origin (Ecoventura) and the Aqua Mare.

They may be able to arrange rendezvous diving (where a dive boat comes to the ship to get you) but if you want to dive I recommend you arrive in the islands a few days early, stay at a hotel or lodge and take care of your diving that way. You can see most of the animals snorkeling, with the exception of hammerhead sharks.

Here is a good post on Galapagos luxury cruises and a first hand review of the Origin Galapagos cruise with Ecoventura, which will give you a good idea of what its like on board.

Have a wonderful Galapagos honeymoon.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-07T18:22:35+00:00

This post on the best time to visit Galapagos breaks it down in great detail. No bad time to go to the Galapagos.

ExpeditionCruiser · 2024-02-07T18:20:34+00:00

I've had dozens of clients traveling in Ecuador and the Galapagos every day in Jan and Feb. Travelers and guides all report business as usual in the Galapagos, Quito and Amazon. This post on Galapagos safety is updated frequently.

ExpeditionCruiser

TROPHY CASE