Hints, Tips, and Hindsight (2)

Why Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Endeavor?

I would like to say that we chose Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic after exhaustive research and evaluation.Actually we had originally chosen Lindblad for a different cruise but then those plans fell through. We then saw that they also offered not only a Galapagos tour but one specifically identified as a photo expedition. After some cursory research we selected a time frame and cruise that fit into our plans. We have nothing but high praise for Lindblad and recommend them unequivocally.

People we know were very happy with a cruise they booked through Road Scholar (was ElderHostel). They were booked on a boat from the Tip Top Fleet.

There are a number of tour operators offering Galapagos cruises and most of the reviews I read were positive. I know we paid a premium for going with Lindblad/National Geographic but in the end we felt like we got our money’s worth and more. Here are a few things to consider:

Does the size of the ship matter to you?
Ships that cruise the Galapagos carry up to 100 passengers. My impression is a lot (most) of the boats are in the 16-40 passenger size.I specifically chose a larger boat like the Endeavor because of concerns with seasickness. Larger boats tend to minimize the effects of rougher seas. Larger boats also tend to have more amenities but that was not a drawing card for us.I did have a concern that a larger ship would mean long waits to board the Zodiacs, for dinner, etc. On the Endeavor this was never an issue. Even when all 96 passengers were leaving the ship we had a minimal delay as the boats were loaded. This is a tribute to the efficiency of the Lindblad staff and crew.

What’s included in the tour price?
I would check what is included in the package price for the tour you are interested in. With Lindblad almost everything was included in our expedition price. We had to pay for air fare to and from Quito, the extra night we spent in Quito, the cost of adult beverages on board the ship and (optional) tips for the crew and staff. I understand that some tour quotes do not include airfare to and from mainland Ecuador, the entry tax to the Galapagos, meals on inhabited islands such as Santa Cruz, and fees for the use of optional equipment.

Who owns the ship?
Some tour operators own their own boats while others contract with independents. Depending on the company this may be a significant factor.

Does the operator offer a photographer oriented cruise?
A special emphasis for us was photography, so the Photo Expedition option offered by Lindblad was exactly what we wanted. Groups departing for an island visit were identified as either a “photo group” or a “natural history group.” A “natural history group” was the usual naturalist guided tour of the island. “Photo groups” would tend to move quickly between locations but then spend more time at each stop.

Isn’t a group of 16 people too large?

The GNPS mandates that groups visiting an island can be no larger than 16 plus a certified naturalist. Our groups would vary in size from 10 to 16. We didn’t find it to be an issue with a group of 16. The pacing of the hikes, the accessibility of the naturalists, and the design of the paths all made for a relaxed but active visit. If you’re concerned about this, I’ve read of ships that split 20 passengers between 2 naturalists.I would double-check with the tour operator as I’ve also heard of 16-passenger boats with only one naturalist.

What about getting seasick?

Motion sickness is a very important issue to me. I’ve very bad experiences which I do not want to ever repeat. As a precaution I obtained a prescription from my doctor for Scopolamine. This comes as a small, self-adhesive patch that you apply behind your ear. I think it worked but we didn’t encounter any really heavy seas during the trip. There were a couple of bouncy Zodiac rides and a couple of nights where there was noticeable motion. I’m guessing that without the patch I would have had at least a touch of nausea. I did notice quite a few people sporting the patch.

The first day I had the patch on I did have a 15-20 minute period when I felt a bit dizzy and foggy-headed but that never happened again. On the third and fourth day of the trip I had a significant problem with my mouth and throat being very dry. I was drinking water constantly. It tapered off quite a bit and was not an issue.

The patches were to be replaced every three days but I suggest you bring extras. I lost 2 patches prematurely when I scrubbed them off in the shower.

Over-the -counter medications like Dramamine and Meclizine are an alternative as well. I thought it was a nice touch that there was a container of individually wrapped Dramamine tablets adjacent to the Zodiac loading area.

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