AE Expeditions

With over 50 cruises under my belt, my journey into expedition cruising is a newer - but incredibly exciting - chapter of my travel experience. I’ve recently sailed aboard Seabourn Venture, a vessel that perfectly blends luxury with true expedition capability, and I’m looking forward to further expanding my expedition knowledge with an upcoming cruise onboard Ponant.

I would highly recommend Seabourn Venture to anyone looking to embark on an expedition cruise. The ship provided a stunning selection of elegant and comfortable spaces to relax in between explorations and the team on board really brought the journey to life, sharing expert knowledge on the surrounding areas and their fascinating history.

Exploring the waters around the Isles of Scilly was a memorable introduction to expedition-style excursions. Seeing seals and puffins in their natural habitat was a joy, and kayaking added an extra sense of adventure, offering a peaceful yet immersive way to experience the coastline.

The best part of working in travel is being surrounded by a product I genuinely love. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to travel and experience true luxury - allowing me to advise with confidence and first-hand knowledge when helping plan truly special sailings for my clients.

When it comes to future adventures, Antarctica and the Kimberley Islands sit at the top of my expedition wish list. Both destinations represent the very best of expedition travel - remote, dramatic, and rich in wildlife - and I can’t wait to experience them firsthand.

Sailed With:

✔ Regent Seven Seas Cruises

✔ Crystal Cruises

✔ Oceania Cruises

✔ Celebrity Cruises

✔ Azamara Cruises

✔ Seabourn

Destinations Visited:

✔ Galápagos

✔ Asia

✔ Greece

✔ Scandinavia

✔ Canaries

Experience

Ship: Celebrity Flora

Date: October 2022

Summary

Each day is just an incredible as the next in the Galápagos; you never know what you are going to see and the scenery is just stunning, you could blink and miss something incredible.

This really is a once in a lifetime experience where no day is the same, and I can honestly say this was the most incredible trip I have ever taken in my life. The Galápagos Islands are an absolute must for your bucket list!

Celebrity Flora is a luxury yacht holding a maximum of 100 guests which is considerably smaller than any ocean cruise liner, so you have a much more intimate experience where you can get to know who you're travelling with.

The Galápagos itinerary is packed with either one or two islands being visited per day and up to three excursions. There aren't any sea days on this itinerary, and because you don’t want to miss out on any opportunities to see the wildlife, you tend to do all three everyday. We did all the activities offered, and they are catered to all ages which is great. Because of this, the evenings are laid back and relaxed which is nice.

You have a 7PM overview of the day, then at 7:15, you sign up for the activities for the following day. Dinner then starts at 7:30 and most people tend to retire to their suites once they have eaten.

It is an early start most mornings, with the first tour usually beginning around 8AM to 8:30AM, but you do enjoy around three to four hours free time in the afternoon to relax on the top deck.

The staff on Celebrity are phenomenal - I have been on a lot of cruises and this was the best service I have ever received. They knew you by name when you boarded, had your drinks ready for you after the first day, remembering exactly what you preferred. It honestly felt like the staff and guests were one big family, and they went above and beyond in every aspect.

Highlights

Swimming with penguins, sharks and sea turtles was a memory that I will never forget. Although I'd have to say that my main highlight was the Giant Tortoise Ranch. These animals are just incredible to witness, and having the opportunity to be surrounded by them in the wild and walking with them was simply mesmerising.

Recommendations/Advice

My main advice is to immerse yourself in every opportunity to explore. The itinerary is very busy, being only a week to two weeks, so make the most of every moment you have while on your trip.

When packing, comfort is key, due to the itinerary. I'd recommend packing some water shoes or closed toed sandals for the wet landings (As you will be disembarking onto the beach with water around knee height). And make sure you bring a good camera for all of the great pictures that you will capture! Walking shoes or sturdy trainers are also important for the walks and hikes to ensure you're as comfortable as possible.

Sailed With:

✔ AE Expeditions

✔ Silversea

✔ Seabourn

✔ Celebrity Cruises

✔ Scenic Ocean Cruises

Destinations Visited:

✔ Antarctica

✔ Svalbard