One-on-one with our Galapagos Islands science expert
We recently sat down with Dr. Ellen Prager, well-known marine scientist and author, to talk about what’s special and new in the Galapagos Islands.
Q. What makes the Galapagos such a special place to visit?
A. The Galapagos Islands are unique in so many ways: from endemic species to the magnificent landscapes, this remote archipelago offers an experience like nowhere else. In the Galapagos you can swim with sea turtles, tropical fish, and sharks and then be amazed as the world’s second smallest penguin torpedoes by underwater. On land, giant tortoises roam the sides of volcanoes, while blue-footed boobies and waved albatross court their mates with mesmerizing dances. Large orangey-yellow land iguanas dine on spiked cactus pads as the world’s only marine iguana dives into the sea to feed on algae. But it is not just the unusual species that is so special here, it is also the unspoiled volcanic land and fact that because the animals are so well protected, they are unafraid. In the Galapagos long lenses are rarely required, as visitors can get up close and personal with the wildlife.
Q. How does Celebrity ensure guests get the best experience possible?
A. Celebrity works hard to ensure that the Galapagos experience is the best it can be. From dining to sleeping, Celebrity offers adventure in luxury. The rules of the Galapagos National Park are strictly adhered to and the very best naturalists are hired and given additional training to go above and beyond what guests might expect. We are constantly adding new science, improving activities, and looking for ways to exceed what is already a fantastic experience. We also have very high safety standards and Celebrity Xpedition® has repeatedly won awards for its environmental stewardship program.
Q. The building of Celebrity FloraSM is exciting — what will be new and unique for Celebrity in the Galapagos when she starts sailing?
A. Celebrity’s new Galapagos ship, Celebrity Flora, will begin sailing in May 2019. The ship is being built specifically for the Galapagos so that guests will have an unmatched experience in the islands. From sumptuous accommodations and leisure areas to the stern launching platform for excursion zodiacs this ship will provide excellence all around. We are building a Discovery Cove and Lab area to foster interaction with our naturalists aboard and create an engaging learning environment. Celebrity is also adding innovative technology to reduce the ship’s environmental footprint. We cannot wait for Celebrity Flora to arrive and begin sailing. It will truly be a new era for luxury adventure in the Galapagos.
Take a Virtual Tour of Celebrity Flora
We can give you glimpse into Celebrity Flora right now.
Special Galapagos Savings just for Captain's Club Members
This offer has just been updated to include Celebrity FloraSM. Save on Celebrity Xpedition® sailings from Sept. 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020; Celebrity Xperience® and Celebrity Xploration® sailings from Sept. 1, 2018, through May 25, 2019; and new Celebrity FloraSM sailings from May 26, 2019, through December 31, 2020. For Classic members and above.
Savings per Staterroom
- Ocean View - $500
- Suite - $1,000*
* Loyalty Discount Offer (“Offer”) applies to new bookings made June 18, 2018 – August 18, 2018 (“Offer Period”) for select Galapagos sailings departing 9/1/18 – 12/31/20 (“Offer Cruise”). Offer open to Captain’s Club members in the Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith tier levels booking ocean view and higher staterooms. Savings amount is in USD, per stateroom, and varies by stateroom category; $500 for ocean view; $1,000 for suites. Valid membership number must be provided at time of booking
To redeem offer, book online here, contact your travel agent, or call Celebrity Cruises at 1877-202-4344. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice, capacity controlled, non-transferable, and not combinable with any other offer. No refunds or credits for unused options. Offer applies to new, individual bookings and group bookings named and deposited during the Offer Period; excludes charters and contracted groups. Refer to Cruise Ticket Contract for additional terms and conditions. Celebrity reserves the right to cancel the Offer at any time, correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice.
Celebrity has been named one of the most innovative companies by Fast Company.
You know it’s going to be another great year for us when Fast Company recognizes Celebrity Cruises as one of their Most Innovative Companies in 2018.
We are featured among iconic brands like Apple, Spotify and Amazon, as well as fellow travel companies, such as Airbnb and Delta Air Lines. The judges loved Celebrity Edge and its groundbreaking design, recognizing our brand for “redesigning the cruise ship to give passengers an extra breath of fresh air.”
In 2017, Celebrity debuted the latest addition to its fleet, Celebrity Edge. The ship is the first to be designed in 3D, which allowed engineers to reposition the ship’s support structure from the perimeter to the center of the hull and enabled Celebrity to completely overhaul its approach to guest rooms and public spaces. The ship will include a cantilevered venue, called the Magic Carpet, that hangs over the ocean and travels between floors and staterooms with expansive verandas. The shift in the spine’s location results in new rooms that are 23% larger than Celebrity’s other, Solstice-class ships and bathrooms that are 10% larger. The ship begins sailing in December 2018.
Fast Company's 2018 Most Innovative Companies recognizes pioneering businesses across 36 categories—from consumer electronics to artificial intelligence to wellness— and provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.
Celebrity is the first cruise line to have a partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, and here’s why.
Celebrity is the first cruise line to enter into a fleet-wide partnership with Forbes Travel Guide and hold itself to the highest luxury service standards in the world, further proving the brand’s commitment to world-class serviceAt the heart of the Celebrity family is our amazing crew who strive to offer you award-winning service every day. But rest assured, we are always looking for ways to improve your cruise experience, and who better to aid us in this task than the global authority on luxury service: Forbes Travel Guide.
“Celebrity Cruises has been recognized for its industry-leading hospitality that offers guests personalized, genuine and knowledgeable service unlike any other,” said Brian Abel, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises. “But we’re not resting on our laurels: we’re always looking for ways to continue to improve upon our service, and that’s what we hope to gain from this industry-first partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.”
It is an incredible honor to be linked to such an accredited organization. With over 60 years of expertise in assessing and verifying service standards in the most luxurious hotels and resorts around the world, we know implementing their ideals can only enrich your cruise experience.
“We are proud to join with Celebrity Cruises in this important partnership,” said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. “Celebrity is setting itself apart by committing to a luxury experience and service excellence throughout its fleet, and we are poised to support the company in this commitment.”
Celebrity’s promise is simple; to deliver world class service to every guest, every time. Whether you value your stateroom attendant’s attention to detail, your sommelier’s wine recommendation, or your waiter’s uncanny ability to recall your favorite dessert, we know you’ll feel right at home on any one of our ships in our growing fleet. And that’s what it’s really all about, enhancing your experience to provide an unrivaled cruise vacation that you’ll never forget.
Learn more about our ongoing commitment to unrivaled service here.
Fond memories of the 2018 President’s Cruise
Many of our loyal Captain’s Club members joined our CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, in March on the 12-Night Dubai & India President’s Cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation®. We had so much fun discovering this dynamic region of the world. We hosted an incredible Bollywood experience right on board, explored Dubai by air, land and sea, and even camped out in the Omani Desert. The people, places, and cultures we experienced, along with meeting everyone on board, made this an unforgettable vacation.
We wish you all could have been on board but for those who couldn’t make it, here’s a video we put together of the highlights of our adventures.
This is truly a once in a lifetime destination that is not to be missed. If you haven’t been there yet, check out our upcoming sailings to the region.
Or, if you love special events and you missed the President’s Cruise join us for the 2018 Reunion Cruise! We’ll be in South America on Celebrity Eclipse® in December.
Meet Your Fellow Captain’s Club Members
Say Hello to Charla and Jeremy, who were engaged on board Celebrity Silhouette
Meet Your Fellow Captain’s Club Members
She spends 60 to 70 hours a week poring over corporate documents. He corrals the logistics of sending out direct mail to the best recipients. Classic members in our Captain’s Club, they booked a Sky Suite for the first time and now are hooked for life.
Charla and Jeremy are a bubbly 30-something couple from St. Louis. A landlocked area, yes, which may explain why they love cruising the open waters so much. They both agree some of their best memories together have been from a Celebrity cruise.
Neither couple has much available vacation time, so they use it wisely. Charla loves being able to visit three to four different places on a 7-10-day cruise. “We enjoy cruising as a chance to spend one to two days in a lot of places and then decide where we want to return to spend more time.”
Charla and Jeremy have been together for two years and they recently got engaged aboard Celebrity Silhouette on a Caribbean cruise. Jeremy brought the engagement ring on board but needed to find a way to hide it from Charla until he popped the question. He couldn’t hide it in the room safe, as Charla used it daily. He hid it in his underwear drawer but that left Charla wondering why he was changing his underwear so much as he was checking on it multiple times a day.
Jeremy and the ship photographer devised a plan for the proposal, one that would leave them with a special photo of the moment. The couple scheduled a private, in studio photo shoot. Jeremy managed to sneak the ring out of the room and get to the studio a bit before Charla. She joined him, and the photographer posed Charla sitting on a swivel stool facing a back wall. Upon request he asked her to turn and look over her shoulder. When she did, what she saw was Jeremy down on one knee, ring in hand, a proposal on his lips.
They celebrated with dinner in Luminae that night. The crew heard about the engagement and decided to throw them a party the following night. They met Concierge Niko in Michael’s Club and were then escorted to the Lawn Club. When the elevator doors opened on Deck 15, all the ship’s officers, the photographer, a videographer, their Butler, and the Hotel Director had set up a private Alcove cabana with a table set for two, a Mediterranean dinner, and wines to accompany it. As the sun set, they were serenaded by a guitar player. Captain (name?) even came over to personally offer his congratulations. Back at their room, they found chilled champagne and rose petals strewn on their bed in the shape of a heart.
The couple can’t wait until their next cruise. Like Charla says, “Going back to work is such a letdown after a cruise. It’s already 11:15 and nobody has asked what they can do for me today!” She continues, “We were blown away by the time and energy the crew put into us. We are Celebrity cruisers for life.”
A fitting end to the love story of Charla and Jeremy? They’re still working out the details of the wedding ceremony and reception. But a honeymoon has already been booked. Naturally, it’s on a Celebrity cruise in the Adriatics.
