Get all your information on Olivia's Galápagos Adventure Cruise.
About Our Destination
Climate
December is the transition month on the Galápagos Islands between the dry season and the warmer wet season. The air starts getting warmer, with temperatures rising to 80°F, and the water is warm, with temperatures around 73°F. It is a great month to visit the islands as the Guarúa season has come to an end and the nights become warmer as well. You can expect barely any rain and not too much heat and humidity. Check www.weather.com for the most current weather.
Currency
US dollars are widely accepted. Be sure there are no tears or writing on the bills.
Languages
Spanish is the main language, but English is spoken widely.
Activity Level
Activity Level
This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on uneven terrain, sometimes slippery, rocky, sandy beaches, gentle hiking uphill, sometimes boulders, and getting in and out of zodiacs (smaller boats) from the ship and from the beaches on shore. We do our best to assist and look after each other. It’s the nature of who we are. We do offer different levels of hikes at most stops. If hiking is too much, perhaps a zodiac ride to spot bird and water mammal life might be offered as a choice. Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship or on shore as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Before Your Trip
Cancellation Policy
Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions.
Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.
Celebrations — Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons, and more
If you will have a birthday or celebration during your vacation and have not already informed your Olivia Travel Consultant, please let us know as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
You can register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.
Connect with Other Guests — Join the Facebook Group
If you'd like to chat with people who are going on the trip, join Olivia’s official 2025 Galápagos Adventure Cruise group on Facebook.
Passport and Visa
You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.
U.S. citizens do NOT need to get a visa ahead of time. If you are not from the U.S., please check with your consulate for proper Visa requirements.
Specific Needs—Dietary, Medical, and Mobility
If you have any medical, mobility needs, or specific dietary requirements that you have not already advised your travel consultant, please advise us of this information as soon as possible but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
This trip requires a certain level of mobility, including steep stairwells on the ship, walking on boulders, rocky or uneven terrain, gentle hiking uphill and getting in and out of zodiacs from the ship and on shore. There are no elevators on the ship. If you do have limited mobility that requires assistance, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you. For those who cannot do the rocky terrains, we will offer a zodiac ride or a less strenuous option.
Travel Insurance
Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information.
For a travel insurance quote, more information, or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a travel consultant.
Vacation Stretchers
We will offer additional Hotel nights in Guayaquil at the Hotel del Parque before or after the trip. Please check back to the Vacation Stretchers page for more information.
Vaccinations
Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” followed by “Vaccinations.”
2025 GALÁPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE |
START DATE | END DATE | FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation 365 days or more prior to trip date | 11/28/2024 | 50% of trip cost | |
| Cancellation 0-364 days prior to trip date | 11/29/2024 | 11/28/2025 | 100% of trip cost (no refund) |
Travel & Arrival
Air Travel
Airports
You will need to fly into Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE). Most flights arrive in the evening.
Airfare Discounts
Save up to 15% on your airfare through our partner airlines. Please visit our airfare discount page for the most up-to-date information.
Flight Arrival and Departure Times
Flights into Guayaquil can arrive any time on November 29 and hotel check-in begins at 3 pm. We always recommend arriving on earlier flights or coming in a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. Olivia will offer additional hotel nights at the hotel. Please call us approximately 9 months prior to the trip for pricing.
You can leave any time in the late evening of December 5 (after 8 PM), or on December 6, 2025. A day room will be provided and is included up until the time of departure for your late-night flight December 5. An overnight room will be provided and is included if your flight departs December 6. Check out time at the hotel is 12 pm. Please note, if your flight departs late evening of December 6, you will need to check-out of your hotel room by 12 pm that day. In this case, you may want to consider booking an additional night with us so you can keep your room up until your departure to the airport.
Host Hotel
Our host hotel in Guayaquil is the beautiful Hotel del Parque. This is a beautifully restored luxury hotel; a “tropical oasis”, set in a very exclusive affluent Samborondón neighborhood with a park next door and 10-15 minute walk to local restaurants and stores. Hotel del Parque is a boutique, unforgettable experience of history and elegance.
This historic 19th century property offers refreshing sophistication. Here you’ll find Ecuadorian furnishings in cooling hues, impressive large marble bathrooms, free wifi, and 24-hour room service, plus minibars and full air conditioning.
During your stay, you can dine on fresh seafood in the refined, waterfront restaurant, or enjoy a massage or beauty treatments in a unique setting within the wood-beamed bell tower of the original restored chapel. Enhance your experience with cultural encounters such as chocolate tasting, coffee roasting and wildlife walks in the stunning tropical grounds.
We encourage all guests to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays and to enjoy all the amenities this hotel offers. Should you wish to arrive a day or two early or extend your stay, please contact us for reservations and pricing which will include your airport transfer approximately 9 months prior to the trip.
Luggage Allowances
While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.
For the included flight from Guayaquil to the Galápagos, guests can check one bag. If you are traveling prior to or after our trip and have an extra bag, you can leave it at the hotel in Guayaquil.
Transfer and Meeting Up with Olivia
The transfer time is approximately 15-20 minutes from the airport to the hotel in Guayaquil, depending on traffic. We will provide transfers from the airport to Hotel del Parque for guests arriving in Guayaquil on November 29. We will be collecting your flight arrival itineraries to organize these transfers. We do not recommend using taxis unless arranged for by hotels.
During your trip
Electricity
Ecuador and the Galápagos operate on U.S. electrical current, 110 volts, 60 cycles.
Elevator
There is no elevator on this ship.
Expedition Tools
National Geographic Islander II carries a fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, a glass-bottom Zodiac, an expanded flotilla of versatile Zodiac boats, complete snorkel gear, video microscope, Science Hub, and remote ocean view cameras.
The newly refitted teak-appointed marina is spacious and climate-controlled, designed for guests to comfortably get in and out of expedition gear.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your Expedition Leader and Naturalists, cabin steward, dining room steward, maître d’, and other behind-the-scenes crew members.
Internet and Email
Internet access is available on board.
Laundry Services
The ship does offers laundry service and pressing. A price sheet is in your suite. There is no self-service laundry or ironing.
Medical Services
There is a doctor with a minimal medical center on board. Your first visit is complimentary.
Money for Onboard Purchases
Upon embarkation, you will register a credit card to your shipboard account to charge premium drinks, services, etc. You will not be able to get cash advances through your credit card.
Phone
Cell phone coverage is minimal, but it is available in the more populated areas of Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristobal and Puerto Arroyo. Check with your cell phone provider for international rates. Most offer the ability to use this service for $10/day. Satellite phones are available on board at costs of up to $12/minute.
Public Spaces
The ship’s public spaces enhance the connection to the islands. Guests will find an open Bridge, surrounding teak decks, and a forward-viewing area. Two dining areas accommodate all guests in a single seating. The Cove, which has a bar, is the setting for daily Recaps. Other ship features include a reception area with glass doors that lead to an open teak Viewing Deck, a Plunge Pool, a Chart Room, the Global Gallery, Library, Marina, Swim Platform, and Zodiac boarding area.
Science Hub
Outfitted with scientific equipment, the exciting new Science Hub continues the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic legacy of supporting conservation and research. Equipped for underway oceanography, interactive video presentations, and an enhanced photo experience.
Smoking Policy
The ship is completely non-smoking except for a designated area outdoors. Smoking is not permitted on the uninhabited islands. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to stay within the designated area for everyone’s health and comfort.
Solos
We average a few solo travelers on these trips who mix and mingle with everyone. For a trip this small, there are no solo coordinators. If you are a solo, and missed out on the solo occupancy rooms, we unfortunately are not able to accommodate room share requests for this trip. We suggest finding a friend to travel with you and booking a room together. You can start to meet other solo travelers online before the trip on the 2025 Galápagos Adventure Cruise Facebook Group.
Spa Services
Standard spa treatments such as massage are available in the LEX Spa. Pricing will be available on board.
Voyage Expeditions Video, starring YOU
Your trip includes a link to your voyage expedition video. A National Geographic/Lindblad videographer will be chronicling your expedition during the week. A link to this video will be provided approximately 4-6 weeks after the trip. Otherwise, the videographer may be able to do an “Air Drop” for Apple iPhones on the last evening on board.
After your trip
Disembarkation
We disembark at approximately 9 am for our transfer to the local Galapagos Airport. Exact flight times from Galápagos to Guayaquil will be in your final documents to be sent 30 days prior to the trip.
Host Hotel
We will utilize the Hotel del Parque in Guayaquil for our return hotel. Hotel check-in is 3 pm and check-out is 12 pm.
Transfers to the Airport
Transfers to the Guayaquil airport will be provided for those departing the evening of December 5 after 8 pm or the following morning, December 6.
This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on uneven terrain, sometimes slippery, rocky, sandy beaches, gentle hiking uphill, sometimes boulders, and getting in and out of zodiacs (smaller boats) from the ship and from the beaches on shore. We do our best to assist and look after each other. It’s the nature of who we are. We do offer different levels of hikes at most stops. If hiking is too much, perhaps a zodiac ride to spot bird and water mammal life might be offered as a choice. Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship or on shore as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Our Travel Consultants can be reached at USA or Canada: 800.631.6277 or International 415.962.5700, option 1.
