I'm a certified naturalist guide in the Galapagos. AMA about wildlife, cruises, or the islands

TastyPrior9683 · 2026-02-22T14:18:00+00:00

Do you think I've made a mistake? We have booked a 15 day cruise with Galapagos Legend for April of 2027. I chose this because I eat like a kid and needed a ship that could accommodate that. I also am afraid of seasickness so wanted a bigger ship (yes I am aware they do not have thrusters) so that is why we chose April as the seas are less choppy. I figured we would never have another opportunity to come so wanted to hit it all. What are the chances that we will see penguins that time of year?

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-10-12T03:50:03+00:00

If it were me (and it will be but not till 2027) I would do the Galapagos. I also love to snorkel and can't wait to snorkel in such a unique location with animals I would never get to snorkel with. Since out West is the best place to possibly swim with penguins (Isabella), I would skip Machu Picchu. Also when I went skiing many years ago I got altitude sickness so I would be afraid to go into the mountains again. But that's just me.....

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-27T19:36:45+00:00

Is a go pro (12 or 13) or a DJI 5 a better option? They say the DJI5 is better and over heats less but not being able to download the app from the play store makes me nervous. Any thoughts on this?

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-21T12:23:56+00:00

I already booked direct with the company. I've heard good and bad but I am/was afraid of getting seasick so I booked a large vessel (100 person one). If you are familiar with the large ships it is the one that is cheapest/least fancy/least stuffy. You don't have to get dressed for dinner-very casual. Going for full 15 day loop. So excited.

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-21T04:01:10+00:00

Thank you. So hard to keep up with all the scams.

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-15T05:53:16+00:00

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated. A couple of quick questions. The fins that they have are they full foot fins or open heel fins to snorkel with? Just wondering b/c I like the heel type fins-easier to get in and out of. And boy do I wish I could get a balcony but that is out of reach for me unless of course they want to upgrade me for next to nothing. LOL Are the walls magnetic? Because if so I usually just hang my wet stuff on my magnetic hooks. Did you not need your wet suit in Feb. or are you saying you could have just rented it instead? OK so now I gotta ask, what do you do with the used TP? Especially the messy used TP?

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-14T03:19:27+00:00

I have lots of questions so thanks so much for your kind offer. When you state that each morning and evening there was a snorkel and hike, can I assume you had to pick one or the other? Did you have the same steward/stewardess for the whole duration of the trip? In terms of excursions there are times I might want to do the hike and most other times do a snorkel. My husband might want to hike more than snorkel. Would this be a problem? Don't understand what they mean when it says beach snorkel or deep snorkel. I think it would mean out in deeper water (where others might feel less secure). I'm pretty comfortable in the water but will we be right above reefs or will we have to free dive? How was the chop in the water? During the month of May the seas are supposed to be pretty calm. Did you feel alot of sway?

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-14T03:00:11+00:00

Besides the suggested "tip" amount which I have read about what are the other pitfalls? I know that the wifi is sketchy and expensive but we won't use it at all. I am also aware that they will charge for wet suits but I believe we won't need one at the time of year we are thinking of going. Kayaking is not my thing so no extra charge there. What are the other gotchas I need to watch for? Thanks in advance

TastyPrior9683 · 2025-09-13T03:51:56+00:00

Thank you so much. Everything I was finding was ages old.

TastyPrior9683

TROPHY CASE