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You will be surprised and delighted by the amount of space that awaits you in Celebrity Xpedition's suites. Take advantage of all of the suite amenities, from the complimentary room service to the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that lead to your very own personal veranda. |
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Most likely, a Spa massage and a soak in the Hot Tub will define your fitness and spa activities. Given the amount of swimming, snorkelling, hiking, stepping and climbing available ashore, you may find that this is the one cruise your bathroom scale will never record! And theres no better way to ease those trail-worn muscles than a post-expedition massage.
Celebrity places special emphasis on their spa facilities and despite the Xpeditions small size, they make every effort to meet your needs. The Gym is small, though perfectly adequate for the few who will use it. Most space is devoted to aerobic machines (stationary bikes, treadmills) with some free weights and the like. Theres a Sauna (ahh!) and an outdoor hot tub; massage treatments are available by appointment.
Wet suits and snorkel gear (fins and goggles) are available to all guests. Plans are underway to contract with an Ecuadorian Dive Master to enable Celebrity Xpedition to offer scuba diving and lessons.
As the ship is geared towards land and water expeditions, heres a handy checklist of clothes and accessories to bring:
Lightweight walking or hiking shorts or pants. T-shirts, shirts or other lightweight tops are recommended. COMFORTABLE, lightweight hiking and/or walking shoes. Heavy hiking boots are not necessary. Also, bring along a pair of old flip-flops or sandals theyre great for wet-water landings where you need to step from the Zodiac into shallow water on route to the shore. Extra socks!
A light sweater or windbreaker for cooler evenings. Despite the equatorial location, temperatures in the Galapagos Islands are surprisingly moderate at night. A hat with a broad brim and strap to hold it tight in the wind. Plenty of sunscreen; SPF of 30 is recommended. Bring along some insect repellent, though its unlikely youll need it, plus an extra pair of sunglasses.
Galapagos and Ecuador guidebooks. Youll get more from your visit if youve got a handy pocket guide. Camera and film! We recommend a digital camera as youll be able to delete and upgrade your wildlife pictures as you go along. Bring your battery charger and extra memory card. Galapagos Island wildlife is usually indifferent, sometimes cautious and often curious youll be able to take some amazing close-ups so bring along a tripod or monopod if you have one. |
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Its not easy delivering 5-star cuisine aboard a cruise ship. Delivering that level of service aboard a ship operating year round in the Galapagos Islands is an everyday challenge. Yet Celebrity is up to the task. While temporary shortages or seasonal availabilities can be problematic and entres may be limited to two or three selections, the ships dining staff does all possible to maintain the standards that have brought accolades to Celebrity. All meals are open-seating. There are no assigned tables or dining times aboard the Xpedition. The Darwin Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, accommodates all passengers with table, chair and banquet seating. Breakfast is served buffet style, although the staff will cook you an omelette just as you like it! Lunch is also buffet style. Your evening meal is served as in any fine restaurant with fine china and stemware and accompanied by excellent wines.
Aboard Celebrity Xpedition, house spirits, wines all soft drinks and bottled waters are included at no additional cost, whether served in the restaurant, at the bar or on deck. Some premium brands and specialty wines, if requested, are priced at normal Celebrity rates (about USD4-USD5) and added to your shipboard account.
If you prefer enjoying your lunch out on deck, the Beagle Grill offers hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, pizza, salads and fresh fruit, buffet style. Umbrella tables provide shade from the strong equatorial sun and the views of the islands are unbeatable. One night of your cruise weather permitting (and Galapagos weather is usually cooperative) dinner is served at the Beagle Grill under the stars, with crisp white linens, candlelight and soft music.
Room service is also available during normal meal times. All staterooms offer a small sofa, chair and table for in-stateroom dining. If youve got a suite, youve also got a spacious veranda thats perfect for a special evening! |
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Las Vegas-style reviews, laser light shows and multi-media productions are not what Celebrity Xpedition is about. In fact, evening entertainment may consist of the Naturalists port talk and a slide presentation followed by shore tour sign-ups. And this is exactly as it should be. As a destination-oriented cruise, passengers are here to absorb as much as they can about these special, fragile islands. Besides, one or two days into your cruise and youll quickly learn to preserve your energy for snorkelling or the hiking trails not the dance floor!
Each day usually brings you to two different islands one in the morning and one in the later afternoon. Inasmuch as many species of animals and plants youll see are endemic not just to the Galapagos Islands, but to specific islands within the Galapagos youll find that you and your tour mates are riveted to these presentations. Your Naturalist will advise you as to what youll expect to see, the various levels of shore tour activity, and what to bring along.
All port talks are presented in the Discovery Lounge where theres room enough for the entire ship. This room is much more than a lounge its the ships hub of daytime and night-time activity the place to enjoy a cocktail, read a book, play cards or just relax with friends and compare the days events. (You saw a baby seal playing with marine iguanas Well, WE swam with the sea turtles!) And so it goes aboard Celebrity Xpedition. Events within the Discovery Lounge may vary with each cruise dependant on the availability of local talent (and the bravery of the ships crew)! Most likely the last night of your cruise will feature a native, folkloric show, dancing, partying and the show of all shows: the CD slide compilation of pictures take by the ships staff of YOUR cruise! Everyone gets a complimentary copy!
Besides the indoor Discovery Lounge, theres the outdoor, Panorama Deck Blue Finch Bar. The bar itself is small with stool seating for only about 6-8 guests. But table seating is available and the relative remote location of the Blue Finch Bar often makes it the choice for quiet conversation. |
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