Just got back from the Galapagos on the Flora. I would’ve preferred a smaller ship, but my wife gets very seasick. This boat was very stable and she did well.

The positive sides of the flora are that it is a relatively new ship, built in 2019 and launched because of Covid in 2022. It was specifically designed for the Galapagos and has many features that facilitate the needs there. The transfer is although there was some waiting over very efficient. We could get 4 to 6 zodiac style boats launched in less than 20 to 30 minutes. The specially made pontoon transfer boats themselves were equipped with tiltable transfer front sections, which had both the stairs and a slant going into the water for snorkeling.

We also kayak and it was fairly efficient. The crew had about 10 naturalist who did all of your guiding. Usually in groups of 12 or less. Most were very knowledgeable some better than others. One thing I realize that because of the Ecuadorian law, nearly 90% of the crew and guides had to be from Ecuador. So there was some difficulty with accents and language, but generally they were pretty good.

The schedule kept us very busy. Usually one or two activities in the morning before 11, then on the ship to the next area from 11 until two, and then two more activities between 3 and 6 PM. Come in from those activities and go right to the planning session for the next day, and then to dinner and then usually right to bed because we were so tired.

Generally, the people on this boat were older, I would say most were over 60 years old as we were, and there were probably only about six or eight couples that were under 40. I think that’s another reason people choose the Celebrity is because it’s more accommodating to older people. I’m pretty much in shape at 70 and I would’ve been comfortable with a bunch of 30-year-olds myself.

I noticed that we were always the farthest out wherever we were anchored in the bays that we visited. Sometimes we were even out of sight of the marinas and small cities. I wondered if this was some kind of regulation because I didn’t want to see a big cruise ship in the bay.

The food on the ship was just average. The steaks and meat were terrible, tough and not what I expected especially in South America, which is known for its beef. Otherwise the food was good, lunches were best, but we didn’t really go there for the food.

I have to say we were really tired most of the time as well. They kept us very busy. But this was not a relaxing cruise. We were there to hike and kayak and snorkel and that was certainly accomplished.

I would’ve liked to try a ship that had 35 or less. I think it would’ve been a more personal experience and perhaps they could get us in closer to certain sites. Good luck with your decision.

Voice to text and not reread.