If you’ve ever dreamed of wildlife encounters that feel unreal, landscapes that look otherworldly, and cruising in modern luxury while exploring one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth, then a Galapagos adventure aboard Celebrity Flora should be on your travel list.
This guide will walk you through how to get to the Galapagos (flights to Baltra), what it’s like onboard Celebrity’s remarkable ship, and the incredible animals, landscapes, and experiences you’ll have in the Galapagos Islands.
Nick & I sailed on the Celebrity Flora in 2025 at Christmas. We had an amazing experience, met so many great people, and brought back memories and photos that we’ll always remember. It was a great trip. But there are a lot of consideration to make when choosing your perfect Galapagos cruise, so we wanted to put down our thoughts to hopefully help you make those choices.
Choosing Your Cruise
There are many options on Celebrity. All of the cruises include either an inner or outer loop Galapagos cruise of 7 days. Then you can add on side trips to Quito (11 days total), or Quito + Machu Picchu (16 days total).
The base cruise option is 7 days and does not include flights to and from Baltra Island for the start of the cruise. You have to arrange those yourself. If you add on Quito+, your flights to/from Baltra are included. We did the 7-day package and booked our own flights. Here is what we did.
You can also choose from Inner and Outer Loop. This is just the direction in which you’re traveling, so the itinerary is flipped. You still get to experience all the same things. So I really don’t think it matters which you choose.
How to Get to the Galapagos: Flights to Baltra
Getting to the Galapagos starts with flying into Quito, Ecuador, then taking a short hop to Baltra (GPS).
Step 1 — Fly Into Ecuador
You’ll first fly internationally to Quito (UIO). If you’re on the 11-day+ package, you’ll meet the Celebrity team in Quito and stay for a few days in Quito before flying to Baltra.
If you’re on your own, you can get a direct flight to Baltra from Quito, or with a stopover in Guayaquil (GYE). There are a few flights per day to choose from.
We found that all our flight options meant arriving in Quito at night and not being about fly out until morning, so we had really long layovers in Quito. We arrived at 2am and flew out at 8am. I would highly recommend booking a room at the Wyndham (there is a 24-hour shuttle to take you there). We tried to power through and stayed for a few hours at the Layover Stay (a priority lounge with recliners), but it was not a great choice. By the time we figured that out, there were no more hotel rooms available.
On the way back, we had a 13-hour layover in Quito. It was from 3pm to 4am when our flight left. Strange timing. I would also recommend a hotel for that time. We went to a great 3-hour dinner in Quito and then had to wait outside until bag drop opened at the counter at 12:30am before we could go through to the International Lounge.
Step 2 — Domestic Flight to Baltra
From Quito or Guayaquil you’ll take a domestic flight to Baltra Island (GPS).
Important things to know about this leg:
- Domestic Ecuador flights require you to arrive at the airport 3+ hours early for check‑in, security, and naturalist documentation checks. Give it that full amount of time. You’ll need it.
- There’s an INGALA/Transit Control Card you’ll fill out at departure (which is handled by Celebrity if you’re on the 11-day package, but NOT on the 7-day cruise).
- When you land on Baltra, you’ll pay the Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (around $100 USD for most international travelers; subject to change).
Transportation From Baltra to Celebrity Flora
Once you arrive at Baltra, you’ll find one of the friendly Flora agents who are waiting to greet you. They will show you where to wait for the bus.
- A bus takes you to the port of Embarkation where Celebrity Flora departs.
- You’ll arrive at a dock and then be transfered by tender to the ship.
- You will have some time once you arrive on the ship to eat lunch and shower before activities start.
Pro tip: Book your international and domestic flights early—especially in high season (June–September, December–January). Space to the Galapagos fills quickly and mid‑week flights can sell out.
Celebrity Flora: What to Expect Onboard
Celebrity Flora is unlike most expedition vessels: it’s designed specifically for the Galapagos, blending elevated luxury with highly curated naturalist experiences. The thing to note is that Flora can carry up to 100 passengers, while other expeditions in the Galapagos are quite a bit smaller (from 4-16 guests). So be sure this is the type of experience you want, versus something smaller.
For us, this was perfect because we could blend in when we wanted to, skip activities if we wanted to and it wouldn’t really be noticed, and there were plenty of other people on board to make friends with, eat dinner with, and make memories with.
The Ship
Rather than go through the specs of the ship, which you can find on the Celebrity website, I will give my own observations.
➡️ It’s a beautiful ship with lots of wide open functional space. Everything pretty much takes place on the 4th floor where the Discovery Lounge and Seaside Restaurant are located. You go to the 3rd floor to get on the tender to go on an expedition and when you get back, you go up the stairs to the lounge.
➡️ We chose a room on the back side of the ship because there is a door to the stairwell that leads up to the staterooms when you come up to the lounge after an expedition. So you can go directly to your room and do not have to traipse through the lounge to the other side of the boat. The long bathroom with the floor to ceiling window is pretty awesome.
➡️ There are many staterooms to choose from. Many people choose the Sky Suite with Veranda on the 5th floor because it has a balcony. We chose the Sky Suite with Infinity Veranda on the 6th floor. Not only is it less expensive, it’s on the 6th floor (higher up), and it has a lot of space in the room because there’s no balcony. We found that it was often too cold or windy to go out on the balcony and we enjoyed the extra space in the room.
➡️ We enjoyed hanging out in the lounge between activities and after dinner. For some reason, not many others spent any time there. This is where the main bar is, so we always got after-dinner drinks and hung out with whoever was there. During the day, we played games at the bar tables. This is really the only hangout space on the ship that’s indoors.
➡️ The Observatory on the 7th floor is great for views, but we found that it was FREEZING in there and they said they weren’t able to change the temperature because it’s directly above the bridge.
Dining
Celebrity’s culinary team keeps you well‑fed. We had all 3 meals in the Seaside Restaurant, for the most part, but we also had 2 lunches and a dinner outside in the Ocean Grill. It was always fresh, locally inspired cuisine, a buffet breakfast & lunch, multi‑course dinners, some themed dinners and Ecuadorian specialties. And they do wine pairings, if you wish.
I’m not a big fan of a buffet, so we skipped that for lunch more days and had a salad and hamburger at the Ocean Grill. It’s a small menu up there, but you can order off the menu.
Dinners were really good. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the food on Flora, but I was not at all disappointed with any of the food and we are huge foodies and very particular about our food and wine (obviously).
PRO TIP: They will naturally come around with bottles of white or red to serve at dinner. But they have quite a few wines by the bottle. If you want a specific wine, you can ask for the wine menu and order something specific.
Expedition Team & Naturalists
What really sets Celebrity Flora apart is the Galapagos National Park–certified naturalist team onboard. The level of service onboard is absolutely top notch, and that goes for the naturalists as well.
The give an expert briefings before every expedition so you know what to expect and what to wear (shoes especially). They help you every step of the way, so you don’t really have to know what you’re doing. They give guided shore excurions that are very mildly adventurous, so you don’t have to worry about whether you can do it or not. They follow the safety precautions always. You will never feel unsafe.
Their knowledge elevates every part of your experience, from identifying marine iguanas to explaining how the islands were shaped by volcanoes. Throughout the cruise, we had each of the naturalists for at least one excursion and they were all stellar.
What You’ll See in the Galapagos
The reason you probably want to go to the Galapagos in the first place is that it’s so unique and special, right? Unless you live somewhere near the ocean like we do now (in Ventura, CA, at the gateway to the Channel Islands, which have been called the Galapagos of the Pacific), you probably haven’t even seen most of these creatures. Many are endemic to the Galapagos. So you’re in for a treat!
Here’s a glimpse of the wildlife, landscapes, and experiences you’ll encounter with Celebrity Flora.
1. Giant Tortoises & Island Endemics
- Giant tortoises are the region’s most iconic residents—slow‑moving, long‑lived, and found both in the wild and in breeding reserves.
- Each island has slightly different tortoise subspecies you won’t see anywhere else.
- Watching them graze among low brush or lumber across volcanic rock feels like stepping into another era.
2. Marine Iguanas & Lava Landscapes
- Marine iguanas are the only lizards in the world that swim and forage underwater.
- You’ll see them basking on black lava rocks, absorbing sunlight to warm up after chilly dives.
- The volcanic terrain here shapes the islands—barren lava flows, jagged cliffs, and rocky coves.
3. Blue‑Footed Boobies & Birdlife
- Watch the blue‑footed booby’s quirky mating dance.
- See Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, and herons everywhere you go.
- Birdlife is spectacular and approachable—many are used to humans yet still wild.
**4. Sea Lions & Sea Turtles in the Water
- Playful sea lions lounge on beaches and swim alongside snorkelers.
- Sea turtles glide in the clear currents—look for them near rocky drop‑offs.
- Snorkeling in the Galapagos feels like being in a nature documentary that you’re inside.
5. Frigatebirds & Flight Displays
- Male frigatebirds puff up their vibrant red throats in mating season.
- With massive wingspans, they glide effortlessly on ocean breezes.
- They nest high in trees and clifftops where you’ll often see aerial courtship displays.
6. Penguins, Sharks & Underwater Wonders
- The Galapagos penguin is the only penguin species found north of the equator.
- Reef sharks, rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish make snorkeling a highlight.
- Every snorkel outing feels like its own adventure with new encounters.
Typical Galapagos Itinerary Aboard Celebrity Flora
While actual schedules vary, here’s a snapshot of what a cruise week might look like:
Day 1: Arrival to Baltra & Embarkation
- Fly into Baltra, complete park checks, and transfer to Celebrity Flora. Lunch and refresh.
- Enjoy an evening welcome dinner and orientation with naturalists.
Days 2–6: Daily Exploration
Each day includes:
- Morning landing + hike or wildlife walk
- Optional snorkeling / kayaking
- Afternoon Zodiac excursion
- Evening recap or wildlife talk
- Dinner and stargazing
Islands visited may include Santa Cruz Highlands, Bartolomé, North Seymour, Genovesa, Isabela, and more—depending on your cruise direction.
Final Day: Disembark & Fly Home
- Your cruise ends on Baltra, where you’ll transfer back for your flight to mainland Ecuador and onward.
What to Pack for a Galapagos Cruise
Our biggest concern before the cruise was what to pack. There’s information out there, but we had to piece it all together. So here are my thoughts.
The essentials are:
- Reef‑safe sunscreen (mandatory) – They gave us a large tube in our staterooms so we didn’t even use the one we brought.
- Comfortable day shoes + water shoes – We were told we’d need water shoes like Tevas or Keens, so we brought them, but it’s really better to have flip flops and walking shoes with socks. We wore the Keens once and never again. Because sand gets in them and they’re uncomfortable. There are water landings where your feet will get wet, but you literally just walk right off the boat platform onto the beach. You’re not jumping or performing acrobatics. So just wear flip flops until you’re off the boat, then dry off your feet and change to shoes. True hiking shoes or boots are not necessary. Something with a sturdy non-slip sole is all you need.
- Light layers (it can be breezy at sea) – We went in Dec and the weather was around 75 the whole time. We went between long and short sleeved sports shirts with a zip up sweat-wicking jacket.
- 2 swimsuits & rash guard – I went with a one-piece suit but bikini is fine too if that’s what you’re comfortable in. Two suits is good because one might still be wet.
- Wide‑brim hat & polarized sunglasses – Polarized glasses will help you see more things in the water.
- Reef‑safe bug spray – We took it, but didn’t need it.
- Reusable water bottle – Celebrity gave us each a reusable water bottle.
- Underwater camera or GoPro
- Beach towel (some ships provide them)
For Daily Excursions
- Waterproof dry bag – Celebrity gave everyone a nice waterproof bag. But we used our own and were happy for that because it was a different color than the Celebity one that EVERYONE else was carrying.
- Quick‑dry shorts & t‑shirts – Quick dry, lightweight, comfortable. I took 2 long sleeve and 2 short sleeve quick dry shirts and 4 bottoms. You can do laundry twice for free on the cruise, so more than this is not necessary.
- Binoculars – I wouldn’t take your own. They provide them.
Best Time to Visit the Galapagos
Warm/Wet Season (December–May)
- Warmer water and air
- Better for snorkeling and swimming
- Slight chance of brief tropical showers
Cool/ Dry Season (June–November)
- Cooler water
- Upwelling brings nutrient‑rich currents—great for marine life
- Often calmer weather for hiking
Both seasons offer incredible wildlife experiences—you’ll see unique behavior year‑round.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.