Bookings have opened for the 2028 Galápagos expedition season aboard Celebrity Flora, the purpose-built vessel operated by Celebrity Cruises. The programme includes more than 50 all-inclusive voyages scheduled throughout the year, offering itineraries designed to explore the remote ecosystems of the Galápagos archipelago.
Each voyage is planned to combine marine and shore-based exploration across the islands. Activities are expected to include snorkeling in waters inhabited by sea lions, kayaking near sea turtle habitats, and coastal excursions along volcanic cliffs and protected coves. Land visits will allow encounters with species characteristic of the region, including the giant tortoise populations that inhabit several of the islands. The itineraries are conducted under the guidance of certified naturalists from the Galápagos National Park, whose role is to interpret the natural environment and regulate visitor access to the protected landscape.
The vessel Celebrity Flora accommodates approximately one hundred passengers and was constructed specifically for navigation within the Galápagos Islands. On board, the yacht provides suite accommodation, dining venues, and expedition facilities suited to small-scale operations in environmentally sensitive waters. Among the experiences offered is an overnight “glamping” programme on deck, allowing passengers to remain outdoors while the vessel is at anchor.
The 2028 programme includes voyages of 7, 10, 11, and 16 nights. Routes are organised around so-called inner and outer island loops, enabling vessels to visit both the central and more distant islands of the archipelago. Extended travel packages linked to the sailings also allow passengers to visit mainland destinations in South America, including Quito, as well as locations in Peru such as Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu.
Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, indicated in a company statement that the Galápagos Islands represent one of the world’s most distinctive natural environments. She stated that the company considered itself privileged to offer voyages in the region aboard Celebrity Flora, noting that the programme aims to provide an intimate form of exploration while maintaining support for conservation initiatives and local community projects.
Environmental work in the archipelago forms part of the company’s partnership with Galápagos National Park. Through the “Rewilding Galápagos” programme, passengers are invited to participate in reforestation activities intended to restore native habitats and assist in the protection of endangered species. During each itinerary, visitors are taken to designated Scalesia reforestation zones, where seedlings are planted under the supervision of park naturalists. According to the company, more than 86 acres of habitat have already been restored through this initiative, and the programme is expected to reach the milestone of one hundred thousand trees planted as the 2028 season progresses.
Supporting these efforts is the Hernán Carrión Nursery, which has recently undergone renovation and is funded through the Celebrity Cruises Galapagos Fund. The nursery cultivates native plant species used in the archipelago’s reforestation programmes. Established in 2005, the fund has supported ecological restoration and a range of local community projects aimed at preserving the islands’ ecosystems.
The company places these initiatives within a broader environmental programme known as “SEA the Future,” which focuses on environmental stewardship, support for local communities, and technological innovation within cruise operations. Through these measures, Celebrity Cruises has sought to link its expedition programme in the Galápagos with ongoing conservation efforts across the islands.