ABD Galapagos any experiences?

[familygoboston]

I have searched here and also Trip Advisor for a review or post by anyone who has taken the ABD Ecuador Galapagos trip, but no luck yet. Anyone have experience with this trip? A review to share?

We did P to PV in Costa Rica in 2007 and LOVED IT! We've done a bunch of non ABD trips before and since but now we'd like to take my teens and parents (50th Anniversary trip) on this trip in 2012. (awaiting dates and prices). I just felt they handled the multi generational groups so beautifully and included so many great experiences I just can't duplicate on my own. Also I know my dad feels comfortable with the Disney brand. I really want to make this a special trip, it's likey to be the last BIG trip we take with all 3 generations

Anyone have any experience?

 

[Bobo912]

We do have a few people on the board who have taken the Galapagos ABD and posted about it. When I was researching trips last year I asked some questions and received some helpful responses. You may have to do a bit of searching to find the posts. Hopefully all those folks are still around and will respond again. I returned from the Galapgos 3 weeks ago. It was a wonderful trip. I decided to go with Linblad/Nat Geo rather than ABD because they offered a longer cruise in the Galapagos and less time in mainland Ecuador. I'm sure the ABD itinerary is great and will be a wonderful way to celebrate you parents anniversary.

 

[familygoboston]

Thanks Bobo...I am wondering where those posts are? I did an advanced search (& saw all about your decision to take the non ABD trip) but can't seem to find any reviews, even under the review sticky. Thats why I posted, hopefully, someone can direct me to their review.

We are pretty seasoned cruisers on RCI so I had considered the Celebrity Expedition, but we need to do a summer trip, and have a couple of sensitive stomachs, so I thought if we did a shorter cruise, it would be a bit easier for those folks. Also, my girls have taken many years of Spanish and I think the Ecuador part of the trip appeals to them as they want to practice speaking a bit with people they meet during our travels!

Sounds like the Linblad trip was great...just curious how many pax that ship holds? Because of the mentioned seasickness, I was thinking Galapagos Explorer 2 was a little bigger, maybe a bit more stable? But those Linblad trips look incredible!

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks Bobo...I am wondering where those posts are? I did an advanced search (& saw all about your decision to take the non ABD trip) but can't seem to find any reviews, even under the review sticky. Thats why I posted, hopefully, someone can direct me to their review.

We are pretty seasoned cruisers on RCI so I had considered the Celebrity Expedition, but we need to do a summer trip, and have a couple of sensitive stomachs, so I thought if we did a shorter cruise, it would be a bit easier for those folks. Also, my girls have taken many years of Spanish and I think the Ecuador part of the trip appeals to them as they want to practice speaking a bit with people they meet during our travels!

Sounds like the Linblad trip was great...just curious how many pax that ship holds? Because of the mentioned seasickness, I was thinking Galapagos Explorer 2 was a little bigger, maybe a bit more stable? But those Linblad trips look incredible!

The Galapagos Explorer 2 may be bit bigger, but I think it's pretty close in size to the ship we were on. The Nat Geo Endeavor can hold up to 98 guests, 16 naturalists and a crew of 60 or so. Linblad also has a smaller ship. I totally sympathize with the ones who have the sensitive stomachs!

It may be awhile before anybody chimes in, but eventually I think you'll hear from somenody whose taken the ABD.

 

[sayhello]

Here's links to a few threads discussing this trip, plus the first thread has a link to a trip report posted on another site.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2455438

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2408363

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2233815

Sayhello

 

[familygoboston]

Thanks so much for the links! Guess the search here won't help me for another site My husband always tells me, "just do a google search!!" Sometimes it's like looking for a needle in a haystack!

Thanks for the info...if they offer this one and we book this one, I'm sure we will be back with questions, and definately a review!! I love reviews, so I always write them

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I can't help you yet, but my two oldest are going on this trip with my parents at the end of June. I am beyond jealous! Grandparent trips are a tradition on my mom's side, but she went to Alaska and I went to Switzerland. I think my parents are raising the bar!

Anyway, I can let you know their experiences later. Everyone is very excited!

 

[sayhello]

I can't help you yet, but my two oldest are going on this trip with my parents at the end of June. I am beyond jealous! Grandparent trips are a tradition on my mom's side, but she went to Alaska and I went to Switzerland. I think my parents are raising the bar!

Anyway, I can let you know their experiences later. Everyone is very excited!

Oh, wow! How wonderful for your kids! (And your folks!) They're going to have an incredible time!

Sayhello

 

[familygoboston]

I can't help you yet, but my two oldest are going on this trip with my parents at the end of June. I am beyond jealous! Grandparent trips are a tradition on my mom's side, but she went to Alaska and I went to Switzerland. I think my parents are raising the bar!

Anyway, I can let you know their experiences later. Everyone is very excited!

That sounds great! I know for myself, I like to go new places, so we keep taking people along on better and better trips My neice got to come to Africa with us last year. My folks are joining us on this Galapagos trip and the last one we took them on was Alaska! (they behaved themselves so we are taking them again)

I do hope you can have your kids or parents share their experiences. Your kids look a little younger than mine (my DD are 14 and 16 now), but they'd be curious to know how other kids liked it! I'm sure they will have an AMAZING time!

 

[kac911]

To those who have been to Galapagos (ABD or otherwise), is 3 days enough to see all I want/need to see in the Islands? I know many trips have much longer stays in the islands and I don't want to feel like I went all that way and didn't get to see enough. But then again, I also don't want to wake up on day 7 and think "this again" which I am afraid a long trip might start to feel like? Galapagos is probably at the top of my bucket list because of the wildlife; just so you know were I'm coming from, and we are 2 adults. Thanks for any pearls of wisdom you have to shed on the subject!

 

[Bobo912]

To those who have been to Galapagos (ABD or otherwise), is 3 days enough to see all I want/need to see in the Islands? I know many trips have much longer stays in the islands and I don't want to feel like I went all that way and didn't get to see enough. But then again, I also don't want to wake up on day 7 and think "this again" which I am afraid a long trip might start to feel like? Galapagos is probably at the top of my bucket list because of the wildlife; just so you know were I'm coming from, and we are 2 adults. Thanks for any pearls of wisdom you have to shed on the subject!

Personally, I would say 3 days is not enough. Yes, you may hike and snorkle to see the wildlife everyday, but every island is different. We were on an 8 day cruise and I'm sorry that we couldn't stay longer and visit every island. But, I can see how it might get to be boring for some people if the variety of animals and scenery isn't interesting enough to keep them engaged.

 

[marie1203]

To those who have been to Galapagos (ABD or otherwise), is 3 days enough to see all I want/need to see in the Islands? I know many trips have much longer stays in the islands and I don't want to feel like I went all that way and didn't get to see enough. But then again, I also don't want to wake up on day 7 and think "this again" which I am afraid a long trip might start to feel like? Galapagos is probably at the top of my bucket list because of the wildlife; just so you know were I'm coming from, and we are 2 adults. Thanks for any pearls of wisdom you have to shed on the subject!

No three days is not enough. I did a 7 day and I felt it wasn't enough.